Post #6- Police Under Fire for Murders, Robbery and Other Crimes

Photo courtesy of BBC News

A March 5th article on BBC News discusses new reports which reveal the shocking offenses committed by the Nigerian police force and have brought into question the effectiveness of the police. Although corruption and horrid offenses are nothing new with Nigeria's police, Nigerian citizens are appalled by their apparent lack of moral and reason. The police force itself is divided on the issue. While national police chief Ibrahim Lame is the one of the government officials responsible for bringing the police's transgressions to light and has committed himself to improve Nigeria's police force, Inspector General of Police Ogbonna Onovo defended them by talking about how many of the criminals the police hunt are often more equipped than the police are. He also said the police were "operating under unbearable conditions", most probably referring to all the violence from militants and ethnic riots the police has to deal with. However, this does not justify actions such as the shooting of innocent people or not even showing up at a crime scene last week where robbers forcefully ordered innocent civilians on a bus be killed. Despite all these appalling events, the fact that the government has finally acknowledged the problems with the police is a definite step in the right direction.

This BBC article shows us both a negative and positive aspect in the legitimacy of Nigeria's government. While the actions of the police are unquestionably completely unacceptable, the government's decision to actually take action demonstrates the government's desire to improve their citizens' view, especially due to the fact that police officials are the ones orchestrating this move. The fact that the Senate has moved to push an investigation of the bus incident last week is once again another positive move for Nigeria's legitimacy. The article also brings to light possible reasons as to why the police force behaves in a way so contrary to their job- poverty and nationwide tensions. These two topics have come up week after week in Nigerian news and are two of the main factors that hinder the country's development. In addition, the article talks about how the culture of violence in the hands of Nigeria's police force is a deep and powerful culture that will take time to reverse. As BBC reporter Caroline Duffield said, "Nigerians are accustomed to seeing bodies pile up [by police]." As the new government under the hands of Goodluck Jonathan attempts to fight back one of the biggest evils in Nigerian society, corruption, it is up to the Nigerian citizens to decide whether they wish to accept this change after years of seeing brutality as a norm by the police.

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Nigerian politician accused of embezzling $100M

According to an recent article by the Washington Post, a ranking member of Nigeria's national party supposedly embezzled a whopping $100 million from governmental funds designated for public projects. The politician in question, Abdullahi Adamu, was arrested after a more than yearlong investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Agents of the commission requested access to his personal finance records in an effort to locate the stolen funds, likely taken from unfinished construction projects located in Nasarawa state. Adamu was governor of this area, and had easy access to large sums of money dolled out to states from oil revenue. Many governmental officials find it impossible to resist the temptation of these funds, and consequently Nigeria is widely known as one of the most corrupt nations in the world. This rampant corruption has yet to ignite the flames of political reform, however-- state governors are immune to prosecution while in office. Adamu currently holds the position of secretary to the board of trustees in the People's Democratic Party, the ruling party of Nigeria. It has yet to be disclosed as to whether the party with force the resignation of Adamu over recent allegations. These charges are among the first against high-profile individuals, and may signal the governments efforts of cracking down on the crippling corruption the country has been experiencing.


This article provides but one example of the unbridled corruption Nigeria is presently experiencing and is inadequately dealing with. This issue clearly devastates the already floundering legitimacy of the government, as Nigerians no longer trust the intentions of the policy makers. However, it is the masses fault for not holding government officials accountable for their frequently poor actions. By not confronting politicians, Nigerians are essentially permitting them to use public funds at their personal whim. Widespread corruption also damages the political institutions of the state, whose legislation allows leaders immunity from their decisions during their governorship. The fact that the national party refuses to disclose their opinion on the matter rather than providing a swift reaction shows that corruption has infiltrated the entirety of the political landscape in Nigeria.

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Post #5- "President" Yar'Adua Finally Returns to Nigeria

Photo courtesy of Flickr

According to a February 25th article from The Economist, the ailing leader of Nigeria, Umaru Yar'Adua, has finally returned to the country after spending several months in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. His arrival comes conveniently after his former vice-president, Goodluck Jonathan, was named acting president in Yar'Adua's absence. Many feel Yar'Adua suddenly came back to Nigeria as a way of reminding Jonathan that Yar'Adua still has power. During his first two weeks as acting president, Jonathan has made interesting changes to Nigeria's government, such as shifting around the positions of cabinet members who are dedicated to Yar'Adua. In addition, Jonathan has tried to make good on his promise to fight corruption and any other obstacles in Nigeria's government and society by attempting to talk with the Niger Delta (located on the Niger River in Nigeria) militants who are often embroiled in ethnic riots as well as attacks on police and oil lines. Although Yar'Adua's spokesman said that Yar'Adua does not plan to go back to work for some time, his presence will certainly loom over Jonathan's head, as it is quite possible that Yar'Adua's health may improve to a point where he may be granted the seat of president to finish out his term.

This article shows how Nigeria's method of turning over power is still debated by their people. Although there has never really been a situation like this in Nigeria's history as most of their leaders have obtained power through military coups or other illegal means, the president's sudden return to his country after being gone for such a long time could possibly mean Yar'Adua is unhappy with his vice-president having more power now and may plan to regain power once his health permits it. In addition, religious tensions have arisen between the Muslims and the Christians over equal distribution of power. The president and vice-president practice different religions; Jonathan is Christian while Yar'Adua is Muslim. Therefore, there is considerable worry that if a Christian president is elected next year, Muslims will have lost part of their time to be in power due to Jonathan's current position as president. This flaw in the otherwise satisfactory system could not have been expected and it will be up to the Nigerian government and its people to determine how to manage it.

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Hillary Clinton blames Nigeria leaders for extremism

Following the failed Christmas day terrorist bombing, the Nigerian government has faced increased scrutiny regarding its competency at controlling the radicalization of impoverished youths. In an article by BBC News published January 27th, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accuses the Nigerian government of failing to stem the growth of radicalization in their country. Clinton believes the rampant poverty and widespread corruption are the primary factors behind the rise in extremism. Though Nigeria is presently not a harbor for al-Quaeda, many Western diplomats fear the current social and political climate make it an undeniable target. In order to quell extremism in the country before it becomes an international threat, Clinton suggested the government confront the issue in ways other than "military means."


The significance of this out lashing against the performance of the Nigerian government is extremely apparent in the political institution of the country. To be admonished by the world's sole superpower definitely arises the question of governmental legitimacy. If foreign nations are critical of a given country's policies, it is likely its citizens will become wary of the current political organization. This article also heavily relates to the social level of Nigeria. The government has thus far proven itself to be wholly incompetent at controlling the spread of extremist acts and enrollment in the country. If the politics of Nigeria fail to pacify an already chaotic region, it might compromise the already feeble Democracy and usher in a military rule.


Photo Credit: BBC News

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Nigerian Agency Under Fire after Christmas Day Bombing

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport- picture courtesy of aschweigert from Flickr.com

The world stood in shock as news of Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's attempt to blow up a plane en route from Amsterdam to Detroit this past Christmas began to spread. As the United States and Dutch officials began to piece the puzzle together, one aspect particularly stood out- the fact that the would-be bomber's father had warned the Nigeria's National Intelligence Agency of his son's extremist views. Many in the country and out wonder how the agency chose to disregard this hefty piece of information from Abdulmutallab's own father, who is also one of Nigeria's most prosperous businessmen as well as a former minister in the government. This oversight has caused a great deal of Nigerians to lose their already faltering faith in their government as the true story behind Abdulmutallab starts to unravel. Click here to read the article.

This article posted by the New York Times brings to mind several questions- how the National Intelligence Agency could ignore a critical warning from a rather important figure, whether the oversight reflects the ineptitude of similar agencies and bureaucracies and how this will affect the way Nigerians view their government. The last question seems to be the most important, as it relates to citizens' belief in the legitimacy of their governing system. Although Nigeria is a blossoming democracy, many problems, such as the corruption present at both state and local levels, threaten to hinder Nigerians' faith in their government. In addition to the unsure fate of their ill leader and ever-present ethnic clashes, the last thing Nigerians need to worry about is whether other countries view their country as dangerous. As the article states, "Nigerians, sensitive about a host of stains on their image abroad, including corruption and religious violence, are angered that terrorism has now been added to the list." Therefore, this article provides us with a clear example of just how important citizens' assurance in the legitimacy of their government is.

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