STUDENT NOTES 2 - NIGERIA

1. STUDENT NOTES 2 - NIGERIA

2. Citizens, Society, and the State • Necessary condition for democratization: citizens need to have time to pay attention and participate in the political process • Problem for Nigeria: • One of the most fragmented countries IN THE WORLD • People are FRAGMENTED and POLARIZED • Any concession is seen as total defeat • Only thing they have in common is poverty • Large gap between rich and poor (Gini = 48.8) • Health issues – AIDS epidemic (1 in 11 AIDS carriers are Nigerian) • Literacy – 75.7% for men, 60.6% for women • Illiteracy highest in countryside (~50%)

4. Citizens, Society, and the State • GEOGRAPHY • Entire state divided based on ethnicity • Urbanization on trend • Cities segregated based on ethnicity • CIVIL SOCIETY • Open and free • Religious, occupational groups, student groups, women’s groups • POLITICAL PARTICIPATION • Limited to voting, joining civil groups • MEDIA • Freedom of the press • Mainly radio; newspapers and TV

5. Citizens, Society, and the State • Three largest groups have virtually NOTHING in common politically, socially, or historically • Northwest – Hausa-Fulani, Muslim • Northeast – Kanuri, Muslim • Middle-Belt – smaller groups, mix of Muslim and Christian • Southwest – Yoruba, mix of religions • Southeast – Igbo, Catholic and Christian • South – various minorities • Religion MORE important in the NORTH than in the SOUTH • Muslims in Yoruba are more likely to make political decisions based on their ethnicity and NOT their religion

6. “Nigeria is not a nation. it is a mere geographical expression”Chief Obafemi Awolowo Southeast • AKA “The East” • Igbo • 3rd largest ethnic • group • Predominantly Christian • National Convention of Nigerian Citizens Northwest • AKA “The North” • Hausa-Fulani • Largest ethnic group • Predominantly Muslim • Northern People’s Congress (NPC) Southwest • AKA “The West” • Yoruba • 2nd largest ethnic group • 40% Christian • 40% Muslim • 20% Yoruban • Action Group (AG)

7. Citizens, Society, and the State • COINCIDING! • Region – North (predominantly Muslim) vs. South (predominantly Christian) • Urban/rural differences – political organizations, interest groups, media only operate in cities • Social class – elite are those with ties to the state, who often use the treasury to benefit themselves

9. Citizens, Society, and the State • Regionally based multiethnic coalitions • Extreme factionalization resulted in development of so many parties, there is no coherent party system • GOALS and IDEOLOGIES rarely mentioned • Parties appear and disappear based on leaders • Currently: • People’s Democratic Party (PDP) • All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) • Action Congress (AC) – merger of many parties

10. The Parties • People’s Democratic Party (PDP) • Has national appeal • Has won every presidential election since 1999 • Claim to support market economy and national health service • Social conservatism • All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) 2003 • Formally the All People’s Party APP 1999 • Northern thus Muslim-based party • Main opposition party • Action Congress (AC) • Left of center

11. Citizens, Society, and the State • Public Opinion and Political Participation • Protests, Participation, and Social Movements • Increasing protest and organization/mobilization since 1999 • Often focused around international oil companies

12. Citizens, Society, and the State • Public Opinion and Political Participation • Voting Behavior – no one knows how many Nigerians participate because of the irregularities in their elections (estimates around 66%) • Attitudes Toward Government – distrust of most officials, cynicism • Abacha’s heart attack was celebrated as the “coup from heaven”

13. Citizens, Society, and the State Elections are a matter not of issues but of personality, patronage, and of regional, religious and ethnic identities Rigging and voter manipulation common Violence and uproar after elections common Promote growth toward democracy…aka, better than a coup