Nigeria

The Political Culture

Up until recently, the political culture of Nigeria could be categorized as extremely authoritarian.  Until 1999, Nigeria was under military rule and only in the last three years have the citizens held voting rights.  The military government in place before Obasanjo, had pronounced political repression and documented human rights violations. A survey on popular attitudes to democracy carried out in early 2000 found strong popular sentiments in favor of democratic governance among 80 percent of the Nigerian population.  Although people now hold civil liberties, including the right to vote, there is a huge amount of distrust towards the government and its institutions.  The new government is experiencing conflict within its infrastructure.  The legislature and the executive branch are constantly arguing, and the National Assembly has been struck by corruption.  Many people blame Obasanjo for the stunted growth of Nigeria since his election, suggesting he is a dictator and pointing to his history of human rights abuses.

There are two major television networks controlled by the government and an additional 14 private stations were granted license in 1993.  The Nigerian media is estimated to be the most diverse in all of sub-Saharan Africa and it has grown considerably in the more liberal environment provided by the elected government. Access to television and media in the rural regions of Africa is limited.

In the last election, some places only received a 20-30% turnout; in others it was as high as 50%.  There was little reporting of intimidation despite the open ballot boxes.  In some place, police were dispatched to keep the peace, but the consensus was that the election was fair an impartial.  Many Nigerians claimed they choose not to vote because they didn’t like their options.  Since Nigeria has only had one democratic election, it is difficult to see how socialization affects the voting preferences of people.  Perhaps after the elections in 2003 there will be more information. (www.hrw.org)

        Although the new civil government guarantees political/ civil rights it is debatable if they are truly respected; however one must concede there have been huge improvements since 1999. The new civilian government is quick to use military resources to put down demonstrations, especially those in connection with the oil drilling, the environmental repercussions, its production and allocation of assistance funds.  In 1999, the military moved into the Odi community in the Niger Delta and exchanged in open fire killing several dozen.  There have been no government efforts to investigate this occurrence.

Additionally, several incidents have been recorded where people granted bail did not get released, federal and state officials ignore court orders, and delays in the civil law courts have inspired people to execute “private law enforcement.”

Civilian rights are also threatened by police brutality. Obasanjo plans to double the 135,000 police task force without any reform.  There is no civilian jurisdiction over the police force and no political responsibility for police actions.  “Ordinary police officers are ill-paid and poorly trained, and consequently often corrupt; sexual discrimination and harassment of women police officers is routine. In addition, there is a paramilitary mobile police force, first established in 1959 and nicknamed "kill-and-go" by the civilian population in the early 1980s for their trigger-happy disposition.”  These mobile police are especially inclined towards violence without any accountability.  The anti-crime units of the police task force are equally vicious.  They commit human rights violations and there is record of extortion, torture, and non-judicial executions.  Recently as of 2000, steps have been taken towards reform.  The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) was established with the help of NGO Center for Law Enforcement Education, U.S. AID and the British Department for International Development.  Additionally, five civil society groups have nominated representatives to be part of a larger consultative group involving the three arms of government (the executive, legislature, and judiciary) on police reform.  (www.hrw.org)