Nigerian Democracy and Prospects for the 2011 Elections

Oyinkan C. Tasie (Associate of the Centre for Sustainable International Development and PhD student in the School of Law) attended this event at Chatham House on behalf of the Centre.

The event was organized by Chatham House on Thursday 17 March 2011 and had as speakers Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, (Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja); Dr Abdul Raufu Mustapha, (Lecturer in African Politics, University of Oxford) and HE Ambassador Dozie Nwanna, (Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to the UK, Nigeria High Commission) and was chaired by Alex Vines, Head, Africa Programme, Chatham House

The speakers presented their evaluations of Democracy in Nigeria and the Prospects for the 2011 Elections. Their evaluations sought to answer questions such as: Have Nigerians lost faith in democracy? Is Nigeria dependent on chance and luck? Can Nigeria reform its broken electoral system? Is the rule of law promoted for personal interests?

In their evaluations although the speakers may have disagreed on some issues, they all agree that Nigerians have not lost faith in democracy and are optimistic that even though the 2011 elections may not turn out perfect, the elections would be successful and mark the beginning of a new era of reform in Nigeria.

Author: Oyinkan C. Tasie

‹ back