“This situation report follows a three-week visit by the author to Nigeria – principally Abuja (the federal capital) and Lagos (the commercial capital) – in March 2011. ‘The 2011 presidential, National Assembly, gubernatorial, and State Assembly elections provide an historic opportunity for Nigeria to become a model for the rest of Africa and the world, especially for those citizens demanding democracy in their countries. The objectives are greater transparency and openness, and an environment in which every vote counts. Although crowd control at polling stations was an issue, the system worked in the National Assembly election, which was widely praised by international and national observers alike. The Economist called it ‘the first credible election in Nigeria since the end of military rule 12 years ago’.”
