Some of President Jonathan’s close allies are threatening, or prophesying, violence in Nigeria should he fail to be re-elected in 2015. His opponents are not taking this lightly. This alarming talk is raising political temperatures in the already deeply divided nation

If the Nigerian government is sincere about achieving peace and solving the recurring problem of electoral violence, it must implement the Sheikh Lemu Report wholly and not selectively. It must, as recommended, mete out punishments alongside compensation and adopt preventive measures

Why are Nigerian politicians so obsessed with awards when most of them have nothing to show in terms of quality service delivery to the citizens who elected them?

Nigerians are getting increasingly disappointed by President Jonathan’s uninspiring record. Religious leaders could play a greater role in pushing him and other politicians to dutifully discharge the mandate given by the electorate

The latest assessment of governance in Nigeria paints a gloomy picture of the African giant. It is not that Nigerians do not know their own problems; they must now step up and stop national decay.

Despite the rhetoric, the Nigerian government has no intention of reforming its oil industry to benefit the people. Nigeria remains the global poster child for “resource curse.”

Although the Malawian constitution is clear about succession in the event of the death or incapacitation of the president, a cabal close to the late President Mutharika wanted to install their own man in power instead of Vice President Joyce Banda.

Africa’s greedy rulers have looted the immense resources of their own countries, leaving the people poor and desperate. The continent’s people must rise up and hold the rulers to account through proper governance mechanisms that will ensure transparent management of national resources.

The emergence of presidential candidates like 27-year-old Ms Kingwa Kamenchu and Ms Martha Karua suggests a departure from the past and mirrors the yearnings and aspirations of the youth and women for an end to politics-as-usual.

Time has come for politics of accountability and inclusion. The country’s top leaders need to move away from their ethnic enclaves and promote reconciliation and healing as Kenya heads to the next election.

A wind of disgruntlement is blowing across Nigeria. There are fears that, unless President Jonathan steadies the ship of state, divisions within the polity and the rising discontent could be hijacked by political opportunists to cause something more catastrophic.

It has been more than eight months since the harmonised version of the National Climate Change Commission Bill was forwarded to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan for assent. Uche Igwe asks why there is still no word from the presidency on the fate of this very important bill.

While the Niger Delta amnesty could be seen as a ‘modest success’, writes Uche Igwe, it is now time to direct resources towards the pursuit of ‘verifiable physical development in the region’.

Economist and UN advisor Professor Jeffrey Sachs may be optimistic about the prospects of the Nigerian economy, but Uche Igwe says the facts on the ground don't back up Sachs' positive outlook.

While the passing of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Act in May 2007 ‘sent very positive signals about Nigeria’s desire to sustain its leadership in the global initiative to the world’, NEITI needs to be subject to a number of new amendments, writes Uche Igwe.

Uche Igwe travels to Rivers State in Nigeria and reports on progressive reforms by the state governor in the areas of healthcare, education and food security.

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan is working hard to convince people that he will ‘deliver credible elections’, with the appointment of electoral commissioner Attahiru Jega. But, writes Uche Igwe, ‘a functional system rather than an individual is what is needed’ to sanitise a process that has become ‘a vehicle for electoral fraud’.

With Nigeria not yet compliant with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Uche Igwe calls for greater transparency in the country’s extractive industry.

‘African leaders must learn to accept defeat with equanimity and put national interest and continental prosperity above selfish quest for power,’ writes Uche Igwe.

Uche Igwe travels to Nigeria’s Bayelsa State and, despite an influx of oil dollars, finds appalling poverty, lack of infrastructure and a volatile pre-2011 election period.