Archive for the 'Olusegun Obasanjo' Category

The Nigerian Succession

Thursday, July 26th, 2007

Two months after taking office after a disputed election fraught with irregularities, Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua finally announced the formation of his cabinet yesterday after weeks of horse trading with the Senate, which has to approve the selections. It is difficult to discern whether this represents good news or bad in oft-troubled Nigeria. On the plus side, it seems to represent collaborative democracy in action, with the senate vetting process going forward as required. But there are also whispers that Yar’Adua’s predecessor, Olusegun Obasanjo still wields too much influence over his successor. Nairobi’s East African Standard fears that Obasanjo might still be “calling the shots” in Nigeria.

Hat Tip to the Council on Foreign Relations.

Posted in Governance, Subsaharan Africa, Nigeria, West Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo, Democratization | 3 Comments »

Strikes in Nigeria

Wednesday, June 20th, 2007

First South African workers become embroiled in a general strike the end of which is not in sight. Now it appears that Nigerian workers are set to embark on their own general strike. The Nigerian strikes will be the result of rising fuel costs, an increase in Value Added Taxes, and the sale of government-owned oil refineries to cronies of Olusegun Obasanjo in the former President’s final days in office. The government has made some compromises, but not enough to placate the Nigeria Labour Congress.  

Posted in Africa, COSATU, Subsaharan Africa, Oil, Economics, Nigeria, West Africa, Unions, Labor, Olusegun Obasanjo | No Comments »