Over the past few months many of us have been following the news of forthcoming elections throughout Africa. We have been following the prospects for successful 2011 elections in Nigeria in particular, due to its great significance to the entire region. With this in mind we open this latest issue with several important contributions on Nigerian politics. The first, by Dr. Oarhe Osumah and Austin T. Aghemelo of Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Nigeria, entitled “Elections in Nigeria Since the End of Military Rule,” emphasizes the recent challenges to the democratic process in Nigeria and the all-too-often brutal political divides (and allegedly democratic allegiances) that follow in the wake of democratic elections. Their observations on recent “democratic” experience in Nigeria are timely and struck us as well-researched and well-informed words of both “democratic” hope and caution. We were so impressed with this first piece that we included a second contribution from Dr. Osumah, entitled “Patron-Client Politics, Democracy and Governance in Nigeria, 1999-2007.” Once again, you will undoubtedly appreciate the wisdom of Dr. Osumah’s thoughtful observations; throughout, one hears his undoubted hope for Nigeria’s political future.
These words of caution and hope are followed by an article entitled ‚Money Politics, Political Culture of Godfatherism and the future of Democracy in Nigeria – Lessons from the 2007 Gubernatorial Election in Edo State, by Dr. Atare Otite and Nathaniel Umukoro of Delta State University in Abraka, Nigeria. Let us hope that Nigerians, of all political stripes, learn from these serious observations, lest their country fall into the trap of those unfounded optimisms of yesteryear. Nigerians await positive change, as do all Africans, and the world. Godspeed.
The following is but a partial list of the elections scheduled for 2011:
Vol. 4, No. 2 v
Africana December 2010
|
COUNTRY |
ELECTION |
DATE |
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|
Benin |
Presidential, National Assembly |
March 2011 |
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|
Cameroon |
Presidential |
April 2011 |
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|
Central Afr. Rep. |
Presidential, National Assembly |
1st Round: Jan 2011 |
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|
DRC |
Presidential (1st Round), National Assembly |
November 2011 |
||||||
|
Djiobouti |
Presidential; Regional & Local. |
April 2011; March 2011 |
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|
Egypt |
Presidential |
September 2011 |
||||||
|
The Gambia |
Presidential |
September 2011 |
||||||
|
Liberia |
Presidential, |
October 2011 |
||||||
|
Madagascar |
Presidential, National Assembly |
July 2011 (Pres); |
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|
Niger |
Preisdential, National Assembly |
January 2011 |
||||||
|
Nigeria |
Presidential; House of Reps & Sen; State Assemblies & Governors. |
April 2011 |
||||||
|
Southern Sudan |
Referendum |
9 January 2011 |
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|
Uganda |
Presidential, National Assembly |
February 2011 |
||||||
|
Zambia |
Presidential, National Assembly |
Before October 2011 |
||||||
|
Zimbabwe |
Presidential, National Assembly |
After May 2011 referendum on Constitution. |
||||||
Source: Electorial Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa & other.
Dr. Stanley Naribo Ngoa, Senior Research Associate at the Centre for the Study of Democracy, of the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, reminds us of yet another recurring element in African politics that is scarcely addressed in the social sciences: the phenomenon of rumour. In his survey of the scant literature on the topic, Dr. Ngoa concludes that rumour is a significant factor in African politics and, as such, warrants further research and study. This is followed by a critical assessment of the funding strategies for tertiary education in Nigeria, amidst growing demand. Few can doubt that most African universities are, and have long been, in a state of crisis. In his article, Dr. Nelson Ejiro Akpotu addresses the issue with vigor, new analysis, and hopes for change.
Sunny Ekakitie-Emonena, from the Asaba Campus of Delta State University in Nigeria, gives us another policy issue to contend with in “Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP): Issues and Challenges.” Here again, the focus is on Nigeria, but in a global comparative context and from the perspective of the rights and needs of the local Nigerian working masses. Readings of this kind remind us that there is danger in simply getting caught up in the grandiose debates over prospects for a smooth democratic election; very real issues are at stake that touch on the lives of multitudes.
The next two articles discuss the significant impacts of the media in two African contexts: Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Munyaradzi Mawere, of the Universidade Pedagogica, speaks to the ongoing challenges to local cultures by the media and globalization. Of course, this is far from being a problem unique to Mozambique, as there are many who share his concerns. Unlike most, however, Dr. Mawere suggests possible solutions to the ongoing problem. He tells us that a “framework is presented for studying socio-cultural issues that impact on how knowledge, ideas and values should be transmitted and developed from one generation to another for the good and posterity of the African cultures.” We wish Dr. Mawere all of the best in his quest.
In his piece, by Lecturer Tendai Chari of the University of Venda, South Africa, discusses the challenges to fair and equal representation of religion and religious issues in the Zimbabwean mass media. He suggests that, in the Zimbabwean context, ‚<concerns have been raised that the media subtly promotes certain religious ideologies while shunting others to the sidelines. By doing so, the media has been accused of sowing oats of suspicion and misunderstanding between different social groups.‛ Given the volatile nature of politics in Zimbabwe over the past decade, Chari could well be identifying an aspect of the problem that most outsiders have scarcely considered.
We then present to you Dr Akpomuvie Orhioghene Benedict’s piece entitled ‚Pan-Africanism and the Challenges of Development in the 21st Century.‛ As readers will know, pan-Africanist initiatives have a long history and, despite a few successes, there can be little doubt that the hopes and aspirations of so many have too often faltered, time and again. Yet, remarkably some would say, the spirit of pan-Africanist goodwill endures, as do the hopes for improved African security and development in the 21st-century. We are pleased to include this important discussion, if only to remind readers of this undying spirit!
The last piece for this issue comes to us from Oscar Edoror Ubhenin, a lecturer in Public Administration at Ambrose Alli University, in Ekpoma, Nigeria. Here we find that there are ongoing concerns regarding population policies in Nigeria which, alas, has become a regular part of their politics. We’ve also included a book review of Saturday Is for Funerals by Unity Dow and Matt Essex and is written by Jennifer Rosenbush, a graduate student of anthropology at Boston University. Finally, we would like to announce the start of Africana’s new Editor-in-Chief, Mr. A. Curtis Burton, whose bio can be seen at our web-page: http://www.africanajournal.org.
As always, we greatly thank you for your continued interest in our journal.
A. Curtis Burton
Yilma Tafere Tasew
