Vol 47 No 9 | NIGERIA Monster party 28th April 2006 A new party of old-style politicians opposes a third term for President Obasanjo Northern Nigeria's political elite flocked to Abuja on 20 April to launch the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), which aims to block a constitutional change allowing President Olusegun...
Vol 47 No 9 | NIGERIA Veteran rebels 28th April 2006 The top managers of the new Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) are Lawal Kaita (former Kaduna State Governor under President Shehu Shagari); Ghali Na'abba (Speaker of the House...
Vol 47 No 8 | NIGERIA Third term unlucky 14th April 2006 The mathematics - let alone the politics - are against another term for President Obasanjo It was a bizarre political week, even by Nigeria's historically high standards. President Olusegun Obasanjo's advisors openly demanded the immediate resignation of Vice-President Atiku Abubakar after he publicly...
Vol 47 No 7 | NIGERIABRITAIN The big guns salute 31st March 2006 Sharia enthusiast Governor Sani gets help from British arms firm Why would leading arms exporter BAE Systems want to introduce Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Sani, who is under investigation by Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for corrupt...
Vol 47 No 6 | NIGERIA Showdown in the Delta 17th March 2006 Everyone is getting ready for more hostilities in the oil-producing regions as the 2007 elections approach The militants know that hostage-taking and cutting pipelines is the quickest way to draw international attention to the Niger Delta, as part of the cat and mouse game...
Vol 47 No 6 | NIGERIA Stealing, fighting, seeking power 17th March 2006 Some of the militant leaders linked to the attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta earn tens of thousands of dollars from contracts with the oil majors....
Vol 47 No 4 | NIGERIA Africa's loss 17th February 2006 Beko Ransome-Kuti's death robs Africa of one of its bravest freedom fighters Opposition in Africa, and particularly Nigeria, is a dangerous business. It requires courage, determination and integrity; even then there is no guarantee of success. Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti had...
Vol 47 No 3 | NIGERIA Mystery kidnappers 3rd February 2006 Crooks, mercenaries and ambitious politicians were mixed up in the deal to free the hostages The release of four foreign hostages after 19 days in captivity in the Niger Delta did not end the crisis (AC Vol 47 Nos 1 & 2). Nor...
Vol 47 No 2 | NIGERIA A New Year offensive 20th January 2006 Oil prices rise as hardline militia groups demand the release of Delta leaders and the exit of foreign companies The main puzzle about the latest wave of attacks and kidnappings to sweep the Niger Delta is why it took so long this time. Local leaders had been...
Vol 47 No 2 | NIGERIA The Sino-Shango pact 20th January 2006 China's US$2.27 billion foray into oil production for a 45 per cent stake in Nigeria's Block 130 is not the 'definitive agreement' that the China National Offshore Oil...