With a former anti-corruption minister selected to battle President Goodluck Jonathan (above, left) for the presidency of Africa's most populous country, the table is set for what promises to be a wild exercise in democracy in Nigeria.
Hold on because it will likely be a bumpy ride.
Nuhu Ribadu(above, right), a former government official who is praised by some as a tireless reformer and panned by others as a political pawn of special interests, was selected in a field of several candidates to face the incumbent Jonathan in the April election.
The incumbent is a heavy favorite to win another term as Nigeria's president since his ruling People's Democratic Party has the funding and reach to control the election.
But Ribadu is well-known in the country and since being appointed in as anti-corruption czar in 2003 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo has gained strong popularity in some quarters even though he left Nigeria for the U.S. after being targeted in a drive-by shooting.
Attahiru Jega, chair of Nigeria's National Electoral Commission, has already warned Nigerians not to expect "a perfect election" in 2011.
Perfect?!??
Someone should tell Jega that anything approaching fair and open in a national Nigeria election would represent a great victory for the people.
The 2007 national election was greatly flawed and the country fell further into crisis two years later when President Umaru Yar'Adua took ill and left the country and no one was certain who was in charge.
Then Vice President Jonathan stepped in and provided some level of stability. But only time will tell if his party will allow a credible election to take place.
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