Press Release-22 April 2009: The people of Nigeria are suffering due to a lack of leadership from within the country and from amongst Nigeria’s international partners. As a result, the dangers from corruption and mismanagement are growing, causing concern for the coming 2011 elections. These are the principal findings of an investigation from a group of British lawmakers in the most recent report of the influential British All Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria.
“Nigeria has an array of challenges to overcome: problems of accountability and transparency, human rights violations, a flagging power sector, political manipulation creating conflict, an economy dominated by oil. Nigeria hopes to be among the top twenty world economies by 2020 but this will not happen unless its leadership – at all levels, including federal, state and local government and civil society leaders – becomes organised and takes direct responsibility for the people...” warns the report.
It is for this reason that Nigeria needs credible elections to take place in 2011. Elections are key to achieving democratic accountability: good elections in Nigeria are essential to start shifting government accountability from oil revenues to the people. The report recommends that electoral reforms are implemented and voter registration begins now. The APPG believes that enabling the people to engage in the politics of their country is key to battling corruption in Nigeria. The report notes: “The country and any hope of reform or moving forward are undermined if the government lacks legitimacy in the eyes of the people.”
The report praises the determination and resourcefulness of Nigerians in attempting to overcome the considerable challenges the country faces, but warns that Nigeria’s extensive resources have for the most part been exploited for the wrong reasons.
Key recommendations made in the report include:
• An international group of Nigeria’s main partners such as the UK, US and EU to assist Nigeria tackle issues including illegal oil theft.
• The swift implementation of electoral reforms and voter registration
• Faster reform of the Nigerian Police Force with greater training and better equipment
• More protection for the rights of journalists and documentary makers
• Greater pressure on international oil companies to stop gas flaring.
Nigeria is of importance globally because of its large and influential global Diaspora, its role as an important cultural, economic and political hub, and as a producer of oil. Nigeria is of particular importance to the UK as economic and family links between the two countries continue to strengthen.
The report (http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/files/13868_0409appg_report.pdf) makes it clear that although the international community can offer friendship, support and advice and, where necessary, honest criticism, overcoming Nigeria’s challenges is ultimately the job of its leaders – be they in government, civil society or the market place.
Notes to Editors:
• British All Party Parliamentary Groups consist of Parliamentarians who are officially registered as sharing a particular interest in a region or topic. They normally meet several times a year to discuss issues of concern, and can coordinate to promote wider interest and focus within Government and beyond.
• The report is available to download at http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/files/13868_0409appg_report.pdf
• The Chair of the group is John Robertson, Labour Member of Parliament for Glasgow North West. The other Members of Parliament on the visit were:
• Michael Connarty MP, (Labour Party - Linlithgow and Falkirk East)
• Stephen Hepburn MP, (Labour Party - Jarrow)
• Anthony Wright MP, (Labour – Great Yarmouth)
• The 2008 visit to Nigeria was supported by Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs), Shell International, Virgin Nigeria, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
• Contact: Elizabeth Donnelly, Africa Programme Chatham House: [email protected]
+44 (0)20 7314 3667;
+44 (0)7971 643 150
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