Nigeria pushes for democracy
From Jeff Koinange, CNN Correspondent
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Over 10,000 people are reported to have died in riots in Nigeria over the past four years.
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CNN's Jeff Koinange has more on the violence surrounding the upcoming elections in Nigeria. (Caution: video contains graphic images) (April 18)
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LAGOS, Nigeria (CNN) -- As people lined up to cast their votes in Nigeria's elections last weekend, the scene was one of chaos and confusion.
And even before the ink had dried on the ballot papers, opposition politicians were already crying foul and demanding fresh elections.
And while Africa's most populous nation takes another step forward on Saturday, to elect their second president since the advent of multi-party politics, many fear the fragile experiment with democracy is about to self-explode.
"There's no question that there are a few people who haven't learned any lessons," says economist, Pat Utomi.
"I think many people realize if Nigeria is to go back where it has come from, they too, will be consumed," he adds.
This is the same country where over 10,000 people are reported to have died in religious and ethnic riots in the last four years alone. So, being able to transition from one civilian government to another, without military intervention is quite a task. Especially when the country is being plagued by corruption, runaway inflation, skyrocketing unemployment and a stagnating fuel crisis.
House of Representatives candidate Gbemi Saraki explains, "It has been pretty tough learning the ropes. On the one hand and we always look up to other countries and we can't understand why we can't develop as quickly as they have, but having to deal with the local issues."
As the country prepares for a change of government, Nigeria is at a crossroads.
"We have never, never in the history of Nigeria handed over, changed governments to another civilian government. It's a trying time, it's also a very exciting time because honestly I think this time we're going to do it," says Saraki.
As for whether Nigeria will be able to achieve that milestone with this weekend's elections is still not known.
