This edited collection is the product of a National Research Working Group (NRWG) established by Said Adejumobi and supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). It analyzes the progress made in Nigeria since the return to democratic rule in 1999 and the prospects of democratic consolidation in the country.

"Nigeria presents one of the most important, and the most fragile, efforts at democratization in Africa today. After more than a decade of civilian rule the country faces basic challenges to the quality of governance, the development of institutions, the protection of rights, and the credibility of elections. This thoughtful and cohesive volume, from a distinguished group of scholars and practitioners, offers significant insight, analysis, and new information on Nigeria s current political evolution. It will be of value to a wide audience interested in the development and prospects of democracy in Africa s most populous state." - Peter M. Lewis, Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

"This is a remarkably thoughtful book, providing, in its historical depth and the sweep of its rich policy-focused theoretical analysis, fascinating insights and a timely compass for navigating the treacherously slippery terrain of Nigerian politics, as the country moves forward towards a crucial set of federal and state elections in 2011. The contributors to the book, belonging to a new and refreshing generation of Nigeria and African scholars and activists, write with a passion that speaks loud for their committed scholarship and social activism. Said Adejumobi must be congratulated for bringing together such contributors and the book, which is well-written, is an important contribution to Nigerian and African politics." - L. Adele Jinadu, AdjunctProfessor of Political Science and President, African Association of Political Science (1997-1999), and Vice-President, International Political Science Association (2000-2003)

"During sixteen years of unbroken military rule, the promise of constructing a democratic polity in Nigeria was betrayed. The contributors to this splendid volume show how democratic and developmental governance has again been denied and what must be done to chart a new and sustained course." - Richard Joseph, John Evans Professor of Political Science, Northwestern University

Autorentext
SAID ADEJUMBOI is the Chief of the Public Administration Section and Coordinator for the African Governance Report for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Inhalt
Democracy and Governance in Nigeria: Between Consolidation and Reversal; S.Adejumobi Federalism, Political Restructuring and the Lingering National Question; M.Abutudu Whose Catalyst? Party Politics and Democracy in the Fourth Republic: From Theory to Denial; A.Agbaje INEC and the Electoral Process; S.Adejumobi Constitutionalism, Rule of Law and Human Rights; F.Falana Nigeria's Foreign Policy of Democratic Transition and Economic Reforms; W.Alli The Masquerade Unmasked: Obasanjo and the Third Term Debacle; S.Mohammed External Actors and Nigeria's Democratic Project: The Case of OSIWA; N.Tanko & N.Afadzinu