The Nigerian 2011 General Elections and Vision 20:2020

Nigeria has a vision to be among the 20 leading economies in 2020. Consequently, strategies have been mapped out in this direction.

The need for sincere and credible political leaders as well as credible elections in achieving this dream cannot be over-stressed.

Accordingly, I was over-joyed when the Nigerian government appointed Prof. Attahiru Jega as the chairman of Nigeria's electoral umpire - the INEC.

Consequently, I am calling on citizens of Nigeria as well as friends of Nigeria across the globe to support Prof Jega and the INEC and ensure that every vote counts.

If we do not get the 2011 elections rights, believe me, it would be a grave setback for the Vision 20:2020 of Nigeria

The Main Agenda for the Nigerian 2011 General Elections

Nigeria will hold general elections in 2011. It is extremely important for all stakeholders to constrain all political contestants to campaign on tangible issues.

Issues like education, power, transportation, housing, etc. should be brought to the front burner.

My recommendation, however, is that the issue of controlling corruption should be in the "frontest" burner.

The "Control of Corruption" (one of the dimensions of governance according to the World Bank), in my view is the foundation for a more proposperous Nigeria.

Consequently, one of the main questions that should be posed to all contestants in the Nigerian 2011 general elections is: what are you going to do to fight corruption if elected into office?

Nigeria - Building Momentum for the Anticorruption War

Over the last 10 years, the Nigerian government has established various anti-corruption agencies.

However, there is a great need to sustain and increase the benefits so far achieved, in this regard.

Consequently, one of the strategies that should be considered by stakeholders is how to forge a "wide-ranging" (i.e. to include all strata of the Nigerian society) participation in the Anti-corruption war.

It is also extremely important to consider all other relevant issues that may aid the anti-corruption war in Nigeria. These include reforms and good policies in the area of wages as well as social security issues.

The civil society in Nigeria should make sure that Anti-corruption becomes the key electioneering issue for the 2011 general elections in Nigeria.

Nigeria - The Citizens Need be Educated

Perhaps, one of the most urgent issue to address in Nigeria is Civic Responsibility. Citizens need to be educated on their constitutional rights and priviledge as well as equipped with tools to help them hold public officials to account.

Nigeria. Which way forward?

Good governance entails effective, accountable and responsive governance.

Nigeria must move ahead. Nigeria must succeed. Good governance is what it needs.