Nigeria energy policy poses critical tests for Obasanjo

Despite decades of crisis and corruption, Nigerians still know how to party, and the inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo and the fourth republic on 29 May promises a party in many parts of the Nation. Being Nigeria, it is sadly easy to predict there will also be reports of deaths and other tragedies in trouble-spots such as the oil-rich but socially blighted Niger Delta. A good ten days before his inauguration, what the local press called "chaos and wanton destruction of lives and property" greeted rumours that Obasanjo had been killed. Radio Kudirat Nigeria, an opposition radio station, said the trouble - in which six were reportedly killed - had been "described as a dress rehearsal of what awaits ambitious military boys who intend to prevent Nigerians from enjoying civilian and democratic rule after 16 years of military misrule.