Nigeria, Jan. 7 -- These are jottings and notes on Nigerian affairs written during my years in international development work. Although they are mostly commentaries on past events covering 1987-2000, they have relevance, in varying degrees, for the country's present and future.

On "Cynical Tendency" in Nigerian Politics

The term, "cynical tendency" used in the lead article of West Africa (London) of July 13, 1987 appears to have a close relationship to the so-called "Militant Tendency" within the Labour Party in the United Kingdom. However, unlike the British parent term that stands for the orientation of a fringe or marginal group, the "Cynical Tendency" in Nigerian politics is probably a mainstream phenomenon. After the experiments wi...