Nigeria, April 2 -- Two days ago, a planning meeting of Prof. Charles Soludo, aspirant for the forthcoming November Anambra governorship election was attacked, three policemen guarding him were killed and some of his close collaborators abducted. It is often the case that candidates considered to be popular are regularly attacked, killed or frightened off from the contest. Mainstream politicians remain convinced that their money, thugs and connections can get them "elected" as soon as they clear out popular candidates from the arena. This mentality, that it remains possible to rig oneself into office, is very corrosive of democratic culture and most be combatted.
Indeed, one of the greatest problems for Nigeria's democracy is that honest, ...