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Political power is exercised throughout the world, in various forms such as democracy, dictatorship or other types of rulings. This century has brought about a vast spread of democracy. Its popularity and succession within Western states has lead much of the world to believe that it is the best political system to exist. America along with Britain has been one of the safe keepers of democracy, promoting change from tradition and reformers. 2009 saw a crucial change within American politics, Barack Obama became the first Black man to become President. This changed history and the typecast of what an American leader could be. It was an event that the whole world stood still for, even those who were not American or interested in politics, it was one of the most incredible things to experience. People believed since such changes happened in America it was very possible for it to happen anywhere else, increasing the interest in Politics. Similar to the case of America in 2010 Nigeria experienced an influx of political activity consisting of public support, presidential debates and massive turnout from people to vote. Such activity hadn’t been seen by this nation for a long time and the cause like Obama was one of the Presidential Candidates, Mr Goodluck Jonathan.
For over 10 years Nigeria had been governed by members of the PDP Political party. Known for its corrupt dictatorship leaders who often created off shore accounts with Nigeria’s money, making the gap between the rich and the poor greater. Yet with their reputation they somehow managed to get the people on their side not as a party but with their Presidential candidate Goodluck Jonathan. Many people believed President Goodluck Jonathan would be the best person to lead Nigeria into change. This perception gained him massive support. Celebrities publically indorsed and supported his cause; encouraging their many supporters to support and vote for him because he was the change Nigeria needed, even though he had by no means shown himself liable to do so. It was pretty clear most of the people voting and endorsing President Goodluck didn’t have a clue on his policies but instead were succumbed to his promises. It was interesting to see that President Goodluck had been ruling the country for over a year as an acting President since the elected President Yar’Adua had died. This created a chance for the change he so often talked about, yet he failed to do so. Yet people still stood on his promises, calling him the Nigerian Obama, believing that if he was rightful elected he would carry out much of the people’s demands such as providing better energy services, light, bettering the roads and tackling corruption and other reforms.
Political parties are always formed from individuals who share common ground. With the reputation of the PDP many must have known that President Goodluck must have questionable characteristics or why else would he be part of a party who has destroyed Nigeria for years! A just man within a corrupt party is still corrupt. The majority of those voting failed to question why President Jonathan needed to wait till he was constitutional elected to carry out he supposed plans? Why did it seem that people were not so much interested in full policies? Why did the majority not learn from Nigerian history which showed Nigerian would remain the same under any PDP ruler? What Nigerians failed to realise was that the case for America was very different from theirs. Although President Obama’s character and looks contributed to his gain of support these were mere factors as he was thought to have had policies which satisfied the majority of America.
