Democracy the Cure for Nigeria

Nigeria, racked by deadly rioting after the unexpected death of imprisoned opposition leader Moshood K.O. Abiola, can hope for peace and a transition to democracy only if the president, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, delivers swiftly on his promises. These include a popular democratic vote on a national leader by Oct. 1.

After the death a month ago of Chief Abiola’s jailer, the military ruler Gen. Sani Abacha, Abubakar took over and promised to free Abiola, detained after he apparently won a free election for president in 1993. Abiola’s release was considered imminent. He died while still in custody after becoming ill during a meeting with U.S. Undersecretary of State Thomas R. Pickering.

At the request of Abiola’s family, an autopsy will be performed by an international team of medical experts from the United States, Britain and Canada. The results could help to put to rest murder rumors and conspiracy theories linking Abacha’s heart attack in June and Abiola’s apparent heart attack on Tuesday.

One month into his presidency, Abubakar faces a crisis that threatens the stability of the entire region. To reassure Nigerians, and the rest of the world, he needs to immediately release without condition all political prisoners, outline how long his military regime plans to stay in power and explain how the generals, including the old guard long known for greedy corruption, intend to bring about civilian and democratic rule. He also needs to restore the nation’s independent press.

In response to Abiola’s death, Abubakar dissolved the Cabinet he inherited from the tyrant Abacha. His new Cabinet, which should be swiftly named, will reveal his real intentions. His appointees should be politically, religiously and regionally diverse, signaling a genuine transition from a military dictatorship to a government open to all Nigerians.

Unlike most leaders in Nigeria, Abiola had appeal across religious and regional factions. Born near Lagos, he had the support of the Christian-dominated south and his own Yoruba tribe. A Muslim, he also appealed to Nigeria’s northern Muslims and ethnic groups, the Hausa and Fulani.

Abubakar may be an improvement over Abacha, but he is still a general with a long way to go to prove he is a democrat. As he quells riots, he also needs to eliminate the all-powerful military ruling council and allow democracy to take root.

In death, Moshood Abiola has become a martyr to democracy. His legacy should be a free Nigeria.