Nigerian leader faces test of unity

More worrying still, interethnic, geographic, and religious tensions, always in existence here, have arguably worsened since the end of authoritarian rule. Fighting over the past three years has claimed thousands of lives. Sectarian violence, especially between Christians and Muslims, is rising steadily, and many predict that it will get worse as the elections approach.

"Issue-based platforms don't come into play much," says one Western economist here, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It's about being Igbo or Yoruba or Christian ... and ... getting your candidate in so you can then get your hands on some of the goodies of power." The culture of democracy has yet to be understood in Nigeria, says the economist.

Violence hit the easygoing, temperate city of Jos last September, when Christians and Muslims – goaded on by politicians – turned on one another, killing some 500 and destroying homes, shops, churches, and mosques. More riots broke out in January and again in May, spreading to other towns and villages in the region. A curfew is now imposed in Jos.

"We used to live very cordially together," says Rev. Dallhato Abdu of Jos, "but then the Muslim northerners started getting jealous that the president is a Christian. They claimed he was ignoring them and they started attacking us. Now we are divided."

The Muslims see it differently. Sheikh Ahmed Suleiman used to live around the corner from Mr. Abdu. Now, after his house was burned down in the riots, he is looking to sell the land to a Christian and move to a Muslim neighborhood. "The problem is with the Christian politicians," he claims. "They are inciting the youngsters for selfish reasons. They are trying to tell us we do not deserve as much as them because we are Muslims."

Political power struggles have found a fertile new testing ground in the Islamic courts. Twelve northern states with Muslim majorities have adopted full sharia (Islamic law) since January 2000, sparking anxiety among nonbelievers and Christians.

Obasanjo, who originally said the commotion over sharia would "fizzle out," recently tried to quell the growing turmoil by having his justice minister declare sharia punishments – such as beheadings, stonings, and amputations – unconstitutional. Sharia states accused the president of discrimination and meddling in their democratic right to choose their legal system.

And while it seems Obasanjo's campaign coordinator Opusunju is right to say democracy is solidly established, not everyone credits the president with it.

"We don't have a choice but to hold onto our democracy," says Oronto Douglas, a civil society activist. "What is the alternative? The old brutal military dictatorship?" Mr. Douglas, like many here, worries about the fragmentation going on, but trusts these will not tear the country apart. "Someone will rise who cares about national equalities and is able to stabilize this vast country," he says. "And we will vote for that person."

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