The PDP Primary Begins
from Africa in Transition

The PDP Primary Begins

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Delegates queue to vote during the primaries of the ruling People's Democratic Party in the federal capital Abuja January 13, 2011. (Afolabi Sotunde/Courtesy Reuters)

Sahara Reporters describes the PDP primary and convention as essentially an auction for the presidential nomination.

Based on the 2006 convention, this description rings true. However, I suspect that the size of the individual bribes is understated, and that there is plenty of intimidation as outlined in a plan that includes as many sticks as carrots. The Jonathan and Abubakar camps each accused the other of being its author. But nobody denied its likely veracity.

More on:

Sub-Saharan Africa

Politics and Government

Nigeria

Elections and Voting

Heads of State and Government