Nigeria: Public Works Projects and the Presidency

Though he has not declared his candidacy for the presidential election due in 2011, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is announcing public works projects that are akin to campaign vows. It is unlikely the initiatives will be completed before the elections are held, which means Jonathan is taking a calculated risk, hoping that the incomplete projects will be seen as demonstrating the need for a full term to finish what he has begun — rather than as empty promises.