To understand Nigeria today it may help to
return to a bloody event that took place in
early July 2002 in the country’s oil-rich Niger
Delta. Primary elections for the country’s ruling
People’s Democratic Party were held in the town of
Nembe that month. Two PDP factions, led by local
politicians with substantial youth followings, supported
separate candidates whom they hoped to see
nominated local council chairman in the primary.
The stakes were high.