Most people's living standards have not improved By Eniwoke Ibagere Ask Nigerians how their lives have changed since the country's return to democracy in May 1999, and many people will reel out a list of negatives. It'll be a miracle to begin to see the wonders of democracy instantly. Look at where we're coming from. More than a decade of army misrule and our social utilities have been wrecked by neglect and decay. By the three counts, the Obasanjo administration scores well below pass mark.
Power outages are frequent.
Some parts of Nigeria are in darkness for months or weeks. In March, the entire country was plunged into darkness on two separate ocassions for more than 24 hours after Nigeria's creaking national electricity network collapsed. A furious President Obasanjo sacked the board of the electricity authority and began supervising its affairs. When Obasanjo assumed office, petrol queues disappeared. The cost of living index continues to plummet.