Almotamar.net Google News - LAGOS, NIGERIA � Celebrated Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe once summed up his countrymen's entrenched cynicism when it comes to corrupt politicians. "Tell them that this man had used his position to enrich himself," he wrote in A Man of the People. "And they would ask you � as my father did � if you thought a sensible man would spit out the juicy morsel that good fortune placed in his mouth."
Many Nigerians hope today's presidential election will bring a break from their country's corrupt past and usher into power a true "man of the people."
'We need a change'
If nothing else, it's a milestone for democracy, the first time one elected leader will hand over power to another in a country plagued by military rule and dictators since independence from Britain in 1960.
"We need a change in our country. We need tomorrow to be better than today," said Jimmy Etaki, a 32-year-old construction worker.
"We only need our leaders to have the fear of God," he said. "For them, it's money, money, money. They don't think of the citizens, but if they fear God, maybe we can have change."
With 140 million people and the world's seventh-largest oil industry, Nigeria enjoys vast human and material potential and has gained influence across the globe. Many in Africa look to its comparatively well-educated people, with writers such as Achebe or Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, as a source of hope for their continent.
Neither Africa nor the broader world can ignore the outcome of today's election or the consequences if it fails � which could be chaos that spreads refugees across Africa and disrupts oil supplies.
Nigeria is a top oil supplier to America, and China is making inroads into its production sector.
Armed insurgency in the oil-producing region has already cut production and pushed up oil prices around the globe.
"No country's fate is so decisive for the continent. No other country across a range of issues has the power so thoroughly to shape outcomes elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. If Nigeria works well, so might Africa," the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations said in a recent report. "If the democratic experiment in Nigeria stalls, and development and governance stagnate, the rest of Africa suffers and loses hope."
25 to choose from
Voters will choose among 25 candidates. Many of the names and faces, including the top candidates � the current vice president, a former military ruler and the brother of a top '70s-era political leader � have long been familiar to Nigerians.
The winner must get the most votes nationwide and at least a quarter of ballots cast in 24 of Nigeria's 36 states, a provision designed to ensure the president draws support from around the nation.
If no winner emerges, a runoff election will be held within a month. A new government assumes power May 29.