Nigeria's+Freedom+Report

__**Political Right**__s-5 __**Status**__- Partly Free
 * Nigeria**
 * __Civil Liberties__**-4
 * __Political Rights__**:
 * 1) __Score__- 5
 * 2) __Explanation__- Political rights are lacking, to say the least, in Nigeria. It has been ruled on and off by a military dictatorship since the 1960s. Although it is currently a democracy, there is still intimidation and bribery used frequently, which prevent true political freedom. There is also much vote rigging as well as violence in association with the elections. It has a very conflictual political culture, with subcultures being prevalent that rarely accept the electoral process and results of the elections. Overall, confidence in the government is gone in Nigeria.
 * 3) __Similar Countries__- Ethiopia and Djibouti


 * __Civil Liberties__**:
 * 1) __Score__- 4
 * 2) __Explanation__- De jure, civil liberties are garunteed by the Nigerian Constitution. This includes freedom of speech and expression. However, de facto, the government constantly "silences" journalists and newspapers, especially when they speak about corruption and communal violence. Once again, religious freedom is also garunteed. Unfortunately, this right is not enforced, with the northern half of the nation (which is prodominately Muslim) persecuting Christians and vice versa in the south. The higher courts are more independent and free than all other branches of government, but they are still rife with bias and corruption.
 * 3) __Similar Countries__- East Timor and Fiji