Former Chinese Communist Party leader Mao Zedong once said, "Politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with bloodshed." This is as close as it gets to describing the looming threat of Nigeria's collapse. Chinua Achebe would probably sum it up as "things fall apart -- again".
Nigeria, Africa's largest economy and most populous nation, hangs by a very loose thread. President Goodluck Jonathan is clutching at straws as the country quickly descends into anarchy. The postponement of the elections exposes the soft underbelly of Africa's sleeping giant. The ruling elite have lost so much clout that even the blind can see Boko Haram's sway within Nigeria. What is yet to be acknowledged is the devastating ripple effect that would echo across Africa if Nigeria were to sink deeper into chaos.
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