Nigeria's military in panic?

The small newspaper kiosks dotted around Nigeria's cities are generally well-stocked. Dozens of newspapers are on display, many bearing headlines critical of the country's predicament and its rulers. Every day countless young newspaper vendors ply their trade, selling the latest editions mostly to motorists caught in traffic jams. But these are not easy times for Nigeria's newspaper journalists and publishers. Over the last few days, the military has been confiscating editions of the major newspapers, such as "Leadership" or "The Punch," making it impossible for them to be distributed or sold to their readers.

Garba Mohammed, president of the Nigerian Union of Journalists is alarmed. He told DW this was a very serious threat to democracy in Nigeria and the practice of journalism in the country.

"It will instill fears in the minds of the media and the press and journalists in the course of discharging their social responsibility. We condemn it in total," he said.

Last Friday (06.06.2014) an army spokesman said the seizure of the newspapers had nothing to do with their content; it was a security measure. The purpose was to prevent the publication of material relevant to national security.

Officials tight-lipped on military's conduct

Such remarks never convince or reassure anybody in Nigeria. Civil society activists are most skeptical. Muhammad Mustapha Yahaya, who works for the civil society organization "Democratic Action Group," said the seizure of the newspapers was undemocratic and not encouraging. "I expect condemnation of this act by the presidency, condemnation of this act by the authorities concerned," he added.

That is not likely to happen, though. Officials are not commenting on the issue. In the capital Abuja, politicians and government representatives stay silent when journalists suggest that the military is getting out of control. The military, said Yahaya, is "getting too strong. It's not healthy for democracy."

Nigeria's democracy faces its next big test in elections next year in which the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will seek to fend off a challenge from the opposition All People's Congress (APC).

It is against this backdrop that the appointment of a traditional leader has created a furore .

Last Sunday Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the former head of the Nigerian Central Bank, was named Emir of Kano, making him the second most influential Islamic leader in Nigeria after the Sultan of Sokoto.

Former central banker suspended by President Jonathan

Sanusi was suspended from his position as Nigeria's central banker by President Goodluck Jonathan in February, after complaining that $20 billion (14.7 billion euros) in oil revenue had gone missing.

The governor of Kano - the state where Sanusi holds his post - is Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former member of President Jonathan's PDP, who defected to the opposition APC last year.

It was Kwankwaso who selected Sanusi as a candidate for the post of emir following the death of Ado Abdullahi Bayero.

There were clashes in Kano on Monday as hundreds of supporters of Sanusi battled with backers of his main rival, the late Emir's eldest son, Aminu Ado Bayero, who allegedly had the support of the PDP.

Having lost his job as the head of the Central Bank, it is possible that Sanusi nurtures some resentment towards Jonathan. But Muhammad Mustapha Yahaya believes the two should bury the hatchet.

"I think that whatever their grievances may be they should be forgiven and forgotten, so that they are able to have a good working relationship. I think that is the best thing for the country and the masses," the civil society activist said.

Emir urged to stay out of politics

That, however, is unlikely to happen. After Sanusi 's election, a group of opposition governors claimed they were prevented briefly from leaving Kano airport - a potential sign of the security apparatus flexing its muscles. The governors had travelled to the Kano state on hearing of Sanusi's appointment as emir. Meanwhile the ruling PDP has now congratulated Sanusi on becoming Emir of Kano, but urged him to fulfill his duties without pursuing political objectives.

In Jos, capital of Plateau state, Catholic Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, who is head of the Nigerian Bishops' Conference, sought to reassure those who fear more friction between Nigeria's diverse communities.

"The new emir is an enlightened person and he is therefore aware of the importance of inter-religious dialogue and the need for peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians," he said.

But the federal government and military seem determined to press ahead with their campaign against their critics in the opposition and media.