Nigeria: December 3, 2002

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  The violence in Nigeria is not just about religion. It's also about tribal loyalty, political power and oil money. The Islamic north has long seen itself as destined to rule the nation, and for decades the rulers of Nigeria were from the north. But the oil is in the south and the Christian southerners are now in charge of the national government. No one wants a civil war, but no one wants to lose control over all that oil money. Most Nigerians are upset over the politicians stealing so much of the oil money. But many Nigerians are not against making money working for one of these corrupt politicians. Mobs can be hired for rioting, or peaceful demonstration. Everything has a price in Nigeria, and that's the biggest problem.