On April 21, up to 61-million Nigerians will go to the polls to choose a new president in what is touted as the country’s first democratic hand-over of power, from one civilian ruler to another. But despite this historic moment, the prevailing mood a week ahead of the polls is one of confusion, anger and disillusionment.

Historian Martin Meredith records that when Ghanaian independence leader Kwame Nkrumah learned he was expected to take the lead at an independence ball he "groaned, complaining he could only dance the highlife". He might have felt the same way if he were still alive to attend this week’s official celebrations to mark Ghana’s 50 years of independence from colonial rule.

Last week’s donor conference in Washington was greeted as a triumph in Liberia, with more than $1-billion in debt forgiveness and pledges of aid. Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, a former World Bank economist, is adept at getting what she wants on the international stage.