FACTBOX-Key political risks to watch in Nigeria
By Tim Cocks
LAGOS Feb 10 (Reuters) - An Islamist insurgency in the north is increasingly dominating Goodluck Jonathan's presidency and stifling plans for economic reforms, while an attack on an oil pipeline last week highlighted the fragile peace in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
Jonathan has promised to transform Africa's second-largest economy, but the mainstay oil and gas industry has stalled because much-needed reforms are locked in parliament.
An attempt to scrap costly fuel subsidies was defeated by strikes and street protests, leaving the distinct impression of a beleaguered presidency.
Since late last month Islamist sect Boko Haram has sought to raise its profile with well planned, lethal attacks, including a spate of Christmas Day bombings, one targeting a church on the outskirts of Abuja that killed 37 people and wounded 57.
In its deadliest strike to date, the sect killed 186 people in a coordinated attack mostly targeting police stations in Nigeria's second biggest city of Kano.
SECURITY
Boko Haram, a sect seeking to overthrow parts of the government and impose stricter Islamic law, claimed the Christmas Day attacks, saying they were in revenge for attacks on Muslims during a Muslim holiday in the volatile middle belt. Continued...
