THE RISE AND FALL OF POPULISM IN BRAZIL

The idea of writing this book started the day I left for a country until then unknown, Brazil.

All began with the unjustified anulment of the Nigeria’s Presidential election of that year won by M.K.O Abiola, who was later arrested and consequently assassinated in prison. The fear of the unknown was my major concern, leaving behind my loved ones and friends. But I had to face all that, keeping aside all those feelings and obstacles.

On arrival in Brazil, I was shocked to observe a big difference between Nigeria and Brazil. However, I quickly adjusted to my new reality. Being an avid lover of politics, I started familiarizing mysef with Brazilian political cenary.

Itamar Franco, an urbane Politician was the President of Brazil at the time. Later Fernando Henrique Cardoso took over as the President and presided over the rulership of the country for eight years, revamping the economy which was in bad shape.

After Fernando Henrique Cardoso, the country elected Luiz Lula Inacio da Silva and there was a high expectation in the air with the coming of Lula as President. The impression was that Brazil would be transformed into na economic giant. This was only an illusion. Corruption became a way of life in the government, and with time it looked like Brazil would never find an exit from this confusion provoked by the President Lula and his administration. As the saying goes; whatever that has a begining must also have an end. After eight years, Lula was succeeded by his political pupil who ruled for six years. This time it became evidente that the country could not continue with the economic mismanagement as it was. Impeachment became inevitable. The country was falling apart and to save the country from becoming a bigger Venezuela some actions must be taken; lack of security, high crime rate, lack of jobs, decadente educational system, and precarious judiciary principally in the STF [Brazilian Supreme Court] where politicians were nominated as Judges by President whose only criteria for nomination is nepotismo and loyalty.