Democracy In Nigeria Research Articles

Prophets with Lying Spirit? Nigerian Prophets, Prophecies, and an Endangered Democracy

This paper is a theoretical empirical study derived from whathas become a recurring decimal each time Nigeria is preparingfor general elections. Our experience over the years hasshown that electioneering processes in Nigeria comes withdifferent prophesies about the eventual outcomes of theelections by prophets claiming to know the mind of God orhaving exclusive insights on the candidates whom God haschosen. Most of these prophecies are contradictory to someothers, sometimes, implying that there are different godsresponsible for revealing the prophecies to the prophets.These prophecies embolden the different aspirants that theyare the chosen ones and hence boosts their expectations ofvictory at the polls, sometimes without carrying out the usualelectioneering process of campaigning, having manifestoesand trying to win the electorates legitimately. Of furtherconcern to us is that the belief in the prophecies trickle downto the electorates by influencing their choices. When theircandidate eventually fails to win, then the elections are seento have been tampered with and declared unfair. Most often,this leads to rioting, violence and attendant vandalisation of properties and loss of lives. The candidate who fails to winelection goes to court and a process of unnecessary prolongedlitigation ensues. Thus, virtually every elections end incontestation in court thereby making a mockery of electionand the electioneering process. This tendency is what thispaper interrogates, especially as it touches on endangeringdemocracy in Nigeria.

Ethnic versus national identity and satisfaction with democracy: The decline of the ethnic cleavage in Nigeria?

ABSTRACT In this article, we evaluate the impact of ethnic and national identities on satisfaction with democracy in Nigeria, a state with deep historical ethno-regional divisions. Applying Easton’s (1965) seminal framework of diffuse versus specific support, we examine how Nigerians combine their ethnic and national identities (diffuse support), and analyze the extent to which territorial identities influence democratic satisfaction vis-à-vis evaluative factors (specific support), such as trust in institutions and the current government’s performance in addressing the needs of its citizens. We employ a multilevel model using the seventh round of the Nigeria Afrobarometer survey. We find that a dominant ethnic identity does decrease democratic satisfaction. However, a number of specific support measures, such as trust in the state and local governments and evaluations of the government’s economic performance are stronger predictors. We interpret this as a decline in the salience of the ethnic cleavage in Nigeria.

Two Decades of Democracy in Nigeria: Between Consolidation and Regression

The year 1999 marked a watershed moment in the political history of Nigeria with the transition from military to civilian rule and the beginning of the Fourth Republic. Two decades later, the country has not only witnessed the longest period of civilian democratic rule but has also achieved a milestone with the alternation of power between the two dominant political parties. The augury, however, points to a democracy oscillating between consolidation and regression. This paper therefore interrogates two decades of democratisation in Nigeria in the context of the two main parties, the conduct of elections, and the level of representation of marginalised groups, particularly women. The paper contends that while it may be uncharitable to discount the incremental gains since the return to civil rule, the country is far from attaining the status of a consolidated democracy.

Democracy and Underdevelopment in Coastal Communities in Akwa Ibom State Since 1999

Democracy in Nigeria and of course in Akwa Ibom State has created lopsided development and thereby widened the gap of inequality in the State. Democracy is a political and constitutional arrangement in which the values of economic development and social welfare of the citizens can grow and be sustained. Inspite of the great potentials in agricultural, mineral and human resources in the state, development has remained uneven. The coastal communities like other rural areas in the mainland, are grossly underdeveloped, despite harbouring the wealth of the state, particularly, petroleum oil and gas. The coastal areas of the state are replete with poor or absence of basic infrastructure, poverty, unemployment high-crime rate, and youth restiveness. The article concludes that democracy in the state rather than foster a sustained development, has created uneven and uncordinated development especially in the coastal areas. That only adequate provision of social infrastructures with sustainable development programme can secure the future of the people both in the hinterland as well as in the coastal communities.

Politics of vote buying: A menace to vibrant democracy in Nigeria

This paper reviews the vote buying in Nigeria electoral and political process, while vote buying has constantly been the bane to better democratic process, on the contrary, the expectation of representative democracy was thwarted. This has been a cyclical element that has posed lot of danger to getting the best out of election as a major element of democracy in selecting an apt candidate that will bring out best in governance. The structure is now inherently bastardized and has been a cankerworm to primary and general election as it cannot survive the potency of electoral act. While efforts to eliminate vote buying or money politics proved abortive, this in turn necessitated this paper in bringing the best out of our processes.

Contending Weltanschauungen and the Shrinking of Democratic Spaces An Appraisals of Nigeria Democratic Practices-2015-2022

Ivan Krastev said “we are all living in Vladimir Putin’s world now”, where sheer force tramples over democratic rights. However, the travails of the liberal order is not only Putin’s Russia, China waits on the wings….Even the bastions of democracy like United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK) are not left out. In them have arisen Rightwings populist in the guise of ‘America First’, which cumulated to the January 6, 2021 ‘insurrection’ in Washington and the Brexit brouhaha in UK. Nigeria being a member of the comity of nations is not antipathetic to this trend. Of the twelve largest democratic decline in the world, seven are in Sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria is number five. It had been noted that Democratic practise in Nigeria is a hybrid: civil rule, militarism, and ethnic jingoism. In a recent poll by Statista, 77.2% of Nigerians agree that Nigeria democracy is flawed. This paper interrogates the democratic reversal in Nigeria using the Realist Balance of Power (BoP) Framework in the midst of contending Weltanschauungen. The paper argues that Russia and China’s contrary worldview to democratic norms has given countries democratic trade-offs, which have engendered democratic reversal worldwide, Nigeria inclusive. The paper recommends continuous vigilance by Nigerian’s civil societies and others, to insist that democratic tenets are upheld always, as exemplified by their insistence for the signing of the 2022 Electoral Law. Data were collated through documentary methods; these qualitative data were transcribed, interpreted, and analysed through systematic logical deductions.

The Nigerian State and Democratic Governance: A Need for Revisitation of Democratic Ethos

The study examined the practice of democracy in Nigeria, bearing in mind the tenets of democracy. Democracy has been accepted as the most viable and sustainable form of government by world leaders and is used to determine the extent of freedom enjoyed in different countries of the world. However, the availability of the freedom it offers in Nigeria is questionable. This is largely due to the lack of democratic principles such as free, fair and credible elections, mass participation in the governance processes, independence of the judiciary, rule of law, etc. While successive governments since 1999 have verbalized efforts at strengthening democratic ethos/culture in the country, observers are of the view that the democratic practice in Nigeria is a far cry from the acceptable norms. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to examine the extent to which democratic ethos have been institutionalized in the Nigerian State. The study adopted the Participatory Theory of democracy, its main idea being the provision of greater involvement and control over all governmental laws and non-governmental rules pertaining to the citizens, and to analyze the imperative to revisit the practice of democracy in Nigeria. The study relied mainly on secondary data focusing on the nature and character of democratic governance in the country. The study revealed that efforts at institutionalizing democracy, enhancing mass participation as well as achieving development had not yielded the desired outcomes in the country. This is evident in the increasing rate of electoral violence that characterizes elections over the years in the country. The paper concluded that, for Nigeria to substantially deliver the “dividends of democracy” to the people, the state must revisit the culture and practice of democracy in the country. The study recommended, among other things, that the state should strive to uphold the rule of law at all times, ensure judicial independence, enhance mass participation in the governance processes and efforts should also be made to guarantee free, fair and credible elections.

The Nigerian Criminal Justice and the Belligerence of Blasphemy: Societal, Judicial and Islamic Law Perspectives

Introduction to the Problem: Blasphemy in religion undoubtedly jeopardises the universal human right of freedom of religion in any society. Considering that it is ethno-religiously linked and sensitive in multi-religious environments, the offence is proscribed under the Nigerian laws. With the re-emergence of democracy in Nigeria, the Criminal Justice System became expanded with the birth of a fully-fledged Shariah practice in some areas in Nigeria. The recent death sentence passed on a musician, Aminu, for the alleged offence of blasphemy by a Shariah Court in Kano State attracted the attention of the masses, particularly prompting the question of the propriety or otherwise of the punishment. Purpose/Objective Study: This work examined the societal, judicial and Islamic law perspectives on blasphemy with a view to proffering viable options as punishment for the offence. Design/Methodology/Approach: Doctrinal legal research methodology was adopted, and it involves primary sourcing materials from Quran, Sunnah , Acts and Cases. Secondary sources include journal articles, textbooks, official documents online and in newspaper. Findings: The findings revealed that the death penalty for the offence is incompatible with the most convincing opinion of scholars, the reality of Nigeria and the international best practices. It is consequently suggested that offence and punishments for blasphemy should be treated as a ta’zir, and the punishment should be less than death. Paper Type: Research Article

8 - The Role of ICT in Curtailing Electoral Fraud and Violence in Nigeria: A Study of the 2019 General Election in Lagos State

Elections can be described as the hallmark of democracy and integral for a democratic society to remain stable. However, electoral process in Nigeria has been marred with fraud and violence. Electoral violence and fraud remain a major threat to the stability of democracy in Nigeria. To reduce the occurrence of violence and fraud, INEC introduced the Smart Card Reader (SCR) which was used to verify the authenticity of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC). The use of ICT during the 2019 elections limited the extent to which political actors can intimidate or harass INEC officials to commit electoral fraud, it also reduced the number of electoral petitions and in Lagos State, there was a reduction in violence experienced during the elections. Ifeanyi .U. Chukwuma, Researcher, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Email: ify.chukwuma@yahoo.com

Election Related Conflicts in Nigeria: The Role of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the Electoral Management Body (EMB) established in Nigeria to deliver free, fair, and credible elections through a transparent and peaceful process. However, the origin of violence perpetrated during elections with wanton destruction of public and private property, including loss of lives all over the country, calls for an examination of the role of INEC in this regard. This study used historical method analyses to examine the role of INEC. The study found out that though INEC has, to a large extent, performed its role and also helped to deepen democracy in Nigeria since its establishment in 1998. Further studies also found that INEC’s poor organisational abilities, lack of essential transparency, widespread procedural irregularities, substantial evidence of fraud, widespread voter disenfranchisement at different stages of the process, etc., have been responsible for the numerous incidences of conflict in the country during elections. This paper concludes and recommends that external challenges, such as security, inadequate funding, and the desperation amongst Nigerian politicians, be moderated and curtailed with a synergy between the Legislature and Executive arms. At the same time, the judiciary plays its role well, including that INEC employs professional ethics amongst its staff with organisational and logistical efficiency and effectiveness in the electoral process. INEC’s role will be overtly transparent and therefore lead to the delivery of peaceful rather than conflict-infected elections.

Engaging Young Adults to Birth Ideological Democracy in Nigeria: Social Media as Civic Education Compass

Engaging Young Adults to Birth Ideological Democracy in Nigeria: Social Media as Civic Education Compass

Democratisation and Conflict in Nigeria

This paper discusses Democratisation And Conflict In Nigeria. The contemporary history of Nigeria is a tale of internecine conflicts and economic woes. The post-independence vision of Nigeria as a giant of Africa primed to take off into sustained development and democracy has long evaporated. Four decades of nation-building appear to have availed veiy1ittle. Rather than greater integration, there has been, across the nation, a succession of ethnic/religious conflicts, with monumental human ‘casualties and tragedies in their wake. Consequently, various views and strategies are currently being canvassed for peace and ethnic/religious conflict management in a democratic Nigeria. In a plural society like Nigeria, conflicts have been more associated with economic, religious, political, ethnic and communal issues. The surge and spate of such conflicts in Nigeria since the return of democratic dispensation, and their unprecedented spread, longevity and intensity have greatly complicated the political, social, economic and environmental problems of the country. Violent conflict threatens everything, including lives, property, development, democracy, and the viability and sustainability of our nation-state. Thus, the need to resolve conflicts in Nigeria is urgent. This chapter is, therefore, an attempt to contribute to the current debate • on civil society and ethnic/religious conflict management in a democratic Nigeria.

Military culture and political leadership in Nigeria’s democracy

ABSTRACT The nature and pattern of sustenance of democratic rule in Nigeria since the inception of the fourth republic which followed the exit of military rulers in 1999 have continued to generate scholarly debates. The conundrum of whether or not the country has freed itself from the ominous influence of the culture of military rule is a huge concern. Using former President Obasanjo and current President Buhari as case studies, this article examines the extent to which the reemergence of Nigeria’s former military Heads of State as civilian administrators since 1999 has affected constitutionalism and democratization in Nigeria’s political leadership. The patterns of administration of civilian government as well as democratic infractions of both regimes are considered. The paper relies on secondary data and the descriptive method of analysis. The Military Transition Model, a strand of Transition Theory, was used as a framework for further clarification. Rather than improve on the tenets of democracy, findings show that elements of absolutism and arbitrary rule are strongly perceptible. There are no convincing proofs that the reappearance of Nigeria’s former military rulers into political leadership is reinforcing the country’s long awaited democratization processes. The current political leadership in Nigeria has not demonstrated sufficient political will to eschew the dregs of contempt for rule of law. The study concludes that problems of democratic infractions are prevalent in the current political system largely due to the persisting influence of military culture of political leadership.

‘As democracy grows’

Abstract This paper investigates the metaphorical framing of the concept of democracy in Nigerian Senate debates (henceforth, NSD) in a mini-corpus of 214 meta-discursive commentaries on democracy by legislators, with insight from metaphor scenario theory. Three source concepts – “ erect structure”, “living organism”, “dividends” and their associate scenarios are analysed. These scenarios are exploited by legislators to effect specific argumentative and ideological conclusions, such as Nigerian democracy is weak, positive-self-presentation by legislators amongst others. The paper reveals the conceptual, evaluative and ideological structures that dominate the discourse about democratization in Nigeria, especially in the Fourth Republic, from the perspective of legislators.

INEC-Sponsored Media Messages and Voters’ Turnout during the 2019 General Elections in Nigeria: A Study of Perception of Warri Voters

The media are partners in a democracy because they ensure political participation in the democratic process. Audience perception of the media is vital as it affects credibility and believability of the media and their messages. Credibility and believability of the media are predicated to an extent upon the source of media messages. These issues prompted this study which examined the INEC-Sponsored media messages during the 2019 general elections in Nigeria with specific reference to Warri voters. The study which adopted survey research methodology sampled 384 respondents and used questionnaire to collect data. Data collected were analysed by simple percentages and measures of central tendencies, while hypotheses were tested by Regression Analysis. The study found among others that voters in Warri metropolis perceived that the INEC-Sponsored media messages during the 2019 general elections were credible and thus created the expected level of awareness and sensitization about the general elections. This consequently and significantly influenced voters’ turnout in Warri metropolis during the 2019 general elections. The study thereafter recommended among others that INEC should continue to sponsor unbiased media messages to voters as this will strengthen elections and democracy in Nigeria.

Political Communication, Twitter-Diplomacy and Political Violence in Nigeria: Criminalizing the Covid democracy or what?

Man is a relational being. In his dealings with others, he seeks to maximize his association and satisfy his various needs. The torrents of Globalization, diplomacy, social norms, the new media, and popular representation are omnipresent instruments that may determine, control, interpret, and shape the various institutions of governance, public policy, and the conduct of international relations by heads of states and government across borders even in the era of the ‘covid-19 new normal’. It will also show that the Twitter ban is harmful to maintaining a friendly relationship between Nigerian citizens, involvement in governance, and the country's democratic progress. The main purpose of this study is to examine how essential Twitter is for the survival of democracy in Nigeria during Covid-19. This paper argues that Sustainable Democracy does allow for active participation of interested citizens in the state of affairs of the country with citizen involvement and Mobilization via Twitter. This is reflected in the opinions, perceptions, and reactions of people in the 21st Century- Knowledge diplomacy, in an outburst against the Twitter Post of President Muhammadu Buhari on June 2, 2021. The researchers used the conflict theories of political systems and human needs. Secondary data sources were used in the study. The Paper concluded that revolutions in technology are not a hindrance to good governance, and democratic dispensation can only continue for as long as leaders can tolerate public dissension, and media scrutiny and embrace the positivity and uniqueness of media power in politics according to rule of law.

Judicialising party primaries : contemporary developments in Nigeria

This article explores the judicialisation of party primaries in contemporary Nigeria, which is a defining feature of the country’s electoral politics. Since the inception of the Fourth Republic, the lack of internal democracy within the parties has been the source of protracted crises during nomination, and this often gravitates to the serenity of the court(s). Dominant disquisitions in legal theory contend that disputed primaries are internal party affairs; hence, they are non-justiciable. Drawing on primary and secondary data – YouTube interviews, the Constitution, the Electoral Act, judicial ruling, media reports, and personal observation – this article argues that to the extent that political parties are juridical entities, disputed primary elections are justiciable, hence a legal question to be resolved by the judiciary. To validate our argument, the article draws on Raphael’s (1970) notion of universal and compulsory jurisdiction. Our enquiry reveals that the failure of the internal mechanisms of the parties to resolve disputed party primaries accounts for aggrieved aspirants’ reliance on legal redress. While this approach has been questioned from a legalistic point of view, the constitutionality of seeking legal redress has its provenance in the change of legal regime regulating party primaries, which has shaped, reshaped, and positively impacted electoral democracy in Nigeria.

Vote-Buying and Democratic Governance in Nigeria

This work is an analysis of “Vote Buying and Democracy in Nigeria”. Vote-buying in Nigeria is implicitly becoming an accepted practice with the political class, electoral body, security agencies as well as the electorate contributing to its growth. Democracy entails majority rule and gives ultimate power to the people, among other things. This is demonstrated during elections where political leaders are chosen by the people, through the ballot. This democratic process in Nigeria is altered and negatively influenced by several factors. Vote-buying, a monetary and material inducement that compels voters to vote contrary to their choices, is a disturbing trend that gets consolidated by each passing election in Nigeria. This study examines vote-buying as a dominant-negative factor militating against democratic governance in Nigeria. It is observed in this study that vote-buying is strengthened by bad governance. There is the need to amend Nigeria’s electoral laws to truly make the electoral body independent from the executive, to give it a neutral disposition. There are extant constitutional provisions that criminalize vote-buying, therefore these laws should be enforced, irrespective of the status of the offenders.

Intelligence and National Security in Nigeria Democratic Governance 1999 – 2020

Intelligence and National Security in Nigeria Democratic Governance 1999 – 2020

Sycophantic Culture and the Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria

Since the return to democratic or civil rule in Nigeria in 1999, we have had the opportunity to take our cherished democracy through successful successive rebirths. Our democracy has been a major factor for the changes, development and growth which we share today. This democracy has also taught us to checkmate people placed in positions in our bid to fight poverty, ensure social cohesion, facilitate the development of our social services, deepen political participation and awareness, and above all, sustain the peace of one Nigeria. However, it is observed with great concern and urgency that there is this dangerous cancerous enigmatic culture which if not tackled, has the propensity to derail and crumble our gigantic efforts to build a better Nigerian democratic culture. This cancer is what I call “sycophantic culture” which is more dangerous than the coup makers. Hence, this paper argues that this sycophantic culture in our socio-economic and political lives is one of the biggest threats we face even as we shape our democracy. Using analytic, historical and expository stencils, the paper identifies the various shades and forms this culture has hindered the making of our national rebirth where merit strives, mediocrity is shunned, ethnic cleavages are integrated at a higher level and cheap religious sentiments down played. The paper concludes using Tiv system of moral justice which reveres the pride of truth telling as a strong panacea towards building an integrative Nigerian democratic variable culture.