After a long period of military interregnum, the anxiety and high expectations which characterized the disposition of the local nigerian polity shortly before 1999 had almost waned in barely a decade of the countrys democratic experiment due to bad and. After a long period of military interregnum, the anxiety and high expectations which characterized the disposition of the local nigerian polity shortly before 1999 had almost waned in barely a decade of the countrys democratic experiment due to bad and corrupt governance resulting in. Accordingly, democracy in nigeria cannot be consolidated amidst high level. One view point is that in nigeria, the relevance of media as a critical interface between the government and the people in democracy is almost gone while media reports are mostly unipolar, from the government to the people without feedback falobi, 2010. Nigerias democracy is relatively young having taken off on may 29, 1999. The hungry and uninformed people are easily bought over by irresponsible politicians with illgotten wealth. The three main challenges are the foundational challenge, the challenge of expansion, and the challenge of deepening of democracy. The nigerian elections of 200203, friends of nigeria newsletter, 200304. The poverty rate has continued to rise astronomically without any reasonable effort by government to curtail it. Abstract grassroot democracy is a peoplecommunity driven participation in elections, governance. Introduction may 29, 1999 marked a watershed in nigerias political annals. The extent of representation was so little, only four nigerians were elected and they covered only lagos and calabar. Therefore, this paper examines democratic consolidation and challenges of legislative politics in nigeria from 19992011.
They must also be exposed and be prepared to face the challenges of leadership in developing society. Democracy, good governance, corruption, human rights, electoral reform. With the advent of more political parties it was expected that this pattern would change. The regional dialogue on emerging trends and challenges of electoral democracy in africa was held over two days 2526 may 2016 in abuja, nigeria. This paper explores the challenges of democracy in africa and the middle east by charting the contours of debatecommentaries, and then presenting some interesting articles submitted to the present volume of information, society and justice, each dealing.
The study recommends measures that will help in achieving sustainable democracy and development in nigeria. Yet the power of the democratic idea has prevailed through a long and turbulent history, and democratic government, despite continuing challenges, continues to evolve and flourish throughout the world. Apr 15, 2020 problems and prospects of democracy in nigeria. Challenges facing democracy in nigeria and solutions.
Grassroot democracy and the challenges of rural development. The challenges of leadership and governance in africa afegbua, salami issa. Issues and challenges of democracy, development and security. This paper is an explorative discourse on the security challenges and the survival of democracy in nigerian state. Schumpeter cited in ukase 2014 sees democracy as a method by which decisionmaking is transferred to individuals who have gained power in a. Poverty has posed a big threat to the development of nigerias democracy. On the other hand, the politically conscious urbanized, professional and studies. A range of challenges has been identified as the incipient obstacles to the democratic vision of nigeria, from the ubiquitous phenomenon of corruption to godfatherism, poverty to selfish interests of leaders or the inefficiency of leaders, etc. However, other indices like freedom of association, freedom of the press, separation of powers and respect for rule of law have made appreciable strides, even if great challenges still lie along the way. Elections, electoral process and the challenges of democratization in nigerias fourth republic the most widely praised as the best system of government in our contemporary world is democracy, which allows for high level of peoples participation in decisionmaking and policy formulation through representatives. For most sovereign states in africa however, democratisation and its challenges have for long remained daunting. Recent experiences from kenya and zimbabwe illustrate the difficult and daunting task of consolidating democracy on the continent. Threats and challenges to nigerias nascent democracy.
History of democracy in nigeria and when did nigeria became a. The challenges of democracy and democratisation in africa and. History of democracy in nigeria and when did nigeria. See the problems and prospects of democracy in nigeria. Many government institutions do not adequately engage with citizens or the private sector and lack the capacity to. The term democracy can be traced to a greek origin. People should have equal say and equal participation in the affairs of government and decision making in society, because, in the final analysis, government exists to serve. Over years, nigeria has been wallowing in the coffin of poverty, underdevelopment, unemployment, power instability, securities menace, and political hullabaloos, all this has been a problem combating a nation that was once giant of africa, democracy in nigeria. Poor governance and weak institutions have been an integral part of nigerias experience since independence. The challenge of expansion involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the religions, different social groups, and various institutions. Abstract after 55 years of political independence, nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of democratic transformation and good governance. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Nevertheless, the democracy story in nigeria can be traced to the year 1960.
Corruption, no doubt, out of all, stands out as a monster amongst the other challenges against democracy in africa. It was the dawn of the fourth republic, a return to. Problems and prospects of democracy in nigeria infoguideng. Emerging trends and challenges of electoral democracy in. Haven looked at the abridged history of democracy in nigeria, let us now see the problems faced by democracy in nigeria. Conflicttriggered by political competition and communal, ethnic, religious or resource allocation rivalriesposes a major threat to democracy.
The term democracy was first mentioned about 2,500 years ago in the cities of greece. Despite obasanjos efforts, nigeria was still beset by a variety of problems. The role of the media is critical to the development of any nation. Many government institutions do not adequately engage with citizens or the private sector and. It also gives the appraisal of democracy and development in nigeria between19992009. A semblance of its simulations at democratisation manifested again in 2007 when it conducted an elec. Freedom of information act and democratic consolidation in nigeria. Oruonye department of geography, taraba state university, p. All efforts by successive civilian governments to entrench true democracy and good. While it remains true that nigeria is governed by democratically elected leaders at the federal and state levels, nigeria is yet to institutionalise democracy after a century of existence as a political entity. It discusses the theories and concept of conflict and security within the framework of current realities in nigeria. Jumoke ogunkeyede, prodemocracy activist and eyewitness in oshun state, quoted in ron singer, democracy in the balance. Democracy is a system of government in which the citizens exercise power directly or elect representatives from among themselves to form a governing body, such as a parliament. Challenges of democracy and good governance in nigeria democracy has emerged as the best accepted form of government in the contemporary world.
The challenges of conflict management in a democratic society. Democracy requires that those who have authority use it for the public good. Grassroot democracy and the challenges of rural development in nigeria. The challenges of democracy and democratisation in africa. The implications of social democracy on industrial relations. Apr 30, 2019 issues and challenges of democracy, development and security in nigerias context posted by editorinchief april 30, 2019 september 4, 2019 african research journal of education and social sciences, 61, 2019. The challenges of poverty and illiteracy to nigeria democracy cannot be overemphasized. Democracy in nigeria, walter idada and momoh lawal rilwani eds. The challenges of democracy and democratisation in africa and middle east usman a.
Challenges of democratic transition in africa pambazuka news. The dialogue was organized as a partnership event, under the overall stewardship of the department of political affairs, african union commission auc. Abstract this paper interrogates the challenges of conflict management in a democratic society by examining the myriad of security issues in the nigerian nation. Click download or read online button to threats and challenges to nigeria s nascent democracy book pdf for free now. Extra work must be done in these areas to make nigeria a democracy and to make that democracy sustainable. The study recommends measures that will help in achieving sustainable democracy and development in. Since then, her democratic experience has been undermined by her failure in national security. Democracy, which derives from the greek word demos, or people, is defined, basically, as government in which. Issues and challenges of democracy, development and security in nigerias context posted by editorinchief april 30, 2019 september 4, 2019 african research journal of education and social sciences, 61, 2019. Challenges of democratic governance in nigeria 1 the. The paper discusses some of the impediments to the institutionalisation of democracy in nigeria after more. Nigeria 2018 human rights report united states department. Freedom of information act and democratic consolidation in.
Nationals of two african countries, somalia and sudan, are subject to a revised executive order on immigration signed by president trump in. Statement of the problem the application of the principle of social democracy. The whole thing started from the year1999, when olusegun obasanjo was sworn in as the first democratically elected president of nigeria. The challenges of infrastructure development in democratic. Nigeria 2 country reports on human rights practices for 2018 united states department of state bureau of democracy, human rights and labor the government took steps to investigate alleged abuses but fewer steps to prosecute officials who committed violations, whether in the security forces or elsewhere in the government. A case study of bali local government area of taraba state e. Nigeria is faced with a lot of security and developmental challenges such as high rate of poverty, income inequality, unemployment, conflict, and violence among others with about 70% of its population living in poverty akhemonkhan et al. Issues and challenges of democracy, development and. Democracy in africa political changes and challenges edited by saliba sarsar julius o.
Since independence, it has wobbled from one republic to the other, and for the most part interjected by military regimes. Elections, electoral process and the challenges of democratization in nigerias fourth republic. Greater power should be given to local governments. The challenges of conflict management in a democratic. Challenges of democratic governance in nigeria 1 the sun. Dec 15, 2018 many people have asked the question, when did nigeria became a republic.
Previous research work reveals that most governments in africa are faced with. Prospects and challenges preye kuro inokoba department of political science niger delta university, p. The challenges of leadership and governance in africa. The challenges of infrastructure development in democratic governance fig working week 2012 knowing to manage the territory, protect the environment, evaluate the cultural heritage rome, italy, 610 may 2012 settlements must be biodiversified with cohabitation of other animals and plants and natural. Elections, electoral process and the challenges of. The implications of social democracy on industrial. The most important factor is the motive and leanings of the. Therefore, in this context, this paper determines the implications of social democracy on employees industrial relations in nigeria. Responses congressional research service 2 including south africa, nigeria, and kenya. Adekunle carolina academic press durham, north carolina 00 sarsar adekunle final 22212 9. Introduction may 29, 1999 marked a watershed in nigeria s political annals. It is recognized as the most appropriate mechanism through which any society should be governed. Emerging trends and challenges of electoral democracy in africa.
Threats and challenges to nigeria s nascent democracy. Is a prominent and permanent feature of democracy particularly in nigeria where democracy has widened. One of the major issues bedevilling democracy in nigeria is the nagging concept of political godfathers in the various political parties in nigeria. Threats and challenges to nigeria s nascent democracy download threats and challenges to nigeria s nascent democracy ebook pdf or read online books in pdf, epub, and mobi format.
There are roadblocks to a strong democracy in nigeria at all levels of government. Since the attainment of political independence in 1960. May 29 th of every year is declared democracy day in nigeria, and it also a public holiday. These included war, violence, corruption, poverty, and hunger. Idachaba federal university abstractthis paper looked at the challenges facing nigerias democratic institutions with particular reference to accountability which has been regarded as the alpha and omega in democratic governance. Akpan department of political and administrative studies, university of port harcourt, nigeria abstract. The concept of godfatherism in politics is not altogether a bad one. Nonetheless, nigeria was increasing its oil exports and experiencing economic growth. Democracy in nigeria problems and prospects information. Methodologically, data for this paper were generated mainly from secondary sources of recorded human documents.
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