CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Democracy has become a very common word in the 21st century, and it can be described simply as a form of government in which the people rule themselves. It is a scenario where everybody has the right and opportunity of taking up a representative role in positions of authority in a society. A position formerly reserved for members of the elite. Democracy is perhaps the most cherished form of government. This is as a result of the rising degree of countries in the world today claiming to be democratic and the number of the populace who yearn for it. As a matter of fact, almost every form of government in the world today claims to be democratic even when critics believe that such claim is nor valid. However, even though there appears to be a universal standard for its application. Thus, while it is an ideal system of government which all societies strive to attain, its application remains specific to the cultural context in which it is applied.
Over the years there have been different interpretations and meanings given to this system of government, giving rise to terms such as British democracy, Americandemocracy, Nigerian democracy etc. etymology the term “democracy” was derived from two Greek words, which literally mean “Demos” (people) and “Kratian”, (Rule). In other words, it means government administered and composed by the people collectively. This essential presupposes and establishes that governments derived their existence from the will of the generality of the people. Thus, Richard R. Fagen (1986), cited in NekabariNna (2002) listed the following as the basic characteristics of a (democratic form of government) there is effective participation of individuals and groups in the decisions that most affect their lives. (ii)there is a system of accountability whereby the behaviour of leaders and officials can be monitored, judged and if necessary changed by those who are subject to their authority. (iii) there is political equality (in the sense of equal opportunity to participate in the political processes etc).
Though democratic rule in Nigeria started right from after independence, it has been marred by military interventions and numerous years of military rule. It was only after May 29, 1999, when Gen. AbdulsalamiAbubakar handed over power to former president OlusegunObasanjo that there was uninterrupted democratic rule in Nigeria. With this development, Nigerians were full of hopes and expectations that hard earned democracy will usher in improvements in standards of living, good governance, improvement in security and what Mohammed (2013) described as freeing of natural resources from the iron fist and jaw of greedy officials to that of enterprising and efficient social services delivery in health, education, sports and prevention of modern day slavery such as human trafficking as well as rehabilitation of infrastructural facilities, poverty alleviation and reduction in unemployment, inequality and improvement in general socio-economic development. Disturbingly, fourteen years after the inception of the present democratic dispensation, the political landscape is yet to show clear evidence of hope. From the afore stated facts, it is obvious that democracy and Nigeria are like Siamese twins; though conjoined, they are uncomfortable and under intense pressure that could result in all forms of hurt, even death. Although, democracy may not be strange to an overwhelming percentage of Nigerians; what may be strange to them is the brand of democracy that invests, first and foremost, in human and material resources for the purposes of political stability, economic viability, scientific advancement, technological breakthrough, educational development and life enhancing social services. Given the general optimism that Nigeria was going to be the bastion of democracy in African following her independence from Britain in 1960, one should normally expect that by now democracy should be deeply rooted and institutionalized in the country. ironically and unfortunately, Nigeria, as the practice and delivery of dividends of liberal democracy is concerned, is yet a cripple that can barely stand let alone walk or run. Against the above background that this study is proposed to critically examine the challenges and prospects of democracy in uniting Nigeria.
1. 2 Statement of the Problem
Democracy has won for itself a household name across the globe. It has gained popularity because it is believed to be a sine-qua-non for growth and development. The enterprising nature of this system of government is a testament to the amount of propaganda and repression some non-democratic states set up against their own people’s desire for more open and democratic forms of government. Irrespective of the fact that this system of government has remained dominant for all these years in many countries in Africa, they have grappled with several challenges. There is mutual suspicion that ethnic jingoism, clash of political interest, power shift and ethno-regional crises has deprived us of reason, sense of justice and fairness bearing in mind that many ethnic tribes in African countries laugh and hug in public and plot against each other when they retire to their ethno religious enclaves. Once in a while, this mistrust finds grotesque expression among people as there is witness of bloodbaths premeditated by ethno religious contempt for each other. This consequently made development low in almost all spheres aside cases of personal achievements of are still hard for us to crack: Many African countries still ranks poor in many development indices while the menace of corruption is threatening to choke the countries to death due to the excessive stealing of resources by some handlers of affairs. On the basis of the foregoing, this study sets out to find out the challenges and prospects of democracy in Nigerian unity.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objectives of this study is to evaluate the challenges and prospects of democracy in uniting Nigeria. Specially, the study were to:
- Find out the effect of ethnic and religious differences in democracy in Nigeria unity
- Discover whether clash of interest in democracy affect Nigerian unity
- Determine whether power shift and ethno regional tension in democracy affect Nigeria unity
- Discover whether weak democratic institution affect Nigeria unity
- To identify and as well offer solution to limitations of democracy in uniting Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
i. Are there effect of ethnic and religious differences on Nigeria Unity?
ii. Is there relationship between clash if interest and Nigerian Unity?
iii. Is there relationship between power shift and ethno regional tension to Nigeria Unity?
iv. Are there effect of weak democratic institutions on Nigeria unity?
v. Are there limitations of democracy in uniting Nigeria?
vi. Are there solutions to these?
1.5 Scope of the Study
The nature of this research requires visits to many Nigerian parastatal to assess the challenges and prospects of democracy in uniting Nigeria but to ensure that the study is objectively carried out, selected ministries in AkwaIbom State was used as a study focus of the work.
DEMOCRACY AND NIGERIAN UNITY: ISSUES, PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
