Democracy and Islamic Sect/boko Haram in Nigeria (a Case Study of Goodluck Jonathan Regime)
CHAPTER ONE
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This project work intents to achieve the following purposes: –
- To examine critically democracy and problems of democracy.
- To examine Boko haram and its consequences to democracy in Nigeria.
- Asses Boko haram major attacks on Nigeria.
- Consequences of Boko haram activities to National development.
- To make a recommendation that will help to sustain democratic rule in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review is all about reviewing the works written by other authorities about the subject matter. This being the case, the researcher defines democracy as follows: –
Democracy in a strict and restricted sense, means a system of government in which supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them rather than by their elected representatives (Asiegbu, ND et al 2002). Democracy can also mean equality before the law. It is the system of government where the will of the people to a large extent determines the type of government that is in operation in a given country (10A Adelola, 1982: 76).
Also, democracy can be defined as a system of government in which all qualified adult citizens share the supreme power directly or through their elected representatives (J.U. Anayele, 1991: 9). A school of thought defined democracy as a system of government based on a popular consent. The term democracy has in another occasion been described as government by consent of the governed “ie government with the approval of the people being governed (J.U. Anayele, 1994 Revised edition).
Moreso, Democracy is a form of government in which citizens elect representative who will govern on their behalf and according to the wish of the majority (New Approach to government by Nwosu et al). Democracy means a governmental system which is based on popular election and representative (Michael Olisah et al, govt. for senior secondary school).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
This chapter deals with methods and procedures used by the researcher in obtaining the relevant information and data. The research method is scientific in nature considering the format used. The format allows for systematic approach in order to get best result.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
In this chapter response from respondent were converted into raw scores and to percentages. A total number of 700 respondents responded and this formed the actual population studies of this project.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The aim of this chapter is to present a brief summary of the findings of this project, it will also involve general conclusion and recommendations with a brief view of the limitation of the study.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
The research discovered that Nigeria has problem with their democracy. But the recent problem was the problem of religions sect (Bokoharam) which has caused a lot of instability in the country’s polity because of the bokoharam activities.
Bokoharam existence in Nigeria has constitute a big threat not only to democracy in Nigeria, it is a threat to the whole country because of the insecurity that characterized it.
The researcher also found out that Islamic Religion which is one of the religions in the country is a problem to Nigeria and the world at large because of their terrorist attacks and efforts to impose Sharia law in the country against the wish of the people.
Most of the activities of the bokoharam are sponsored by some northern politicians/leaders. They are bokoharam supporters.
Bokoharam activities has a negative consequences on the National development and the researcher found out that the way (solution to stopping bokoharam activities is throng dialogue between bokoharam members and the government).
CONCLUSION
There is no true Nigerian who will claim ignorant of the problem facing democracy in Nigeria which was as a result of the insurgence Islamic militant group. It is very clear that no country can thrive with the problem and unconducive atmosphere caused by the activities of bokoharam and this inevitably cannot catapult our present state of underdevelopment to a develop country.
In as much as the regime of Goodluck Jonathan has taken cognizance of the nightmare and insecurity problem caused by the bokoharam activities in the country which has hampered democracy in Nigeria, all hands must be an desk in order to find a lasting solution to this unhealthy activities of this Islamic sect in order for the country to move forward and attain the much anticipated National and economic development.
RECOMMENDATIONS
From the research made, one will be able to find out that for any country like Nigeria who have not gotten it right with its democracy as a result of the problem caused by religious sect cannot record any success in its national development.
Sequel to that, the following recommendations were made: –
- The respect for human right and rule of law since Nigeria is made up of different ethnic and tribal groups, and different religion. There is right to freedom of worship and religion as enshrined in the constitution. The different religious group should have respect for others and avoid imposing a particular religion to the entire country against the wish of the people, that is to say that there should be respect for one religion to another and no religion should claim superiority.
- Dialogue: If any group be it religious group or otherwise trying to get the attention of the government should not engage in violence, because nothing good can come out of violence instead damages, and lost of lifes. Dialogue is seen as the best means of conflict resolution. The bokoharam members should engage in dialogue with the government.
- Government should also device a strong means of capturing the sponsors of these bokoharam members. Any body caught as supporter/sponsor of bokoharam should punished as a deterrent to others.
Government should deal decisively with any body caught as a sponsor/supporter of bokoharam, equally government should inaugurate programmes that would help in addressing the issues of bokoharam activities in the country.
REFERENCES
- Adelola, IOA (1982) A modern Approach to Government; Ibadan: Evans Brothers Nigeria Publishers.
- Anayele, J.U. (1991) Comprehensive Government; Awka: Evans Brothers Nigeria Publishers.
- Asiegbu, N.D et al (2002) Modern Approach to Government of West Africa; Awka: Nuel Publishers.
- Dibie, .C. (2008) Essential Government for Senior Schools, 4th Edition, Owerri: Chris Tonad Publisher.
- Henry, N. (2008) Public Administration and Public Affairs, 2nd Edition, New Jersey: Eagles Wod Cliffs.
- Okeke O. and Ekepe A.E (2002) Development and Underdevelopment Politics of the North and South divide; Enugu: John classic publishers.
- Okenwa, C.P and Ugbo, I.E. (2003) “Management Theory and Practices”, Fountain Publisher.
- Okoli M.U. (2009) Nigerian Government and Administration: Civil/Command perspective; Onitsha outright publishers.
- Okoli, F.E. (2008) Government for Schools and Colleges; Akokwa: Zodiac Zenith Publishers.
