Sustainable Democracy and National Development in Nigeria: A Case Study of Benue State
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the relationship between sustainable democracy and national development
- To ascertain the impact of democracy in Benue state
- To ascertain the level of development under the era of democracy in Nigeria
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
THE CONCEPT OF DEMOCRACY
The word democracy is coined from two Greek words: Demos (the people) and Kratos (rule) which simply means people’s rule. In its Greek perception means rights of the citizens of the Greek city states to participate directly in an act of governance. Ardo, (2000) added that, there is no universally acceptable definition of the word democracy. In the same vein, Chambers Encyclopedia (1970) also maintained that, there are different conceptions of democracy and no agreement as to its true nature. Dahl (1956) in the same vein maintained that, there is nothing like democracy but there are democracies. Nwokeji went further to conclude that not just is there no universal definition of democracy, but none may emerge. However, Jega (2002) observed that, if there is any consensus about what democracy means, it is perhaps in relation to the understanding that, it is not personal rule, and that, it is different from authoritarian/dictatorial rule. It can also be said that democracy is based on some forms of perception and or representation. Powell (1992) as cited in Mallam (2009) opined that, democratic governments have the following characteristics. The legitimacy of the government rests on a claim to represent the desires of its citizens; That is the claim of government assertion to be doing what the people want it to do; The organization arrangement that regulates this bargain of legitimacy is the competitive political election; Leaders are elected at regular intervals, and voters can choose among alternative candidates in practice, at least two political parties that have a chance of winning are needed to make such choices meaning full; Most adults can participate in the electoral process, both as voters and candidate for important political offices; Citizens and leaders enjoy basic freedom of speech, press, assembly and organization; Both established parties and new ones can work to gain members and whenever democracy exists, political disagreements subsist. From the above it is clear that, in a democratic state government must be legitimate, free and fair elections, existence of more than one political party and fundamental human rights. Edigheji (2005) added separation of power, political tolerance, accountability, transparency, rule of law and equality as essential features for democratic government. Samuel (1991) as cited in Edigheji (2005) conceptualized democracy as a form of political system in which the decision makers are selected through fair, honest, periodic elections in which candidates freely compete for votes and in which virtually all adult population is eligible for vote. Democracy therefore involves popular participation in the process of governance, equality among citizens, sovereignty of the people, promotion and protection of human rights and essential freedoms, limited government, supremacy of the rule of law, and separation of powers between the three arms of government (Malan, 2009).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought Sustainable democracy and national development in Nigeria
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information Sustainable democracy and national development in Nigeria. 200 selected residents in Benue state was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was on sustainable democracy and national development in Nigeria. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of sustainable democracy and national development in Nigeria
Summary
This study was on sustainable democracy and national development in Nigeria. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain on the relationship between sustainable democracy and national development, to ascertain the impact of democracy in Benue state, to ascertain the level of development under the era of democracy in Nigeria. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 selected residents in Benue state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made politicians, civil servants, youths and students was used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Absence of democratic ethics and norms has really affected national development in Nigeria. The country principally has remained a third world and dependent country in crisis of various kinds which is not making any progress forward or development. The furor over resource control, power shift, revenue allocation, Sharia issue, rotational presidency, creation of more states, terrorism, insecurity etc. are evidences of lack of democratic ethics and norms in Nigerian society. It is therefore the contention of this paper that for development to thrive in Nigeria, the attitude and orientation of its political elites must be changed. Both the leaders and followers must learn the art and discipline of democracy, cultivate the habit and virtue of honesty and imbibe democratic ethos as these remain the only antidote to the crises of national development
Recommendation
The paper recommends strict adherent to the principles of democracy and good governance
REFERENCES
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- Ardo, U (2000) Democracy and Africa: A Historical overview. In the Journal of Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance. Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
- Bardhan, P (2002) “Decentralization of Governance and Development”. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 16(4): 185-205
- Dahl, R.A., Preference to Democratic Theory (Chicago: University of Chicago Press; 1956), http:llnewsafricanpress.com\2010\08\21\nigeria is unlikely –to-achieve-MDG-by 2015
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- Igbuzor O (2008) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Poverty Eradication in Nigeria Proceedings of the Paper on can Nigeria meet the MDGs in 2015, Central for Demand Development Kaduna
- Jamo, I.A (2009) Democracy and Development in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges. Proceedings of the 2010 International Conference on the Global Financial Crises and Africa’s Quest for Development. Faculty of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
