Institutional Development as a Challenge to Democratic Sustenance in Nigeria, From Fourth Republic 1999 to 2021
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- to examine the effect of democracy on institutional development in Nigeria’s fourth republic
- to verify the extent to which there is democracy without institutional development in Nigeria’s fourth republic
- to examine the relationship between democracy and institutional development in Nigeria’s fourth republic
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
DEMOCRACY
Democracy, adequately understood, is a theory that sets some basic principles according to which a good governance, whatever its form, must be run (Oluwole, 2003). Such principles include justice, equity, freedom, liberty, accountability, openness and transparency in government (Adagbabiri & Okolie, 2015a). The Athenians of the ancient Greece defined democracy as the government of the people by the people for the people. This simply means the government people freely put up to serve them without any discrimination on the basis of social status. Euripides, a Greek philosopher long before Plato, share the above view when he described a democratic state as one governed by people’s representatives and for the many who have neither property nor birth (Sabine & Thorson, 1993) cited in (Adagbabiri & Okolie, 2015a).Plato, another Greek philosopher, had a similar view of democracy when he defined a democratic state in his book, the Republic, as a state governed by the philosopher kings, who neither marry nor have personal property, but live together in the barracks (that is, equivalent to government house today) and enunciate policies for the general welfare of the people. However, Plato, in his second and third books, the statesman and the laws, respectively modified his definition when he defined democracy as the government of the people in which law is supreme, rulers and subjects’ alike being subject to it. Essentially, a basis assumption of democracy is that it should guarantee the welfare of the citizens. In Nigeria however, Ojakorotu and Allen (2009); Okeke (2014); Gilbert and Ubani (2015); Ijere (2015) have noted that democracy neglects the welfare of the citizens. In recent times, democracy is increasingly becoming a disoriented political philosophy. Hence, in global perspectives, democracy is currently in decline. Strong men in emerging democracies, populists and demagogues (in the other cases) have succeeded in unleashing such governance attacks on this system of government, so much that its natural movement has become the reverse gear (Willige, 2017). Consequently, it is becoming increasingly difficult to define democracy. However, Giddens (1996) defined democracy as a political system that allows the citizens to participate in political decision-making or to elect representatives to government bodies. This supports the assertion of Gilbert and Ubani (2015) who posits that democracy is a form of government which lays emphasis on active participation by the citizenry and on popular sovereignty. In the view of Przeworski, Alvarez, Cheibub and Limongi (2000), democracy is a system where political office is filled through regular, free and fair election between competing parties with the possibility of a winner freely assuming office. According to Huntington (1991), the modern usage of the term democracy as a form of government is defined in terms of sources of authority of government, purpose served by government and procedures for constituting government. The central procedure of democracy as noted by Huntington is selection of leaders through competitive elections by the people they govern. Okeke (2017) sees democracy as a people-centered system of government.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Institutional development as a challenge to democratic sustenance in Nigeria, from fourth republic 1999 to 2021. 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 Institutional development as a challenge to democratic sustenance in Nigeria, from fourth republic 1999 to 2021
Summary
This study was on Institutional development as a challenge to democratic sustenance in Nigeria, from fourth republic 1999 to 2021. Three objectives were raised which included; to examine the effect of democracy on institutional development in Nigeria’s fourth republic, to verify the extent to which there is democracy without institutional development in Nigeria’s fourth republic and to examine the relationship between democracy and institutional development in Nigeria’s fourth republic. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from national assembly. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The return of multiparty democracy raised hope as to the arrival of the solution of Nigeria’s crises of governance- good governance, the rule of law, freedom as well as institutional, infrastructural and national development. However, political assassinations, abject poverty, acute youth unemployment, arson, mobilization of religious sentiments, ethno-religious conflicts, bombing and general economic, and political decay have been the major dividends of democracy since 1999 when the country returned to democracy. The studies have revealed through its perceived findings that democratic practice in Nigeria’s fourth republic neglects the welfare of the citizens. Summarily, Ijere (2015) argues that democratic political institutions may be better than authoritarian regimes but how democracy improves development and the quality of life of the populace requires more than just democratic structures of governance, periodic elections, freedom-fee press and free speech. It is obvious from the foregoing that governance issues are the bane of national development and political instability in Nigeria
Recommendation
Winner- takes all politics that defines the liberal democratic model is not ideal in our democratic project because it is willful, elite based, unethical, discriminatory, violent breeding and parochial. All these have huge implication for political social and economic development. To improve and drive national development in Nigeria, strong democratic political institutions, adherence to the rule of law and inclusive economic institutions must accompany democracy. The political leaders should adhere to the basic tenets of democracy and constitutionalism to promote good governance and foster national development. The judiciary is a critical organ in the sustenance of democracy and maintenance of law and order in the society. The judiciary should be consistent and transparent in the discharge of its constitutional roles. It should be shielded from the rampaging scourge of corruption eating deep into the entire polity. In this regard, government must continue to emphasize merit in the appointment of judges. The political space should continually be expanded to give the people more opportunities to participate in the democratization processes going on the country as this has made it difficult for some socio-economic policies and programmes of government to achieve their goal and target
References
- Achebe, C. (1984). The trouble with Nigeria. Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishers. 2.
- Adagbabiri, M. M., & Okolie, U.C. (2015a). Party politics and democracy: The role of civil societies and struggle for democratization in Nigeria. American International Journal of Social Science, 4 (6), 1570163. 3.
- Adagbabiri, M.M., & Okolie, U.C. (2015b). Democratic typology: A practical guide. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 5 (12), 158-161. 4.
- Adagbabiri, M.M., &Okolie, U.C. (2016). Corruption and national development: An examination of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Journal of Strategic & Development Studies, 1 (1), 107-116. 5.
- Ajaebili, C.N. (2013). Hegemonic legacies: Imperialism and dependency in Nigeria. Nsukka: Great AP Express Publishers. 6.
- Ake, C. (1981). A political economy of Africa. Nigeria: Longman Nigeria Ltd. 7.
- Ake, C. (1989). Political economy of Nigeria. London: Longman. 8.
- Ake, C. (2000). The feasibility of democracy in Africa. Dakar: Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa. 9.
- Akwen, G., & Gever, D. (2012). Challenges of democracy and development in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region: An appraisal. European Scientific Journal, 8 (16), 52-67. 10.
- Amucheazi, E. C. (1980). Reading in social science: Issues in national development. Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishers. 11.
- Balogun, T.A. (1972). The role of science and technology in national development. In A. Adarelegbe (ed). A philosophy of Nigeria education. Ibadan: Heinemann Education Books Ltd. 12.
- Chalker, L. (1991). Good governance and the aid programme. London: Overseas development Administration. 13.
- Diamond, L. (1992). Economic development and democracy reconsidered. London: Sage Publication. 14.
- Egharevba, M.E., & Chiazor, A. I. (2013). Political corruption and national development in Nigeria. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Review, 4(1), 14-23. 15.
