Leadership and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria, 2007-2019

Ifedi, Francisca Obiageli (2019) Leadership and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria, 2007-2019. Journal of Liberal Studies (Special Edition), 17 (3). pp. 556-562.

[img] Text
Leadership and Consolidation.pdf

Download (3MB)

Abstract

This paper is an interrogation of the extent of democratic consolidation in Nigeria after two decades of democratic experiment. It focuses on the period between 2007-2019. The essence is to ascertain the degree in which the democratisation process in Nigeria has been deepened within two decades of democratic experience. The data were generated mainly from the examination of valuable documents, papers, and books. Our finding was guided by a popular model that provides the determinant of a consolidated democracy. The tenet of the model is the "two rules of the thumb"- "the two turn-over" and the "only game in town". From the perspective of the two turn over rule, the concession of defeat by President Jonathan in the 2015 polls provided a good omen to democratic consolidation, whereas in the only game in town rule, Nigeria's democracy from the available evidence has been marred by level of executive impunity that jettisoned the rule of law. The beauty of democracy dwells on the rule of law as provided by the constitution of a state. The jettisoning of the rule of law is inimical to democratic consolidation and is capable of throwing a state into the Hobbesian state of nature that is characterised by anarchy and chaos. The paper, therefore, recommends adherence to absolute constitutionalism and unfettered independence of the national electoral body, so as to reposition it to conduct a free and credible election.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: J Political Science > J General legislative and executive papers
Divisions: Faculty of Management and Social Sciences
Depositing User: mrs chioma hannah
Date Deposited: 23 Sep 2020 13:52
Last Modified: 23 Sep 2020 13:52
URI: http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/2694

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item