Religion, Ethnicity and Democratic Consolidation: Nigeria’s Fourth Republic
By
Hephzibah Adesina
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Quinnipiac University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a degree in Political Science
Spring 2018
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, I would just like to thank God Almighty for the strength and wisdom he has given me to complete this work. I would also like to thank Professor Fodei Batty for his guidance throughout this process and Professor Sean Duffy for his constant encouragement. Finally,my thesis would not have been possible without the encouragement, help and prayer of my parents, Emmanuel and Ruth Adesina.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………5
Chapter 1: Introduction and Literature Review…………………………………………………. 6
Major Issues Affecting Democratic Consolidation ……………………………………………..…7
Chapter 2: Methodology…………………………………………………………..………………12
Chapter 3: Results and Interpretation…………………………………………………………….13
Chapter 4: Recommendations ……………………………………..………………………………17
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………….….19
References ……………………………………………………………………………………….20
Figure 1: Map of Nigeria showing the Ethnic Groups
Abstract
After overcoming the turbulent years of Military regimes, Civil War and entering the fourth republic, Nigeria seems to be on a hopeful path towards consolidating its democracy. It will soon mark two decades after the establishment of the fourth republic, started on May 29,1999. Nigeria has never experienced democratic rule for such a long time. The past two decades have been filled with various challenges that have restrained Nigeria’s democracy from consolidating. However, the fact that it is making progress portends good omens. The major areas of problems inhibiting democratic growth are the affiliations with people to their religion and ethnicity above national interest. Nigeria being a multi-ethnic and religious conservative nation has suffered setbacks in consolidating its democracy. This paper argues that ethnic diversity has a great impact on the consolidation of Nigeria’s democracy based on various literature readings and findings.
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW
Nigeria received its independence in 1960 from British rulers. Since then, Nigeria has been struggling to stand on its feet as a nation. Scholars typically debate the reasons as to why Nigeria has struggled to stand on its feet as a country. Among the many factors are religious tensions, economic differences, ethnic biases and educational imbalances; in this thesis, I argue that ethnic diversity has a negative impact on the consolidation of Nigeria’s democracy. Before its independence, Nigeria consisted of different ethnic groups and nationalities. The major cultural groups at the onset of the colonial period were the Yoruba, Bini, and Igbo in the South, and the Hausas, Fulani, and Kanuri in the North, though there were several smaller groups with different languages and cultures in the area as well. Nigeria is grouped under three regions: The Northern, Eastern and Western regions. Even until today, these major groups have raised most of Nigeria’s leaders. These diverse nationalities form the bases of the new nation. Nigeria continued with the British form of government that is the parliamentary system of government, and it was divided into three major regions, the Northern, Eastern and the Western. Since the ceremonial head of government NnamdiAzikiwe came from the Eastern region, and the Prime minister Sir Tafawa Balewa was from the Northern region, there was no solid unity or national purpose in Nigeria’s first post-independence government. The prevalent differences and division was adopted by the military. This led to the military coup and subsequent counter coup to avenge the killings of one regional leaders by the other. “Jones and Olken (2009) conclude that in autocratic states, successful assassinations of leaders are 13 percentage points more likely to shift a nation towards democracy than failed assassination attempts” (Min, 2010).
Nigeria was then under a military regime before becoming a democracy. Its attempt at a democratic government was truncated by one military regime to another which led to a civil war that caused a lot of division and acrimony. “The Nigerian civil war was a cataclysm that rocked the emergent Nigerian state from 1967 to 1970” (James, 2011). To date, the effects are still prevalent. Nigeria does not have a dominant culture, unlike other developing nations of the world. The mutual regional differences and suspicions continued in subsequent military regimes and a civil war.
The regional competitiveness, educational imbalances, economic differences, religious tensions, ethnic biases and doubts have formed the way government policies and businesses are ran over the years. “Bingham Powell published statistical analyses that showed a negative relationship between ethnic fractionalization, on the one hand, and governmental stability, civil peace, and the prospects for democracy, on the other” (Kroenig, Fish, 2006). The after-effect of this corruption, nepotism, religious uprising and instability in the government lead to lack of progress
This thesis addresses the effect of ethnic and religious diversities on democratic consolidation in Nigeria. Government policies, regions and people of Nigeria have been the main contributors to the continuous failure of democratic consolidation in Nigeria. Drawing from scholarly debates, participant observations, and more, this thesis makes a claim on who or what is most responsible for the absence of democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
Major Issues Affecting Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria
Since most concepts in present day have multiple definitions from several scholars, definitions are needed for proper understanding of the paper.
Democracy
Nigeria and democracy are like divorced parents with children, they are uncomfortable but continue to work together for the sake of the children. Democracy is defined in two ways, as a concept and as a system of rules. Phillippe Schmitter and Terry Lynn Karldefined democracy as “a system of governance in which rulers are held accountable for their actions in public real by citizens, acting indirectly through the competition and cooperation of their elected representatives” (1991). They then created a set of elements that served as conditions for a democracy.
These include: All 7 of Ronald Dahl’s elements of polyarchy plus:
1) Elected officials can exercise constitutional powers without subjecting to overriding opposition from unelected officials
2) Must be self-governing (In other words, it must act independently from an overarching political system
7 Elements of Robert Dahl’s “polyarchy”
1) Decisions about policy are vested in elected officials
2) Frequent and fairly conducted elections
3) right to vote for practically all adults
4) right to run for practically all adults
5) Citizens have rights to express themselves without punishment
6) Citizens have right to seek out alternative sources of information
7) Citizens have right to form relatively independent associations or organizations
Democratic Consolidation
Linz and Stepan offer an intuitive definition of consolidation—a democracy is consolidated when no political actors seek to overthrow it. Consolidation requires the existence of a functional state and presence of five reinforcing arenas: a free civil society, an autonomous political society, the rule of law, a bureaucracy, and an economic society in which institutions and regulations mediate the relationship between the market and the state. (1996)
Religion
Religion is a shared collection of transcendental beliefs that have been passed on from believers to converts, that are held by adherents to be actively meaningful and serious and either based on (1) formally documented doctrine (organized religion) or (2) established cultural practices (folk religion)
Ethnicity
“Ethnicity is a social and psychological process whereby individuals come to identify and affiliate with a group and some aspect(s) of its culture; ethnicity is what emerges when a person, as affiliated, completes the statement: “I am a ____ because I share ____ with my group.” Ethnicity is consciousness of difference and the subjective salience of that difference. It is also mobilization around difference— a camaraderie with or preference for socially-similar others.” (Eller, 1997)
Ethnic Group
A community-type group of people who share the same culture or to descendants of such people who may not share this culture but who identify themselves with this ancestral group (Isajiw, 1993)
Unmanaged Cultural endowments
“Nigeria is endowed with abundant mineral and natural resources which amounts to over 34 occurrences ranging from industrial materials, iron ore, tin-ore, limestone, coal, lead, zinc, columbite, marbles, bitumen and tar sand, statistically, the exploitation of these minerals is very minimal in relation to the level of deposits found in the country. Nigeria was among the largest producers of columbite, 6th largest producer of Tin, 8th largest producer of crude oil and gas.” (Brown, Stephen, 2017) Though Nigeria is blessed with an abundant amount of diverse natural resources, their economy is structurally dependent on oil and gas. Oil and gas constitute more than 91% of total exports and 12 % of its GDP , making it Africa’s largest oil producer .
Over time the gradual decline of agriculture, manufacturing and the oil boom in 1973 has caused Nigeria to be heavily dependent on oil. Nigeria’s reliance on oil can be blamed as partly responsible for the appearance of corrupt political institutions and elites, misuse of government funds and conflict Niger Delta. Also, the slow road to write my essay Nigerian democracy can be attributed to its’ dependence on oil resources. Though oil resources aren’t an adequate explanation of Nigeria’s ethnic issue, it has delayed the practice of ‘true’ democracy and have served as a main challenge to democratic consolidation.
Economic differences
Cultural endowments are the main force pushing economic development in Nigeria. During crisis there tends to be vandalization which increases the pollution in the area, causing underdevelopment in both health and education sectors. Lack of education leads to a decrease in economic growth. “This vital objective in Nigeria, have been hampered by incessant closure – 261 – of schools and high institutions in social conflicts prone areas like, Bornu, Yobe, Jos, Kaduna, Kano and in some Niger Delta regions of Nigeria. Social conflicts disrupt academic activities in the affected areas, while the education of students whose parents are forced to relocate are seriously affected. Resettlements in new environment may take a lot of time, while time is wasted searching for new schools for the students, which may negatively impact the psychological and academic performance of the students.” ( Kalejaiye, Alliyu, 2013) The lack of proper education stagnates economic growth in Niger delta region, the nation’s most economically endowed area. Which will intern affect the nation as whole being that oil and gas constitute for more than 91% of total exports.
Corruption
Corruption has been manifesting itself in almost all aspects of Nigerian culture since the 1960’s when they came into independence. Since the country came into independence, no democratic government was able to have a national election that didn’t result in a military coup until 2003, forty-three years after their independence. Under these military coups many military administrators and governors deposited money into their own pockets instead of using the money to help with the development of the nation. Nigerian corruption was later intensified in the 1970’s when the Middle East crisis significantly increased the price of oil. This was the first time since the discovery of oil,1958, that Nigeria was considered a petroleum state. As petroleum was gradually replacing agriculture as the main source of national revenue, competition between ethnic groups and regions started to brew. The government and elites took control over oil regions and distributed the wealth within themselves. This directed attention to the accusations from the Nigerian citizens of corruption and nepotism. Each ethnic group was blaming each other and holding claim to oil and land based on ancestral association. Aligned with elites pursuing wealth and power it was clear that rampant corruption made its way into Nigerian society at most levels. Corruption formed through additional payment to those in higher offices on top of official fee, police/soldier checkpoint extortions and the development of ethnic militias.
Transparency international defines corruption as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain”. Corruption in a country, such as Nigeria, involves the violation of public trust which refutes the social contracts developed by the governed citizens and governing body. Freedom house index referred to Nigeria as a “partly free” nation meaning that they are a country that “moderately protects almost all political rights” and are biased towards political rights pertaining to individual’s interests. Nigeria being a country troubled with corruption, was among the 180 countries listed on the transparency international index which rates their level of corruption on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being “highly corrupt” and 100 being “very clean”. The corruption perception index was created to highlight countries that are making little to no progress when it comes to corruption Nigeria scored a 27/100 and ranked 148 out of the 180 countries. The result indicates that Nigeria is leaning closer to “highly corrupt” and was 32 countries off from being the most corrupt country on the index.
Corruption in a democratic state, Nigeria, is seen as an irregularity. Philip B. Heyeman said “One critical relationship between corruption and democracy is thus that corruption can deeply undermine support for democracy in any fragile democracy.” (1996) This is because corruption poses a hazardous omen to the ideologies of democracy. To avoid such omens, Nigeria will first need to define democracy and set somewhat precise guidelines on what needs to happen to reduce corruption in the state. These guidelines were spoken about earlier in the chapter.
Religious Tension
Religion as played a vital role in hampering the development and consolidation of Democracy in Nigeria. Until recent times, many Nigerians, especially the Christians, believed that politics was a dirty game that can defile them, and make them unacceptable before God according to their religious rights. Nigeria is known for its religious practices. Because of this religious consciousness, Christians have exempted themselves from participating in their Nation’s politics. They do not cast their vote, they only pray for the Will of God to be done. Their Muslim counterparts though more religious than the Christians, participate in politics. Muslims cast their votes for the candidate of their choice and even encourage their wives and their children, even under-aged children, to vote and run for offices as well. Yagboyaju, Ake had argued that it is the principles of public accountability, mass participation, majority rule, and minority rights that define democracy as a concept (Mimiko (2010). Yagboyaju concludes that it follows therefore, that any political system that provides for these principles qualifies to be called a democracy. Considering the definition of democracy in its simplest form, it is government for the people, of the people and by the people. Everyone must be carried along. Everyone’s voice, vote and contribution counts.
To consolidate Nigeria’s democracy, everyone must see it as their business and contribute to its function and development. Nigeria probably would have produced vibrant leaders who could have led Nigeria on the path toward their desired democracy. The Christians have suddenly realized that they have been making mistakes all this while and are now fully participating in politics. Running as candidates and casting their votes are new improvements compared to praying alone in the past. Apostle James said, “Faith without works is dead, or what does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works (James 2:14-19).” What apostle James was trying to say is that faith or prayer alone is not enough but putting in extra effort will produce a better result. This applies to Nigeria’s democracy as well; though prayer is good, it is not enough to take Nigeria to its desired haven.
Having Nigeria’s democracy consolidated has not been easy with the religious tensions here and there. Boko Haram is well-known worldwide for its insurgent activities, such as their activity in the kidnapping of about 230 school girls a couple of years back, and frequent rampages that led to the killing of thousands of people. This religious wickedness has caused unrest in the nation, that citizens could only concentrate on the safety of their lives and those of their families rather than engaging in the political affairs of the nation.
Another thing is that, the leaders have not shown tangible concern about the protection of the masses by stopping whoever people, person or group that is responsible for all of the killings and national uproars, but instead have contributed to sponsoring of these religious touts, which has caused more harm than good. Religious tensions have been a tool used by several leaders, especially the Islamic leaders, to distract the attention of the people from government malpractice, and to silence people and put fear in their hearts. This repeated act as hindered the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria. Nigeria was ran for years by the military generals, mostly Muslims, and the current one, President Buhari, has not made the matter better but instead worsened it by allowing his tribal people (the Fulanis) to let their cattle graze on other people’s farms, rape women, and kill whoever would challenge or question their actions. Because of religious crisis, all efforts to make Nigeria experience peaceful democracy has proved abortive. The present administration is comprised of both Christian and Muslim leaders. President Buhari- Muslim, and the vice president- Christian; despite that, Nigeria is still divided religiously and its people have not been able to work together for the development and consolidation of democracy. This is all because of religious difference.
CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGY
In this research study I used a semi- structured interview. Semi-structured interviewing, according to Bernard (1988), is best used when you would not get more than one chance to interview someone and when you will be sending several interviewers out into the field to collect data. The interviews started with an introduction, summarizing the purpose of the interview and an outline of the research. privacy issues were talked about, and participants were asked if any information they chose to share should be kept confidential. The interviews and conversations in this study were organized and partakers given a premeditated set of four questions which led the interview.
IQ1: Do you believe that Nigeria is a Democratic Nation? If so why? If not, why?
IQ2: What do you see to be the biggest challenge Nigeria is facing Right now?
IQ3: Between Ethnic Diversity and Religious Diversity which do you feel has a greater negative impact on Democratic consolidation in Nigeria?
IQ4: How do you think Nigeria can become a better democratic nation?
Chapter 3
RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION
The questions and responses from these four questions have been written in detail in figure 2 below. I connected with 7 people from different sectors, ethnic backgrounds and religions in Nigeria. They were chosen because of their background and status. The first couple I interviewed were Yorubas, the Adenirans from Oyo State, which is in the South. They work in the agricultural sector. The second couple interviewed were the Alabas who are also Yorubas but reside in Akwa-Ibom state. Akwa-Ibom in located in Niger delta region. They work with oil company. The third couple I interviewed were the Ayenis. They came from Ishan tribe of Delta State but live in Nasarawa state, northern part of Nigeria. They also are involved in the agriculture business. The last person I interviewed was Arafat Bage, and entrepreneur from Abuja. Arafat’s background qualifies him as an interviewee. He is Igbo/Hausa by tribe. His father was the former Secretary of Nasarawa State and Commissioner of national Salaries. All participants asides from Arafat bage identified themselves as Christian while Arafat Bage identified himself as Muslim.
Interviewee’s Responses:
Bage: I believe that Nigeria is a democratic nation but still on its way to achieve what it claimed. Like any other democratic nation especially the developed nations like USA, UK, and others, they have overcome religious, geographical biases and other things. Nigeria is still emerging. Democratic government is achievable in Nigeria but we have overcome our cultural differences and see ourselves as one Nigeria, one people and nation then we can move Nigeria forward to achieve its goal as a democratic nation. Bage Continues, To me the biggest challenge in Nigeria is accountability on the part of leaders placed in crucial positions for national development and the lack of will to stand up & unite against bad leadership on the part of ordinary Nigerians.
Leaders are not held accountable by the polity for gross mismanagement of their duty towards the nation, mediocrity is praised and dangerous precedents have been set for future leaders. Bagesaid,“I would say ethnic diversity is a major problem , there’s more of an ethnic bias then a religious bias in the Nigerian society. One will rather support one of his own “brother” them to subject himself to a stranger that’s not from his domain . This affects nation building because most times ethnicity is chosen over competence” Bage: “Nigeria will become a better democratic nation if the citizens become more patriotic. We have to love the country first and place the country first. That being said we should choose our leaders based on sheer competence and ability to deliver. Our question should be “ what is he bringing to the table?” Rather than “ where is he from? “when we unite and actualize this method there will be no one capable of diving us along religious & ethnic lines.”
Ayeni’s: “We do believe Nigeria is a democratic nation. A perfect one? No, but it’s growing and evolving. People tend to compare Nigeria with democracies such as U.S. who has practiced such for more than 200 years. Nigeria has had an uninterrupted democracy for only 19 years , so you see there’s a long way to go to be perfect and improvements have to be made especially in strengthening institutions that will enable the country’s democracy to reach its potential. Ayenicontinues that, “The biggest challenge for Nigeria now is how to bridge the ethnicity gap that has separated Nigeria. If ethnicity gap is bridged, there will be unity and in unity we can stand and build Nigeria democracy. Corruption is another level of challenge, ranges from election malpractices, embezzlement, favoritism and etc. Ayenis continues, “Though, Nigeria has suffered a lot of religious crisis and thousands of lives have lost but the truth is that, ethnicity is the root of these religious crisis. One will not be surprised that even the leaders are behind most of the religious unrest. Religion has become a weapon in the hands of these political leaders to distract the attention of the nation while they hide their incompetence under the umbrella of religious tension.” Ayenis added, “If Nigerians can see themselves as one, come together to design a plan that would be executed as planned. Also, there should equality before the law.”
The Alabas and Adeniran families has same view.
The ethnicity has been one of the most important causes of democracy instabilities in Nigeria, and has been detrimental on social relationships. As mentioned in my introduction, Nigeria consists of more than 250 ethnic groups with unique languages. This has being a barrier to social interaction and development of Nation. Because of multi-ethno nature of Nigeria, democracy has suffered in the hands of politicians in that, everyone is longing to assume power in order to cater for his own people and region. This segregation has caused tribalism and also nepotism whereby people’s competences are not put into consideration for office but their regional standing. When people with know –how skills are not appointed then you can imagine the kind of atrocities and sub-standard jobs that would be committed and performed by the unqualified candidates. These unqualified fellows has been ruling Nigeria for years now and are not willing to embrace change. Though Nigeria wants democracy and claim to practice one, but there is no evidence of willingness to follow democracy policies. Indirectly, Nigeria is practicing autocracy. In a situation where there is not openness to new ideas, change how would the nation move on to consolidate its democracy?
Democracy cannot be consolidated if those who supposed to speak up and out for the masses keep quiet even in the midst of crisis and instabilities. Religious fanatics have turned the
nation upside down through their wicked activities using religious as a cover up for evil. The Hausa and Fulanis are major tribal groups engaging in merciless, kidnapping, killing, stabbing, and raping of the innocent citizens in Nigeria with no one checking, questioning their actions all because they are of the same tribe and speak same language. David & Melanie (2017) calls it “Silence in the face of violence.” David & Melanie also argue that, “the most powerful discretionary tool of an authoritarian-inclined leader is not any specific action, but rather his or her silence or inaction in the face of violence or intimidation undertaken in their name.” Nigeria citizens/democracy has suffered silence treatment from the leaders but past and present. In such a situation, where the leaders is in favor of his/her tribal person, democracy is not been practiced and cannot move forward neither be consolidated.
Leaders are not held accountable by the polity for gross mismanagement of their duty towards the nation, mediocrity is praised and dangerous precedents have been set for future leaders. Bagesaid,“I would say ethnic diversity is a major problem , there’s more of an ethnic bias then a religious bias in the Nigerian society. One will rather support one of his own “brother” them to subject himself to a stranger that’s not from his domain . This affects nation building because most times ethnicity is chosen over competence” Bage: “Nigeria will become a better democratic nation if the citizens become more patriotic. We have to love the country first and place the country first. That being said we should choose our leaders based on sheer competence and ability to deliver. Our question should be “ what is he bringing to the table?” Rather than “ where is he from? “when we unite and actualize this method there will be no one capable of diving us along religious & ethnic lines.”
Ayeni’s: “We do believe Nigeria is a democratic nation. A perfect one? No, but it’s growing and evolving. People tend to compare Nigeria with democracies such as U.S. who has practiced such for more than 200 years. Nigeria has had an uninterrupted democracy for only 19 years , so you see there’s a long way to go to be perfect and improvements have to be made especially in strengthening institutions that will enable the country’s democracy to reach its potential. Ayeni continues that, “The biggest challenge for Nigeria now is how to bridge the ethnicity gap that has separated Nigeria. If ethnicity gap is bridged, there will be unity and in unity we can stand and build Nigeria democracy. Corruption is another level of challenge, ranges from election malpractices, embezzlement, favoritism and etc. Ayenis continues, “Though, Nigeria has suffered a lot of religious crisis and thousands of lives have lost but the truth is that, ethnicity is the root of these religious crisis. One will not be surprised that even the leaders are behind most of the religious unrest. Religion has become a weapon in the hands of these political leaders to distract the attention of the nation while they hide their incompetence under the umbrella of religious tension.” Ayenis added, “If Nigerians can see themselves as one, come together to design a plan that would be executed as planned. Also, there should equality before the law.”
The Alabas and Adeniran families had same view.
Ethnicity has been one of the most important causes of democratic instability in Nigeria and has been detrimental with social relationships. As mentioned in my introduction, Nigeria consists of more than 250 ethnic groups with unique languages. This has become a barrier to social interaction and development of the nation. Because of the multi-ethnic nature of Nigeria, democracy has suffered from the hands of politicians in that, everyone is longing to assume power in order to cater for their own people and region. This segregation has caused tribalism and also nepotism whereby people’s competences are not put into consideration for office, but their regional standing is. When skilled and qualified people are not appointed, then you can imagine the kind of atrocities and sub-standard jobs that would be committed and performed by the unqualified candidates. These unqualified individuals have been ruling Nigeria for years now and are not willing to embrace change. Though Nigeria wants democracy and claim to practice one, there is no evidence of a willingness to follow democratic policies. Indirectly, Nigeria is practicing autocracy. In a situation where there is no openness to new ideas or change, how would the nation move on to consolidate its democracy?
Democracy cannot be consolidated if those who are supposed to speak up and out for the masses keep quiet even in the midst of crisis and instability. Religious fanatics have turned the
nation upside down through their wicked activities using religion as a cover for evil. The Hausa and Fulanis are major tribal groups engaging in merciless, kidnapping, killing, stabbing, and raping of the innocent citizens of Nigeria with no one checking or questioning their actions all because they are of the same tribe and speak same language. David & Melanie (2017) calls it “Silence in the face of violence.” David & Melanie also argue that, “the most powerful discretionary tool of an authoritarian-inclined leader is not any specific action, but rather his or her silence or inaction in the face of violence or intimidation undertaken in their name.” Nigeria’s citizens and democracy has suffered the silence treatment from its leaders in the past and the present. In a situation where the leader is in favor of his/her tribal member over every other citizens who are not a part of his/her tribe, democracy is not practiced, and he country cannot be move forward, nor consolidated.
Chapter 4
Recommendations
Based on literature reading and some semi structured interviews I am able to give recommendations on how Nigeria can be moving towards consolidating its democracy.
* Tolerant
* Equal Collaboration
* Selfless Rule
* Continuity
* Line of demarcation
* Protection of public interest
Protection of public interest will be a good way of consolidating democracy in Nigeria. Looking through the past administrations, and listening to Nigeria News, how leaders built an empire around themselves, using mostly expensive cars, building and owning houses and other assets, sending their children abroad to the most expensive schools, and their wives on abroad on vacations and Holy Land trips at the expense of the Nigerian people; One can conclude that the interest write my essay of the citizens is worth nothing to Nigerian politicians and leaders. Most of them are just there to syphon money and the nation’s wealth to benefit themselves. Okeke argues that, “Building Defence Mechanism” would be a good way of consolidating Nigeria democracy. He said, “when democracy is being consolidated in defense of the people-centeredness of the precepts of democracy). Democracy is therefore, a system of government and a system of defense. It is a system for defending the powers of the people against usurpation by political goons. Democracy defends the hopes of a people against onslaught by sundry intruders. Therefore, in the context of developing democracies, the stronger the defense mechanisms of democracy the nearer the tendencies of the system towards democratic consolidation” (Okeke, 2015).
A line of demarcation must be drawn for democracy in Nigeria to be consolidated. Religion and ethnicity as we have examined have played negative role on Nigeria democracy, and continue if nothing is done. To consolidate Nigeria, a democratic line must be drawn between religion, ethnicity and democracy. When government or the leadership is still in favor of their own people, tribe, or speak a local language when official language, which is the English language should be used, there can never be the democracy Nigeria is looking for. Nigerians must be ready to do away with tribalism and nepotism.
The Nigerian people will also need to be tolerant of each other’s religious and ethnic differences. Bridge the gap that is, ethnic diversity, for political and economic stability to reign over the nation. If the people don’t hold the leaders accountable, then it contradicts what they voted for but they can’t hold someone accountable if they don’t see each other as one and are throwing the blame on everyone that is not from their region. Tolerance will allow for there to be a real national identity instead of hundreds ethnic identities, that want to solely represent Nigeria.
Leaders in Nigeria will need to be able to rule selflessly. Rule to serve the nation and not one’s personal interests. Making laws towards ones’ personal interest can only slow down the consolidation process in a nation. Part of selfless rule is continuity of projects. “One of the hallmarks of good governance is continuity in policies, programs and projects; especially those that are progressive and developmental. Continuity is not just about a particular political party being in power over a long period. Rather, it about the ability of a government to have unity of purpose, focus and clear cut direction. It is about subsequent governments operating within and upon the same ideology and political principle which are ultimately beneficial to the people.” (Aruya) Continuity in the government will bring progress to the nation. To happen. It wastes government write my paper funds that can be spent on something else. Also projects should help all states, not just those we are ethnically tied to. Political leaders holding state money for ransom is also unacceptable and detrimental to the solidification of democracy. “A point that has been proven once by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 1999 when former President Obasanjo refused to release Lagos State Local Governments allocation.” (Aruya)
Conclusion
Nigeria’s political history, consists of multiple transitions and recurrent democratic processes. Since the attainment of independence in 1960, Nigeria has been under multiple forms of regimes. With several military regimes, the number of coups and counter coups was many. Nigeria’s history with political instability combined with their social issues has affected democratic consolidation in the country. Having examined Nigeria’s democracy in the light of ethnicity and religion, the road blocks they have put on the development of democracy in Nigeria, and the negative roles they have both played in the consolidation of Nigeria’s democracy, I believe that if all the aforementioned suggestions such as selfless rule, being patriotic, team work, unity among the ethnic groups, protection of public interest, and religious tolerance is adhered to, Nigeria would be working toward the solidification of its democracy. In addition, the role of good political leadership cannot be overemphasized.
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Please refer to additional comments in the margins for clarifications. This paper reflects weak achievement on the department’s thesis assessment rubric. There is no clear research question or thesis. There are numerous other errors and weaknesses, and a huge room for improvement, if you want to stick to this topic as your “thesis.” I thought this new topic was promising when you suggested it but that promise did not materialize in this final document that you turned in.
59/100
