AN EVALUATION OF THE DEMOCRATISATION PROCESS IN NIGERIA (1998 – 2006)
AN EVALUATION OF THE DEMOCRATISATION PROCESS IN NIGERIA (1998 – 2006)
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Date
2007-10
Authors
YUSUF, MUSA
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Abstract
The democratization process in Nigeria between 1998 to 2006, a
period that forms an important scope of this study, had been
nothing but actions and political behaviours of questionable legal
grounds that proceeded into crisis, absurdity, unconstitutionality
and which almost ended up in impasse, imbroglio and chaos. The
clamping of State of Emergency in Plateau on May 18, 2004 and
Ekiti state on October 19, 2006 clearly demonstrated the
degenerated and deep level of socio-political and economic crises
and corruption which were consequently informed not only by the
structural dysfunctions but also by the role and behaviour of
personalities or actors within the system and on whom the success
of democracy critically depends.
However, and based on the findings of this dissertation, the above
scenario was informed by a number of factors notably the blatant
abuse of Rule of Law and Constitutionalism most notably by the
Presidency and the Houses of Assembly at both State and Federal
levels, and which impacted on the credibility crisis on the
leadership emanating from lack of accountability and economic
extravaganza, the weakening of the Judicial system and the abuse
of the due process of law, strenuous and unfortunate Executive –
Legislature relations, series of unconstitutional impeachments of
the executive.
Furthermore, the abuse of the anti-corruption policy of the
regime during the democratization process became prevalent
especially through the activities of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices
Commission by the Presidency on political opponents. For example
the Presidency used the EFCC to unseat Peter Ayo Fayose as
governor of Ekiti State, and to attempt the impeachment of Joshua
Dariye of Plateau State. The EFCC and ICPC became the tools of
intimidation and blackmail of those that opposed the Presidency,
for example the former governor of Kogi State Prince Abubakar
Audu. Other issues that posed a threat to the process included the
combatant relationship of accusations and counter accusations of
corruption and abuse of office between the President and his
Deputy which took unprecedented trend especially in 2006. This
was not unconnected with the Vice-President’s opposition to the
aborted unconstitutional third term agenda of the President.
Finally, therefore, though the 1998-2006 democratization
process under the Fourth Republic civilian regime was chaotic due
to the anti-democratic political behaviour of the actor-stakeholders
or personalities within the system and which have tended to
presage serious threats to the process and to democracy which
must be addressed in order to save the country from collapse,
however incorporation of Nigerian traditional values of leadership
and governance as found in the pre-colonial Sokoto Caliphate, the
Ibo Society and the Old Oyo Empire into the tenets and principles
of modern liberal democracy would help build durable democracy.
The choice of leaders of credibility through free and fair elections by
the masses, would also go a long way in the institutionalization and
preservation of democracy in Nigeria.
Description
A DESSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE
DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN POLTICAL
SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
ZARIA
OCTOBER, 2007
Keywords
EVALUATION,, DEMOCRATISATION, PROCESS,, NIGERIA, (1998 – 2006).