ETHICAL ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN THE PRACTICE OF DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA: THE EXPERIENCE OF NIGERIA
Crisis of Values, Leadership Challenges, and National Development in Nigeria
By
Terfa Kahaga Anjov Ph.D
Department of Religion and Philosophy,
Benue State University,
Makurdi,
Nigeria.
Tel: 08036079539 anjovterfa@yahoo.com &
Okaneme Godwin
Department of Philosophy and Religion,
University of Abuja,
Nigeria.
&
Michael Tsav
Department of Philosophy,
University of Nigeria,
Nsukka.
A PAPER PRESENTED AT HUMANITIES INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY THE FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE, THE INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND AREWA HOUSE TO MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
4TH DECEMBER, 2012
Abstract
It is more than five decades when Nigeria got her independence. It is only after the 1999 general election that democracy has been practiced in Nigeria for more than thirteen years. The struggle to stabilize the practice and sustainability of an authentic democracy has been the greatest challenge of Leadership in Nigeria. After the declaration of political independence in 1960, colonialism seems to have given way to neo-colonialism with its attendant consequences. The nation has witnessed several years of military dictatorship and few years of democratic regimes. The longest democratic era in Nigeria is the Fourth Republic which began in May 1999 to date. This study critically examines the Fourth Republic vis-à-vis the crisis of values, leadership challenges and how these can be solved in order to attain national development in Nigeria. The study discovers that the inability of political leaders in Nigeria to apply the principles of democracy without prejudice to religious affiliation is the reason for the prevailing injustice in the country. The peace Nigerians are looking for in their lives can only be found when those in power begin to play politics of justice. Nigeria is for every Nigerian. The destruction of lives and property by ethnic militants and Boko Haram in
By
Terfa Kahaga Anjov Ph.D
Department of Religion and Philosophy,
Benue State University,
Makurdi,
Nigeria.
Tel: 08036079539 anjovterfa@yahoo.com &
Okaneme Godwin
Department of Philosophy and Religion,
University of Abuja,
Nigeria.
&
Michael Tsav
Department of Philosophy,
University of Nigeria,
Nsukka.
A PAPER PRESENTED AT HUMANITIES INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY THE FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE, THE INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND AREWA HOUSE TO MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
4TH DECEMBER, 2012
Abstract
It is more than five decades when Nigeria got her independence. It is only after the 1999 general election that democracy has been practiced in Nigeria for more than thirteen years. The struggle to stabilize the practice and sustainability of an authentic democracy has been the greatest challenge of Leadership in Nigeria. After the declaration of political independence in 1960, colonialism seems to have given way to neo-colonialism with its attendant consequences. The nation has witnessed several years of military dictatorship and few years of democratic regimes. The longest democratic era in Nigeria is the Fourth Republic which began in May 1999 to date. This study critically examines the Fourth Republic vis-à-vis the crisis of values, leadership challenges and how these can be solved in order to attain national development in Nigeria. The study discovers that the inability of political leaders in Nigeria to apply the principles of democracy without prejudice to religious affiliation is the reason for the prevailing injustice in the country. The peace Nigerians are looking for in their lives can only be found when those in power begin to play politics of justice. Nigeria is for every Nigerian. The destruction of lives and property by ethnic militants and Boko Haram in
References: Anjov, Terfa Kahaga. Ethics and Democracy in Nigeria (1999 – 2007). A Thesis submitted to the Postgraduate Studies of the University of Jos in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of doctorate degree in Ethics and Philosophy of the University of Jos, 2012. Ekei, John C. “Human Development: A Measure of Democracy in Nigeria/Africa”. Ike Odimeguw et. al. (eds.) Philosophy, Democracy and Conflicts in Africa. Akwa: Fab Educational Book, 2007. Freeman, Samuel. Rawls. London: Routledge, 2007. Kymlicka, W. Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction. New York: New York, 2002. Njoku, Francis O.C. Philosophy in Politics, Law and Democracy. Owerri: Claretian Institute of Philosophy, 2002. Omoregbe, Joseph. Knowing Philosophy. Lagos: Joja Educational Research and Publishers Limited, 1990. Rawls, John. A Theory of Justice. London: Oxford University Press, 1971. Rawls, John. Political Liberation. New York: Columbia Unnversity Press, 1993. Roberto, Rawls’ Potical Liberalism Achievable? Philosophy Time. http://philosophytimes.blogspot.com/2005/02/rawls’politicalliberalism-achievable.html (access 05 Februaru 2005). Rossi, E. Political Liberalism and Reasonable Pluralism. http://ets.unipv.it/seminari/Rossi-pdf (accessed 20 June 2010)