THE NEXUS BETWEEN DEMOCRACY AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF BUHARI ADMINISTRATION (2015-2023)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study: The link between democracy and country growth is generally recognized political scholar. This is due to the fact that democracy plays a critical role in creating effective governance and encouraging national growth. According to Nwuke, (2016), the emphasis on enhancing people's socioeconomic well-being is a defining aspect of democratic government, and it is identical with the concept of national development. Thus, the man and his quality of life remain at the heart of national development thinking. Over the years and around the world, democracy has been promoted and seen as a prerequisite for national progress. According to Omodia, (2018), African nations' democratic aspirations are also concerned with the desire for development and nearly all African countries have chosen democratic systems of administration in the last two decades. Given this, it is expected that progress in these African countries will be favourably correlated with democratic practice.

Bizarrely, African nations, on the other hand, have remained to be defined by underdevelopment and profound poverty even under democratic leadership. Indeed, the bulk of the nations in the world classed as least developed by the United Nations (UN) are among these African countries with democratic administrations. (According to the 2009 UN Human Development Index.). In his essay "The Prince," Niccolo Machiavelli, a proponent of Machiavellianism political theory, presented democracy in a way that sparked disagreement among experts. Machiavelli viewed politics as fights, but not moral wars, but as a chess game with fixed rules. His observations indicated that politics has always been a game of deception, betrayal, and criminality. As a result, scholars have contended that the Machiavellian idea and practise of politics is incorrect because it does not represent politics in its real sense. This research tries to evaluate the Nigeria democratic experience from this perspective, and finding its embodiment in our political practice, the student believes that for Nigeria to experience growth in all dimensions, the spirit of the traditional notion of democracy should be adopted (Omodia, 2018).

Observing Nigeria's democratic experience since 1999 necessitates contemplation on whether democracy has achieved its values as a political philosophy for Nigeria. Traditionally, democracy as a political philosophy is intended to empower the people, encourage the pursuit of public good, and improve social order. However, the current democratic experience has provided nothing but economic and social difficulties manifested in a high level of insecurity. This deviation works against national development.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Democracy in Nigeria has been around for more than 20 years. The sole believe that it could bring about national development to the country instigated the struggle for it. Amidst ethnic and religious background, democracy was adopted in Nigeria to chart the course for national development. While it may not be comfortable to state that this purpose has not been achieved, it will not be wrong to assert that this purpose has been on a slow motion. One of the rationale for elections is to usher in new government that would create and implement better policies which will yield better result towards nation building. However, government after government have achieved little in this regard.

One of such government which the people invested so much interest and hope on is the Muhammadu Buhari-led government. The Buhari-led APC government came into power in 2015 with a strong promise of change. The government promised to reconstruct policies and institutions for national development.

Good governance was highly expected from this administration. It is believed that a peaceful and productive society must be based on efficient state institutions. Good governance in this regard means efficient and effective structures that provide optimal support to citizens to lead a safe and productive life, in accordance with their wishes and capabilities. It basically involves a combination of democracy, the true welfare of the state and the respect for rule of law. Promoting good governance goes beyond the government sector and involves all relevant actors in the private sector and society. Quite sad that this envisaged experience has eluded the nation once again. As daily, reports of corruption, crime, dehumanization, disrespect for rule of law and poor insecurity continue to ravish the fundamentals of democracy in Nigeria. It is on this premise that this study is undertaken to examine, succinctly, the concept of democracy in Nigeria and how it has affected national development during the Buhari-led administration from 2015-2023.

1.3 Objectives of the study

1. Examine the problems of Nigerian democracy to national development in Buhari’s administration

2. Investigate policies of democracy that can foster national development.

3. Examine the relationship between democracy and the level of national development in Buhari’s Administration.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What problems has the democratization of Nigerian posed to the nation’s development in president Buhari’s administration?

2. How can Nigeria fine tune its democratic process to foster national development?

3. What is the relationship between democracy and the level of national development in the Buhari’s administration?

1.5 Significance Of The Study

Civilian government tends to guarantee social welfare and security (national development) to life more than military government and to that extent adjudged a better form of  government than military regime. This explains why virtually every nation consciously attempt to introduce and institutionalize civilian government (democratic government). Meanwhile, since Nigeria’s political independence, efforts have been variously made to establish and sustain civilian governments. These efforts, however, have more or less ended in alternation of civilian governments with military regimes. It is not surprising, therefore, that the military has virtually appropriated twenty-nine years out of our forty-nine years of self-rule. This has resulted in monumental abuse of fundamental human rights and widespread incidence of misrule.

This study will also help pinpoint to the government the public perceived areas of difficulties that requires attention. This will help the government re-direct its efforts and resources to perceived need for the good of the masses.

The study will help publicize the relationship that exists between democracy and national development.

The study will bring into limelight the policies/ programs and achievements of the democratic government led by president Buhari.

The study will help students to better understand what democracy mean to the citizens and therefore condition their expectations.

1.6 Scope Of The Study

The major focus of this study is to examine how democracy affects national development in Nigeria. Within this embrace, the study politically appraises the Buhari led administrations in the area of National development. The study will cover a four period of 2015-2023.

 

1.7 Limitation of the study

This focus of this study is limited to the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. There have been other governments but this study is particularly restricted to the President Buhari administration. However, reference to other government may be made. Also, this study is limited to the first tenure of the president, from 2015 to 2023. furthermore, in order to elicit required information that could help answer the research questions, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Abuja was approached for relevant information.

1.8 Operational Definition Of Terms

Democracy

Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the authority to choose their governing legislation. Who people are and how authority is shared among them are core issues for democratic development and constitution

National development

The term national development is very comprehensive. It includes all aspects of the life of an individual and the nation. It is holistic in approach. It is a process of reconstruction and development in various dimensions of a nation and development of individuals It includes full-growth and expansion of our industries, agriculture, education, social, religious and cultural institutions. Moreover, national development implies development of a nation as a whole. It can be best defined as the all-round and balanced development of different aspects and facets of the nation viz. political, economic, social, cultural, scientific and material.