ANATOMY OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA

ANATOMY OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA

The history of political participation in the more than half a century of Nigeria‟s existence as a sovereign nation-state is a chronicle of political uncertainties. Since its independence in 1960, Nigeria has been struggling to install a viable and durable democracy but its dismal political actuality characterized by consistent inability to conduct credible and transparent elections in which its citizens have access to adequately enforced and effectively protected opportunities, to exercise their franchise in the choice of their leaders, has made the agenda of democratic sustainability largely a mirage. This accounts for the copious failed attempts at democratic transitions. For instance the collapse of the First and Second Republics and the annulment of the June 12, 1993 General Elections and the consequent abortion of the Third Republic (Dudley 1982, Akinsanya 2005;Agbaje 2005).

POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA

Political participation is the involvement of the citizens in the political system. Eakin cited in Adelekan (2010) described political participation as the process through which the individual plays a role in the political life of his society and has the opportunity to take part in deciding what common goals of the society are and the best way of achieving these goals. According to Akamare (2003) political participation is an aspect of political behaviour and it focuses on the way in which individuals take part in politics. It is a voluntary activity and one may participate directly or indirectly. The various ways by which the people can be involved in the political system include selection or election of political leaders, formulation of policies, community activities and other civic engagements. According to Awolowo and Aluko (2010), the essence of political participation in any society, either civilized or primitive, is to seek control of power, acquisition of power and to influence decision making. Political participation is a means of contributing ones quota to the political system and overall development of the nation. Political participation is one of the fundamental requirements of democratic governance. This is the reason why Adelekan (2010) emphasized that ideally, democracy means individual participation in the decisions that involves one’s life. In a democratic system, there is the necessity for the citizenry to be fully involved in the democratic procedures of the choice of rulers and effective communication of the public policies and attitudes. Any claim to democratic regime or state must essentially embrace a high degree of competitive choice, openness, and enjoyment of civic and political liberties and political participation that involves all groups of the society (Arowolo and Aluko, 2010). The extents to which people participate in the political system differ from person to person.

Falade (2008) identified six types of political participants. These are:

• The inactive: These are the people that take no part in any .political activity
• Voting specialists: These are the people that get eagerly engaged only in voting. Besides voting, they are not concerned about other political activities.
• Parochial participants: These people participate in politics occasionally. They vote or get involve in any other political activity only when it affects their personal interest.
• The communalist: These are those who get engaged in voting regularly, they also get involve in community affairs but they are not involved in political campaign activities
• The campaigners: They are actively involved in political campaign but inactive in other community affairs.
• Complete activists: They are highly involved in all political activities. They actively participate in voting, political campaign, community activities and make contact with public officials. Some of the factors that determine political participation are: cultural, economic, political, religious and educational backgrounds of individuals. Also, the level of political awareness as well as the measure of confidence in the political process determines the extent to which the citizens participate in the political system.

There is low level of political participation among the Nigerian citizens. Many Nigerians are indifferent in political matters. The INEC noted that Nigerians’ participation during the last general election in the 2011 was low. Only 35% of the 70 million registered voters took part in the election. The Friedrich Elbert Stiffing Foundation conducted a research on the 2011 election and identified lack of transparent elections, election violence and politicians’ noncommittal to their campaign promises as major reasons for voters’ apathy in the country (Odebode, 2011). The political apathy in Nigeria is based on the twin problems of ignorance and deliberate deception by some politicians. The consequence of this is the inability of the masses to have a link between their state of underdevelopment and their non participation in the electoral process (Fabiyi, 2010). In the light of this Falade (2007) concluded that the Nigerian political culture has not given room for the entrenchment and sustenance of true democracy. Awolowo and Aluko(2010) expressed that the low level of political participation of the Nigerian women is becoming alarming and disturbing. Since the emergence of political independence in 1960, the Nigerian women have remained invisible in the political process. The 1985 Beijing declaration to which Nigeria is a signatory provides that 30% of all positions in government should be given to women. This policy is yet to be implemented in Nigeria because there is a continuing trend of male domination of political and other public positions (Oloyede, 2004; Adelekan, 2010).The marginal involvement of African women in the political process results from the lingering inhibitive cultural and patriarchal forces against women’s engagement in politics that characterized African traditional societies (Chuku, 2009).

Conclusion

There is low level of political participation in Nigeria. Many Nigerians are not committed to the electoral process and other political engagements. This study revealed that the Nigerian political system and act of governance do not encourage mass participation. This is because of the political culture of violence, intimidation, manipulation, sentiments, money politics, ignorance, corruption, deception and apathy that characterize the political system. There is marginal involvement of the Nigerian women in the political process. Cultural issues, domestic responsibilities, financial constraints and political indifference are some of the factors preventing women participation in politics.

Reference

Akande, J. (2002). Gender Views: A Women Law Center, Newsletter, April Edition.

Appadorai, A (2004). The Subs tan ce of Politics (Fourth Impression). India, Oxford University Press.

Volume XIV Issue VIII Version I2 (FYear2014 Global Journal of Human Social Science 22 )Year2014

Arowolo, D. and Aluko, F.S. (2010) Women and Political Participation in Nigeria. European Journal of Social Sciences 14 (4), 581-593