Government, Democracy and Dysfunctional Governance in Nigeria

Abstract

This study is a critical analysis of Nigerian democratic experiment and crisis of governance. It is axiomatic to state that Nigeria is naturally endowed with both human and material resources that can trigger off national development and growth but still grope with unbridled failures, weak economy and high debt profile. The main reasons for the undemocratic practice and socio economic stagnation are the leadership crises; bad policies, poor moral and ethical standards, undemocratic selection process (imposition pattern), political corruption which have weakened the system of governance. The study focused to establish how the governors of Nigerian States handled the affairs of the people they govern and reasons for the underdevelopment especially in the rural areas. The study adopted elite and anomic theories considered relevant to this study as theoretical framework of analysis. The study established that; selection and imposition of candidates as our leaders, corruption of the democratic and electoral system by the ruling class have contributed in negating good governance and enthroning callousness among our elected leaders. The implication of the study is that if these ugly trends among our leaders are not checked especially at the state level, it could lead to lawlessness, mass poverty and sacrifice of moral rectitude at the altar of hooliganisms among the people. Recommendations were made that the government should be more sensitive to the plight of her citizens, by way of creating employment opportunities for the teaming unemployed youths, sustaining the payment of worker’s salaries and provision of social amenities that will bring about improved living condition of the people.