Ethnicity and Democratic Governance in Nigeria 54 16
Keywords:
Ethnicity, governance, democracy, Nigeria, mobilisationAbstract
Nigeria's protracted struggle with democratic consolidation is inextricably linked to its profound heterogeneity. This paper examines the multifaceted relationship between ethnicity and democratic governance in Nigeria's nation. It interrogates how ethnic groups activities shape electoral processes, political culture, institutional legitimacy, and the distribution of state resources. Ethnicity remains an influential factor in political interactions and democratic governance in Nigerian polity. Although, Nigeria's democracy is rooted in equality, representation, and the rule of law, ethnicity continues to exert significant influence on electoral behaviour, political mobilisation, and distribution of political power. The study focuses on the relationship between ethnicity and democratic governance in Nigeria, with undivided attention to its implications for electoral contest, political participation, national integration, and institutional stability. The study contributes to comparative democratic theory by proposing that sustainable democratic governance in deeply divided societies requires institutional innovations, equitable resources distribution, electoral reforms, and policies that promotes national cohesion rather than ethnic loyalties. The study also highlights the impact of ethnicity on Nigeria's democratic governance, traces the roots from the colonial era to contemporary democratic practice. The further analyses the positive and negative impacts of ethnicity in Nigeria democracy and governance, including political mobilisation, national integration, electoral conflicts and marginalisation. The study examines the views of Nigerian leaders of first republic, each representing the major ethnic groups on the unity of Nigeria. It concludes that effective management of ethnic diversity through good governance and institutional reforms is important for sustaining and advancing Nigeria's democratic development.Downloads
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