Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development

The practice of democracy in Nigeria to a large extent is devoid of democratic ideals to the point that one can hardly term Nigeria a democratic nation. Karl Popper presents a systematic vision of an ideal democracy which if applied has a way leading Nigeria out of her quagmires. This vision of democracy entails not just free and fair electoral process but it is devoid of bloodshed and gives power to the people to change their leaders: it does not conceive of criticism in an offensive pattern but dwells on it as a problem-solving approach; it strengthens institutions of democracy with pragmatic conditions for effective democratic practice; it creates avenue of respect for individual and diversity; it also paves the way for the avoidance of suffering and violence. The qualities of Popper’s vision of democracy is antithetical to what is obtainable in Nigerian’s approach to democracy; to this end it is argued in this work that Popper’s vision of democracy is a way forward for Nigeria to be delivered from pseudo-democratic practices. Based on the Popperian understanding of criticism as a way of heralding the new. In this research, a dialectical critical realism research method would be utilized. Ultimately, Popper’s vision of democracy remains a resource for an ideal democratic direction.

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