Nnadiebube Journal of Social Sciences

The main reason Nigeria is still trapped in the morass of economic, and technological backwardness is because Nigeria has not got it right, politically. Examining Nigeria’s pre- colonial, colonial, post-colonial and democratic rules since 1999 will be very essential and crucial in finding out possible ways to make democracy in Nigeria to survive again. It is obvious that 2026 marks exactly 66 years since independence and 27 years since Nigeria entered into democratic rule. Since 1960/1999 till date, Nigeria had conducted seven back to back elections, and by January 2027, it will become seven general elections conducted in Nigeria. However, these elections were faced with massive violence, killings, abductions, destruction of people’s lives and property and other forms of electoral malpractices. As a result of this, Nigeria, the giant of Africa continues to grapple with political instability, insecurity, poverty, injustice and social inequality due to weak political institutions that paves way for corruption, elite domination and exploitation. Employing the methods of hermeneutics and critical analysis, this paper argues that the principles of democracy which are accountability, rule of law, transparency have not been practiced in Nigeria’s government and elections since Nigeria entered into democratic rule. The paper submits that it is only when the politicians take proper study of historical foundation of Nigeria’s politics, gets a morally upright electoral officer who is incorrupt, adheres to the principle of separation of powers, elect competent, visionary and patriotic leaders, have proper training for their leaders, and engage their citizens to participate fully in politics, then we can start taking about the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

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