Oracle of Wisdom Journal of Philosophy and Public Affairs

Man as a social and political animal has the inherent tendency to live with his fellow men in a well ordered form of society in order to achieve his happiness which characterizes his being in the world. Consequently, democracy has remained consistently one of the most influential systems of contemporary political governance in the world-over and widely applauded for its deliberate emphasis on participation, rule of law, liberty, fairness, accountability and justice. However, the pragmatic application of democratic tenets, principles and ideals significantly varies from across the globe for socio-cultural, institutional, economic and historical reasons and peculiarities. This study sets out to philosophically investigate the Nigerian political leadership approach to democracy in relation to the global democratic system. The work succinctly interrogates the contradictions, ideological foundations and operational realities noticeably inherent in the practice of democracy in Nigeria and how the Nigerian leaders has turned a good system into tasteless one thereby pushing the innocent citizens far deep into unfathomable hardship and suffering in the midst of plenty. The research employs the philosophical method of analysis in order to conceptually clarify and evaluate the noticeable lacuna between political praxis in the country Nigeria and democratic theory as a whole especially as widely acclaimed worldwide. The article systematically argues that why it is true that Nigeria formally adopted democratic system and structures clearly similar to the ones practiced globally, her political leadership behaviors portray something else and operates within the models of ethnic calculations, elite political dominance, citizens' welfare neglects and policy suffocation, as well as political patronage networks etc. that clearly undermines the global democratic values and acclaimed tenets. The study concludes by stating that for Nigeria as a sovereign nation to align appropriately with the global democratic models and standards of democratic governance, Nigerian leadership must as a matter of urgency clearly transcend from transactional and selfish model politics in public offices to something more meaningful and beneficial to all, like the embrace of ethical governance and moral character highly rooted in justice, institutional integrity, civic responsibility, fairness and accountability for the good of all and sundry.

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