The Application Of John Locke Social Contract Theory To The Practice Of Democracy In Nigeria From 1999 To 2015
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Date
2016-09
Authors
Akuva, Isaac Iorhen
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Abstract
This study is the theoretical application and investigation of the practice of
democracy in Nigeria from 1999 to 2015 using John Locke’s Social Contract Theory.
The major objective of this study was to find out the nature and character of the
practice of democracy in Nigeria in the light of John Locke’s Social Contract Theory.
The study also investigated the impacts of the dichotomy between John Locke’s Social
Contract Theory and the practice of democracy in Nigeria from 1999 to 2015. The
data presented in this study was obtained from the primary and secondary sources. The
method used to analyze the data was the critical descriptive approach based on
triangulation. The findings of this study showed that the nature and character of the
practice of democracy in Nigeria from 1999 to 2015 were characterized by
lawlessness and impunity. The dichotomy between John Locke’s Social Contract
Theory and the practice of democracy in Nigeria was found to have been responsible
for the alienation of the majority of the people from the processes which led to the
creation of the Nigerian State, the drafting, and ratification of the 1999 Constitution of
Nigeria. It was further discovered that most of the impeachments and the exercise of
the power of prerogative from 1999 to 2015 did not adhere to the provisions of
Locke’s Social Contract Theory and the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. Tyranny and
usurpation of power were also found to be responsible for the violation of the
principles of separation of powers. The non-adherence to John Locke’s social contract
principles in the practice of democracy in Nigeria from 1999 to 2015 was discovered
to be responsible for the incessant demands by groups in Nigeria for secession and the
demand for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. The findings of this
study also showed that constant electoral malpractices in Nigeria short-changed the
contractual relationship between the people and those who ruled over them. In the
conclusion, it was argued that, if the electoral process in Nigeria, the Nigerian
statehood and the loopholes in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria are not urgently
addressed, Nigeria would continue to experience the poor practice of democracy,
human rights violation, political alienation and periodic protests against the Nigerian
State. As recommendations, it is suggested that a platform is created to provide an
opportunity for Nigerians to determine the terms of the Nigerian state and to produce a
people’s oriented constitution for Nigeria which can address the perennial deficit
between John Locke’s Social Contract Theory and the practice of democracy in
Nigeria.
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Keywords
The practice of democracy in Nigeria from 1999 to 2015 , using John Locke’s Social Contract Theory.