Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Grassroots Democracy in Nigeria |
Author: | Ikpe, Ukana B. |
Year: | 2002 |
Periodical: | Africa Quarterly |
Volume: | 42 |
Issue: | 3 |
Pages: | 30-39 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Nigeria |
Subjects: | democracy elections Politics and Government |
Abstract: | In Nigeria, the institutionalization of a local government system or grassroots democracy has remained the cornerstone of the democratization programmes of successive regimes. However, the masses remain as irrelevant as ever in the political process. The constituents and dynamics of grassroots democracy need to be understood. Democracy has largely existed at the central elitist or State level with only a superficial penetration into the grassroots. If Nigeria is sincere about grassroots democracy, political and governance processes in primary grassroots structures such as clans, villages, lineages and families must also be democratized. Moreover, grassroots democracy must be more than the election of local government officials. Only when the masses start to attach greater importance to the sanctity of elections and, as a result, legitimize rulers by voting, will grassroots democracy be institutionalized. Ref. [ASC Leiden abstract] |