PRESIDENTIAL DEMAGOGUERY AND THE CHALLENGE OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC

Abstract

Whereas the democratic values of popular sovereignty, liberty, rule of law, justice, free, fair and regular elections and the democratic dividend of good governance are indispensable features of democracy, the greatest challenge to realizing these democratic principles, values and ideals in the Nigerian democratic and political context is the lordly disposition and imposing politics of Nigeria’s presidents, starting from 1999 till present. This article is a critical reflection of the imperial outlook and demagogic politick of Nigeria’s Presidents since the return of the country to democracy in 1999, and how the overbearing disposition, political maneuvering and manipulations of the democratic process for personal ambition and political advantages have continued to threaten democracy and undermine its constitution.  The authors adopt secondary data and content analysis to show how successive presidents of Nigeria since 1999 have failed to subscribe to democratic principles, practices and values in their conduct and political behaviour with attendant evidences of disregard for the constitution, abuse of power, election fraud, human rights violations, political persecution and massive corruption, all culminating in the country being plagued by demagoguery and misrule.