TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY AND TRUE SOCIAL CONTRACT IN NIGERIA

Since Nigeria returned to democracy in May 1999, after almost three decades of military rule, and almost two decades of economic crises, the country has been faced with the complex challenges of national reconstruction and economic reforms, and democratic consolidation. Even after many general elections including that of 2019, Nigeria continues to grapple with these challenges and the citizenry is still anxious to see and enjoy the benefits of “democracy dividends” – social welfare, justice, equity, and equal access to resources and power. 

But she has continued to struggle in sustaining the democracy and this has significantly affected the realization of the social contract between the people and the government, consequently reducing the value of governance, and destroying the foundational principles of democracy that should be upheld. Taking a cue from J.J Rousseau idea of democracy and social contract, this study will seek ways to address the challenges to sustaining democracy and upholding the social contract in the governance space in Nigeria.