Ethnic Politics and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria

Abstract

Ethnic diversity is not peculiarly Nigerian as other climes have plural composition. Nigeria's party history is fraught with ethnicity. This work appraises the rabid competition amongst multi-ethnic groups for power and wealth. This has culminated in mutual distrust and suspicion as well as heightened tensions with its attendant implications for democratic consolidation. The corollary of this is the recurring and perennial hydra-headed challenge it poses for Nation-building. Democratic tradition which is a sine qua non for development, cannot flourish in an ethnically conflict-ridden polity. This paper analyses the need for democratic sustenance because of its nexus with development. This is particularly imperative as the nation marches towards another democratic drive with palpable fear that ethnicity can scuttle it if not properly managed. It posits that democratic consolidation is not unattainable. The work relies on secondary source of data and concluded by making some useful recommendations. Democracy does not provide a people with the most skillful of governments but it does that which the skilful government often cannot do. It spreads throughout the body social, a restless activity, super abundant force, and energy never found elsewhere, which, however little favoured by circumstances can do wonders. Those are its true advantages. (Alexis de Tocqueville) Introduction It is incontrovertible that Nigeria is multi-ethnic and the inter-play of this ethnic factor pose a certrifugal and daunting challenge to the corporate existence of Nigeria as a nation. Expectedly, politics by its nature and character is to give birth to a democratic structure capable of engendering development. However, in Nigeria, owing to incessant military coups coupled with the ethnicisation of politics even before independence, it has assumed a dangerous dimension by becoming a barometer for measuring contribution to nation building. It is now an instrument for allocating and distributing power and national resources. As Nigeria experiences a new democratic drive with the rising spate of insecurity, pundits believe this has ethnic as well as political undertone but dressed in Boko Haram garment. It is therefore trite to handle it with utmost caution and sincerity. Thousands of lives not to mention properties have gone as a result of this insurgence.