Dividends of Democracy or Politics of Hunger in Nigeria: Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State in Perspective 1999-2019

Abstract

The study interrogates on the dividends of democracy in the Nigeria’s fourth republic within its two decades of existence. It took root from the backdrop of the country’s long time military rule which was characterized by socio-economic maladies such as inflation, unemployment, unequal distribution of state resources and mass alienation of people from governance. Within this context, Nigeria became over due for a new and more accountable system of government. Obviously, democratic government of egalitarian distribution of the state resources and safety of lives and property became the choice of the Nigeria’s people. This study argues that since the birth of democratic government in May, 1999 has Nigeria’s people been provided with the dividends of democracy such as promotion and respect of human person, respect for the rule of law and political accommodation. And in addition those unconventional indices as adopted in this study such as quality education, job opportunity, stable electricity supply, provision of water and sanitation services, quality health care services, stable price, crime reduction among others. The study however selects eight indices through which dividends of democracy could be measured. In this regard, questionnaire was employed as source of primary data collection for the study. The study finds that instead of sustainable welfare schemes for the majority of the people, bizarre items were often distributed before elections and after which often termed as ‘stomach infrastructure scheme’. Worst enough, the spate of insecurity was painstaking and alarming. It manifested in terrorism, human kidnapping, banditry, gun-running, herders/farmers clashes, religious fundamentalism, ransomed taking etc. The study concludes that it was the same vehicle but with different driver when the period before the birth of democratic government is compared with the first two decades of democracy in the Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. As the dividends of democracy still elude Nigeria’s people, Nigeria needs a charismatic leadership that could pursue the ideals of democratic culture.