Dividends of Democracy in Nigeria: Between the Governing Elites and the Governed

• In Event: Corruption and Elite Capture in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Dividends of Democracy in Nigeria: Between the Governing Elites and the Governed
The onset of democracy in the Nigerian Fourth Republic, after long years of military rule, was seen by the masses as an opportunity to enjoy the dividends of democracy. The paper seeks to examine the distribution of the dividends of democracy between the governing elites and the governed in Nigeria. The paper argues that the dividends of democracy in Nigeria is lopsided to benefits the governing elites at the expense of the governed. The paper employs both primary and secondary sources of data to investigate the spread of the dividends of democracy in Nigeria. The papers discovers that democracy is yet to improve the standard of living of the citizenry considering the level of poverty, unemployment, etc. The paper recommends participatory democracy, true governance void of greed, accountability and people-centered leadership.
Key Words: Democracy, Dividends, Governing Elites, Governed, Standard of Living

Author

• Janet Monisola Oluwaleye, Ekiti State University