DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE AND THE UNDERDEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The practice of democracy is expected to facilitate political, economic and social development of a nation through easy identification of the needs of the people, deliberate rational allocation of resources and projects and the regular involvement of the people in the formulation of policies that affect them. In Nigeria, democratic practice has resulted in unanticipated negative consequences that have retarded the development of the country.  Alienation of the elected representatives from the people, embezzlement of funds meant for development and the entrenchment in office of ineffective and self-seeking politicians are among the negative results of democracy being  practiced that have contributed  to the underdevelopment of  the country. The paper has suggested among others, that, to solve the problem, remunerations of political office holders should be reviewed downwards , corruption be more vigorously checked and limitations be placed on the length of time any person can occupy political offices.