STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY FOR NATIONAL COHESION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The issue of strengthening democracy for national cohesion and sustainable development have severally been discussed in Nigeria. Despite this several discussions, Nigerian society has remained divided. Lack of respect for the rule of law and total disregard for prioritizing the development needs of the people have continued to shape our history. The paper therefore focused on the problems affecting the strengthening of democracy in Nigeria as well as national cohesion. The research is based on secondary sources; the paper used the functionalist theory as a tool of analysis, and found that primordial identities have become problematic in the country, so much that many people have become associated with perceptions of discrimination. There seemed to exist the psychological fear that one’s group is being played out of the Nigerian political equation. In order to ensure stable democracy and sustainable national development, the paper recommended the inculcation of social cohesion to ensure consolidation of citizenship and reduce inequality and socio-economic disparities; implementation of profound changes in the political structure, and a radical re-organization of government. Furthermore, the study recommended the full involvement of citizens at the community level in a national conversation on the promotion of togetherness and national unity.