LEADERSHIP BY DEMOCRACY: EVALUATING IDEOLOGICAL UNDERPINNINGS FOR MANAGING THE NIGERIAN STATE (1960-2015)

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to comprehend the idea of Leadership via its measurement by democratic standards. It is observed that, democracy is no more ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people’ as the international political system is also largely ‘partisan’ about who gets what, when and how in any given nation-state (Nigeria inclusive). This is due to the economic interests by the ‘developed’ nation-states who still have strong imperial desires to fulfill as well as the craving for ‘underdeveloped’ countries who perceive the parties to an electoral contest, as more favourably disposed to accommodate them. Thus, the citizens of Nigeria since 1960, have not been able to come to terms with why it seems leadership had not been responsive and responsible to their concerns over the years should it really be a product of the people’s desire. The paper recommends that, African citizens should continue to engage their government as well as that of any other nation-state where their interests lies. Proactiveness is germane in a ‘globalized’ world where everyone is a stakeholder ‘everywhere’. The paper utilized the historical method in collection of data and the descriptive analysis was utilized in the processing and presentation of data. The time boundary for the work is situated between 1960-2015 which are obvious landmark dates especially the latter when an opposition party, emerged victorious after the general elections.