ABSTRACT

Democracy is always seen as an indispensable feature of any nation. The idea that the practice of true democracy is very pivotal for the survival and progress of every nation of that would Nigerian is not an exception. Thus, Nwabueze (1991:20) succinctly describes democracy as “A form of government which recognizes and institutionalizes the people as fountain of power and enables them by the means election at frequent intervals on universal adult franchise to choose and mandate those to govern a form of government in which the public good or welfare of the people is the object”. Lamentably, however, democracy in an underdeveloped nations like Nigeria is an irony comparing it to the above definition of democracy. True democracy should be people oriented without being coarsed in any way. In Nigeria, ethnicism and religion has distorted democracy, disorganized the whole political system and has finally made Nigerian nation a laughing stock in the community of nations. This is because people are busy fighting ethnic/religious crises and don’t even know the meaning of democracy let alone the practicing of true democracy. Moreso, the research work is purely centered an democracy and Islamic sect (bokoharam) with special reference to President Goodluck Jonathan regime. To efficiently carry out the research, the researcher used both primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary source were oral interview on the masses about the regime of president Goodluck Jonathan, the questionnaire was also formulated to solicit information from the respondents which also acted as primary source of information, whereas the library materials, magazines, newspaper and internets materials acted as secondary sources of information. The researcher also formulated research questions that acted as guide to the study. The data generated from the questionnaire responses was presented and also analyzed using the questionnaire responses. However, the findings of the study reveals that Nigeria is not practicing true democracy i.e. they don’t even understand the meaning of democracy, let alone the practice of it. The members of the political class are very very corrupt. The citizens are not given the chance to exercise their fundamental human rights. There is high rate of insecurity of lives and properties in Nigeria especially in the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan regime. And report shows that the political class especially Buhari that wanted to be the president of the so called democratic nation but lost it to Goodluck vowed that he will make Nigeria ungovernable for Goodluck Jonathan. It was believed that Buhari, IBB, Atiku and other northern Bourgeois of this nation are the brain behind bokoharam attack to the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan that is why the bokoharam say that if they will come for negotiation, that Buhari most be there. As a result of the above findings, it was recommended that government should engage the group in a dialogue, and inaugurate programmes that would address issues, equally government should deal decisively with anybody sponsoring bokoharam activities in Nigeria.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page                                                                 i

Approval                                                                  ii

Dedication                                                               iii

Acknowledgements                                                  iv

Abstract                                                                   vi

Table of contents                                                     viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0      Introduction                                                     1

1.1   Background of the study                                  2

1.2   Statement of the problem                        3

1.3   Purpose of the study                                        8

1.4   Significance of the study                                  9

1.5   Research questions                                          10

1.6   Scope of the study                                           11

1.7   Limitation of the study                                     11

1.8   Definition of the terms                                     11

CHAPTER TWO

2.1   Literature Review                                             13

2.2   Problems of democracy government in Nigeria      19

2.3   Boko haram history in Nigeria                         21

2.4   Boko haram attack in Nigeria                          23

2.5   Views of other people on Boko haram              26   

2.6   Comparing Nigeria democracy and boko haram       32

2.7   Consequences of boko haram to national        development                                                    34

2.8   Summary of literature review                          37

2.9   Gap in literature                                              38

CHAPTER THREE

3.0   Research Methodology                                     39

3.1   Brief outline of the study                                 39

3.2   Design of the study                                          40

3.3   Area of the study                                              40

3.4   Population of the study                                    40

3.5   Sample of the study                                         41

3.6   Instrument for data collection                  41

3.7   Validation of the instrument                            42

3.8   Distribution and Retrieval of instrument         42

3.7   Method of data analysis                                   43

 
CHAPTER FOUR

4.0   Data Presentation and Analysis                       44

4.1   Findings of the study                                       65

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0   Summary Conclusion and Recommendation   69

5.1   Summary of findings                                       69

5.2   Conclusion                                                      70

5.2   Recommendations                                           71

References                                                       74

Appendix                                                                 76

Questionnaire                                                  77

CHAPTER ONE

1.0      INTRODUCTION

Democracy and Islamic sect/Boko Haram in Nigeria. This study on democracy and Islamic sect in Nigeria is geared towards bringing to light the menace of Islamic sect/Boko haram on Nigeria democracy.

        However, following the president Goodluck Jonathan regime, Nigeria have witnessed several dis-harmony on its socio-polity as a result of the problems posed by Boko haram which is an Islamic militant group based in the north which forbid western education and seeks the imposition of Sharia law in the country.