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to know, respect and abide by the rule of law; and citizens and enact/amend laws to ensure that
when we have disputes, we have the obligation the evolution of culture is in the direction of
to, habitually, hand it over to law enforcement. human dignity? What ratio of those in public
This implies well-educated, impartial and office use public amenities like public schools,
diligent law enforcement. We also have to public hospitals, public toilets, public
submit to and trust the judiciary to adjudicate on transportation, etc.?
the disputes we have and this too implies a well-
e d u c a te d , u n b i a s e d , co u ra g e o u s a n d A democracy is a daily culture founded on
uncompromised judiciary. As citizens, education, freedom, protection, human dignity,
particularly the media, we have to boldly, and the rule of law. A democracy is felt and
without fear or favouritism, hold leaders observed on a daily basis, just as oppression is.
accountable. It is no coincidence that “well- Which of these do you feel? Teach? Live daily?
educated” is prominent in the building and Democracy is not something that happens every
sustainability of democratic citizens. Nigerians four years at the polls; it happens every day so,
are largely well-schooled and, at best, ill- anything that appears to be a 4-year cycle of
educated. Evidence of being schooled is a activity in which leaders are chosen is merely an
certificate whereas the evidence of being electocracy.
educated is in the ability to think critically and
contribute to solving problems in society. This is
why Eugene opines that to better Nigeria, we Lastly, John Locke's political thought of his
must return to "the good old way" where treatise number two, "Treatise of Civil
Government" will be of great
help to Nigerian's political
issues(Paul 218).John Locke
made an effort to project a
legitimate political authority
not anchored on a religious
or ethnic belief but on a
p r a c t i c a l c o n s e n s u a l
agreement of members of
the society who without
coercion and freewill, decide
to form a political society.
This is a great model to be
emulated in Nigeria's law
enforcement to reduce
dictatorial governance.

CONCLUSION
Nigeria and her democratic
practices have been shaky
since the inception of the
political system; a lot has
government influences everyday life of the claimed that the problem
people (108). with Nigerian politics was the long military rule,
but a calculation from when the military handed
over to the civilians since 1999 till date is almost
To know if we have a democracy, just ask yourself,
or better still, ask your kids: Will I call the police twenty-five years ago and it is enough for the
when my neighbour upsets me? Will I go to court civilian rule to do something better. For this
when I have a car accident? Does our system country to be better however we must practise
equip law enforcers to protect me, respect me true democracy and what democracy entails
and abide by the rule of law? Does the judiciary and also come together as one family, and as well
demonstrate a habitual behaviour that signifies make a good atmosphere for each and every one
of us.
“justice delayed is justice denied”? Do law
enforcement and the armed forces protect the
vulnerable against aggressors? Or are they WORKS CITED
aggressors themselves? Does the executive act Aghogho, Kelvin and Ugo, Chunks. Ethnicity, Religion, Politics, and the challenges
in a transparent manner in the best interest of of National development in Nigeria.Ugehli Publishers, 2012.
Cobban, Alfred. Dictatorship: Its History and Theory. London, 1998.
the citizens? Do they submit to the principle of Mathew, H. Kukah. The Church and the Politics of Social Responsibility. Sovereign
prints NigLtd,2007.
checks and balances? Does the legislative arm Ngbea, T. Gabriel. The Role of Education in Promoting A Democratic Society in
live amongst, and therefore thoroughly Nigeria. Aboki publishers, 2008.
Paul, J. Chinedu. John Locke concept of State: A Panacea for the challenges of
understand the daily plight of the ordinary Nigeria Democracy. NnamdiAzikiwe University Press, 2019.