APPON Volume 13 Number 1 2023

ATTEMPTING A COPERNICAN REVOLUTION FOR POLITICS IN NIGERIA

Martin F. Asiegbu J Chidozie Chukwuokolo Elem, Emmanuel Chijioke
Abstract

In this paper we argue that there is need to take a radical detour in the democratic process of Nigeria akin to Kant's Copernican revolution. The Nigerian elections and electioneering have become everything but democracy. The just concluded 2023 elections have turned up to brigandage and the jettisoning of the will of the majority of the people for the will of the few, hence a travesty of democracy. Philosophers are known for their courage in doing things that are out of the ordinary just like Copernicus and Kant; in this paper therefore we posit that a radical transformation of democracy in such a way that will work out for the polity is fundamental. Two things are of serious imports here namely the enthronement of virile legislature and citizen's participation. We argue for a reconstruction of the democratic process in a way that takes care of the existential burdens of our democratic process namely the non reflection of the will of the people in elections in Nigeria. We must enthrone those principles that will ensure that the will of the people reflects in electioneering.

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