Oracle of Wisdom Journal of Philosophy and Public Affairs

Democracy globally is known as the legitimate system of organization in a political setting of any sovereign nation due to its character in institutionalizing constitutionalism, protection of fundamental human rights, accountability, sovereignty, citizens' participation, right to life and association and many more. Consequently, amidst Nigeria's long acclaimed uninterrupted democratic practice and experience from 1999 regardless of the earlier practice, concerns have persistently continued as regards the future of democracy in Nigerian state as well as the continually gradual erosion and destruction of democratic values, culture and institutions in Nigeria. This article critically examines the Nigerian politics from the lens of the indices of democratic destruction and tries to adequately evaluate the extent to which political negative practices have drastically weakened democratic governance in the country. Philosophical method of analysis is employed in order to critically clarify and systematically evaluate Nigerian politics and what it has become since the introduction of the system in the country. The research as well interrogates the visible and contradictory actions between democratic ideals and political realities in Nigeria. The paper, therefore, argues that democratic destruction is a reflection that is not only in corruption but also in electoral malpractice, judicial bias and prejudiced interference, civic disengagement, elite domination, institutional fragility and instability, insecurity, identity politics, erosion of public trust and political violence to mention but a few. The study carefully contends that Nigeria has consistently and persistently exhibits several negative characteristics clearly associated with democratic murdering, backsliding and diminishing, where it is noticed that democratic institutions formally exist but are clearly and increasingly neglected and undermined by the country's political actors and leadership as well as countless structural deficiencies. The article, hence, concludes that democratic renewal in Nigeria needs clear ethical leadership, constitutional fidelity and consistency, democratic institutional independence, and political system and culture embedded and strongly rooted in justice, equality, fairness, equity, accountability and common good for all and sundry.

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