CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Nigeria as a democratic society has a vast area in terms of landmass and development of these vast areas should not only revolve round on a particular sector, in order for rural communities to integrate into the development life and also, contribute fully to national progress.

According to Rivers State Tripod Vision: SEEDS, about seventy-five percent of the Rivers State population resides in the rural areas in which Obasanjo regime is one of its autonomous communities. These rural areas are characterized by elements of poverty, ignorance, illiteracy and unemployment, and for development to penetrate to (ONE, ANY LOCAL GOVT AREA), rural industrialization was considered as an effective strategy.

With regard to the term “democracy” that annexation of Lagos in 1961 marked the commencement of British Colonialization of the territory which later christened Nigeria by Miss Flora Shaw in an article which appeared in the London times of January 8th 1887. Nigeria came in to being in 1914 when about fifty one nations that had existed for centuries with varying modes of socio-political economic and cultural organization were arbitrarily amalgamated by Britain to serve its interest which was predominantly economic is a fact on history and it is common knowledge that Lord Lagard was the masterminder.

The 1914 arbitrary amalgamation which was greeted with protest both during and after the event as indicated by threats of succession at different times before independence bore a seed of discard which Lord Lugard’s policy of developing the Northern and Southern provinces along separate lines planted in the country’s political vineyard. The seed was as a matter of expediency nurtured to maternity by Lugard’s successor whose actions were not designed to build a Nigerian state but to flourish the colonial causes.

Whatsoever, Nigeria have had many elections since its formation. 1922-1959: the history of elections in Nigeria dates back to 1922 when the constitution in operation in the country then (Clifford constitution of 1922) introduced the elective principles. A 1-lalimark was made in the country in 1923 for the first time following the introduction of the elective principle by the Clifford constitution four Nigerians were elected into the Nigerian legislative council, one to represent Calabar and three to represent Lagos. The Franchise was limited to about 5,000 adults each the election was contested by less than nine Candidates and between two quasi-political parities, Nigeria national Democratic Party (NNDP) and the peoples union.

The election was also organized by the colonial government. The election was also free and fair and the conduct was peaceful and’ orderly. The next important election after the 1923 election was the 1959 election which ushered in the constitutional settlement for an independent Nigeria, the first ever direct election covering the country. Three democracy parties emerged during this period and participated in the election.

The National council of Nigeria citizens (NCNC) formally known as the National council of Nigeria and Cameroon’s, which was the first modern political party in west Africa was formed in 1914 and led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Action Group (AG) was formed in 1951 under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo; and the Northern People Congress (NPC) was formed in December 1949 under the leadership of Alhaji Ahamdu Bello. In the 1959 elections, the NPC won 134 seats in the Central Legislature; the NCNC won 80 seats which the AG won 73 seats. This election was also supervised b the colonial master, it was relatively peaceful and orderly.

1960-1966: During this period, the regional elections were held in 1961, 1963 and 1965 respectively and the Federal election in 1964-1965. The next crucial election after the federal election was the western regional election of 1965. Two broad coalitions contested the 1964 Federal election. The Nigerian National Alliance (NNA) made up of the Northern People Congress (NPC) and Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP), a breakaway faction of the Action Group (AG), the dominant party in western Nigeria and the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) made up of the United middle belt congress, the National Council of Nigeria Citizens (NCNC) and the Action Group (AG).

The election was rigged and different kinds of electoral malpractices were witnessed the United Progressive Grand Alliance leaders claimed that many campaigning and that some of them were kidnapped.

1985-1993: For the third time in Nigeria’s political history a transition programme ahead at an orderly change of not just a government but a whole regime type is being consciously and assiduously pursued by an incumbent government.

The first and second transition programmes were from colonial regime to an independent democratic regime in the later ,1950s to October 1960, and from a military dictatorship to a democracy in the later 1970’s respectively.

Neither attempt at establishing a last democracy succeeded beyond six years. The first attempt lasted from October 1960 to January 1966, while the second lasted from October 1971 to December 1983. It I this last point that informed the present administration’s decision to introduce a transition programme that is both extensive (its time span is the longest in the history to transition programmes not just in Nigeria, but the African continent, and comprehensive hardly any aspect of social economic or political life is left untouched by the programme.

Today Nigeria is undergoing another transition to civil rule programme and questions abound as to whether the nascent third republish will be a success or failure given the country’s economic incapacitations, the increasing personification or corruption in all segment of the Nigerian society, the down ware movement of the people’s social conditions, the unmistakable crises in the country’ education system, the prevalence of thuggery and electoral malpractices, the recurrence of ethnic religious clashes and the fact that “every good soldier who is advancing in his profession, now hopes to end that career in a political office or leadership of one civilian institution or the other inter alia.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In most of the developing democratic nations such as Nigeria, such sector as industrial, commercial, education etc. constitute the core of development. Advancement in any of the above activities brings about increased utilization of’ resources, stronger economic base which would have the resultant effect on development.

The essential ingredients of and political system include clear statement of the requirement which a citizen much have before he or she is qualified for any elective position, a comprehensive voters register and good voting conditions which much ensure that the citizens exercise their franchise without any fear of’ molestation and victimization.

The General election in Rivers state was very important in this case in that being the first stage of the transition to civil rule programme. It could be taken as a test for the extent to which Nigerians were prepared to change their electoral behaviours for the better abide by the rules and principles of democratic elections. This is so because from the records as required by a democratic government.

Moreover, in view of the fact that the first and second republic politicians were not freely allowed by the military administration for participation in politics, apparently based on the conviction of the government that their roles in the past have been highly unsatisfactory. The questions therefore are, did the sponsorship of any of the candidates by the old categories politicians affect the outcome of the election? Did the electorates base their votes on sentiment or on objectives assessment; of candidates? Was the general election in Rivers state free and fair? What implications will the outcome of the election have one democracy in Rivers state.

Inadequate resources utilization and rural resource drain have resulted in a very weak economic base in the various rural areas of Nigeria. This drain of human and natural resources is the major cause of downward development in Obasanjo regime.

The stagnant nature of Obasanjo regime lacks qualitative and quantitative labour force, poor housing, poor services, amenities and uti1itie, poverty and low income earning which restrict capital formations for investments, outdated mode of production, increasing income disparity when comparing rural-urban income, high propensity for out migration, low level participation, communication and awareness in government programmes.

1.3     PURPOSE OF STUDY

The purpose of the research is to examine the key issues surrounding the democracy in the Rivers state government election in the light of candidates contesting on multi-party basis, the voting behaviour of the elections, the voting process and declaration of results. It is also geared towards pinpointing all these practices which are not part of the normal process and as such led to political instability, the extent of deviation and to inform a better understanding of the nations democracy in the country either the individual contestant could rely on his inherent pesona1ity to secure the peoples mandates enabling him or her to serve them without depending on the sponsorship of the old politicians.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTION

For the purpose of thorough investigation, the following research questions are asked:

1. How would you assess elections in Nigeria?
2. What would you attribute to be the major causes of election rigging in Nigeria?
3. Is it true that politicians now use money to influence people to vote for them?
4. Do you agree that poor electoral conduct had led and is still responsible for instability in Rivers State?
5. Do you think that without the problems with electoral process in Rivers state will be better than what they are?
6. Do you agree that the constant influence the politician during election has led to the loss of so many lives and property in Rivers state?

1.5     STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

Few hypotheses are adapted to the questions already posed. The hypotheses are as follows:

H1:    There is significant relationship between news paper and tell          magazine and the state of development in Rivers state.

H0:    There is no significant relationship between news paper and tell     magazine and the state of development in Rivers state.

H1:    There is significant relationship between news paper and tell          magazine and democracy dividends in Rivers state.

H0:    There is no significant relationship between news paper and tell     magazine and democracy dividend in Rivers state.

H1:    There is significant relationship between news paper and tell                              magazine and democracy.

H0: There is no significant relationship between news paper and tell        magazine and democracy.

1.6     SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The studies of the role of democracy through good government in Nigeria using Rivers state as a case study is important to the masses, politicians, students in News paper and tell magazine, the legislators, the executives etc. It identifies the usefulness of democracy to the masses, politicians, students in News paper and tell magazine I in making decision and implementing government policies and programmes if the problems of political instability will be decisively tackled or solved.

1.7     SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY

The scope of this study is the role of democracy on news paper and tells magazine and in writing of this project, the researcher encounter some limitations like inadequate finance, inadequate facilities, time constraints, environment factors etc, using the recent election conducted in Rivers state.

TIME CONSTRAINT: This research work was carried out during holidays with all its social activities including other problems thereby necessitating the disruption and jam-packing of academic work.

FINANCE: Because of the financial problem encountered in the course of this work limited the researcher from getting more textbooks, journals, seminar work, magazine relating to rural industrialization and community development. More so, the research was conducted at a time when cost of most commodities were highly expensive coupled with the Easter holiday which invariably led to high cost of transportation to and fro the case study area.

ATTITUDE OF SOME RESPONDENT: Another difficulty was the respondent unwillingness and sometimes blunt refusal to furnish necessary information. Similar to most of those who are in possession of the research materials could not do it.

LIBRARY INSUFFICIENCY: The insufficient textbook at the school      library also constitute a problem to the researcher, the library lack books       relating to the research topic, at times the rearrangement of text at the        library reference room also constitute a limitation.

WORK OVERLOAD: The pressing need to attend lectures coupled         with   the fact that the departmental load is enormous did militate against       a through and highly intensive research work.

1.8     DEFINITION OF TERMS

Democracy: This means firmly fixed, needed and desired policies for growth and development or the policy.

Free and Fair Election: This refers to the absence of violence in the election stations or polls, the country of votes in the polls immediately after voting and in the presence of both and electoral officer, the representatives of the contestants and also the law enforcement officers, ensuring that the names of all eligible voters are included in the register of voters and also allowed to exercise their franchise no the election day.

Culture: This refers to arts, social, institutions and belief of a particular group or people.

Culture Organization: This refers to an organized group of people who share the same arts, customs and common beliefs together.

Sponsorship: This refers to the advancing money to candidates with which to run the election directly or indirectly and also giving out gift to electorates so as to persuade them to vote for a particular candidate. And also giving their candidates advice on how to campaign and lobby for votes and support from the people.

Election Outcome: This means the relationship between the democracy parties and the objectives they aim at.

Rivers ujie League Association: This is a cultural organization in Rivers ujie local government area of Rivers state through which they unite themselves together so as to see to the improvement of the area.

Old Politicians: This refers to those politicians who does not any longer come out directly to struggle for power still have the influential power in politics.

DEVELOPMENT

Umebali (2004:197) defines development as a process of sustained increase in total and per-capital incomes accompanied by structural transformation and modernization of socio-economic environment.

COMMUNITY

From class lecture on: Rural Development, PAD 324, community is seen as any process of special interaction which give raise to a more intensive or more extensive attribute and practices of interdependent, co-operation, collaboration and unification.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Owuamalam (2003:24) quoted United Nations Organization (1662) which defines, community development as the processes by which the efforts of the people themselves are united with those of the governmental authorities to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions of communities to integrate those communities into the life of the nation to enable them to contribute fully to national progress.

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT

Osy (2006) sees, a democratic government as that government which gives periodic opportunities for its masses to choose their leaders.