CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

Matters of security are topical in today’s Nigeria. Life has always been precarious in the country it is subject to all manner of dangers. In the first place it is obtained a victim of killer disease such as malaria, small pox, HIV/AIDS among others. In addition to threats from diseases, are threats that man-made. In the past, we use to fear for the security of our property from armed robbers. Today, we fear for our lives from kidnappers, political and economic related assassination and extra judicial killings. This has rapidly become a familiar feature of our landscape. The impact of this massive sense of insecurity on both psychic and overall functioning of Nigeria cannot be over estimated. (Wali, O.E.2012: 4).

The issues of national security is very vital in any nation in fact once security is not guaranteed in any nation it economic development will be greatly be affected since no investor put his/her money in an environment of crisis. More so the citizen can only exert their best potentials in the right peaceful environment. (Sodangi, I. 2011: 1).

Thus, security situation determine the ground within the democratization process could be practice and participation of the populace could be enhanced, safe and peaceful environment is where citizens could exert the best of their potentials. Is the environment safe for democratization? Is there tendency for proper participation? And channels for participation in the environment? And what then is democratization?

The term democratization attracted attention in political science literature in the 1990’s when the democracy movement was sweeping across the world. This movement brought about changes in the governmental systems this countries in eastern Europe and the former soviet union and Africa, where before the movement these countries were characterized with one party military and communist rule Nwabueze (1993) conceive democratization as not just concern with the form of government known as democracy as being synonymous with multiparty system, but as a process of experimentation during which certain basic conditions have to be put in place.

“Yahaya (2007) in Alumona, I.M (2010) wrote that democratization is both a procedural and institutional aspect of liberalizing a previously authoritarian political environment. It will consist of opening up a previously closed authoritarian political system and deepening and expanding of values thought to be necessary for the enrichment and sustenance of democracy. In essence, it is about the construction of a system that allows for the bulk of the populace to participate in the decision making process that has direct bearing upon their lives.”

This research will examine the concept of insecurity and its various manifestation using concrete examples. It will check the rising threats to lives and property across Nigeria and the poor living condition of many Nigerians. This research will also identify the challenges insecurity possess to the democratization in Nigeria’s democracy is endangered as political intolerance and economic frustration gathered momentum in the form assassination, intimidation, threats and hostage taking across Nigeria.