Globalization and Democratic Consolidation Nigeria

Globalization And Democratic Consolidation In
Nigeria

Abstract: Globalization is one of the most important issues that has affected and greatly impacted
the socio-economic and political development of peoples and nations of the world. One of the
consequences of globalization is democracy. The advent of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 did not
come without its own challenges. In spite of the challenges of democracy, the Nigerian people were
hopeful that democracy would bring a fundamental transformation to their socio-political and
economic development. Though, the challenges confronting the nations democracy appear to be
overwhelming such that a relapse into authoritarianism is not in doubt. Despite the fact that these
challenges can be addressed, the problem of confronting globalization remains an issue to be dealt
with in the quest for democratic consolidation in Nigeria. In this study, efforts were made to examine
the nexus between globalization and democracy, Nigerias challenges in consolidating her
democracy in the globalized world and how globalization has help sustained democracy in Nigeria.
This paper concludes that for democracy to be consolidated in Nigeria particularly in this era of
globalization depends to a large extent on the political leadership.
Keywords: Democracy, Democratic Consolidation, Colonialism, Globalization, Leadership

Emmanuel Alebiosu
Department of Political Science,
Federal University Wukari, Nigeria.

I SSN 2319-9725

October, 2013 www.ijirs.com Vol 2 Issue 10

International Journal of Innovative Research and Studies Page 668

1. Introduction:
From Africa to Eastern Europe, Asia to Latin America, more and more nations and groups
are championing the idea of democracy such that democracy has become the fundamental
standard of political legitimacy in the current era (Held, 1997). Sen (1999:4) therefore argued
that there is no difficulty in determining that the most significant development of the
twentieth century was the rise of democracy. He went further to assert that democracy has
come to be recognized both as a universal value-an intrinsic good in its own right, and as the
pre-eminently acceptable form of governance.
The decade of the 1990s represents to all intents and purpose; the age of democratic rebirth
in Africa, especially during the 1990s several African countries witnessed a massive
resurgence of electoral democracy after decades of authoritarian rule and bad governance
(Bratton and Van de Walle, 1997; Osaghae, 1999; Young, 1999; cited in Shola, 2008). This
development may however, not be entirely surprising, given the seemingly irresistible spread
of the third wave of democratization (Huntington, 1999). While democratic rebirth in
Africa benefited from external pressures, there were also internal dimension to it (Shola,
2008:1). In spite of the challenges of democracy, the Africans prefer democracy to the
autocratic rule of their leaders. With the upsurge in democracy in the world especially in the
post cold war period, Nigeria effort at democratization came to reality in 1999. Though, the
high hopes of expectations that attended the democratization of Nigeria after long years of
instability and deprivation would appear, disappointingly, to have effectively stocked in
limbo (Idris, 2009: 3-4). Some scholars however, ascribed this to globalization. Any policy
therefore in the quest for democratic consolidation in Nigeria should put into consideration
the process, forces and agents of globalization. This is because of the enormous influence
globalization has on the socio-economic and political development of the people.
The development of democracy in Nigeria is a history of colonial rule. Nigeria emerged from
colonial state to independence. It has then, become a justification for many to see
colonialism as the bane of democratic development in Nigeria. In fact, some view
globalization as a continuation of the exploitation and colonization which Europe and
America unleashed on other countries in previous centuries, and which Nkrumah and Lenin
aptly describe as neo-colonialism and Imperialism (Ekwealo, 2000:15). Some scholars
however, argued that globalization is the triumph of liberal democracy over totalitarianism,
which according to the United Nations Development Programmes (1999) offers great


opportunities for enriching peoples lives and creating a global community based on shared
values. Globalization represents the only chance for global development, democracy, social
justice, and productive integration. Globalization is the current trend in world development
and has its own ideology that marks it, and which has been presented in different ways
(Benson, 2005:10). This paper examines the relationship between globalization and
democracy: challenges of democratic consolidation in Nigeria and how globalization has
impacted on the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria. Though, researches had been
conducted on democracy and globalization in Nigeria, regrettably, many of these researches
did not emphasize and present greater details on how globalization has helped sustained
Nigerias democracy and how leadership plays a critical role in consolidating democracy in
this globalized era.

2. Globalization: A Conceptual Analysis:
Any meaningful conceptual clarification of globalization must start with the historical
analysis of its origin. The conceptions of globalization however need to be sensitive to the
historical variation in forms of globalization (Held, 1997). The origin of globalization has
been controversial among scholars such that there has not been any consensus as to the origin
of globalization. Some scholars view globalization from contemporary time while others see
it from historical perspective. Some researchers even went further to classify globalization
into phases. For instance, Thomas (2005) grouped globalization into three stages. The first
stage, he posits belong to the period between 1492 to1800. He argued that this period was
concerned with the activities and interactions of nations of the world. The second stage
(1800-2000) of globalization which he put forward was the era of enterprises engaging in the
production of goods and services. The last stage (2000- to date) according to him involves
individuals irrespective of race and status.
According to Oshiomole (2001) the concept of globalization began to manifest shortly after
the end of World War II when the allies led by the United States of America, decided to
support a word wide open trading and investment system. Others view the origin of
globalization from the voyages of Columbus in 1942 and Da Gama in 1497-8 from the
Mediterranean. This was when Europeans began to exert enormous influence on the rest of
the world and implant their cultural institutions on all continents (cited in Emeka: 2005).
Three perspectives however, emerged according to Marrow and Torres (2000: 27-29) as to


the origin of globalization. The first argued that the origin of globalization has existed right
from the existence of human evolution and relations. The second sees the origin of
globalization from the exploit of capitalism in the sixteenth century. The last perspective
believes that the origin of globalization is in the increase in the modern information and
technologies.
No doubt, globalization as a concept is surrounded by a lot of controversies and therefore,
suffers from conceptual confusion. There are as many definitions as there are authors. In a
way, there is no definitional consensus on the concept (Ajayi, 2004:162). The number of texts
and publications on globalization clearly indicates the high level of interest shown on the
concept by researchers. Attempts to define globalization abound, and conceptualizations
differ widely, from very narrow to very broad, and from vague and intuitive to quite specific
and elaborate (Zimmerling, 2003). There are divergent points of view as to whether the
phenomena are new and exactly what features it refers to. Equally controversial are the
specific forms taken by globalization, the forces driving it, and its consequences for the
global system and for particular group of countries. Castell (1998:3) argued that globalization
is a new phenomenon because of the manner, style and process of its machinery of opening
the world of commercial concerns through the aid of information technology. However, the
philosophy behind the concept cannot be said to be new as the motive it seeks to achieve is
capitalist oriented (Onoja, 2003:77).
Globalization is a very complex process that can be understood in different perspectives:
economic, political and cultural (Kura, 2005). According to Akinsanya (2003:76),
globalization is the integration of the world economics through trade, financial flows,
exchange of technology and information and the movement of people on a free basis across
the whole world. It entails an integration of all transactions on a larger scale by business
enterprises and the unrestrictedness of people on earth. Salimono (1999) believes that
globalization is a process of harmonization of different culture and beliefs of the world into
one. Globalization could be conceived as integration of societies along various human
endeavours in which hitherto sharp differences are now being bridged (Kura, 2005). McGrew
et al (1992:23) refer to globalization as the multiplicity of linkages and inter connections
between the states and societies which make up the modern world system. It explains a
situation where activities in any part of the world can have implications for the socio-
economic and political life of peoples and nations in any part of the globe.


Globalization is also perceived as a historical process, which is translated to the integration of
economic, political, cultural and technological structures around the world (Umukoro, 2002).
Globalization according to Muzaffar (2000:43) refers to a process by which capital goods,
services and sometimes labour traverse national borders and acquire a transnational character.
Kwanashie (1998:340) sees globalization as a process of integrating economic decision
making such as the consumption, investment and saving process across the world. It involves
the process of bringing about an active participation of countries of the world in establishing
a worldwide open market where all forms of transactions can take place. Osuntokun (2002)
posits that globalization is the triumph of liberal democracy over totalitarianism, which
therefore, creates a globalised free-enterprise capitalist system.
Held et al. (1999: 16) define globalization as a process which embodies a transformation in
the spatial organization of social relations and transactions. Garry (1998) refers to
globalization as the harmonization of political system and enthronement of the culture of
west. Globalization is a deeply differentiated phenomenon that embeds continuous processes
and pattern of interaction in diverse areas of human activities economic, social, political,
cultural, military, and environmental and citizenship (Kura, 2005). In all these issue areas,
globalization can be expected to operate in ways that may be potentially relevant for political
democracy (Zimmerling, 2003).

3. Concept Of Democratic Consolidation:
There is no consensus among scholars on the definition of democratic consolidation. Indeed,
while democratic consolidation may have been a nebulous concept since its very inception,
the conceptual fog that veils the term has only become thicker and thicker the more it has
spread through the academic and political world (Schedler, 1998). In fact, democratic
consolidation is one of the concepts that its meaning, scope, processes and procedures and
benchmarks are not too clear to a number of people including researchers in the field of
politics. The reason for this is not far fetch because according to Encarnacion (2000),
democratic consolidation is abstract, complex and has no clearly identifiable benchmark.
Diamandourous et al. (1995), define democratic consolidation as the complete adoption of
democratic institutions, processes and values by the political class and the masses. This
implies democratic consolidation could only occur when there is active participation,


cooperation and understanding between the leaders and the led on how best to rule the
country and where the fundamental rules and regulations are strictly adhere to. Schmitter
(1992) refers to democratic consolidation as to when social relations become social values i.e.
patterns of interaction can become so regular in their occurrence, so endowed with meaning,
so capable of motivating behaviour that they become autonomous in their international
function and resistant to externally induced change. Schedler (1998, 91) described democratic
consolidation as originally meant to mean the challenge of making new democracies secure,
of extending their life expectancy beyond the short term, of making them immune against the
threat of authoritarian regression, of building dams against eventual reverse waves. This
means that democracy would only be consolidated if there is decrease in the activities and
actions of a country towards relapsing to a level that the assurance of having democracy
forever is not questionable.
According to Przeworski (1991:23), democratic consolidation is when given any political
and economic conditions a particular system of institutions becomes the only game in town;
when no one can imagine acting outside the democratic institutions, when all losers want to
try again within the same institutions under which they have just lost. This implies that
irrespective of any challenge confronting the nation, political actors would still conform to
the rules and cooperate with their leaders to achieve development. Higley and Gunther (cited
in Sanchez, 1997) see democratic consolidation as when a regime meets all the procedural
criteria of democracy (contestation and participation) and in which all politically significant
groups accept established political institutions and adhere to democratic rules of the game.
Samuel Huntington (1991) refers to democratic consolidation as to when an electoral regime
is fully entrenched and capable of delivering free and competitive elections. He posits that
democracy is consolidated when there is a change of political power from one political party
(party A) to another (party B) and from party B to either party A or any other political party
in all subsequent elections within the democratic system. This implies no party or group must
hold on to power more than the term (usually four or five years) prescribed by the law.
Huntington perception of democratic consolidation has been criticised from many angles, the
most persuasive of which is Larry Diamonds contention that in many of the worlds new
democracies, competitive elections have not ensured liberty, responsiveness and the rule of
law (Shauna, 2002).



4. Globalization And Democracy: The Nexus:
The nexus between globalization and democracy has become a great concern to researchers
particularly in the field of social sciences. The nexus between the two concepts has become a
classic question in international political economy (Eichengreen and Leblang, 2006) to the
extent that the debate about the relationship between the two concepts has generated
controversy among scholars such that no consensus has been achieved in the conceptual
analysis of the connection between both concepts. In fact, globalization as with democracy
has never been given any fixed and globally acknowledged conceptualisation (Kura, 2005).
Zimmerling (2003: 72) however, pointed out that some scholars have formulated a number of
hypotheses concerning the relations between globalization and democracy which is being
debated among them.
There have been upward trends in globalization and democratization (Eichengreen and
Leblang, 2006). Globalization and democratization have long and complex histories; each
was greatly accelerated by the collapse of soviet communism in the revolutions of 1989-91
(Plattner, 2002:154). The contemporary waves of democratisation are one of the several
consequences of globalisation (Kura, 2005) such that from Africa to Eastern Europe, Asia to
Latin America, more and more nations and groups are championing the idea of democracy
(Held, 1997:251). Held therefore concludes that the idea of democracy has made it to become
the fundamental standard of political legitimacy in the current era.
Democracy and globalization go hand in hand (Eichengreen and Leblang, 2006). In fact,
Plattner, (2002) sees globalization and democratization as mutually reinforcing agents with a
symbiotic relationship. He therefore notes that though these two trends have been interrelated
and, for the most part, mutually reinforcing. That is to say, globalization has fostered
democratization and democratization has fostered globalisation (cited in Kura, 2005). The
connection between globalization and democracy could be seen in economic liberalization.
Economic liberalization is one of the driving forces of globalization which democracy also
advocates particularly the liberal democracy. Economic liberalization is the economic
arrangement in which the economy is made to be open and competitive for investors in the
country. It implies the unrestrictedness of trade and capital. The economic liberalization
makes the global integration of the economy possible thus give way for economic
development and the growth, expansion and emergence of groups and individuals particularly
the professional middle class who are well informed about the socio-economic and political


development and dynamics of the state, who will then begin to seek for political reforms and
solution to the national question. The state has to put up its best to ensure that the polity and
its policy are geared towards ensuring that the citizens welfare is adequately catered for.
This will not only foster the democratic process but also deepens it by making sure that the
rule of law, freedom of expression, press freedom, right to information, transparency etc are
further entrenched in to the political system and made to be part of the citizens way of life
and which will further push for the growth and expansion of the globalization process. The
argument that economic liberalization within the global framework will create a middle class
that will foster democracy has however been faulted on the ground that economic
liberalization will further bring about a gap between the rich and the poor and also income
inequalities among the people who will therefore agitate and if possible disrupt the political
system.
Democracys central attributes of freedom, liberty and rights to information help in
promoting the free flow of information and communications that further empowered the
development of globalization (Kura, 2005). The concept of human rights which is an
essential element of democracy (and which without it, democracy cannot be said to exist) was
considerably helped and developed by globalization. The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights in 1948 after the World War II was one of the agenda that the globalization process
and the agents of globalization helped put forward in order to ensure that the people, which
democracy is all about are protected from the actions and activities of the state, groups and
individuals who may want to take advantage of them. In view of this, the world is therefore
always quick to condemned leaders and places where peoples rights are been trampled upon.
According to Nickel (2009), human rights are implicated in globalization in at least three
ways. First, it is a major dimension of normative globalization. Second, its proponent relies
on global communication systems for information concerning its situations in order for it to
be distributed. Third, it relies on economic globalization. This implies that both citizens and
aliens fundamental human rights should be guaranteed and protected by the governments all
over the world, and that those countries where the respect or abuse of these rights are
established, economic (dis)incentives should be used for such countries and the information
spread to other countries of the globe by the use of information technology. Technological
innovations that arrive with globalization bring with them advances in communication that
enable citizens to pass along information more freely, and this in turn helps to educate a
society which helps to spread democracy to other countries (Nader, 2005).


5. Democratic Consolidation In Nigeria:
No doubt, democracy was one of the issues that dominate the globalized world in the
twentieth century. The need therefore for a meaningful discussion and researches on ways to
make democracy stabilized until its consolidation is very fundamental. The advent of
democracy on 29 May, 1999 in Nigeria (a former British colony before her independence in
1960) after many years of military dictatorship came with great hope and expectations of a
new dawn in the socio-economic and political existence of the populace. To them (the
people), quality service delivery, good governance, accountability etc will no longer be a
mirage in Nigeria. However, events since 1999 show that all known principles of democratic
good governance have been constantly compromised and violated (Idris, 2009:4).
In spite of the enormous human and materials resources available to Nigeria, it appears that
the optimism and prospects of having a government of the people, for the people and by the
people, and a government that will bring (dividend of democracy) a fundamental
transformation and improvement in the socio-economic and political life of its citizens had
been dashed. This is in view of the enormous and overwhelming issues and challenges
confronting the nations democracy in this globalization era. These challenges has made
some scholars to posit that Nigerias democracy is still very far off and may relapse into
authoritarianism if the issues confronting her are not addressed. In fact, signals emerging
from the Nigerian democratic experiment portend grave danger. The reality on the ground is
that Nigeria is still not a safe haven for democracy or yet an El-Dorado of democratic rules
(Ayodele, 2004: 55).

6. Nigerias Challenges In Democratic Consolidation In This Globalized Era:
No doubt, there are challenges confronting Nigerias democracy. However, these challenges
can be addressed. What therefore are the issues and challenges that must be addressed in
order to consolidate democracy and benefit from the inherent opportunities in the
globalization process?
6.1. Poverty And Unemployment:
The level of poverty and unemployment in Nigeria is alarming. Majority of Nigerians are
poor and said to live below one dollar per day. An idle hand is also said to be the devils


workshop. So many Nigerian graduates are roaming about the streets without jobs. In view of
this, some of these people engaged in social-vices and are readily available to be used as
thugs during and after the electoral process. This not only affects the capacity of the people in
helping to deepening democracy but also affects them in developing as an individual by being
frustrated and dissatisfied with the socio-economic and political system of the country.
Various socio-economic policies put in place by our leaders have not really addressed this
twin issue of poverty and unemployment.
6.2. Electoral Process:
Without election there cannot be democracy. Election is a critical component of the
democratic process. It is through election that the relationship between the leaders and the
people are established. Unfortunately, since the advent of democracy in 1999, Nigeria has not
organised any credible, free and fair election to the satisfaction of the people and the
international community. These elections (1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011) were characterised
by serious and blatant cases of electoral fraud such as stuffing of ballot boxes, over bloated
voting registers, special treatment of voters and election officials, disappearance or
destruction of ballot boxes, distortion of results, grand standing of political sponsors (or god-
fathers), intimidation of voters and political opponents by law enforcement agents and thugs
as well as election related violence, arson and killings (Inokoba and Kumokor, 2011). The
implication of the inability to conduct a credible, free and fair election posed a serious
challenge to the consolidation of democracy by making it impossible for the people to elect
their true representatives who could be questioned on their actions and activities.
6.3. Corruption And Bad Governance:
Good governance has been elusive in Nigeria. Events since 1999 show that all known
principles of democratic good governance have been constantly compromised and violated
(Idris, 2009:4). Accountability and transparency is lacking in the governance of the country,
and this has resulted into profound socio-political and economic consequences. It has breed
corruption into the socio-economic and political life of Nigerians and Nigeria. The daily
discovery of corruption particularly in the leadership of the country and all other sectors of
Nigeria have clearly shown that government is corrupt and corruption is in government.
There is no other anti-social behaviour that has threatened Nigerias attempt at consolidating
democracy than corruption (Ayodele, 2004: 67). Corruption hinders socio-political and
economic development and makes government ineffective. The inability of government to


tackle corruption fostered citizens suspicious, cynicism, apathy and lack of interest in
participation (Abe, 2010; 199) and contribution in the democratic process.
6.4. I nsecurity:
There is no doubt that wherever peace is been challenged, development will elude such
society as being witnessed in Nigeria today. The insecurity of lives and properties is one of
the major factors confronting the democratic consolidation of Nigeria. The threat to peace in
Nigeria has taken a new dimension such that the security apparatus of the state are been
overwhelmed by the challenge of nipping some of the security issues and problems in the
bud. The security apparatus base and facilities are been attacked at will. Mogadishu, a
fortified military barracks, Police Headquarters and the United Nations office in Abuja were
all attacked at different times. Lives and properties destroyed. Inter-ethnic and religious
conflicts, cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and suicide bombing are now on the increase.
These increasingly security issues and problems that have engulfed the nations democracy
have made peoples confidence in the government to handle this obviously escalating crisis to
be badly shaken.
The Nigerian Police Force is by law to maintain law and order in the society. The police are
however, not well remunerated, ill equipped and lacked adequate training which resulted in
their inability to work at optimum and prepared for the challenges posed by the deepening
security problems in Nigeria. Allegations of corruption against some of the top high ranking
military and police officer are rife. The exposure of crimes committed by two former
Inspector-General of Police in recent times is a pointer to the fact that corruption is prevalent
within the force. These two men were at different times sitting atop a police force that was
meant to curb the issue of crime and violence in our society (Samson, 2009).
6.5. I nfrastructure:
The Nigerian leadership is a failure in infrastructural provision and maintenance. Virtually all
the national infrastructure in the country is in deplorable condition. The education sector is
about to crumble. Our hospitals are mere consulting clinics. Our roads and rail transportation
are bad. Power supply is erratic. Unfortunately, money meant for the provision of these
amenities are not released, diverted or stolen! The lack or existence of some of these basic
amenities has made people to be frustrated and lose confidence in Nigerias democracy which


has therefore affected economic growth and development. In view of this, the necessary
support required from Nigerians to deepen democracy is not available.

7. The Impact Of Globalization On Nigerias Democratic Consolidation:
No doubt, one of the consequences of globalization is democracy. The socio-economic and
political relations and interactions among people and nations with increasing high level in the
development of information and technology gave rise to democracy in several countries of
world. Globalization has through the advancement in information and communication
technology brought enormous power to the Nigerian people in terms of how citizens of other
countries of world are been led and how they confronted their leaders on issues of growth and
development. Nigerias democracy is now been watched and monitored by the international
community. Cases of corruption, human rights abuses and other forms of injustices are
instantly brought to the attention of the world. Nigerians can now air their views on the state
of affairs and know what is happening elsewhere through phone in programmes on satellite
radio and television, and through the use of internet and social networks. The avalanche of
information now available with Nigerians have deepens peoples knowledge of democratic
process and practices.
More and more individuals, groups, civil societies are making efforts at ensuring that
government is held accountable for all her actions and activities. The passage of the Freedom
of Information Act by the National Assembly was due to the pressure mounted on
government in order to bring about transparency (which globalization summarizes) in
government activities and to make relevant information about government business available
to Nigerians. The efforts at the reformation of the polity particularly the call for the total
implementation of the Uwaiss Electoral Reforms Committee report is to ensure that Nigeria
deepens her democracy and not left out in the practice of democratic ideals in the comity of
nations.
With global interdependence, international organisations and other countries of the world
particularly Britain and USA have been giving Nigeria support financially and technically in
the conduct her election since 1999. In spite of the flaws in organizing a credible, free and
fair election, there is hope of getting it better. The electronic registration of voters and the up-
loading of election results as it is being announced is a step in the right direction. The


engagements of the Nigerian states with global forces particularly the adoption of neo-liberal
policies of privatisation, deregulation and liberalization in Nigeria has resulted in the
transformation of the role of the state from active producer and provider of social services to
that of an enabler, a facilitator and a regulator of a private sector driven economy (Andrew,
2008).

8. Leadership: The Way Forward:
The failure of leadership needed to be addressed for Nigerias democracy to be consolidated.
Leadership problem remains Nigerias bane to democratic consolidation in this globalised
era. Nigeria has not been lucky enough since independence to have pragmatic and
charismatic leadership that understand Nigerias socio-economic and political dynamics, and
the intrigues and intricacies of democratic governance particularly in this era of globalization.
Our leaders appear exhausted, defeated and bewildered and they have ceded the initiative to
the international development community (Ake, 2003: 133). In fact, Agagu (1997) posited
that no sublime democratic values govern the conduct of Nigerian political leaders. He
further argued that our leaders are dishonest, egocentric, corrupt and misinformed and
ethnocentric. The leaders are concerned about how they would perpetuate their selves in
power. The wellbeing and welfare of Nigerians and Nigeria have not been their focus.
For the leadership to be on top of the game in this democratic process there is need for them
to provide jobs for the unemployed (through economic empowerment and establishment of
industries with the provision of social amenities) who gradually constitute into nuisance in
the society. Also, high quality amenities should be or quickly improve or fix the entire
infrastructure in deplorable conditions in the country. The security sector should be well
funded and ensure that money budgeted for defence and security are released as at when due
and well supervised and monitored for optimum use. The salary of the security personnel
must be adequate enough to cater for them in order to boost their morale. Re-orientation,
regular training and provision of equipment must also be a priority. Nigerian citizens should
be educated on the Freedom of Information Act. All government activities should be opened
for scrutiny by the people. They should be held accountable for their actions while in office.
The need for a reformation of the judiciary is also germane in order to urgently deal with all
cases of corruption in the country. As a matter of fact, specialized courts should be
established to address corruption related cases. Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial


Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission should be
strengthened and free from executive interference. There should be zero tolerance for
corruption and inefficiency by our leaders. All the sections in the constitution that tend to
give room for corruption like the immunity clause should be expunged.
The political leadership need to live above board and be patriotic and transparent and open in
all their dealings with the people. As Nigeria cannot isolate itself from the global
interdependence, there is need for our leaders therefore to be honest, sincere, decisive, and
courageous and begin to act and think globally. The need therefore, for a purposeful and
transformational leader who will stand up and be counted among global leaders is a sine qua
non for the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria in this globalized era.

9. Concluding Remarks:
The research work study the relationship between democracy and globalization, the
challenges of democratic consolidation and how globalization has impacted on the sustenance
of democracy in Nigeria. The study shows that globalization and democracy have been
marching forward together haltingly, not always and everywhere in step, but in a way that
unmistakeably shows they are interconnected (Griswold, 2006). The significance of
democracy to the world is un-debateable in spite of its challenges. This is in view of the fact
that democracy entails among other things fundamental human rights and basic peoples
freedom, equality before the law, mutual respect, dialogue, consensus, compromise, fair play,
periodic, free and fair election, separation of powers, independent and impartial judiciary,
accountability, majority rule, respect and safeguard of minority rights and popular citizen
participation in decision making (Adeyemi, 2004; 163). Though, the practice of these
democratic principles is a challenge to the democratic process. However, good and competent
leadership is required to address them. A leadership that is full of vision, patriotic, proactive
and transformational is all what is needed to deepens and consolidate Nigerias democracy. A
leader that understands that globalization present a challenge yet more opportunities and
benefits are inherent in it. Consequently, Nigeria needs a leader that can be assertive, bold
and courageous in the face of the challenges presented by globalization. It is therefore
indisputable, that the successful institutionalisation of an enduring and sustainable democracy
in Nigeria in this era of globalization depends to a large extent on the political leadership.


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