2025, Vol. 7, Issue 12, Part C

Author(s): Fredrick Campbell

Abstract: Nigeria’s transition from military rule to civilian rule through a democratic process in 1999 was meant to, among other things, uphold the right of the people to participate in governance through elected representatives and promote deliberations among the different ethnic nationalities. However, the protection of this right in accordance with the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 has often been called into question with its implementation and protection influenced by ethno-centric factors. These has led to various agitations by non-state actors in reaction to the imbalance in political power, marginalization and failure of the state to protect their human rights, which raises fundamental questions as to the effectiveness of deliberative democracy in Nigeria as it concerns reducing ethnic tensions and the promotion of human rights in Nigeria. The study explores the impact of deliberative democracy in reducing ethnic tensions in Nigeria from 1999 to 2024. Also, it sort to determine if there had been a significant reduction in human rights violations, with focus on the right to take part in government through elected representatives and free elections. 185 respondents participated in the survey with Spearman’s correlation analysis utilized to determine the relationship between political participation, ethnic tensions and voting rights in Nigeria. The study found out that while there was a substantial increase in deliberative democracy in Nigeria, it had failed to effectively address ethnic tensions and perceptions of denial of voting rights. It concludes by recommending a restructuring of the socio-political system in Nigeria.

DOI: 10.33545/26646021.2025.v7.i12c.798

Pages: 222-230 | Views: 52 | Downloads: 4

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