EVALUATING STUDENT’S PERCEPTION ON POLITICAL PARTICIPATION ENHANCEMENT AND THE ROLE OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN NIGERIA (EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The history of political participation in the more than half a century of Nigeria’s existence as a sovereign nation-state which is a chronicle of political uncertainties. Since its independence in 1960, Nigeria has been struggling to install a viable and durable democracy but its dismal political actuality characterized by consistent inability to conduct credible and transparent elections which will make its citizens to have access adequately enforce it with effective protected opportunities, to exercise their franchise in the choice of their leaders, has made the agenda of democratic sustainability largely a mirage. This accounts for the failed attempts at democratic transitions. For instance the collapse of the First and Second Republics and the annulment of the June 12, 1993 General Elections and the consequent abortion of the Third Republic (Dudley 1982, Akinsanya 2005; Agbaje 2005).
Societies have long had an interest in the ways in which their youngs are prepared for political involvement on how they learn to take part in civic life. Today, that interest might better be described as a concern, particularly in democratic societies. There is evidence aplenty that no country including Nigeria, has achieved the level of understanding and acceptance of the rights and responsibilities among the totality of its citizens that is required for the maintenance and improvement of any constitutional democracy.
Nigerians should realize that civic education is essential to sustain our constitutional democratic institution. The habits of the mind as well as habit of the heart, the dispositions that inform the democratic ethos, are not inherited.
