Undergraduate Perception of Political Participation in Nigeria

Transcription

1 Vol. 3, No. 4, 2015, Undergraduate Perception of Political Participation in Nigeria Michael I. Ogu 1, Peace E. Inyang 2 Abstract This study was aimed at investigating the perception of undergraduates on political participation in Nigeria. The study found out that undergraduates participate in politics and are aware of the various means of participating in politics, as well as believe that the participation of undergraduates in politics has an impact in national development. The study also found out that undergraduates believe they are left out of political office positions, and only used as an instrument for electoral violence by the political elites. It was further discovered that unemployment and inadequate political education, among other factors, limits the undergraduate participation in politics. The study recommends that undergraduates be engaged in all aspect of politics. A reorientation programme is setup for youths, where awareness is created for them to participate in politics. 1. Introduction Young people are arguably dubbed the future of every society, hence, their involvement in virtually all aspects of society; social, economic, military, politics, among others, is crucial and cannot be overemphasized. For a nation to experience remarkable economic, social and political growth, special attention must be given to the youths. Nigerian youths seem to be faced, presently, with social and economic problems which are limiting their potentials to contribute meaningfully to national development, among such challenges include cultism, prostitution, and unemployment, inadequate education, to mention but a few. These challenges have arguably also inhibited their ability to participate activity in politics, especially since the inception of democracy in Nigeria in 1999; certain elites have continued to dominate the Nigerian political landscape. Several years since the enthronement of democracy via the fourth republic in Nigeria, the country has arguably continued to suffer colossal socio-economic and political challenges characterized by poverty, unemployment, destitution, infrastructural decay and insecurity, among others. Young people are agile and full of ideas, and it is expected that they provide effective antidotes to the enormous problems facing the country. Tijani (2013) describes them as the indispensable and dynamic portion of the population of any nation. They are the incubators and the driving force for innovation, change and progress in all human activities especially politics (Prey and Agnes, 2011). In view of this, their immense energy and drive must be tactfully packaged and employed towards playing a constructive role in the process of governance and development of the society (Dogona et al, 2013). Youth involvement in politics can be traced to the United State of America in the 20 th century, following the formation of the American Youth Congress in the 1930s. By the 1950s and 1960s, more young people were already involved in politics in USA; political organizations like the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee and Students for a Democratic Society were formed to create a platform for more young people to participate in politics, as well as protect the interest of students and youths generally in America. Youth involvement in American politics seemed to have led to the emergence of popular American leaders like Martin Luther king Jr., Tom Hayden, Marian Wright Edelman, Bill Clinton, among others. On the African continent, the reserve seems to be the case. Although a few young people are involved in politics, and 1 Department of Political Science and Public Administration Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria 2 Department of Political Science and Public Administration Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria 2015 Research Academy of Social Sciences 168

2 actively too, by contesting and occupying public office positions, the perception of the majority of other young people on political participation seems to be in the negative, as many youths, especially those who have a university education and should be making meaningful contributions to policy and practice. Hence, this study seeks to investigate the perception of undergraduates on political participation in Nigeria, using Babcock University undergraduate students as a case in point. The study would also seek to answer the following questions; Evaluate the impact of youth political participation on national development. Determine mediums for political participation of Undergraduate students. Identify the hindrances to political participation of Undergraduate students 2. Levels of Political Participation Gorsuch (2000) argued that getting involved in political participation entails costs, time, energy and resources, however, individuals and groups differ in the amount of resources that they are able or willing to devote in political participation. Some people participate more extensively and effectively in politics than other people. Political participation has been summarized into three main categories, namely; parochial, subject, and participant levels. Parochial participants are primarily involved in activities such as voting, attempting to influence another into voting in a certain way, wearing a party badge or displaying a party sticker. These activities entail relatively little costs in time, energy and resources, hence, most people are able to participate at this level of politics than either of the two other levels. Emma and Sunday (2010), and Ugwueze (2010) observe that most Nigerians are parochial political participants. However, some are still quite apathetic, and do not want to participate in politics at all, these ones are almost totally unaware of the political world around them. Subject participants engage in such other activities as; attending political meeting or rallies; making some monetary contribution to a campaign; contracting a public officials or political leader, among others. Such activities require much more costs in time and resources than the spectator level. Such participants, scholars argue engage in transitional activities, as there is the general tendency of participants at this level either to descend to spectator (parochial) activities or ascend to gladiator (participant) activities. The Participant or gladiator participant is involved in activities ranging from holding a public or party office, being a candidate for office, appealing for party friends, contributing time or other resources in a campaign, amongst others. Participation at this level of politics is more expensive than in the other two levels of participation. Again, the participant or gladiator level is the most effective level of political participation. Existing literature provides broad classifications of the electorate; non participants are those who lack total interest. They don t possess voter s card. In order for political participation to be effective it must follow the conditions which are, there must be accurate information and data on governmental operations, there must be effective political mobilization by designated agencies, the electoral system should be free without cumbersome process, citizens should believe that their opinion on national issues influence governmental decisions and actions, that the government has their interest at heart. 3. Youths Political Participation in Nigeria A historical window into the Nigerian state indicates that youths have been vanguards in many aspect of the national life. The creation of Nigeria was, in fact, to a large extent, the work of the youths, as can be deduced from the formation of Peoples Union of 1912, the Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1923 up till the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons NCNC in 1944, it can be said that the young people led in the formation of the political parties that struggled for the independence of the Nigerian state. Young people however, seem to have lost this role to the political elite that have arguably continued to duplicate themselves in the political landscape over the years. 169

3 M. I. Ogu & P. E. Inyang In Nigeria, political participation of youths date back to the 1930s, with the formation of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM). Nnamdi Azikiwe, who also founded the NYM, introduced Pan-African consciousness to the association. The Nigerian Youth Movement fought and won elections for the Lagos Town Council, ending the dominance of Herbert Macaulay and the National Democratic Party. Coleman (2007) observed that the NYM published the youth Charter in 1983, which set out goals of unifying the tribes of Nigeria to work toward a common ideal and educate public opinion to develop the national consciousness needed to reach this ideal, and thereafter begin agitating for Nigerians Independence. Richard (2004) argued that the decision of the British to give Nigeria independence in 1960 was to a large extent due to the pressure mounted by the youth political organization. Young man and women in Nigeria are increasingly also active politically in tertiary institutions like universities, polytechnics and colleges of education (United Nation, 2014). Both formal and informal engagement in politics can be seen as political participation. Both are beneficial to democracy and should be supported (UNDP, 2013). According to Preye and Agnes (2011), youths are not adequately represented in the formal political institutions and processes in Nigeria; majority of the elective and appointed political positions are dominated by the old people in the country, a situation in Nigeria seems deviant to what obtains globally. According to the United Nations (2014), 1.65% of parliamentarians around the world are in their 20s. While 11.87% are in their 30s. The average age of parliamentarians globally is 53years. This statistics show that Nigerian youths are marginalized in political office positions. Preye and Agnes (2011) confirmed this view by point out that, in this process of elective politics and governance, Nigerian youths are either sidelined or excluded or where they are involved at all, they are mainly misused and abused to achieve the inordinate and perverse political ambition of the lawless and selfish section of the Nigerian political class. Baba and Ogundiya (2005) reiterate the generally acceptable fact that youths are the indispensable and dynamic portion of the population of any nation. Balogun (2010) observed that, as a link between the present and future, how adults in a society behave; especially the Governing elites, as well as the roles they assign to this important segment of the population, will determine to a large extent whether that society is advancing or leaning towards disaster. Omotola, (2002) stated that the political class exploit youths instead of engaging the youths meaningfully in governance; the political class use Nigerian youths to perpetrate electoral violence. These youths have become instruments by the politicians to orchestrate trouble during political campaign and elections, initiate intra and inter-party conflicts, and other politically motivated violence, such as kidnapping, hostage taking and cult-related violence. Nigeria youths have arguably been manipulated to cause electoral violence in the Nigerian elections of 1964, 1979, 1983, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2007and 2011 elections, and in fact 2015, and fears are that this trend may continue. Aside the fact that the manipulation of young people by the political elite has jeopardized the opportunities of the youths to contribute to politics and governance in Nigeria, the perception of youths on political participation has been negatively affected as well. Many young people hardly consider themselves worthy of any meaningful contribution to politics, and have, in fact, become parochial or at most spectator political participant. 4. Youths and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria The theme of the 2007 United Nations Youths Day; Be Seen, Be Heard: Youth Participation in Development, could not have come at better time. It is the most appropriate wake up call to a continent and most especially Nigeria, where youths are seen as expandable section of the population. Young people are largely indispensable and dynamic. They are the incubators and driving force for innovation, change, and progress in all human societies, and no society can experience positive change and advancement if its youths are not strategically and constantly invested upon, empowered and engaged, their immense energy and drive must be packaged and directed towards playing a constructive role in the process of governance and development in Nigeria. 170

4 Preye and Angos (2011) opine that Nigeria will not experience democratic sustenance until its political class inoculates in the youth, relevant democratic culture. Hence, the behavior of the Nigerian political elites, as well as the roles they assign to the youths, go a long way to demonstrate weather Nigeria is heading toward democratic consolidation or not. 5. Research Methods The study adopted the survey research method. The 12,548 undergraduate students of Babcock University in Ogun State, Nigeria, constituted the population of the study. A total sample size of 200 respondents was randomly selected for the study. Data was sourced from the respondents with the use of a structured questionnaire, and other secondary data were gotten from relevant text books, newspapers, magazines, journals, amongst others. Tables were used to present the data gathered from the respondents and analyzed using the simple percentage analysis. 6. Data Presentation and Analysis Presentation and Analysis of Respondents Bio-Data Table 6.1.1: Distribution of Respondents According to Sex Sex No of Respondents Percentage Male Female In table above, 34% which represent 68 respondents are Male while 66% which represent 132 respondents are Female. This implies that majority of the respondents are females. Table 6.1.2: Distribution of Respondents According to Age Age No of Respondents Percentage 18 years years years Above 31 years Table above shows that 4% which represent 8 respondents are 18 years, 85% which represent 170 respondents are between the ages of years, 10.0% which represent 20 respondents are between the age of years and 1% which represents 2 respondents is above 31 years. Table 6.1.3: Distribution of Respondents According to Marital Status Marital Status No of Respondents Percentage Single Married Divorced - - Widowed - - From the table above, 91% which represent 182 respondents are Single, and 9% which represent 18 respondents are married. This implies that most of the respondents are Single. 171

5 Response to Research Questions M. I. Ogu & P. E. Inyang Research Question 1- How Does Youth Political Participation Impact on National Development Table 6.2.1: I am Active When it comes to Participating in Politics Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Table above shows that, 29% which represent 58 respondents Strongly Agree, 35% which represent 70 respondents Agree, 23.5% which represent 47 respondents Disagree and 12.5% which represents 25 respondents Strongly Disagree to being active political participants. This implies that more of the respondents are active political participants. Table 6.2.2: I Participate Actively in Politics on the University Campus Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree From Table above, 17.5% strongly Agree, 36% Agree, 39.5% Disagree and 7% strongly Disagree to participating actively in politics on the university campus. The table above shows that more of the respondents; 53%, participate actively in campus politics. Table 6.2.3: National Development Would Be Enhanced Largely With the Active Political Participation of Youths Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree - - Table above shows that, 23.5% of the respondents strongly agree, 71.5% agree, 5% disagree, and no respondent strongly disagrees that national development would be enhanced largely with the active political participation of youths. This implies that the participation of youths in politics would largely enhance national development in Nigeria. 172

6 Table 6.2.4: The Participation of Youths in Nigeria Politics Does Not Have Any Significant Impact on Political Outcomes Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree The table above goes further to validate the report in table 6.2.3, here, 8% strongly agree, 26.5% agree, 60% disagree and 5.5% strongly disagree that the participation of youths in Nigeria politics does not have any significant impact on political outcomes. This implies that participation of youths significantly impacts on political outcomes. Research Question 2-What are the Medium for Political Participation of Babcock University Students Table 6.2.5: I am Aware that Protests and Debates are other Means of Participating in Politics Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree - - Table above shows 16.5% of the respondents strongly agree, 75% agree, 8.5% disagree and no respondent strongly disagree that protests and debates are other means of participating in politics. Hence, undergraduates also see protests and debates as mediums of political participation. Table 6.2.6: Rallies, Students Associations are medium for Political Participation in the University Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Table above shows 23.5% strongly agree, 72% agree, 2.5% disagree and 2% strongly disagree that rallies and students associations are also other mediums for political participation in the university. This implies that rallies and student associations are medium for political participations in universities. 173

7 M. I. Ogu & P. E. Inyang Research Question 3- What is the Perception of Babcock University Students with Respect to Political Participation Table 6.2.7: Youths Perceive Political Rallies, and Indeed Politics as Insecure and a Threat to their Bright Futures Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Table above shows 16.5% which represent 33 respondents Strongly Agree, 74.5% which represent 149 respondents Agree, 14% which represent 7 respondents Disagree and 2% which represents 4 respondents Strongly Disagree to the perception that political rallies, and indeed politics is insecure and a threat to their bright futures. Hence, although rallies are a medium of participation, many do not participate because they perceive political rallies as insecure and dangerous to their future. Table 6.2.8: Youths are marginalized in holding political office positions Response No respondents Percentage Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Table above shows responses to Youths being marginalized in holding political office positions. 27.5% which represent 55 respondents Strongly Agree, 64.8% which represent 128 respondents Agree, 4.5% which represent 9 respondents Disagree and 4% which represents 8 respondents Strongly Disagree. This implies that youths perceive themselves as being marginalized in holding political office positions. Table 6.2.9: Youths Participate in Politics Mainly for Selfish and Monetary Gains Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Table above shows that 22.5% of the respondents strongly agree, 59% agree, 16.5% disagree and 2% strongly disagree that Youths participate in politics mainly for selfish and monetary gains. Hence, most of the youths perceive politics as a medium to achieve personal interests and make monetary gains, rather than an instrument to achieving development. 174

8 Table : Youths are manipulated as Instruments of Assassinations and Violence by Politicians Strongly Agree Agree Disagree The table above shows that 20% of respondents strongly agree that Youths are manipulated as instruments of assassinations and violence by politicians. 74% of the respondents agree, 4% disagree and 2% strongly disagree. The implication is that most of the young people perceive that they, or their colleagues, are only useful in politics as instruments for political violence by top politicians. Table : There is a Need for the Reorientation of Youths in Regards to Political Participation Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree - - Table above shows 24% of the respondents Strongly Agree that there is a need for the reorientation of youths in regards to political participation, 67% agree and only 9% disagree. The implication is that a reoriented on political participation for the Nigeria youth is really needed. Table : Youths are mainly used by Politicians in Rigging Elections Strongly Agree Agree Disagree The table above shows that 24% of respondents perceive that Youths are mainly used by politicians for rigging elections; they strongly agree, 66.5% of respondents agree, 7.5% disagree and 2% strongly disagree. This implies that youths perceive themselves as key instruments for rigging elections in Nigeria. Table : The Youth s Perceptions of Politics as a Game of Self-Interest and Greed Negatively Affect their Participation in Politics Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree

9 M. I. Ogu & P. E. Inyang Table above shows 24% respondents strongly agree, 65% agree, 8% disagree and 3% strongly disagree that the youth s perceptions of politics as a game of self-interest and greed negatively affect their participation in politics. This implies that youths perceive politics as a game of self-interest and greed; as such they are discouraged from participating actively. Research Question 4- What are the Hindrance to Political Participation of Babcock University Students Table : Inadequate Political Education is one Problem That Hinders the Youths from Participating in Politics Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Table above reveals that 26% which represent 52 respondents strongly agree, 67.5% agree, 5.5% disagree and 1% strongly disagree that inadequate political education is one problem that hinders the youth from participating in politics. This implies that lack of political education is a major barrier to the political participation of Nigerian young people. Table : Unemployment is one of the Hindrances to Youth s Political Participation Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree - - Tables above reveals that unemployment is another major hindrance to Nigerian youth s participation in politics, as 23.5% which represent 47 respondents strongly agree, 70% which represent 140 respondents agree and 6.5% which represent 13 respondents disagree. Table : The Inadequacy of Electoral Process Limits Youth s Participation Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Table above shows the inadequacy of electoral process also limits and discourages youths from participation in politics. 16% of the respondents strongly agreed, 75.5% agreed, 6.5% disagreed and 2% strongly disagree. 176

10 Table : University Regulations and Processes Also Hamper the Active Participation of Youths in Politics Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Table reveals that undergraduates in private institutions may be less likely to be active political participants, compared to their colleagues in public institutions. From the above table, 15% which represent 30 respondents strongly agreed, that University regulations and processes hamper the active participation of youths in politics, 74.5% agreed, 8.5% disagreed and 2% strongly disagreed. 7. Conclusion and Recommendation The study reveals that the political participation of youths in politics is a needed ingredient in the Nigerian political process, and such participation is likely to impact positively on national development if it is well managed. However, the participation of youths in politics, especially undergraduate youths, is not being maximized to yield the needed outcome, as youth see themselves as instrument used by political actors, during and after elections, for selfish ends. Some of them are used as thugs, other as assassins, thieves, and several other unhealthy activities, which do not only jeopardize the lives of these young people, but impedes development in virtually all areas of governance. However, reorientation of young people on the need for positive and impactful participation in politics, provision of employment opportunities for young people, increased political and/or civic education, university/college encouragement and support of undergraduate political participation, among others, are the recommendations of the study on improving the participation of undergraduate young people in the political process. References Baba T.K and Ogugiya I.S (2005); Electoral Violence and the Prospects of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria. Proceedings of 23 rd Annual Conference of Nigerian Political Science Association, Lagos Balogun, B.O (2010); Nigeria Youths Mobilized. Enugu: Providence Press. Coleman, J.S 9(2007); Nigeria; Background to Nationalism. California; University of California Dagona Z.K.; Karick H; and Abubakar R.M. (2013); Youth Participation in Social Media and Political Attitudes in Nigeria. Journal of Sociology, Psychology and Anthropology in Practice, Vol.5 No.1 Pg. 1-5 Emma, C. and Sunday, C.E (2010); Democratization and Women s political space in Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal. Journal of Public Administration and Governance, Vol. 1 No.1 pp Gorsuch, R. (2000); How to Achieve Effective Political Participation. International Journal of Humanities. Vol. 3 No. 4 PP Omotola, I.S. (2002); State Youth and Electoral Violence in Nigeria. Ibadan, University Press. Preye, K.I and Agnes E.M (2011): Youths, Electoral Violence and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: The Bayelsa Experience. Anthropologist, Vol. 13, No.3 pp

11 M. I. Ogu & P. E. Inyang Richard, S.L (2004); Nigerian Political Parties: Power in an Emergent African Nation. Lagos; Africa World Press Tijani, H. (2013); Political Violence and Youth Gangs in Bauchi State, Nigeria. JORIND vol. 11 No 2 P Ugwueze, H. (2010); The Nigerian Democratic Experiment: Problems and Prospects. Journal of Policy and Development Studies, 2(2) United Nations (2014); Youth, Political Participation and Decision Making United Nations Development Programme UNDP (2013); Enhancing Youth Political Participation through the Electoral Cycle. 178