Disorder and democratic development: The political instrumentalization of patronage and violence in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria’s fourth transition to civil rule on May 29, 1999, no doubt gave the hope of democratic, economic and
social development for the nation. It was with joyous mood that it was received with seemingly overall and
overwhelming conviction of ‘a final stop to military rule’. As Nigeria’s democracy gradually grows, it seems to
strive within the precincts of disorder as patronage and violence becomes its hallmark. Whereas these are vices
that democracy is supposed to check, this paper examines the instrumentalization of patronage and violence in
Nigeria’s democratic structure and its possible implication for development. Data for the study were collected
through oral interviews with political actors that cut across the 3 main political parties including Peoples’
Democratic Party (PDP), All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) and Action Congress (AC).