Controlling Youths Participation in Politics in Sokoto State: A Constructive Inclusiveness for Good Governance in Nigeria
Political participation involves voluntary and
deliberate efforts by the members of a political system to determine
the kinds of political institution and individuals that will govern them
and equally influence the mobilization and allocation of the available
societal resources. Over the years, youths in Nigeria participate
actively in political party rallies and voting to elect their leaders and
representatives in governance. This paper examines categories and
nature of participation in politics as well as factors that drive youths
into politics in Sokoto State. A survey conducted, through focus
group discussions, interviews and questionnaire, in the six sampled
Local Government of Sokoto State identifies three category of
political participation; namely, active, moderate and apathetic
participation. The findings reveal that 63.57% of respondents are
apathetic to politics in the State and unemployed youth constitutes
34.74% of the entire responses. The paper establishes that lack of
attainment of need (63.22%) is one of the reasons that make youths
engage into participatory activities that encourage political thuggery
and manipulation of electoral outcomes. The paper recommends that
youths should be engaged into positive rational participatory
activities that ensure inclusiveness and promotion of good
governance in Nigeria. It is hoped that this will enlighten youths and
policy implementers on the constructive strategies in controlling
youths’ negative participation in politics in Nigeria.
[1] Weingast, R.B. (1997). “The Political Foundation of Democracy and the
Rule of Law.” American Political Science Review, Vol. 91.
[2] Olutayo, L. and Abisoye, T. (2009). “Political Participation and
Accountability: An Appraisal of Some Salient Democratic Tenets in
Oyo State Nigeria.” A Decade of Re-Democratization in Nigeria (1999 –
2009). Ibadan: Ayayayuyu Bureau of Commercials.
[3] Mohammed, H. (2009). “From Civil Rule to Democracy: What is
Needed.” In Ogundiya, S. I., Olutayo, O. A. and Amzat, J. (eds). A
Decade of Re-Democratization in Nigeria (1999 – 2009). Ibadan:
Ayayayuyu Bureau of Commercials.
[4] Kura, S. Y. B. (2005). “Globalization and Democracy: A Dialectical
Framework for Understanding Democratization in Nigeria.”
Globalization, Vol. 5 Issue 1.
[5] United Nations Development Programme - UNDP (1997). Governance
for Sustainable Growth and Equity. New York: UNDP
[6] Ayeni, A. and Akeke, O. (2008). Foundation of Political Science.
Ibadan: Ababa Press.
[7] Anifowose, R. and Enemuo, F. (2005). Elements of Politics. Lagos: Sam
Iroanus Publication.
[8] Verbe, S. and Nie N, (1972). “Political Development and Social
Change.” InFinlekele, J. F (eds). Social Mobilization and Political
Development. Canada: John Willey and Sons Inc.
[9] Murphy, F. and Danielson, N. (1995). Acts of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. Nigeria: Federal Survey.
[10] Milbrath, L. W. (1965). Political Participation: How and Why Do
People Get Involved in Politics. Chicago: Mnalcy Press.
[11] Momoh, A. (2007). “Provisional Notes on Authoritarian Democracy in
Nigeria.”A Paper Presented at the International Conference Organized
By CDRT, Mambaya House, Kano; February 13 -14, 2007.
[12] Kavanagh, D. (1995). Election Campaigning: The New Marketing of
Politics. London: Blackwell.
[13] Okeke, C. (2011). “European Union Observers Condemn Gov. Poll.”
Sunday Tribune 30th April 2011, P. 4
[14] Akande, J. (2002). “Gender Views” A Women Law Center Newsletter,
April Edition.
[1] Weingast, R.B. (1997). “The Political Foundation of Democracy and the
Rule of Law.” American Political Science Review, Vol. 91.
[2] Olutayo, L. and Abisoye, T. (2009). “Political Participation and
Accountability: An Appraisal of Some Salient Democratic Tenets in
Oyo State Nigeria.” A Decade of Re-Democratization in Nigeria (1999 –
2009). Ibadan: Ayayayuyu Bureau of Commercials.
[3] Mohammed, H. (2009). “From Civil Rule to Democracy: What is
Needed.” In Ogundiya, S. I., Olutayo, O. A. and Amzat, J. (eds). A
Decade of Re-Democratization in Nigeria (1999 – 2009). Ibadan:
Ayayayuyu Bureau of Commercials.
[4] Kura, S. Y. B. (2005). “Globalization and Democracy: A Dialectical
Framework for Understanding Democratization in Nigeria.”
Globalization, Vol. 5 Issue 1.
[5] United Nations Development Programme - UNDP (1997). Governance
for Sustainable Growth and Equity. New York: UNDP
[6] Ayeni, A. and Akeke, O. (2008). Foundation of Political Science.
Ibadan: Ababa Press.
[7] Anifowose, R. and Enemuo, F. (2005). Elements of Politics. Lagos: Sam
Iroanus Publication.
[8] Verbe, S. and Nie N, (1972). “Political Development and Social
Change.” InFinlekele, J. F (eds). Social Mobilization and Political
Development. Canada: John Willey and Sons Inc.
[9] Murphy, F. and Danielson, N. (1995). Acts of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. Nigeria: Federal Survey.
[10] Milbrath, L. W. (1965). Political Participation: How and Why Do
People Get Involved in Politics. Chicago: Mnalcy Press.
[11] Momoh, A. (2007). “Provisional Notes on Authoritarian Democracy in
Nigeria.”A Paper Presented at the International Conference Organized
By CDRT, Mambaya House, Kano; February 13 -14, 2007.
[12] Kavanagh, D. (1995). Election Campaigning: The New Marketing of
Politics. London: Blackwell.
[13] Okeke, C. (2011). “European Union Observers Condemn Gov. Poll.”
Sunday Tribune 30th April 2011, P. 4
[14] Akande, J. (2002). “Gender Views” A Women Law Center Newsletter,
April Edition.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:71547", author = "Umar Ubandawaki", title = "Controlling Youths Participation in Politics in Sokoto State: A Constructive Inclusiveness for Good Governance in Nigeria ", abstract = "Political participation involves voluntary and
deliberate efforts by the members of a political system to determine
the kinds of political institution and individuals that will govern them
and equally influence the mobilization and allocation of the available
societal resources. Over the years, youths in Nigeria participate
actively in political party rallies and voting to elect their leaders and
representatives in governance. This paper examines categories and
nature of participation in politics as well as factors that drive youths
into politics in Sokoto State. A survey conducted, through focus
group discussions, interviews and questionnaire, in the six sampled
Local Government of Sokoto State identifies three category of
political participation; namely, active, moderate and apathetic
participation. The findings reveal that 63.57% of respondents are
apathetic to politics in the State and unemployed youth constitutes
34.74% of the entire responses. The paper establishes that lack of
attainment of need (63.22%) is one of the reasons that make youths
engage into participatory activities that encourage political thuggery
and manipulation of electoral outcomes. The paper recommends that
youths should be engaged into positive rational participatory
activities that ensure inclusiveness and promotion of good
governance in Nigeria. It is hoped that this will enlighten youths and
policy implementers on the constructive strategies in controlling
youths’ negative participation in politics in Nigeria.", keywords = "Democracy, Governance, Inclusiveness,
Participation and Politics.", volume = "9", number = "11", pages = "3979-5", }