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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The practice of democracy in Nigeria over two decade ago has not yielded much needed good governance. This is because democracy is practiced in such a way that responsible and competent people are scared away. Scholars and keen observers have attempted at unraveling the factors militating against translating democracy into good governance, (Adedinpe, 2002). A country’s democracy is entrenched when its citizenry participate actively in its democratic processes. This realisation has been the driving force for democratic nations, including Nigeria, to implement civic education programmes to enlighten the citizenry on civic issues in order to enhance their democratic participation.
Electoral turnout and voting, which are the cornerstones of the democratic political process, have been on the decrease over the last decades in almost all States in Nigeria. Sokoto State for instance, especially Gada LGA, voter turnout by age in 18 as in Nigeria democracies concludes that a decline in youth voter turnout was a serious and wide spread problem for contemporary democracies (IDEA, 1999). Moreover, in 2019, just some of the electorate in the Gada LGA voted and it was turnout to be the lowest level of voter participation since 1999 (Phelps, 2006). It is added that in recent election, there were several elections in the LGAs of Sokoto State marked by extremely low voter turnout (less than 50%). These include the Gada LGA elections of 2019, the gubernatorial election and presidential election.
This, therefore, explains the reason for which attention is accorded to civic education as illustrated by Galston (2001) as one of the oldest topics in political theory, as a means of promoting democracy especially as espoused by influencing people’s awareness levels of the occurrences around them so that they will develop the interest to participate in political activities.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
It is obvious that if this situation of lower participation voters in election is not checked, it could have negative consequences on the sustainability of democratic governance and the credibility of political leaders elected in such elections since their legitimacy is determined by smaller proportions of the citizenry. Civic education, therefore, is or should be a prime concern for the sustenance of democratic governance. For Branson (1998), it is imperative that educators, policy makers and members of civil society make the case for civic education for all segments of society. This is because the implementation of civic education programmes might influence people’s awareness levels of the occurrences around them so that they will develop the interest to participate in political activities.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objective study will assess the impact of civic education on political participation. The specific objectives are as follows;
1. To examine the impact of civic education on political participation.
2. To examine the factors leading to the growth of political participation in Nigeria.
3. To examine the wayout to develop people’s interest in participation of political activities in Nigeria.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What are the impacts of civic education on political participation?
2. What are the factors leading to the growth of political participation in Nigeria?
3. What are the wayout to develop people’s interest in participation of political activities in Nigeria?
1.5 RESE HYPOTHESIS
Ha. There is a significant relationship between role of civic education and political participation in election process.
H0. There is no significant relationship between role of civic education and political participation in election process.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will to benefit and consider significant in the following ways: Firstly, it will help decision making organs, institutions to determine the basis for political party formation in Nigeria in order to achieve National integration and good governances in conduction of free and fair Nigeria elections.
Secondly, invaluably, it will contribute to academic knowledge as regards to function of electoral bodies as their involvement to encourage people to participate in political activities during elections in Nigeria.
Furthermore, it will create awareness and inspire a sense of responsibility on the electorates/masses on the role expected of them to achieve peaceful election and development of right to vote in any candidate of the choice in Nigeria election.
Finally, it is hoped that this study will add to the existing body of educational research literature, which might be harnessed for further research in this topic and other related studies.
1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This research study is limited Gada local governments area of Sokoto state alone where the researcher wants to find out the impact of civil education on political participation in Gada LGA of Sokoto State.
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