AN ASSESSMENT OF STATE AND CRISIS OF LEGITIMACY IN DEMOCRACY: A FOCUS ON THE FOURTH REPUBLIC

Abstract

The state is a creation of the people through the social contract. However, the Nigerian state seems to have been hijacked by a few, who use the authority inherent to serve and protect their interests. When the leadership fails to reflect the needs and aspirations of the society, it suffers the crisis of legitimacy whereby the people no longer recognize and accept the authority of the state. The hijack of the Nigerian state has led to increased poverty, poor standard of living, insecurity, brain drain and consequentially slowed development. This research sought to explore the causes of the crisis of legitimacy in Nigeria. The research employed the quantitative research methodology, whereby a semi structured questionnaire was distributed to assess the causes and impact of the crisis of legitimacy. The research with a sample size of 100 respondents found out that crisis of legitimacy is because of bad governance. The paper concluded that the political heist by the elite few has caused the state to neglect the interest of the populace in favour of the few elite. More so, lack of accountability and transparency were the major factors that allowed for corruption to thrive; therefore the paper recommended the enshrinement of bureaucratic processes in politics to ensure adequate accountability and transparency.