Democracy and Economic Development in Nigeria. The Beneue Experience Since 1999

The paper examined the extent to which democracy has been able to enhance the socio economic and political development of the people in Benue State and Nigeria at large. Methodologically, the paper used secondary sources of data through critical review of literature and adopted elite theory as a framework of analysis. The paper argued that the problem of development in Nigeria has much to do with the crisis of the state itself. This is a state that is characterized by poor leadership, bad governance, weak institutions and fragile economic foundation. The paper therefore recommended that democratic institutions in Nigeria needs to be strengthened to enable them act and work in cooperation to bring about good governance which herald development. By so doing, the tenets of democracy such as freedom of expression, respect for the rule of law and social justice which are the cardinal principles that govern a true democratic state will be adhered to. More so, political parties should set in motion mechanism that would ensure that only those with clean political dossier who are intellectually sound and capable of delivery the desired development when finally voted into power that should be their flag bearers. More importantly, god fatherism should be jettisoned in Nigeria and Benue political equation such that only those with clear vision and mission find their way into governance. This will no doubt discourage attempt by political heavy weight to insist on unpopular candidate during elections.