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Representative Democracy, Political Disengagement, and Young People’s Perceptions of Legislators in Nigeria

In: The Legislature in Nigeria’s Presidential Democracy of the Fourth Republic

Author

Listed:
  • Mayowa Micheal Adeniji

    (Redeemer’s University)

  • Temitayo Isaac Odeyemi

    (School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds)

Abstract

Youth political disengagement and poor perceptions of the political system continue to dominate many democracies. While the phenomenon of youth voter apathy, as a specific form of disengagement, is noticeable in Nigeria, little is known about what factors influence young people’s perceptions of representative democracy on the one hand, and how such perceptions influence their willingness to engage elected national and subnational parliamentarians, on the other hand. This study explores this phenomenon by drawing on the importance of an inclusive governance system that caters to all groups, especially in Nigeria where young people constitute an overwhelming majority of the population. A mixed method approach utilizing a survey of young people drawn from serving members of Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme and focus group discussions with officials of youth-based civic groups (ages 18–30) helped in shedding light on the subject. While reinforcing the widely known poor perceptions of representative democracy among young people, the findings further demonstrate an abysmally low level of knowledge of the process that births the legislature and legislators through the mechanics of representative democracy.

Suggested Citation

  • Mayowa Micheal Adeniji & Temitayo Isaac Odeyemi, 2023. "Representative Democracy, Political Disengagement, and Young People’s Perceptions of Legislators in Nigeria," Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development, in: Omololu Fagbadebo & Mojeed Olujinmi A. Alabi (ed.), The Legislature in Nigeria’s Presidential Democracy of the Fourth Republic, pages 93-111, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:aaechp:978-3-031-24695-1_7
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-24695-1_7
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