POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND THE NEGATION OF DEMOCRATIC STABILITY IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR THE FOURTH REPUBLIC

Alfa Patrick Innocent

Department of Social Science and Humanities

The Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The paper asserts that political violence has been a major road-block to democratic stability in Nigeria.  It argues that the excitement and euphoria that greeted the country’s return to democracy on May 29, 1999 has drastically waned and cynicism and fear have become the other of the day.  The methodology adopted is that of secondary data and insights were drawn extensively from the conflict theorists. The paper concludes with a ray of hope by suggesting antidotes to political violence and prescriptions for attainment of democratic stability by Nigeria

Key Words:  Political Violence, Democracy, Democratic Stability, Democratic Consolidation, Nigeria.