Abstract
The study examined the impact of civil servant organization on Nigeria political
development. A case study of Non Governmental Organization in Ilorin, Kwara.
Members of Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
were chosen as a case study, questionnaire containing fourteen items based on Likert
style rating was used to collect data for thus study from the data collected. The research
was analysed using Chi-square method on a statistical table. Therefore, it was gathered
from the research work.
The impact of civil society, organization have not have been quantitatively and
qualitatively realized in dealing with issues of urgent national importance confronting
the country. Research findings revealed that the impact of civil society organization was
on the negative side due to lack of finance, lack of innovation, organization weak
among others.
As a result of this, the research work contains useful recommendations towards
finding lasting s
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The role of civil society organization in the struggle for civil rule on Nigeria
Political and sustainable development cannot be overstated indeed. They were at the
vanguard for the liberation struggle that contaminated in the achievement of
independence in 1960. In pre-colonial and post colonial government especially during
the military regime, the Nigerian print media was the standard bearer of the civil society
organizations as they sought to expose acts of authoritarianism mismanagement and
corruption in the polity. Adewumi, (2006)
The return to civil rule in 1979 after years of military interregnum raised
expectation for a possible resolution of the hydra-headed socio-political and economic
crisis bedeviling. The nation since independence in 1960, but that hope truncated by
military junta who felt that politicians have learnt nothing from the despicable and
objectionable practices of the first attempt at democratic rule in Nigeria Dag
Hammarskjold Foundation (1992). The military that had little or no experience in
governance when they first took power in 1966 gradually settle down in government.
The late 1980s and 1990s saw the campaign by pro-democracy groups and
political organization for the democratization of African states in what has been
describe as the second libration movement, Ninalowo (2004). The first libration
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movement was said to have been inconclusive because it was hijacked by reactionary
forces who sought to truncate the philosophy and ideology behind the libration
movement which bought independence to most African states.
The resort to authoritarianism and one party rule in most African stats
demonstrated the lack of direction and vision. Factors which sustained the libration
movements and achieved independence for most African states. This very people that
the first liberation movement sought to liberate became victims of economic
mismanagement, social degradation and political high handedness. While the euphoria
that greeted the return to multi-party democracy in most Africa states was party credited
to internal forces championed by civil society organizations external forces gave the
process impetus.
However, the expectations that democratization in Nigeria since 1999 would
stem the tide of economic decline, political dislocation and social emancipation has
largely been unfulfilled. It would appear the civil society organization have lost its stem
or have caused by the totalizing influence of the state. These are some of the issues this
study seeks to unravel. Transition Monitoring Group (2007),
To address issues related to the subject of discourse, the paper is pigeon holed as
follows: the first section is the conceptual and theoretical issues central to the paper.
The second examined the types and nature of civil society organization and political
development in Nigeria: The way forward. The first prescribe ways civil society can
consolidate the gain of political development in the country.
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1.2 Statement of the Problem
Civil society organization as conceptualized in the west may not easily fit into
the Nigeria socio-economic and political environments. Therefore it may be difficult to
talk about a universal understanding of the phenomenon of civil society in the age of
political development.
Since 1999, the country has experienced some vibrant and robust associational
life. The civil society organization are springing up by the day in Nigeria. Notable
among which are the Joint Action Front (JAF). The Save Nigeria Group, United Action
for Democracy (UAD), Campaign for Democracy (CD) Trade Union Such as; The
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) among
others have joined the fray. In some cases civil society has challenged mis-management
and corruption in all branches of Government even where such organization has not
been epitome of transparency and the rule of law. In the make of the campaign for the
return to civil rule, some publicly recognized progressive and pro-democracy activists
were co-opted into joining the ruling military Junta under General Babangida and
Abacha abandoned their pro-democracy constituency, some are waiting in the wings to
jump into moving train of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to enrich
themselves.
According to Gyimah-Baadi 1999, the ability of civil society to help deepen
democratic governance and put it beyond reversal remains in serious doubt
consequently, the mobilization orientation of these organizations is limited to urban
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centres and elite while important social forces in rural areas are neglected. According to
Ibonvbere 2000, this raise against popular opinion that civil society should be captured
and incorporated into popular movement that can engage in political pedagogy
particularly among the poor in rural-urban centres can be captured and used to
established new relationship between excluded citizens and the state apparatus.
Many civil society organization lack the very democracy they are trying to
promote or sell to the larger society as its members are treated as second class citizens
by their leaders.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of the study is to find out the impact of civil society
organization on Nigeria political development.
The research would as well help to gain an insight into the nature and character
of civil society organization in Nigeria and their struggle in political development in the
country. The study would also give some recommendation and the way forward to the
efficient and effective in carrying out their rules and consequently improve standard of
their performance as a civil society organization.
1.4 Research Questions
For this study, the following questions have been raised to be answered:
? What are the current issues surrounding the civil society organization in
Nigeria?
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? Is there any way forward for civil society organization in Nigeria political
development?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
In studying the impact of civil society organization on Nigeria political
development; the following hypothesis have been formulated to guide the study.
Ho1:- There is innovative idea in the mode of operation by evolving new political and
economic culture in Africa
Ho2:- There was strong mobilization orientation of civil society in rural areas more
than centres and elite
Ho3:- There is a consistent and persistent civil society in promoting the country?s
political development in the face of intimidation and attack by government.
Ho4:- Civil society organization are not dependence on government for funds and
other logistics supports
1.6 Significant of the Study
One major significance of this study is that it enable the researcher to find out
the issues and problems of civil society organization in Nigeria political development
and how these problems are resolved.
More so, the recommendation, if carefully studied would serve as a bench mark
to further studies and investigation on political science education. Public interest would
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be directed towards the relevance of civil society organization on Nigeria political
development.
It is also hope that this study will facilitate qualitative education which is very
vital to economic, social and political development.
1.7 Scope/Delimitation of the Study
This study is limited only to two Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of
Kwara State. The study examines only the impact of civil society organization on
Nigeria political development.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Civil Society: Is the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that
manifest interests and will of citizens. It also seen as an individual and organizations in
a society which are dependent of the government.
Civil Society Organization (CSOs): Refers to Non Governmental Organization
(NGOs) is used to describe a wide range of organization, networks, association, groups
and movements that are independent from government and that sometimes came
together to advance their common interest through collective action
Organization: can be define as a social unit of people that is structured and managed to
meet a need or to pursue collective goals
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Political Development: Results when the existing structure and culture of the political
systems is unable to cope with the problem which confronts it, without further structural
differentiation and cultural secularization