Democracy, Terrorism and the Paradox of Insecurity Vortex in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines security challenges in Nigeria and its growing effects in the nascent democracy. The cardinal objective of this study is to juxtapose the interconnectivity between Democracy, Terrorism and the insecurity vortex in Nigeria. Using a dynamic generalized method of moments panel data analysis, the study finds that political instability arising from the absence of an enviable political culture, religious intolerance and fanaticism, bad governance, ethnic rivalry, uneven distribution of development projects and amenities, abuse and misuse of power, unemployment and concentration of wealth in the hands of a disproportionate lazy few are some of the factors that threaten security in Nigeria. The study concludes that without viable alternative options for checkmating the activities of terrorists in the country, it is unlikely that democracy cannot thrive well and human rights cannot be sustained. It therefore recommended among other things that; Nigerian politicians while seeking political power should endeavour to play the game of politics by the rules, government must always strive through good policies and programmes to impact positively on the life of the people, there should be a national philosophy that would serve as a national impulse and guide individual actions and domestic intelligence and surveillance should also be applied as counter-terrorism strategies.