DEMOCRACY AND NATIONAL SECURITY IN THE NIGERIAN FOURTH REPUBLIC; THE WAY OUT.

Abstract

This study examines security challenges in Nigeria and its growing effects in the nascent
democracy. The cardinal objective of this study is to establish the interconnectivity between
Democracy andNationalsecurity in Nigeria from 1999 to 2015.Utilizing secondary sources
of data and content analysis and the adoption ofliberal democratic theory as the theoretical
underpinning.The study found out that the non-adherence to the basic democratic tenets
constitutes the major problem that breed insecurity and threatening the survival of the
Nigerian nascent democracy. The study concludes thus, that the government most ensures the
proper utilization of the resources of the state in a judicious manner toprovide greater
happiness to greater number of the Nigerian populace. The study recommends among others
that, unless and until the basic democratic tenets are strongly adhere to, true democratic
practice and a secured National Security will remain a mirage in the Nigerian body polity.