Democracy, Governance and Rural Development in Nigeria, 1999-2015

Democracy promises prosperity, freedom, equality and fairness to all electorates, regardless of tribe, religion, sex, location including social status among others; qualities which make it (democracy) attractive to many people in society. Thus, this paper examines how far Nigeria's rural majority benefited from the country's democracy from 1999-2015 when the People's Democratic Party (PDP) assumed leadership at the national level, after several decades of military rule. Structural dependency theory investigation, while data thereto were sought from secondary sources. Upon investigations, it was revealed that the living was used as a guide in the conditions of the rural people consistently declined as it was during the military era. Equally observed was the level of political apathy exhibited by the rural dwellers, going by sustained poor performances of even democratically elected leaders. To reverse the situation and empower “the rural people of Nigeria,- it is-recommended that Non-Governmental Organizations be established to mobilize and sensitize rural Nigerians on the need to actively participate in the sociopolitical processes of their communities. If undertaken, will make governments responsible and accountable to them. Establishment of functional and vibrant development associations by various rural communities is similarly recommended, as such may help paced up the level of development to various local communities across the country rather than wait for government to provide for all their essential needs.