Democracy is always seen as an indispensable feature of any nation. The idea that the practice of true democracy is very pivotal for the survival and progress of every nation of that would Nigerian is not an exception. Thus, Nwabueze (1991:20) succinctly describes democracy as “A form of government which recognizes and institutionalizes the people as fountain of power and enables them by the means election at frequent intervals on universal adult franchise to choose and mandate those to govern a form of government in which the public good or welfare of the people is the object”. Lamentably, however, democracy in an underdeveloped nations like Nigeria is an irony comparing it to the above definition of democracy. True democracy should be people oriented without being coarsed in any way. In Nigeria, ethnicism and religion has distorted democracy, disorganized the whole political system and has finally made Nigerian nation a laughing stock in the community of nations. This is because people are busy fighting ethnic/religious crises and don’t even know the meaning of democracy let alone the practicing of true democracy. Moreso, the research work is purely centered an democracy and Islamic sect (bokoharam) with special reference to President Goodluck Jonathan regime. To efficiently carry out the research, the researcher used both primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary source were oral interview on the masses about the regime of president Goodluck Jonathan, the questionnaire was also formulated to solicit information from the respondents which also acted as primary source of information, whereas the library materials, magazines, newspaper and internets materials acted as secondary sources of information. The researcher also formulated research questions that acted as guide to the study. The data generated from the questionnaire responses was presented and also analyzed using the questionnaire responses. However, the findings of the study reveals that Nigeria is not practicing true democracy i.e. they don’t even understand the meaning of democracy, let alone the practice of it. The members of the political class are very very corrupt. The citizens are not given the chance to exercise their fundamental human rights. There is high rate of insecurity of lives and properties in Nigeria especially in the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan regime. And report shows that the political class especially Buhari that wanted to be the president of the so called democratic nation but lost it to Goodluck vowed that he will make Nigeria ungovernable for Goodluck Jonathan. It was believed that Buhari, IBB, Atiku and other northern Bourgeois of this nation are the brain behind bokoharam attack to the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan that is why the bokoharam say that if they will come for negotiation, that Buhari most be there. As a result of the above findings, it was recommended that government should engage the group in a dialogue, and inaugurate programmes that would address issues, equally government should deal decisively with anybody sponsoring bokoharam activities in Nigeria.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Approval ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv

Abstract vi

Table of contents viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Background of the study 2

1.2 Statement of the problem 3

1.3 Purpose of the study 8

1.4 Significance of the study 9

1.5 Research questions 10

1.6 Scope of the study 11

1.7 Limitation of the study 11

1.8 Definition of the terms 11

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Literature Review 13

2.2 Problems of democracy government in Nigeria 19

2.3 Boko haram history in Nigeria 21

2.4 Boko haram attack in Nigeria 23

2.5 Views of other people on Boko haram 26

2.6 Comparing Nigeria democracy and boko haram 32

2.7 Consequences of boko haram to national development 34

2.8 Summary of literature review 37

2.9 Gap in literature 38

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Research Methodology 39

3.1 Brief outline of the study 39

3.2 Design of the study 40

3.3 Area of the study 40

3.4 Population of the study 40

3.5 Sample of the study 41

3.6 Instrument for data collection 41

3.7 Validation of the instrument 42

3.8 Distribution and Retrieval of instrument 42

3.7 Method of data analysis 43

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Data Presentation and Analysis 44

4.1 Findings of the study 65

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Summary Conclusion and Recommendation 69

5.1 Summary of findings 69

5.2 Conclusion 70

5.2 Recommendations 71

References 74

Appendix 76

Questionnaire 77

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Democracy and Islamic sect/Boko Haram in Nigeria. This study on democracy and Islamic sect in Nigeria is geared towards bringing to light the menace of Islamic sect/Boko haram on Nigeria democracy.

However, following the president Goodluck Jonathan regime, Nigeria have witnessed several dis-harmony on its socio-polity as a result of the problems posed by Boko haram which is an Islamic militant group based in the north which forbid western education and seeks the imposition of Sharia law in the country.

Therefore, Boko haram has done more harms than good to democracy in Nigeria because of its negative attributes which makes Nigeria an undemocratic nation.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This research work is centered on democracy and religious sect/ Boko haram in Nigeria with a particular reference to Goodluck Jonathan Regime.

Democracy is a global maiden which every nation woos. It is a system of government based on popular consent. Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa has no choice then to align itself with the rest of the world on the democratic crave.

However, Nigeria has not been so lucky to be democratized. It has had long tortured history of dancing around democracy but has make gotten it right. This is largely due to some challenges it has suffered since its inspection which includes lack of large scale free and fair election, refusal to accept defeat in electrons by political gladiators, corruption, inobservance of rule of law, lack of freedom of speech and publication and that of freedom of worship which have been a threat to national peace and development by some religious sect.

Boko Haram is a controversial Nigerian militant Islamist group that seeks the imposition of Sharia law on the northern states of Nigeria. Equally, it is an Islamic group that forbids western education. It is a religious militant group base in the north and seek to establish Sharia law in the country, this have badly effected the socio-economic development in the country and have effected the democracy in the country.