PHILOSOPHY AND THE RE-MAKING OF NIGERIAN NATION: A REFLECTION ON THE FOURTH REPBULIIC DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP

Abstract

Philosophy as a problem solving activity can never arrive at a precise destination, but, always on the way to question, reflect and proffer solutions to the problems of life and reality perturbing mankind. There are great deals of enduring problems in Nigeria which are begging for solutions. They include problems of corruption and insecurity, economic deterioration and underdevelopment. Philosophy in this context, questions the cause of these problems and how to solve them. Focusing the scope of this study with a trace from the Nigeria's first republic to the present day fourth republic, may disrupt the good understanding of this article. So we decided to narrow it down to the fourth republic democratic leadership led by Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umar'u Yar'adua and Goodluck Jonathan's (PDP's) and Muhammadu Buhari's (APC's). The way things are going on in this forth republic of Nigeria is above imagination. Every person in Nigeria, both the leaders and the led are yelling about the condition of Nigeria. The statement in the mouth of every Nigerian is that Nigeria is corrupt. Philosophy in this context, therefore, questions the cause of these problems. Can Nigeria as a complex nation be corrupt? Applying the critical method of philosophical inquiry here, we found out that things are no longer at ease in Nigeria, and that bad leadership is the cause of these problems. The truth here, is that, Nigeria as a complex Nation is not corrupt and can never be corrupt, instead, it is the citizens that are corrupt, and are receiving the consequences. Since this is so, do we still have the hope of rebuilding Nigeria to become a better nation? If the answer is in affirmative, how can it be achieved? It can be achieved by ensuring that bad leadership which is the primary cause of the monster, corruption that bred insecurity and economic crisis which results to underdevelopment, must be severely dealt with, and there must be self moral orientation of all Nigerians irrespective of the status quo.