Popular Participation – SS2 Civic Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

Popular participation is the willingness and active involvement of the people in the conduct of the affairs of the state at various levels.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define popular participation.
2. Mention the ways citizens can take part in political life.
3. Explain why popular participation is important.
4. State the factors that can promote popular participation.
5. List and explain the reasons why some people do not participate in politics.
6. Suggest ways of reducing political apathy.

What is popular participation?

Popular participation is the active involvement of citizens in the affairs of their local, state and national governments.

• Importance: it helps a democratic system work well and stay stable.
• Levels: citizens take part at local government, state and federal levels.
• Local elections: in Nigeria, State Independent Electoral Commissions usually run local government elections.
• National elections: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) runs federal and state elections.

Who can vote in Nigerian elections?

A Nigerian citizen who is at least 18 years old and registered with INEC can vote.

1. Register as a voter with INEC.
2. Collect the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).
3. Go to the polling unit where you registered on election day.
4. Get accredited, then cast your vote in secret.

What are the ways citizens can participate in politics?

Citizens take part in politics through voting, party activity, contesting, community service and public discussion.

• Voting: casting a ballot in elections at local, state and national levels.
• Registering as a voter: getting a voter’s card from the electoral commission (INEC) so that one can vote.
• Joining a political party: taking part in the activities and decisions of a party.
• Contesting elections: standing as a candidate for an elective office.
• Attending campaigns and meetings: listening to candidates and asking questions at rallies and town hall meetings.
• Community service: joining in community development projects and town union activities.
• Paying taxes: meeting civic duties that help government provide services.
• Joining pressure groups and civil society groups: for example, trade unions and professional bodies that speak for their members.
• Discussing public issues: giving views through the media, debates and lawful peaceful protests.

Why is popular participation important?

Popular participation makes government acceptable, accountable and stable.

• Legitimacy: a government chosen by many citizens is more widely accepted.
• Accountability: leaders know that citizens are watching and can vote them out.
• Better policies: government hears the needs of the people before it acts.
• Stability: citizens who feel heard are less likely to resort to violence.
• Sense of belonging: citizens feel the state belongs to them and protect public property.
• Peaceful change of government: power changes hands through votes, not force.

What factors can promote popular participation?

Popular participation grows when government is fair, citizens are informed and their rights are respected.

• Good governance: leaders who serve the people and keep their promises earn the trust of citizens.
• Supremacy of the constitution: everyone, including leaders, obeys the constitution, so citizens know their rights and duties.
• Respect for human rights: citizens speak, vote and join groups freely without fear.
• Mass education: educated citizens understand political issues and can contest or vote wisely.
• Enlightenment campaign: radio, television, posters and town criers inform citizens about elections and their rights.
• Freedom of the press: the media report events and criticise government without being punished.
• Application of the rule of law: the law treats everyone equally, so citizens trust the system.
• Free and fair elections: voters believe their votes count, so more of them turn out.

What is political apathy?

Political apathy is a lack of interest in political activity.

• Political participation: citizens take an active part in the affairs of the state.
• Political apathy: citizens stay away from political activity, including voting.

Why do some people not participate in politics?

People stay out of politics because of disappointment, fear, poverty, illiteracy and unfair practices.

1. Unfulfilled political promises: people stay away from public affairs when leaders fail to keep their promises.
2. Illiteracy: some people who cannot read and write see politics as meant for the educated elite.
3. Violence during elections: frequent violence at elections makes many people stay at home to avoid becoming victims.
4. Poverty: campaigns cost a lot of money, so many good candidates remain mere voters.
5. Cultural and religious beliefs: some cultures and religions see politics as the duty of men and discourage women from taking part.
6. Fear of intimidation: people fear that influential persons will threaten anyone seen as a strong opponent.
7. Disability: persons with physical disabilities may find it hard to take part, even when they are interested.
8. Military intervention: frequent military takeovers of government reduce interest in political affairs.
9. Election rigging: people believe their votes will not count, so they watch from afar.

How can the causes of political apathy be reduced?

Each cause of political apathy has a matching remedy, shown below.

Evaluation

1. Define popular participation.
2. State four factors that can promote popular participation.
3. Explain how poverty prevents people from taking part in politics.
4. Explain how election rigging affects popular participation.
5. What is political apathy?

Assignment

List any five factors that can promote popular participation, then explain any three reasons why people do not participate in politics.