Critical Interpretation of Awolowo's Political Philosophy

Abstract

The present democratic system in Nigeria is far off from what and how it ought to be in terms of development and yielding the much expected democratic dividends. The system is threatened by a complex mix of corruption, failure of policy and the infestation of strategic offices and positions by misfits. These have been recurring since the return to democratic rule. This paper explores Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s socio-political philosophy with a view to determining its relevance to the Nigerian contemporary situation, laying bare the intellectual benefits of the concept of the “Regime of Mental Magnitude†as an indispensable cornerstone of Nigeria’s much desired stability and development.The paper concludes that Nigeria is in dire needs of some of Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s  postulates, especially the idea of regime of mental magnitude, complementarity of religion and politics, comprehensive and qualitative definition of freedom, sensible and sensitive leadership, democratic necessity of opposition etc. all of which are crucial to the sustenance of democracy in the nation.