The Idea of Consent and its Implication in Nigeria: Rousseau's Views

Abstract

This paper centers on the idea of consent as postulated by Jean Jack Rousseau and its implication in Nigeria. Rousseau in his theory of consent presented a model which advocates for the increased and active participation of the ruled in a social contract. Consent is an essential feature of a democratic society. An ideal democratic society on the other hand is one in which the phrase "We the people” is lived out by the government of a state as well as other major stakeholders in the society. The implication of Rousseau's idea of consent in Nigeria highlights the need for inclusive and participatory governance in Nigeria. Rousseau argued that through the social contract we have given the body politic existence and life. It has become obvious that in regarding the state as the outcome of an agreement, certain fundamental issues touching on the existence of Nigeria and her nationhood need to be seriously addressed. The salient issues of convening the sovereignty national conference which has been widely canvassed.