Ressure Groups and Democratic Consolidation in Benue State.astudy of Academic Staff Union of the Universities (asuu), Benuestate University Chapter

ABSTRACTThis study assessed the role of ASUU as a pressure groups on democratic consolidation in Benuestate. The specific objectives of the study include; to ascertain the relationship between pressuregroups and democratic consolidation in Benue State, to examine the mandate of ASUU towardsnational development, to ascertain the contributions of ASUU as a pressure groups to thedemocratic process in Benue state and to ascertain the challenges hindering the effectiveperformance of ASUU as a pressure groups in democratic consolidation in Benue State. Thestudy used liberal theory of democracy as the theoretical guide which is primarily concernedwith examining the concept of democracy, as well as the moral foundations, obligations andoverall desirability of democratic governance. The study adopted survey design as itsmethodology and use questionnaire as the main instrument of data collection. Data collectedwere analyzed using simple percentages and tables. The study revealed that they exist.relationship between pressure groups and democratic consolidation in Benue State. This isbecause the quality of elections in Benue State has a connection with pressure groupsparticipation. It was discovered that the mandate of ASUU towards national developmentincludes; establishment and maintenance of a high standard of academic performance andprofessional practice, ensuring the provision of facilities and quality assurance in the universitysystem, ensuring the protection and advancement of the socio-economic and cultural interest ofthe nation as well as maintenance of just and proper conditions of service for its members.Further findings revealed that the contributions of ASUU as a pressure groups to the democraticprocess in Benue state includes; sensitizing its members towards participation in politicalprocess, participation of its members towards organizing free and fair election, ensuring that thefundamental human right as enshrined in the constitution are implemented by the governmentand engagement in peaceful demonstration or strike action that will make the government inpower to do the right things. Also, the study found that the challenges hindering the effectiveperformance of ASUU as a pressure groups in democratic consolidation in Benue State includes;undue interference of Government, unwarranted arrests and detentions of members duringprotest or demonstrations, unfavourable legislation and bribery and corruption by some of ASUUofficials. Based on the findings, it was recommended that government should not interfere in theactivities of pressure groups but rather create an enabling environment for pressure groups tofunction effectively towards consolidating democracy. Also, federal and state government shouldendevour to increase their budgetary allocation to Universities according to the UNESCOrecommendation of 26% of their total annual budget to enable ASUU achieved its mandatetowards national development.ix