This article examines the essential elements of liberalism and identifies its linkage with liberal democracy against the backdrop of the recent Nigerian general elections. It further foregrounds the democratic method as a core value of liberal democracy. The Nigerian 2007 elections are assessed in order to reveal the extent of its departure from the democratic method. The failure of the democratic method, the article argues has consequences for democracy in Nigeria, especially the place of consent and legitimacy in the governance continuum. It concludes by proffering ways to strengthen the democratic method so that votes can count and be meaningful.
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