THE RULE OF LAW AS A DETERMINANT OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY

Abstract

The basic tenets of the rule of law and good governance such as equality before the law, protection of basic humanrights, efficient affordable and an independent judicial system, separation of powers between the various arm ofgovernment, observance of internal rules and restraints etc have consistently been eroded in Nigeria giving riseto a near total collapse of every facet of the country. This paper found inter alia that regrettably, governance inNigeria has over the years been consistently characterised by little or no adherence to the basic tenets of goodgovernance and rule of law. The result is the continued emergence of strong personalities both within and outsidethe government who live above the law rather than strong institutions that can maintain and maintain goodgovernance and rule of law. The paper equally found that in order to rescue the country from its present chaoticstate, there is need to adopt and apply new public management strategies as well as re-energization of the civilsociety towards a common social motive devoid of ethnic, religious, cultural and other primordial inclinationsand divisions. This work therefore recommends that the key tenets of rule of law should vigorously be pursuedboth by the government and the governed so as to achieve the legacy of good governance and an enduringdemocracy in Nigeria.