PROBLEM OF CONSOLIDATING DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA: AN EXAMINATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 1999 (AS AMENDED)

Abstract

The focus of this paper is on examining the provisions of the 1999 Constitution on consolidating democracy in Nigeria. It also examines the role of the legislature and the judiciary in consolidating democracy in the process. Democracy is consolidated when the legislature and the judiciary function in compliance with the Constitution and the rule of law for socio-economic and political stability. Adherence to the rule of law and constitutional provisions by the legislature and the judiciary in discharging their constitutional obligations guarantees democratic stability. This paper assesses how the legislature and the judiciary have contributed in consolidating democracy and how best they can continue to do that. However, challenges of the legislature and the judiciary in this regard are also examined. In doing this, the paper adopts doctrinal research methodology. Data for the study is generated mainly from primary and secondary sources. Amidst high level of violations of the Constitution in the nation’s political landscape, this paper concludes that unless the legislature and the judiciary uphold the Constitution and dispense justice according to the rule of law, consolidating democracy would always suffer a setback. It is in view of this that the paper made some suggestions on the way forward in consolidating democracy in Nigeria by the legislature and the judiciary.