Benue State University, Makurdi

The Right to Democracy and Good Governance and its Implication for Nigeria and Kenya

Esther Hatsiwa Emmanuel* and Eunice Gandiba Tali**

Abstract

The right to vote in any democracy encourages civic consciousness through political participation, which is the bedrock of democracy. Democracy is regarded as one of the universal core values and principles of the United Nations. Democracy has come to stay around the world, and Africa as a continent has embraced it even though with some form of resistance from some states, who are used to unitary or monarchical systems. The benefits of democracy cannot be overemphasized as they are interrelated with good governance because the absence of one leads to the absence of the other. The article assessed the practice of democracy and its implication for good governance in Nigeria and Kenya. The selection of countries to analyze is based on the writer’s preference because of their similarities with Nigeria. The article discussed the relevant International Laws and Conventions on the subject matter, and also considered opinions of writers in journals and textbooks on the subject matter. The article found that corruption is a major hindrance to the effective implementation of the right to democracy and good governance in the countries considered. The paper recommended, among other things, the strengthening of electoral bodies such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), elimination of corruption in the system, domestication, enforcement and a thorough application of International Conventions such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Election and Governance. Among the recommendations also was mass public enlightenment of voters before and after elections, to avoid post-election violence.

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