Benue State University, Makurdi

Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Fourth Republic

Ishaku Bitrus Lere & Rahila Timothy Dantong

Abstract

Democracy and good governance is a global phenomenon in which countries of the world are yearning for. Nigeria is not an exception in the pursuit of democracy and good governance right from the inception of the fourth republic in 1999. The paper intends to study democracy and good governance in the Nigeria’s Fourth Republic from 1999 to 2023 . The study will examine whether the practice of democracy had enhanced good governance in Nigeria. To investigate whether democracy can facilitate the practice of good governance. The method used in this study was the trend and the content analysis approach. The data for the investigation was collected by utilizing documentary materials. The data were derived from secondary sources. The research revealed that public office holders in the fourth republic did not abide by the principle of democracy that will enhance good governance. It was discovered that there was no popular participation of the majority in the decision making process but the participation of the minority. The findings of the study further showed that there was high level of violation of the rule of law, infrastructural decay, corruption and so on. The research work indicated that there was abuse of office by the ruling class in the fourth republic. The paper recommends the strengthening of anti-craft commissions to include issues of morality. The INEC or National Assembles to create room for independent candidacy. The need for the independence of the judiciary. The need for the electoral commission to be independent.

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