IMPERATIVES FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRATIC RULE IN THE NIGERIAN FOURTH REPUBLIC.

Abstract

Contemporary ideas of democratic rule were designed majorly by nations and institutions across the world which aim to define the limits of public power and the relationship between the rulers and the ruled (Kuna, 2005:26). The task of consolidating democratic rule is deepening, and sustaining it against the flow of instability in Nigeria requires change or restructuring of both democratic institutions and attitudinal behaviours (Umar, 2002:120). The general acceptance of democracy (democratic rule) as the preferred form of good governance is incontestable. This is based on the participatory advantage democracy affords the people in the selection and election of their leaders and representatives. They guaranteed some recipes for good governance and the fundamental human rights of all abiding citizens (Oke, 2010:32) Though democracy has a long tradition, the notions regarding its essence and grounds of its justification have been revised over time. Nevertheless, Bryce (1921) cited in Gauba (2003) finds the justification for democracy in the concept of relativity, by comparing its advantages and disadvantages with other forms of government, which is the welfare of the people (Gauba, 2003:423).