GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SUSTENANCE OF DEMOCRATIC ORDER IN NIGERIA'S FOURTH REPUBLIC

Abstract

The Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999 amongst other things was expected to provide a veritable opportunity for Nigeria to be in the league of states that practice the only game in town and hoping to enjoy good governance and improved socio-economic wellbeing status. Hence, the new democratic order was welcomed with enthusiasm believing that it will put an end to constraints to development and ensure the guarantee of citizens' inalienable rights. The questions therefore are, what are the challenges to good governance and a democratic order in Nigeria? What should be done to ensure the actualization of good governance and sustain democracy in the country, thereby keeping military rule in perpetual abeyance? These questions form the nucleus of what this paper intends to distill. It is opined that good governance and democratic order are two sides of a coin and court each other in order to attain a prosperous, tranquil and enduring socio-political order. It was observed that internal security challenges, amongst other factors are responsible for myriad of problems confronting the nation. Accountability, probity and observance of the rule of law are recommended and should be held sacrosanct so that the ideals of good governance and democracy can be actualized. The paper relies heavily on secondary sources and adopted content analysis method.