POLITICAL TRANSITION AND THE CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

There is no doubt that the greatest challenges and thus impediments to national development have been systemic dysfunction and instability. Attempts at political transition and thus stability in the democratization process in Nigeria seemed to have failed over the years. The democratic system seems to have been put to the test due to threat from politicians most notably in the abuse of the constitution and disrespect for democratic tenets, two important structures for democratic stability and governance. This paper is an attempt to examine the nature and character of political transition of the fourth republic and the consequent constitutional abuse by politicians during years of democratic practice and their seeming implications on the survival of democracy in Nigeria today. The study adopts the Liberal Democratic Theory upon which the tenets of democratic system and principles are founded, and data was gathered from documents and other relevant secondary sources. The paper recommends, among others, that internal democracy must be respected at party level in the choice of candidates and that both the legislative and executive organs of the government must respect rule of law and obey constitutional provisions.