Most Nigerians and international observers applauded the inauguration of a democratically elected government in 1999, after several years of??military rule. At that point, the emergence of democratic rule was uppermost in the minds of most Nigerians.
Over the years however, the core leadership issues that have dominated public discussions have continued to change. As at 1999 for instance, the burning national issue was a transition from military rule to democracy. By 2003, the frequent frictions between the Presidency and National Assembly had thrown up the issue of separation of powers in democracy, alongside the question of second term in office of the President and State Governors, among other issues.
As at 2007, serious concerns had mounted across Nigeria as regards the nation?s electoral processes. Most Nigerians called for free and fair elections as a priority need for the nation?s development. There was an apparent massive rigging at the 2007 general elections to the extent that the winner of the presidential election, late President Umaru Musa Ya?Adua admitted that the elections that produced his presidency, were fraught with irregularities. Ya?Adua then set up an electoral panel headed by Justice M. Uwais to develop a framework for achieving free and fair elections in the country as a measure towards sanitizing the electoral system.
During the 2011 general elections, Nigerians were more interested in the subject of good governance than in political party affiliations, political activities and promises. After emerging from a widely perceived free and fair elections as winner, there were high expectations from President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in terms of good governance. When in January 2012, President Jonathan?s government announced the immediate removal of oil subsidy, there was a nationwide protest against the economic policy, which many considered as a policy against the principles of good governance and the wishes of the people.
Today, the demand of the Nigerian people from their leadership could be summarized in two words-Good Governance. It has become obvious that democracy cannot yield its expected dividends without good governance. This explains why the Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission chose as a theme of the 6th?Distinguished Annual Lecture Series,??Good Governance As An Imperative To Democracy.???Chairman of the Commission, Barrister (Mrs.) Josephine Kachikwu says the Honourable Minister for Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) will be the Guest Lecturer. The event to be chaired by Justice F. Tabai, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court is scheduled to hold at Unity Hall, Asaba on April 9, 2013.
The demand for good governance by the followership from the leadership is a global phenomenon. Good governance is the target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), key objectives of the 21st?Century set by the United Nations. Even the African Union has adopted the ?Declaration of Election, Democracy and Good Governance?. The basic tenets of democracy are respect for human rights and the rule of law, while it promotes the concept of leadership by choice.
The dividends of Nigeria?s democracy cannot be appreciated by the Nigerian people without good governance, which has as elements, transparency, accountability, strong public institutions and respect for the rule of law. Other components of good governance include social and national security, corruption-free public service, freedom of the press, autonomous and efficiently-run local or grassroots government, independent and uncompromised judiciary as well as people-oriented economic policies designed to genuinely alleviate poverty.
The political, social and economic development of Nigeria depends largely on the entrenchment of good governance. The prospects of growth and development are quite huge with the population of over 160 million people and various natural resources. However, the proper utilization of these resources for the good of all citizens has remained a challenge over the years. It is good governance that makes a government to be truely called ?government of the people, for the people and by the people?. Good governance is therefore an inevitable necessity to the sustenance of Nigeria?s democracy.
SOURCE: ALBINUS CHIEDU
