‘Despotic Democrats’ Versus Good Governance: Challenges Of Administration Of Nigeria’S Fourth Republic

The role of the constitution, as a legal framework in the governance of any polity, cannot be overemphasized, as the document remains a reference point in ensuring good governance. Nigeria’s ‘democrats’ on getting to power did act contrary to the constitution and turn themselves to despots, whom everybody must worship. These leaders in their antics subdued other arms of government and promoted ‘Personal Rule’, an administrative system where ‘all powers’ are concentrated in President’s hands. These leaders could not differentiate between private and public organisation; hence run the nation like personal businesses. Thus, the study examined the leadership styles of Nigeria’s political leaders and how their styles’ have made or marred the nation’s quest for good governance and peaceful co-existence. The study relied heavily on secondary sources of data. The study covered Nigeria’s Fourth Republic which commenced from 1999 when the nation returned to civil rule. By this, the nation has already witnessed uninterrupted democratic governance for the period of sixteen years. In addition, the nation has equally recorded four successful and smooth transitions from one civilian administration to the other, including a successful transition from the ruling party to an opposition party, thus sixteen years is more than enough for any ideal government to experiment, apply and put in place a kind of governance that is proper and appropriate for the citizenry. The study adopted Machiavelli’s political theory as its theoretical framework in analysing leadership styles of Nigeria’s ‘democrats’. The study revealed that ‘the democrats’, especially the Presidents of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic toed the path of dictatorship; subdued perceived oppositions and attempted altering the constitution to stay glued to power. The study further revealed that ‘the democrats’ broke laws with impunity; have no respect for democratic norms; abused human rights; interfered unduly in the affairs of Legislature; clamped down on the judiciary, and other allied institutions. ‘The democrats’ tenure were marred with corruption, they shared state’s wealth with their supporters, and political clique; poverty was rampant and there was no social justice; the politics of recycling became the order of the day as the same set of ‘democrats’ and their military allies continue to dominate the nation’s political scene. The implications of bad governance were conflicts, insecurity and poverty, unless good governance is practised; the rule of law is upheld, and immunity clause covering ‘the democrats’ over criminal matters is removed; the nation may not witness any meaningful development.