Towards the Peoples’ Constitution and Good Governance in Nigeria

Abstract

The concept constitutionalism connotes a total and strict adherence to the rule of law where the constitution remains supreme and where all people are equal before the law with protected human rights. In promoting constitutionalism, governance must therefore be devoid of fake promises; initiating and implementing policies; watching the peoples’ countenances to bring smiles thus ruling and watching out for what the law stipulates. Available data reveal that Nigeria is far from observing constitutionalism because of the inherent inadequacies in the constitution. Consequently, good governance is characterised by indices like the Rule of Law, Participation, Consensus orientedness, Accountability, Transparency, Responsiveness, among others are unattainable. The paper concludes that unless the process and the content of the constitution are re-addressed via due process, Nigeria will remain in this governance quagmire. It therefore suggests adequate public education, consultations and independent candidatures in the electoral process as the panacea to the validity and legitimacy questions of the Nigeria's constitution.