Nigeria: A constitutional democracy without constitutionalism

Abstract

Most of the challenges facing Nigeria today take their root from the apparent and passive lack of respect for and strict adherence to constitutionalism in the conduct of government business. Constitutionalism in a constitutional democracy must and should remain the controlling and regulating force in governance. It is the basis for building a civilized nation that is fair to all its citizens and solve their problem. World’s advance democracies have attained the greatness which Nigerian political leaders use as reference points because their democracies are anchored on constitutionalism. Nigerian political leaders make ample references to developments and advancements in countries such as United States of America, Great Britain, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, India and Singapore in terms of relative technological development, economic progress, political stability, free and fair election, security of lives and property, food security, quality education, good health facilities, employment opportunities without asking what exactly these countries have or are doing right? Accordingly, constitutionalism as a political theory suggests that a government should be limited in its actions and accountable to its citizens for its actions. As a nation, Nigeria since independence has adopted series of constitutional reforms that produced constitutions that ordinarily should promote constitutionalism and good governance; yet there has been persistent evolvement of a culture of disrespect for constitutionalism in governance. So, the aim of this seminar presentation is to consider what need to be done to entrench a sustainable culture of constitutionalism in governance in Nigeria.