Politics
Setting Agenda For Good Governance
Being a paper presented by Dr Chibuzor Chile Nwabueze of the Ignations Ajuru University of Education at the 2011 annual Men’s Christian Association Conference held at St Silas Anglican Church, auditoruim, Eneka, Port Harcourt.
As a starting point, I consider it appropriate to discuss the concept of good governance against the backdrop of its challenges. This is informed by two reasons, namely: the need to put the topic in its right perspective as it will provide a background to our general discuss; and secondly, the need for governments and rulers to shift attention from violation of the dignity and rights of the citizen as a human being to the human security in development planning.
In doing this, we would be able to arrive at a sustainable human security framework for the Nigerian Society. This is more so, since for a very long time most states and governments, have failed to protect her people and ensure that they have both “freedom from want” and “freedom from fear.” The Nigerian state is manifestly failing to protect her citizens from want and fear; hence she has lost the moral authority to compel their obedience or collaboration in all areas of national life.
As a student of Security studies, one was taught that the essential features of a state include: a definite territory; population; government, and sovereignty. The government is viewed as an agency or machinery through which the will of the state is formulated, expressed and realized. Against this background, the World Bank defined governance as the traditions and the institutions by which authority in a country is exercised.
This includes the process by which governments are selected, monitored or replaced; the capacity of the government to effectively formulate and implement sound policies; and the respect of citizens and the state for the institutions that govern economic and social communications among them.
For our purposes, we are concerned here with that form of governance which serves the citizens by safe guarding territorial integrity of the state and security human security, rule of law and not rule by law, and the delivery of services ranging from qualitative / affordable education, health-focused on primary, community-centered health services to sustainable livelihood and food security.
It is therefore appropriate to define good governance as the exercise of political power to develop human capital and guarantee sustainable human security. Thus an efficient, effective and democratic government is the best guarantor of social justice as well as an orderly and peaceful society.
Credible leadership therefore, is the inalienable attribute of good governance, that has the singular responsibility to creating an enabling environment where development programmes get properly implemented and that creative minds do not get stifled or their energies diverted from undertaking new initiatives or enterprises.
The principal response of the state, therefore, would be to facilitate, to enable, and to coordinate.
The proponents of good governance have argued that good governance helps to create an environment in which sustained economic growth becomes achievable. Conditions of good governance allow citizens to maximize their returns on investment. Good governance does not occur by chance. It must be demanded by citizens and nourished explicitly and consciously by the nation state. It is, therefore, necessary that the citizens are allowed to participate freely, openly and fully in the political process.
The citizens must have the right to compete for office, form political party and enjoy fundamental rights and civil liberty. Good governance is accordingly associated with credible political leadership, enlightened policy-making and a civil service imbued with a professional ethos. The presence of a strong civil society including a free press and independent judiciary are preconditions for good governance.
What is good governance in the Nigerian context? The central challenge before good governance relates to social development. Good governance must aim at expansion of social opportunities, ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunities. Indeed, good governance, as I perceive it, means securing justice, empowerment, employment and efficient delivery of services.
Securing Justice: There are several inter-related aspects of securing justice including security of life and property, access to justice, and rule of law. Threats of Public Peace: The most important public good is the supply of security especially security of life and property. The responsibility of the Nigerian nation state to protect the life and property of every citizen is being threatened particularly in areas affected by terrorism, insurgency and social violence. The Nigerian nation-state is aware of complexities of the situation and the need is to show greater determination and relentless in support to its instruments of law and forces of democracy and social cohesion to defeat the elements of terror, insurgency and social violence.
Access to Justice: Access to justice is based upon the basic principle that people should be able to rely upon the correct application of law. In actual practice there are several countervailing factors. Some citizens do not know their rights and cannot afford legal aid to advocate on their behalf. A related aspect is fairness of access as some people involved in the legal proceedings and large numbers of criminal prosecutions are not voluntary participants. The most severe challenge relates to complexity of adjudication as legal proceedings are lengthy and costly and the judiciary lacks personnel and logistics to deal with these matters.
Rule of law: The concept of good governance is undoubtedly linked with the citizens’ right of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. This could be secured in a democracy only through the rule of law. The rule of law is expressed through the axiom that no one is above the law. One has to clearly understand that the rule of law is different from the rule ‘by’ law. Under the rule ‘by law, law is an instrument of the government and the government is above the law while under the rule ‘of’ law no one is above the law not even the government. It is under this framework that rule of law not only guarantees the liberty of the citizens but it also limits the arbitrariness of the government and thereby it makes government more articulate in decision-making.
The rule of law as Dicey postulated is equality before law. This is secured through formal and procedural justice which makes independent judiciary a very vital instrument of governance. It is widely appreciated that human factors i.e. the quality of political leadership, the executive and judicial officials play important roles not only in upholding supremacy of rule of law and in efficient delivery of service but also in shaping traditions, customs and institutional cultures that are integral part of the liberal democratic machinery.
In our constitutional system, every person is entitled to equality before law and equal protection under the law. No person can be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law. Thus the state is bound to protect the life and liberty of every human being. That human rights violations continue to take place in several parts of Nigeria suggests that the architecture of peace and security in the country still rests on shaky plat forms.
To be continued
Politics
Gov Alia Appoints TuFace As Adviser

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Politics
Oborevwori, Okowa Dump PDP For APC

Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics
Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.
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