The Role of Law in Check-Mating Executive Lawlessness in Nigeria from 1999 – 2014

Abstract

The existence of a virile democracy in any given polity is largely dependent on a well organised governmental structures anchored on the spirit of constitutionalism and Rule of Law. Nigeria’s democratic experience over the years has not in any way been close to these ideals. Consequently, what had pervaded the polity on all grounds has been lawlessness. This paper addresses executive lawlessness and the role of law in curbing this ugly development in Nigeria, against the backdrop that executive lawlessness is one of the major problems confronting the Nigeria State as it inhibits the smooth functioning of the law and ultimately hindering sustainable development; and concludes that with every arm of government imbibing the culture of constitutionalism, complemented with a vibrant judiciary completely insulated from politics, with profound autonomy on all ground, the Nigeria State will be properly repositioned to take its rightful place in the comity of nations.