ABSTRACT
In a fast-growing world like ours, societies are expected to persistently progress from one level of development to another, patronising as much strategies as possible and dancing quite often to the tune of laid down rules. The Nigerian society of the period of my research is a transitioning society, one which has persevered the harsh reality of instability and uncertainty caused by the various political shifting between civilian rule and military regimes. And with the coming of not just a new civilian rule but as well as a new constitution (the 1999 Federal Constitution), the stage was set for a new breath of hope to taken by the people while the international community watched in akimbo. As Chief Olusegun Obasanjo came to the rein of power through elective principles which democracy promotes, it was expected that his regime retire sanity and progress to the state and people. However, the sour reality seemed to have been hiding its ugly face somewhere around the corner as the problems of bad leadership and mismanagement of office soon set in at different levels thereby undermining the very democratic foundation upon which the fourth republic is built having brought an end to the long period of political instability brought about by military regimes since 1966. By the time the news of the abduction of Chris Ngige who was elected to office through a constitutional process came to the people, it was all shades of 43 wonder and despair. To crown the confusion, there soon arose another cloud of confusion and grief when it was noises that Chris Ubah, the supposed godfather of the seating governor had masterminded this abduction with the help of other godson's who formed members of the House of Assembly in the state as well as other collaborators within the federation. With all the sour scenarios that played out, it became obvious that the whole situation was orchestrated by some politicians whose interests has been undenied by the Ngige administration, particularly Chris Ubah who had singlehandedly "sponsored" the governor and about 29 out of 30 of the entire membership of the state House of Assembly and as such, demanded their loyalty as long as the politics of Anambra state is concerned. This in itself, became the root of all the crisis within the state that reached its climax with the abduction of the governor in an attempt to force him into signing a resignation letter so as to have him replaced with another governor. Even before the Ngige's clash with his godfather, my research had also considered briefly, the role of godfatherism in the promotion of unconstitutional actions and disrespect for the rule of law as seen in the case of Mbadinuju who had governed Anambra state before the 2003 election and whose removal had been vehemently supported by his godfather for seasons that have to do with inability to meet up with demands or remain loyal to sponsors. Some important aspects of the 1999 constitution which directly relates to the people, good governance and adherence to rule of law also received 44 consideration as the actions and inactions of those in leadership greatly affect the fundamental rights supposedly enjoyable by citizens of the country. The level of violence that were reported to have accompanied the electoral processes in Nigeria under the period of this paper, no doubt, left the ordinary population at great risk of danger, lack, deprivation and other dehumanizing circumstances sponsored by political instability and crisis. On the other hand, the declaration of a state of emergency on Plateau state as a of crisis in just one local government raises dust of curious regarding whether the intention is genuinely for the greater good of the people or to promote selfish objectives on the part of the president who made unilateral moves. Be it general provisions or specific ones, the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is supposedly a roadmap to good governance but this cannot be actualized when violation and outright negligence of same constitution is the order of the day. Whole Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is commendable for his role as the first civilian president since the making of the 1999 constitution and his role in pursuing state building, it is also important to consider those innumerable factors that militates against the idea of constitutional compliance and this is fundamental for reflecting the true state of democracy in the country.
