CHAPTER THREE 3. DEMOCRACY AND GOOD POLITICAL GOVERNANCE “The NEPAD [New Partnership for Africa’s Development] Framework Document and the Declaration identify, among others, democracy and good political governance as preconditions and foundations of sustainable development and the eradication of poverty. The overall objective is to consolidate a constitutional political order in which democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law, separation of powers and effective, responsive public service are realised to ensure sustainable development and a peaceful and stable society.” NEPAD/Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC)-03-2003/African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)/Objectives, Standards, Criteria and Indicators for the APRM (OSCI), 9 March 2003 64 3.1 Overview 154. Democracy and political governance in Nigeria must be understood in the context of the country’s history, which is encapsulated in chapter 2 of this report. One key factor in this regard is the colonial legacy and the ethnoregional politics of the federation that emerged following colonial conquest and domination by the British. Between 1886 and 1960, the British colonialists had amalgamated historically autonomous kingdoms, empires and ethnic communities to form the single territorial entity of Nigeria without any meaningful participation by the people and their diverse social and political formations. 155. The second major factor to bear in mind is the long periods of military rule Nigeria has experienced since independence. In the 48 years since 1960, the country has experienced 29 years of cumulative military rule and less than a total of 18 years of civilian rule. The country is operating under the 1999 constitution, which maintained a strong presidential system reminiscent of the military regime that oversaw its drafting and adoption. It is not particularly designed to ensure a high degree of separation of powers with checks and balances among the three arms of government. 156. The close to nine years of continued, elected civilian rule since 1999 is the longest uninterrupted period Nigerians have known since the country was granted self-rule by the British imperialists in 1960. A significant milestone for Nigerian democracy was registered when, on 16 May 2006, the National Assembly rejected constitutional amendments that would have allowed the president, and perhaps state governors, to run for a third term in office. The durability of civilian rule since 1999 and the rejection of the thirdterm agenda together signify an early democratic consolidation phase in Nigeria and should be applauded as an unprecedented achievement. This signifies that Nigerians appear to have come to a consensus that democracy is the most feasible form of governance for the nation. 157. The 2007 general elections, although regarded as flawed by national and international observers, marked a democratic milestone of the first ever