Abstract

This study draws attention to the crisis of governance which has bedevilled Nigeria since independence, and how this has facilitated the violation of the basic rights of the Nigerian people, under the Obasanjo-led civil administration from 1999 to 2007. It is demonstrated that all the regimes in post-colonial Nigeria have violated the rights of the people and that these violations took place on all spheres of people’s lives during the period under study. It is also noted that from brutal physical violence against individuals, groups and communities, to hostile and inhuman socioeconomic and political policies, Obasanjo and his government clearly demonstrated their deep-seated aversion and contempt for the basic rights of Nigerians. We contend that these violations have tended to induce a high level of lack of accountability, responsibility, and transparency, among other virtues in the society, hence negate the practice of good governance concomitantly frustrates a stable socioeconomic, cultural and political environment conducive to both encouraging national integration and foreign direct investments in the country. We contend that the human rights of the people must be promoted and safeguarded with a view to instituting and enhancing good governance for the people of Nigeria.

Key words: Governance, good governance, human rights violation, democracy, crisis of governance.