AFRICAN LEADERS CONFERENCE

1
AFRICAN LEADERS CONFERENCE

• HUMAN RIGHTS AND RULE OF LAW
• Ann Ishaku
• April, 5, 2007

2
HISTORICAL VIEW OF LEADERSHIP

• Most Nations Were Kingdoms With Kings
• Only 2 Stateless Societies in Nigeria Out of Over
  300 Tribes
  
• Kings were the Law Had Life and Death Powers
  Over their Subjects
  
• Colonial Masters Used this for Their Indirect
  Rule they were also above the law
  

3
NIGERIAS EVOLVING GOVERNANCE

• British Colony 1914-1960
• Independence 1960
• Parliamentary System 1960-1966
• Military Dictatorship 1966-1979
• Presidential Democracy 1979-1983
• Military Dictatorship 1983-1999
• Presidential Democracy 1999-2007

4
Geographical Features of Nigeria

• Located in West of Africa
• Divided in 3 Parts by Rivers Niger and Benue
• Rain Forest and Swamps in the South and Savannah
  Land in the North
  
• Land Boundaries Benin, Cameroon Niger, Chad and
  Atlantic Ocean
  

5
GENERAL FACTS ON NIGERIA

• AREA- 923,768sq km / 356,669sq m.
• POPULATION 140 m.
• 3rd Fastest Growing Population In The World
• Multi-ethnic Society of over
• 300 Groups/ Tribes
• RELIGION Christianity, Islam And Traditional
• Very Strong Attachment To Ethnic
• And Religious Biases
• LITERACY 68 of age 15-above
• LIFE EXPECTANCY 43 for men women
• 37 of the population live in extreme poverty

6
FEATURES OF 29 YEARS MILITARY DICTATORSHIP

• Do not recognize the Rule of Law
• Illegal Unconstitutional Policies/ Changes
• Degradation of Political, Social, and Economical
  Standards
  
• Take over of Political and Traditional Offices
• Extremely Rich Military

7

• MILITARY RULE
• Forceful Take Over Of Government.
• No Separation Of Power - No Checks And
  Balances
  
• Strong Central Government
• President Appoints Governors, Judges, And Top
  Government Officials In Federal, States, And
  Local Governments
  

• CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY
• ELECTED GOVERNMENT
• THREE TIERS OF GOVERNMENT
• 1. FEDERAL President, Vice and Executive
  Council
  
• 2. STATES (36) Abuja Governors, Deputies And
  Executive Council
  
• 3. LOCAL (774) Chairmen And Councilors

8

• MAKES LAWS (DECREES / EDICTS)
• Suspends All Constitutional Provisions Dealing
  With Their Authority, And Citizens Human Rights
  
• Create Tribunals To Try Selected Cases
• Oust Courts Jurisdiction Over Cases
• Can Arrest And Detain Without Trial Decree 2, And
  Abiola
  
• No Respect For Rule Of Law
• Disobedience To Court Orders

• CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY Distinct And Separate
  Arms
  
• B. THREE ARMS OF GOVERNMENT
• 1. EXECUTIVE Federal, State, Local
  Governments
  

9

• Restricted Access Of Funds And Information To
  Citizens
  
• Very Few In Governance Positions
• Absolute Power Corrupting Absolutely