THE ROLE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN ENHANCING DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Nigeria public administration of 1960 was an offshoot of British prototype for British bequeathed Nigeria with her model of public administration where she granted her independence in that year when Nigeria demanded for political emancipation.

During the period Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the governor general representing the queen, while Abubakar Tafawa Balewa served as the prime minister.

Due to some defectives in the 1960, many Nigerians wanted immediate changes to be made in the constitution in order to remove the awkward aspect of the constitution. This prompted the revision of 1960 independent constitution, and ushered in the 1963 republic constitution which made Nigeria a Republic. Some of the features of the immediate independent year could be identified as follows:

• Nigeria was a federation of three regions until 1963 when the fourth region was added.
• The first republic witnessed multi-party system.
• It was a parliamentary democracy
• The prime minister was the head of the executive

The second republic which began with the ascendance of the civilian government of President Sehu Shagari in 1971 abolished the parliamentary system of government.

Although Nigeria shifted away from the practice of the British parliamentary system and adopted the American presidentialism, she still maintains the dual civil service structure.

The second distinguishing feature of the Nigeria presidency was the fact that this constitution formally required the president to obtain advice from or consult with certain executive bodies before making decision on certain issues. The executive bodies were: the council of state, the federal civil service commission, the national defense council, the national economic council, the federal electoral commission, the national defense council, the police service commission, etc.

The third republic came into existence on 27^th August 1993; who the departing military president, general Ibraham Babangida instituted the Interim National Government (ING), and placed chief Ernest Shonikan as the head of the Interim National Government until elections scheduled in February 1994.

This administration was unable to reverse Nigerians economic problems or to defuse lingering political tension.

The fourth republic came into existence in Nigeria in May 1999 under the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo after 16 years of consecution military regime. This administration inherited a country suffering economic stagnation and the detraction of most democratic institutions.

This republic ascended power with clear cut goal to improve. They are also dedicated to the re-orientation of the public service to the values of diligence, honesty, well remunerated service, supportive to democratic  system reforms to bring effective performance and to enable them contribute to the economic wealth of the country.

Since 1999, the government has increased the salaries of worker twice, while several officials totally deprived of promotion have been promoted (the guardian May, 30 2007). It is believed that all these measures, including the organisation of training and orientation programmes are capable of attaining enlisting the support of the administration for democracy.

1.2  STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

       The Nigeria public administration has faced a number of challenges and problems which have considerably undermined  its capacity to serve as agent of democratic consolidation.

This work is out to look into the problem that has hindered public administration from enhancing democratic principles as outlined by Ayo; these include the following:

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