Good Governance and Political Stability in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration

Abstract

Political stability has proved seemingly unachievable in Nigeria. Despite the governance efforts of various administrations conflicts, violence, ethno-religious crisis amongst others have continued to plague the country, though it is important to note that for governance to be considered good, it has to possess certain characteristics such as transparency, predictability, accountability, participation, and performance, but how much of these characteristics were present in the Goodluck Jonathan administration? This paper argues that the quality of governance in Nigeria has been below standard and this makes sustainable development seem so far away to be achieved making use of descriptive analysis and secondary sources of data collection. This paper further examines the relationship between good governance and political stability and the implications of this relationship to the experience of governance under the Goodluck Jonathan administration. This study concludes that the reason for political instability in Nigeria is due to the failure of certain key institutions that ensure good governance in the country and recommends strengthening of weak institutions as a remedy to further promote political stability. This implies that with good governance, political stability can be achieved and overall sustainable development.