Disscusion On Rule of Law

Rule of Law Project

What is the Rule of Law?:
What comes to your mind when the term ‘Rule of Law’ is mentioned? Do you have a clear understanding of what it means? In what ways can the understanding of the rule of law by the common man be improved? What are the likely benefits that a country that operates under the rule of law will enjoy?

Make your voice heard. Contribute to this debate. What is the rule of law?

How are laws made and published? The process of law making is something that has remained unknown to many even amongst elites. Even when laws are made, not many efforts are made to publish and publicise them to enable the general public to know about these laws. That is why there are many laws which are made in the interest of the people and yet the people are unaware of the existence of these laws to enable them benefit from their provisions. For instance, do you know the processes through which laws are made and published? How do you think the processes of law making and publication can be made better? Are the laws made for the people or the government?

Make your voice heard. How should our laws be publicized?

Citizens’ participation in the law making process:
To make democracy work, citizens have to actively participate in the process of governance and in particular, the law making process. Democracy is democracy because of people’s participation in the process. In Nigeria, would you say that citizens (and in particular, the common man), participates in the law making process? Does the common man understand the need to participate in the law making process and how can they participate if they want to? Is your representative in the federal or state house of assembly representing your views?

Make your voice heard. How can you participate in the law making process?

How to hold the government accountable to the law:
The only way that the government can deliver on its promises is if the people are in position to hold the government officials accountable for their actions and or inactions. From your experience, would you say that the governments in Nigeria are accountable to the people? If yes, in what ways are they accountable to the people? If no, how do you think that the governments in Nigeria (at various levels) can be made accountable in order to achieve the dividends of democracy?

Make your voice heard. How do you want to hold the government accountable?