ABSTRACT

Succinctly, the theory an practice of the rule of law is a concept which replete with other phenomena. This research study is established to evaluate the type of politics going on in Ebonyi state, also to verify whether the constitutional provision reigns supreme in Ebonyi State during the democratic regime. The rule of law and its correlative preservation for human right had been customary to the people from the primordial and time immemorial, prior to Igbo Ethnic origin vis-à-vis Ebonyi indigenes. This foresters the people’s representation by consent, which ensures liberty, freedom, equality, equity, respect, rights and well-being of the citizens. The method used for data collection to actualize this research study is basically self-reporting techniques, primary and secondary sources such as textbooks, journals, magazine newspapers, internet materials, lecturer notes and other relevant documents which deal with democracy and the rule of law. These data were analyzed to arrive at the intended result. The question is what could be the contributing factors this state of affairs? To establish answer for this question, chapter one to examines background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, significant of the study, literature review, theoretical framework, hypothesis and research methodology. Chapter two establishes historical evolution of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria while chapter in its own contribution records the realities of Ebonyi State, to chapter four, the rule of law in Ebonyi State. Chapter five articulates summary, conclusion and recommendations. Through these analyses it has been verified that constitutional provision and the rule of law has not been strictly adhered to in Ebonyi state, although, Ebonyi State government had upheld some minimum levels of justice, equity, rights and well-being of the citizens in their dealings. With empirical evidences, Dr. Egwu’s regime is more democratic than that of Chief Elechi, yet both used PDP palliative to suppress others parties and consolidate their authority and governance. I suggest that Democracy in Ebony state should be prenticed with all the tenets and the rule of law reigns supreme in all ramifications. However, competent leaders should be duly elected. Ebonyi State government should as matter of urgency lift ban for employment. Let theme be liberty, freedom, rights and well-being of the citizens. The resources of the nation should be evenly and equitably distributed.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Title page – – – – – – – – – – i Approval page – – – – – – – – – – ii Dedication – – – – – – – – – – iii Acknowledgement – – – – – – – – iv Abstract – – – – – – – – – – vii CHAPTER ONE: 1.1 Introduction – – – – – 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem – – – – – – 9 1.3 Objective of the Study – – – – – – – 13 1.4 Significance of the Study – – – – – – 14 1.5 Literature Review – – – – – – – – 15 1.6 Theoretical Framework – – – – – – – 28 1.7 Hypothesis – – – – – – – – – 36 1.8 Method of Data Collection – – – – – – 36 1.9 Method of Data Analysis – – – – – – – 37 CHAPTER TWO: Historical Evolution of Democracy and the Rule of Law 2.1 Historical Evolution of Democracy in Nigeria – – – 51 2.2 Historical Evolution of the Rule of Law in Nigeria – – 63 2.3 Democratic Consolidation and the Rule of Law in Nigeria under the Recent Regime – – – – – – 77 CHAPTER THREE: The Realities of Ebonyi State 3.1 Historical Analyses of Ebonyi State – – – – – 103 3.2 Democratic Challenge and the Rule of Law in Ebonyi State – 113 CHAPTER FOUR: Political Stability Cum Democratic Consolidation through the Rule of Law in Ebonyi State 4.1 Supremacy of the Law and Political Stability in Ebonyi State – 137 4.2 Preponderant Conflicts and Acrid Politics that militate against Democracy in Ebonyi State – – – – – – 161 4.3 The Relationship between Legislature and Judiciary for the Establishment of the Rule of Law in Ebonyi State – 176 CHAPTER FIVE: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations 5.1 Summary – – – – – – – – – 188 5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – – – 193 5.3 Recommendation – – – – – – – – 196 BIBLIOGRAPHY