The Non-Justifiability of Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution: Implication for Development in Nigeria (2011) Emily I. Alemika
Abstract
It is no doubt that most of the controversies on the character of human rights Centre on their enforcement and realization within an institutional and legal framework, both at international and national level. This paper examines the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESC) in general with specific reference to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles as entrenched in chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (CFRN) and the impact of the non-realization of socio-economic rights on development in Nigeria. The objective of this paper is to indicate how the continuous violations and denials of the citizens of their socio-economic rights can serve as stagnating cogs in the wheels of progress and healthy socio-economic growth and development in the nation. And to encourage the government, developmental agencies and everyone in the human rights field that increasing attention must be accorded the issue of socio-economic rights for sustainable development in our nation. Thus, this paper seeks to identify and analyze the various socio-economic rights as guaranteed in selected international, regional and national human rights law. Hindrances to the actualization of socio-economic rights are also addressed. And finally, recommendations for a more effective approach towards the goal of making socio-economic rights realizable in Nigeria are proffered.