Critical Assessment Of Nigerian Federalism

The broad objective of this study is to present a critical assessment of the Nigerian Federalism. The study adopted a descriptive qualitative design using a case study approach was used to provide an in-depth understanding of Nigeria Federalism cases under examination. Data were obtained from secondary sources through books, journals, newspapers, magazines, reports. These data were thoroughly reviewed to explain the topic under examination. Findings from the study revealed that that federalism was born to unite people of different religion, ethnicity, culture, and traditions so as to enhance the national unity and economic stability. But the major problem of Nigerian federalism is power sharing and resources allocation across the regions and states. It is found that under the federal system there are serious problems of majority domination over the minority. These have led to ethno-religious conflicts in the nation because of unequal access to national resources and power sharing among the citizens. To overcome these problems the study therefore recommends that all the citizens of the confederating units should be treated equally in term of power and resources allocations. More so, to maintain equality and justice among the citizens, the government should adhere to the principles of federal character commission. Finally to minimize the problems of federalism Nigeria should fairness in sharing of power and resources allocation among its citizen in the federating units as this will result to true federalism and sustainable development.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Federalism has emerged as one of the most preferred forms of government based on its integrative competence to estimate the diverse political life of multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-linguistic societies. Conversely, Federalism represents a unique form of governmental arrangement. This is because, it involves the organization of the state in such manner as to promote unity while at the same time preserving existing diversities within an overarching national entity (Majekodunmi, 2015).

Though, in the Nigerian state, the practice of federalism has continued a forbidding frightening because of the twisted nature of the federal system which has led to serious contestations among the integral populations, thus resulting in limitless fiddling and dissolution. The problem Nigeria has had to face is how to save an efficient and effective central government that would help preserve national harmony and allowing free choice for the diversities of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual integral parts (Lanre, 2017).

Nigeria is a country of extraordinary diversity and as such, one of extraordinary complexities. These complexities are a reflection of the avalanche of ethno-cultural and religious groups co-habiting the territory and the intricacies of interaction among them. Indeed, Nigeria adventure into pluralism of religious and ethnic diversities owes its origin to colonial conquest which permitted the entire continent of Africa beginning from the early 19th century. In the case of Nigeria, the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorate made Nigeria a multi- ethnic and multi lingual country

Perhaps cognizance of the existence of latest threats to the future political stability of the emergent nation-state, the founding fathers were desirous of a system of government that would neutralize the political threats and accommodate the divergent interest of the various ethno-cultural groups. This desire eventually found expression in the federal system of government as a diversity management technique. But it must be stated here that, with the advent of the 1979 and 1999 constitution, there has been a profound change in the practice of federalism in the country in the sense that, the system has been practice in an awkward manner and this has called for into question whether Nigeria is truly operating a true federal system. This question has further accentuated by recent damming report of the national intelligence council of the United State Government which forecasted that by the year 2020, Nigeria might cease to exist as a nation-state.

Given this Background and against the fact that the operation of the system per se started far back in 1914, what is the continue relevance of the federal idea in Nigeria? This is against the background of hiccups experience so far with the system and its attendant implications for political stability.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The federal system of government was set up for the purpose of national unity in the plural society like Nigeria and to preserve the distinct social identities valued by its constituent parts. Moreover, the implementation of the federal system in the Nigerian context and Nigeria‟s political system has continued to work with minimum unity and diversity. Competition basically prompted by cultural common distrust progressively deteriorates the stuff of Nigerian Authority. Nigeria accepted federalism as a means of accomplishing its much-needed goal of national unity among people of different religion, ethnicity, and culture. In essence, the federalism so adopted is expected to lessen the massively destructive inter-ethnic competition and tension, alleviate the usually assumed fear of majority and minority domination, and bringing government closer to the people and give these diverse groups more opportunities, thereby integrating the country but the opposite is the order as the unification has resulted in unequal power sharing and resources allocation among the general populous across the nation. Especially between the majority and minority ethnic groups. The problem of inequality in power and resources allocation among the citizens has created a wide gap as the ethnic majority has dominated the few minorities in all sphere of life in the country especially in the power and resources allocation. The domination of some state regions as well as the minority ethnic groups has created a wide vacuum which leads to ethno religious conflict across the nation hence maki9ng it pertinent for us to critically assess the Nigerian federalism.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The broad objective of this study is to present a critical assessment of the Nigerian Federalism. Specifically the study seeks to:

To examine why Nigeria, adopt a federal system of government

To investigate the problems of Nigeria Federalism

To explore the prospect of Nigerian federalism

1.4 Research Question

What are the reasons that prompted Nigeria, adopt a federal system of government

What the problems attached to the true practice Federalism in Nigeria

What are the prospect to enhance Nigerian federalism

1.5 Significance of the Study

Findings from the study will be relevant to the government, law makers and all the public stakeholders. The research will enlighten them on the need to reevaluate the current practices of Nigeria Federalism in other to favour all ethnic groups as well fulfil the goal of unification. More so findings will add to the body of empirical knowledge and serve as reference material to scholars and student who wishes to conduct further studies in related field.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study borders on a critical assessment of Nigeria Federalism covering the third and fourth republic.

1.7 Research Methodology

This research adopted a qualitative outlook. Data were generated through secondary sources of data collection. In preparing this article several books, journal articles, newspapers, and magazines were systematically reviewed and discussed the case under investigation. More so the design adopted is case study approach considering the nature of the topic because this approach helps the scholar to understand the depth case or cases under investigation. Provides an in-depth understanding of a case or cases under examination. It also assists in Developing an in-depth explanation and examination of a case.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

An attempt was made to conduct a comprehensive research work on this project so as to make it a board base text to all manner of people. However, the inadequate finances and limited time period allowed for the completion of this project was not considered enough and could not allow for a thorough and in-depth work to be done.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Federalism:

Federalism is a mixed or compound mode of government that combines a general government (the central or "federal" government) with regional governments (provincial, state, cantonal, territorial or other sub-unit governments) in a single political system.

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