FEDERALISM AND NATION-BUILDING IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
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FEDERALISM AND NATION-BUILDING IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
Abstract
This research focuses on federalism and nation building: the obstacles and opportunities. The study’s overall population is 200 National Assembly staff in Abuja. The researcher collected data using questionnaires as the instrument.
Descriptive This study used a survey research design. The survey included 133 respondents who worked as supervisors, computer operators, senior staff, and junior staff. The acquired data was organised into tables and analysed using simple percentages and frequencies.
CHAPITRE ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Of The Study
Federalism appears to be an appealing system of government, particularly in the context of ethnic heterogeneity present in many African states. It is widely acknowledged that, thus far, federalism has failed to eliminate the scourge of ethnicity, sectionalism, and religious conflict from Nigerian politics.
After forty years of attempting to navigate the muddy seas of Nigerian politics, many, including nationalists, politicians, and civil society, have become pessimistic to the point where they are advocating for the country to be completely balkanized. Furthermore, in Nigeria, the contestation over federalism has basically shown itself in two ways:
as a guest for access to and control over political authority, or as a visitor for access to federally created wealth. Momoh (1999:3) stated that the work of social engineering and reconstruction of the concept of federalism in both form and substance was placed in the hands of the military.
It was unsurprising that the country was at the centre of the federalism crisis. Also, because the revenue allocation concept was narrowed in favour of the states, state and municipal governments demanded greater revenue.
It is worth noting that the idiosyncrasies, anomalies, and tensions that troubled and continue to vexed Nigerian federalism arose from sources other than the military’s oppressive authority (Suberu 1994:68).
However, there is still some uncertainty that the desire to reform Nigeria’s federal practice attracts many Nigerians. Also, in the current regime, it is expected that several vexing issues such as the federal government’s overcentralization of powers, the formation of states, income allocation, the formation of local government councils, and the issue of citizenship will be given priority consideration.
Much as it has been achieved in most European colonies, the viability of federalism in Nigeria has been distant from political transparency. In Nigeria, the process of establishing a sovereign civil state, among other things, has fueled feelings of parochialism and ethnicity because it presents a valuable new prize with which to compete.
Despite nationalist propagandists’ claims to the contrary, Nigerian tribalism in its political dimensions is the result of the replacement of a colonial regime by an independent domestically anchored purposefully unitary regime. Though they are founded on historically evolved distinctions, some of which colonial control served to amplify (and others to moderate),
they are integral to the process of creating a new polity and a new citizenship” Geertz (1971). Thus, Nigeria is a country characterised by its size, cultural and linguistic diversity, historical specificities, and significant decentralisation (Max Beloff, 1953).
According to Max Beloff and James Madison’s “diversity hypothesis,” the more diversified the elements within a political system, the better it is suited for federalism, and the more homogeneous the political society, the better it is suited for unitary forms.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
When Nigeria established the republican system of government following independence, the problem linked with the practice of federalism reared its ugly head. The practice of federalism in Nigeria has been extremely complex due to the involvement of several ethnic groups.
The primary goal of this research is to uncover potential concerns with federalism in Nigeria’s democratic setting. Based on this context, the researcher wishes to explore federalism and nation building in Nigeria: difficulties and prospects.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The study’s aims are as follows:
1. Identifying Nigeria’s federalism challenges
2. Identifying the issues of federalism in Nigeria that impinge on democratic norms.
3. Determine the impact of federalism in Nigeria
4. Determine the relationship between federalism’s obstacles and prospects.
1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The researcher developed the following research hypotheses in order to successfully complete the study:
H0: There are no federalism challenges in Nigeria.
H1: There are federalism difficulties in Nigeria.
H02: There is no link between difficulties and the likelihood of federalism.
H2: There is a link between difficulties and the promise of federalism.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The issue of federalism in Nigeria has been recurring, and it is gaining traction among academics. The study must be noteworthy in the following ways:
1. The research will look into the issues of federalism in Nigeria.
2. The study would be noteworthy because it will put to light Nigeria’s federalism concerns.
The study is crucial because recommendations will be made in which will help to solve some of Nigeria’s fiscal federalism concerns and also look at the prospect of federalism in the nation’s building.
1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The study’s scope includes federalism and country building: obstacles and opportunities. The researcher comes upon a constraint that limits the scope of the investigation;
a) RESEARCH MATERIAL AVAILABILITY: The researcher’s research material is insufficient, restricting the scope of the investigation.
b) TIME: The study’s time frame does not allow for broader coverage because the researcher must balance other academic activities and examinations with the study.
c) Organisational privacy: Limited access to the selected auditing firm makes obtaining all necessary and required information about the operations challenging.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terms will be conceptualised for the sake of this work.
1. Democracy: refers to a form of governance in which the people rule. Democracy is a type of government based on the ideals of popular sovereignty, political and economic equality, popular consultation, and majority rule. Eminue Okon, Introduction to Political Science, 2005.
Federal Character: it denotes the notion that every group has an equal opportunity to participate in the country’s socioeconomic and sociopolitical life. Where (1963:10), the substance of Nigerian federal government administration.
iii. Federalism: a system of government with a constitutional arrangement with some constitutional framework that is purposefully constructed by political architects to maintain unity. Where (1963), a feature of Nigerian federalism.
Ethnicity refers to a situation or condition in which a specific group of people is given precedence based on their ethnic regional indicator. It symbolises a sense of belonging to a group of individuals. D. Truman, “The Governance” (1951). Knopt Publishers, New York.
1.8 ORGANISATION OF THE STUDY
This research paper is divided into five chapters for easy comprehension.
The first chapter is concerned with the introduction, which includes the (overview of the study), historical background, problem statement, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms, and historical background of the study.
The second chapter emphasises the theoretical framework on which the study is based, as well as a survey of related literature. The third chapter discusses the study’s research strategy and methodology.
The fourth chapter focuses on data gathering, analysis, and presenting of findings. The study’s summary, conclusion, and suggestions are presented in Chapter 5.
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