Also, the adoption of the Littleton constitution of 1954 laid further credence to . The disadvantages are that it can set off a race to the bottom among states, cause cross-state economic and social disparities, and obstruct federal efforts . Besides the Big Three - Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba, there are other macro and micro ethnic minorities in the country. Federalism in Nigeria refers to the devolution of self-governance by the West African nation of Nigeria to its federated states, who share sovereignty with the Federal Government. Defence, Security, Economy and Development, Chigozirim Odinkalu, Ebenebe Ernest Onyeka, Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies (eJECS), International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS), Glocalism: Journal of Culture, Politics and Innovation, African Journal of Governance and Development, Calabar Journal of Politics and Administration. FRED EKPE F. AYOKHAI, Peter W I L F R E D Naankiel, This study, using content analysis, examined the impact of fiscal federalism and the struggles of ethnic minority groups in the Niger Delta on the trajectories of the national question in Nigeria. Local Government In Nigeria : Definition, Functions, And Importance, Bad Leadership Causes, Effects And Solutions In Nigeria, How To Calculate OAU Aggregate Score for Admission, Best Education Websites and Blogs In Nigeria (2021), Lakzeland Regional High School Board Of Education, Student Loan Planning Educational Webinar With Justin Rice, Is Agricultural Chemicals a Good Career Path? Notwithstanding the above reasons for the adoption of Nigerian federalism, we can also mention some specific factors peculiar to Nigeria. Also, there was a demand for more local regions by all these ethnic interest groups which was what led to the creation of new states. One of the major reasons why countries choose federalism is because of size. There may be no point, of course, boring ones moment with such lengthy activity of working out their conceptual nuances. The Political Economy and Un-ending Search, Agitation for Restructuring and Resource Control in Nigeria's Federalism: Issues, Perspectives and the Way Forward, Federalism, Military Legacies and the Restructuring Debate in Contemporary Nigeria, Federalism, Decentralisation and the Liberalisation of Business Environment in Nigeria, Hands Behind their backs: Making a case for a region-centred restructuring framework, Nigerian Pseudo-Federalism and the Agitations for Restructuring, The evolution of fiscal centralism and strong centre federalism in Nigeria An historical analysis, The Nigerian fiscal formulas and the agitations for resource control in the Niger delta region of. The United States, Canada, India, France and Australia adopted federalism because of the desire for security by the various ethnic units. It forays into the inherent issues underlying the Biafran movement and the ways in which those issues, as well as Biafran agitation, are inimical to Nigeria's development. The current problems facing the Nigeria government and the Biafra separatist agitators originate in the causes and the effects of the Nigerian Civil war (06 July 1967-15 January 1970). stream It has severally been emphasized by both the Northern and Western politicians that God did not create Nigeria but the British. Also see: Differences between Cross-offers and counter-offers, five reasons for the adoption of federalism in nigeria. Nigeria, a previously unitary state, became a federation in 1954. All these strengthen political bonds and gave Rice to unity in diversity. 2013 PP.100-107, This paper explores the issue of unification federalism in Nigeria, which has been an obstacle to peace, development and threats to security .The findings from an extensive reading of related materials suggest that, the root of contemporary political conflict and underdevelopment in Nigeria political landscape shows clearly in the area of imbalance political structures that were established before and after independence. Secondly, are these groups well pleased, or do they at least accept such manipulative placements? %PDF-1.5 It is also an undisputed fact that the Hausas and Yorubas fought Biafra to keep the unity of Nigeria. The federal system adopted in 1954 comprised a national government and three regional governments: Eastern, Northern, and Western. Nigeria as a nation has succeeded in commanding influence among member states by the virtue of its size. Federalism is a system of government where there are a decentralization power and autonomy of governance to the regional or federated states that share sovereignty with the Federal Government. In 1963 Midwestern region was created and Nigeria became a nation of four regions. federalism, a heavily coercive effort by a nondemocratic centralizing power to put together a multinational state, some of the components of which had previously been independent states. The possible reasons for the practice of federalism in Nigeria are several, and have, for instance, been presented as British imposition targeted at a post-colonial relationship, or as a. The logic for this call, nay, agitation for self-determination by this group is not faulty in itself except that the laws of the land; Nigeria 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not guarantee self-determination or secession by any group of the Nigerian political environment. (Tanzi, 1996). This is because federalism is presented as a panacea in organizing distinct political identities under a state. There are three major tribes in Nigeria namely Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. ideology, federalism becomes the only solution to ensure peace and unity amongst the. It established that the resources of a particular state is not totally owned by the federal government. Now, because the level of the development of the productive forces was still at a rudimentary stage, the pervasiveness of commodity relations was equally at a low level. examines the question on why federalism has not succeeded in managing and accommodating diversity in Nigeria. The 1951 constitution gave more strength to regionalism with the creation of two chamber legislation in the northern and western Nigeria. The paper contends that unitary federalism in Nigeria is an imposition and extension of colonial and military entrenched inequalities in the Nigerian state. reasons for the adoption of federalism in nigeria pdf. Keywords: Civil war, Secession, Self-determination, Nationalism and Restructuring, This work critically examines the issues undermining the unification of Nigeria, using indicators and concepts including failed state, separatist agitation and insecurity. So majority if not all of them were in favor of a federalist system of governance. The first military head of state was dethroned for adopting unitary system of government yet successive military administration in practice follow unitary principle instead of federal system. /F2 9 0 R Also, Read: Local Government In Nigeria : Definition, Functions, And Importance. Federalism in Nigeria refers to the devolution of self-governance by the West African nation of Nigeria to its federated states, who share sovereignty with the Federal Government . /BitsPerComponent 8 On the contrary it has also been suggested that is created more diversity and conflict for the nation to grapple with. Federalism is a mixed form of government where there is a general government always known as the central or federal government and regional governments which could be provincial or states governments. /F3 12 0 R As a result of this, it has brought about the cry of the minorities clamoring for their own state. This duplicity of government is not alien to a federal structure as identified, except that in the Nigerian case, there is ineffable strife for dominance. This research work x-rayed federalism in Nigeria as the only basis upon which Nigeria can remain united despite its diversity and peculiar conditions in which the different tribal groups live in and proffers solutions to the challenges of the practice of . Moreover, @VF:8=|@5&/1df gbjtCoy(L5A,JCI1/'5DT8`A!UY*&wTN5[v;KXvH* 5:>}W^Bp_ ;R!&L %s\q'(], >> Academia.edu uses cookies to personalize content, tailor ads and improve the user experience. We appreciate you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Reasons for the Adoption of Federalism in Nigeria. The crux of the matter is that the minorities fear the domination of the majorities, but federalism allows them some independent existence, and as such, their fears, both real and fancied, are allayed. A Policy Brief examining the actors, factors and dynamics of the agitations, questioning if the current agitation is another flash in the pan and if current responses are adequate to address the agitations for secession of Biafra from Nigeria. Federalism is a method of segregating powers so that the central and local governments are each within a domain, harmonizing and autonomous. This paper is a critical exploration of the current challenges bedeviling the Nigerian state, capable of heating up the polity and disintegrating the Nigerian project. $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ? What a nice and educating document!We are grateful for this post. However, it is also fact that since independence Nigeria has promulgated several constitutions and that if Nigeria wanted an alternative system of government, she could have opted for it. Prior to independence, it is believed that the British adopted federalism because it favored their interest. At the heart of these crises are weak democratic institutions, which are sustained by bad leadership and a culture of impunity. Biafrans who are geographically in the South and SouthEast of Ni-geria feel and believe that their economic and developmental prowess are not well represented in the Nigerian state, and this lack of representation leads to marginalization. In Nigerian democracy, there is a federalist system of government. As a Nigerian, it is important to understand some basic things about the system of governance in Nigeria and why it is so. As a heterogeneous state, Nigeria operates a federal structure which accommodates a Central government and sub-national, otherwise, state governments with several other municipal administrations; local government, therefore enabling a tripartite level of governance. The origin of federalism in Nigeria can be traced to the colonial era. Indeed, whatever scholarly connotations they bear, one strongly believes that they all enjoy one clear focus. Granted is the fact that federalism was launched in Nigeria by expatriate leaders, its continued existence since independence is standing firm on the interest of the indegeneous leaders. Since Nigeria is a heterogeneous nation and Federalism is more practicable in such kind of nation, it is an ideal system of government. five reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria explained. This helped to solve the problem of marginalization in the leadership. Federalism as a system of government which is meant to help to advance good governance and development of a multi-ethnic and big country like Nigeria. FOR CLIENTS OUTSIDE NIGERIA. Generally speaking, one of the reasons for federalism is common historical or ancestral background. 2. Over the years the fiscal federalism in Nigeria has crystallised and remained . Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. This is because most of the power (financial and. Despite that, instead of unity, cooperation and consensus, there has been apparent division, disagreement, and dissension. The benefits of federalism are that it can encourage political participation, give states an incentive to engage in policy innovation, and accommodate diverse viewpoints across the country. The unity here is brought about by the desire of the component units of the federation to form union in respect of some matters. Population of the country Size and population of a country is among the determinants of the level of power and influence which a country commands. Thus, federalism is mostly considered a tangible element for coexistence, but much more, I think, as political syrup, for adumbrating potent dislocations inherent in, and symptomatic of pluralist societies. 3. Have you ever wondered why Nigeria is practicing a federal system of government and not any other system? /F1 6 0 R RESTRUCTURE OR DISINTEGRATE, OFFICIAL CORRUPTION AND THE DILEMA OF INSTABILITY IN NIGERIA, The Rationale for AfSol in Peace and Security: The Global, National and Regional Precipitants, Agitation for Restructuring and Resource Control in Nigeria's Federalism: Issues, Perspectives and the Way Forward, Giving Peace a Chance in Nigeria: The Case for a Preventive Diplomacy, Framing of Neo-Biafra Agitations in Selected Nigerian Newspapers, CRISES OF FEDERALISM IN NIGERIA AND THE FUTURE OF THE MIDDLE BELT REGION, Social Media and Hate Speech: Analysis of Comments on Biafra Agitations, Nigeria. 3l:rmO"XDhG%2| Minority Issues and the Creation of State | Week 10. This is another reason for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria. Federalism therefore involves the linkage of individuals, groups and policies in lasting but limited union in such a way as to provide for the energetic pursuit of common goals while maintaining the respective integrities of all parties. As a result, issues relating to marginalization, economic imbalance, social alienation, ethnic suspicion and superior-subordination contestation are recurring malaises in the system. } !1AQa"q2#BR$3br /F6 21 0 R It was subsequently, not until after the American constitution of 1787, that a new concept of federalism was introduced. ff>qsfN? This is why there is a clamoring for restructuring and true federalism in Nigeria. V(B8eDK@sx AK hG~ u;6DV,pwP# _ O4C sR 8_yC ! 9S ) ?roh _ O4C sR & Pf?? AK kyC?& Pf;_Hu j_ G$: 5/ The paper begins by placing the question in an historical context examines its different phases and characters. Given the size of Nigeria, it lays claims to being the Giant of Africa. Many nations in the international community recognizes her as such. Ethnic, Religious and Geographical Factor 3.5 5. By the time Nigeria got her independence, the various party involved had been regionally based. From the onset, Nigeria, like most of her federating peers, has faced one major challenge in the course of her political voyage - the crisis of who is who. Ordinarily and without much logicality, by who is who, one means the problematic and destructive component of identity. There is a general opinion that Nigeria was formed because of the interest of the British and they had to govern the country under a federation system. According to Ayoade (2009:iii): Nigerians have come to identify the first republic 1960- 66 as the golden age of federalism in Nigeria. But nigeria today became the proudable and bearable country, Nigeria thus consists of various ethnic groups and sub-national states, all of which are at the mercy of the Central government. Despite the profound and lengthy discussions that have taken place on the subject for about four and half decades, consensus has not been reached concerning the optimal formula to adopt to achieve desired economic development . +rohyC ! 9S ) ?roh _ O4C sR & Pf?? AK kyC?& Pf;_Hu j_ G$: 5/ 1 Issue 2, BETWEEN THE PRISMS OF NECESSITY AND LEGALITY - THE IPOB PROSCRIPTION IN CONTESTATION_pp.43-57, RE-THINKING BIAFRA IDEOLOGY OF SELF-DETERMINATION IN NIGERIA, A (UN)JUST AND (UN)HOLY WAR? 7 Cooperative federalism was dominant from the 1930s through the 1970s. 4 Topics . REASONS FOR ADOPTION OF FEDERALISM According to IDEA (2015:3), federalism is adoption for the following reasons: Scale: This credited the operation of federalism to the adoption of democracy which allowed for citizens to participate directly in political life. In Nigeria, there are different and distinct ethnic groups brought together by colonization. Dual federalism was dominant from the 1790s until the 1930s. To make mortgage industry standards more flexible and modernized, the proposed rule would remove the requirement that lenders and mortgagees register with HUD each branch office . +rohyC ! 9S ) ?roh _ O4C sR & Pf?? AK kyC?& Pf;_Hu j_ G$: 5/ Take for example, in the Nigerian case of Attorney General of Federation v Attorney General of Abia and others (2002) 3 NCLR 1ar p 54, the issue of resource control in a true federalism was the bone of contention in that matter. In 1954, the Nigerian founding fathers opted for a federal system of government despite its inherent challenges in a pluralistic society. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is publishing this proposed rule to revise HUD's regulations for branch office registration requirements. As I have already explained, Nigeria is an amalgamation of three different regions with beliefs and customs. The construct of federalism, which originates with the concept of intergovernmental relations, dates back to the Greek civilization. Federalism is a type of government in which the sovereign authority of political power is usually divided between two units. Email Address. (8 Best Paying Jobs), General consensus among our leaders when seeking independence from Britain. The possible reasons for the practice of federalism in Nigeria are several, and have, for instance, been presented as British imposition targeted at a post-colonial relationship, or as a. Common national, racial, religious, cultural linguistic or social ties have often contributed to the unification of political unit. Federalism was implemented in Nigeria as way back as 1946 during the British colonial era. Pls visit us again dear reader. The fear of ethnic groups overlapping regional boundaries and the loyalties of castes cutting of some extent across provincial political boundaries also encourage some groups to support wider federal unions. Brad Simpson (2014) The Biafran secession and the limits of self-determination, Journal of Genocide Research, 16:2-3, 337-354, WARN POLICY BRIEF THE NIGERIA STATE AND THE BIAFRA QUESTION: THREATS TO OR OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATIONAL COHESION, LAST TRAIN TO BIAFRA - Memories of a Biafran Child: A Personal Family Experience, Fiscal Federalism, Ethnic Minorities and the National Question in Nigeria: Revisiting the Case of the Niger Delta People, WARN POLICY BRIEF WARN POLICY BRIEF THE NIGERIA STATE AND THE BIAFRA QUESTION: THREATS TO OR OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATIONAL COHESION, Biafra Resurgence: State Failure, Insecurity and Separatist Agitations in Nigeria, Biafra Separatism: Causes, Consequences and Remedies, The Nigerian State and the Quest for Restructuring: Implications for Democratic Consolidation, THE DISINTEGRATION OF YUGOSLAVIA: A LESSON FOR NIGERIA, MASSOB AND IPOB SELF DETERMINATION AND THE NIGERIA STATE, Ndi Igbo, Leadership, Nationhood, the Nigerian Dilemma and Why We Are All Biafrans, Death of a nation - Biafra and the Nigerian question.pdf, Exploring the Dimensions of Secessionist Agitations: Security Threats and Implications for Nigeria 1966-2016, REVISITING THE NIGERIA-BIAFRA WAR: THE INTANGIBLES OF POST- WAR RECONCILIATION, The Ambiguity of Constitutional Silence on State Secession in Nigeria: Looking Beyond Politics of Compassion and Prejudice, West Africa Insight Secessionist Movement ENGLISH Version, Situation Analysis on Public Safety and Security Governorship Election in Anambra State, IGBOS, A PEOPLE THRIVING AMIDST ADVERSITY: WHO ARE THE IGBOS, Pro-Biafran Activists and the call for a Referendum: A Sentiment Analysis of 'Biafraexit' on Twitter after UK's vote to leave the European Union, NIGERIA: WHAT IS TO BE DONE? Federalism was favoured among other systems of government in a bid to averting both fancied and real fear of domination among the minorities. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. %PDF-1.5 Journal of public administration and Management Vol.6,No.12, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Federalism in Nigeria. Your email address will not be published. Moreover, it is important to note that most of the ethnic groups in Nigeria had strong political inter-group relationship before colonial rule. It should be noted, however, that the Leagues significantly differ from modern federations in one respect: namely, while the various governments freely interacted, no prosperous direct contact between the populace of the various governments was permitted. So, without wasting much time, what is a federal system of government? This has led to a deep sense of alienation and politics of ethnic identity. CLICK HERE To Pay With Debit Card ($15) GHANA - Make Payment of 80 GHS to MTN MoMo, 0553978005, Douglas Osabutey. 33 The Marriage Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990, sec 18 specifically stipulates: "If either party to an intended marriage, not being a Consent widower or widow, is under twenty-one years of age, the written consent of the father, or if he be dead or of unsound mind or absent from Nigeria, of the mother, or if both be dead or of unsound mind or absent from Nigeria, of the . There must be a formal decision of government powers by the constitution between the federal and state government. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. It has been suggested that the creation of more states and local government have helped in the distribution of national cake. Present Nigeria was formed by the amalgamation of two regions which many see as a big influence in why federalism was later adopted by the British and later on by Nigerian leaders as at the time of independence. Also read: Highest paying law firms in Nigeria. Insecurity and the desire for union are the main reasons for the shift from unitary system of government to federal system of government in 1954. Do you know the reasons for federalism in Nigeria? The powers that exist between the federal and state government also depends on the constitution. Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. Do you want to know the basis and the reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria? This was one of the major reasons for the creation of the newer and smaller states after the independence. Not minding the general relevance of these coinages, an arduous task lies in properly assessing their specific impacts in a given political enclave. of diversities helps in a nations decision to adopt the aggregative or disaggregative type of federalism. We can offhandedly list all of the reasons for the adoption of federal system in Nigeria. In this article, i will comprehensively discuss the reasons for federalism in Nigeria. INTERNAL COLONIALISM IN NIGERIA Some of the reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria are the diversity of the nation and the desire for political, cultural and social identity of a people of over 250 ethnic groups, several languages, diversities and a lot of political traditions; the desire for some form of /Type /XObject Mainly of telling who is who in a given society. >> The Plural nature of Nigeria: Nigeria is a plural society of over 250 tongues and tribes. More so, the colonial masters with the Richards Constitution in 1947 launched Nigeria onto the path of the present federal system of government via the regionalization of the country. Samuel is bent on changing the legal profession by building Web and Mobile Apps that will make legal research a lot easier. Thus, Nigeria's federalism is not only complex but also hard to understand. /F5 18 0 R Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. From that date, the concept of federalism incorporated the idea of patterned contact at two levels: at the governmental level between the participating units, and among the citizens of these different units (Dare, 1979:26). It came about following the necessity for administrative convenience and managerial expenses. It means that the sovereign unit (Centre) and local units . Over the years, it is quite obvious that Nigeria is one of the few countries that adopted federal system of Government in Africa, a system that envisages autonomy for every sect of its authorities (federal, state and local government respectively). Best information base for latest information both national and international.