Naturally, federal system of government has some distinctive features namely: 1. And this is one of the factors responsible for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria. 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. POL 124 MAIN CONTENT Mar 21, 2011 NEW (1), Resource Control, Federalism and Peace in the Niger Delta: A Reflection on Nigeria at Fifty, Federalism and Revenue Allocation in Nigeria: A Critical Evaluation of the Derivation Principle, Legal Framework for Fiscal Federalism: Issues and Options for Reform, RESOURCE CONTROL, REVENUE ALLOCATION AND PETROLEUM POLITICS IN NIGERIA: THE NIGER DELTA QUESTION, Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations in Nigeria's Fourth Republic: Issues and Challenges, The Nigerian State and the Quest for Restructuring: Implications for Democratic Consolidation, Federalism, Democracy and Constitutionalism: The Nigerian Experience. The unity here is brought about by the desire of the component units of the federation to form union in respect of some matters. Nigeria as a result was divided into three provinces. 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. 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. 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. It was subsequently, not until after the American constitution of 1787, that a new concept of federalism was introduced. The 1951 constitution gave more strength to regionalism with the creation of two chamber legislation in the northern and western Nigeria. 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. There are other political systems the country could have adopted but because of some reasons which I am going to share with you today, federalism seemed to be the best idea. Federalism was the only solution to ensure peace and unity amongst the leaders and the citizens and that was why federalism was adopted into the Nigerian political system. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Emergence of Nigeria as a political entity under colonial rule was not an easy affair. /ProcSet [/PDF /Text ] Fourthly, there shall be the existence of court to interpret the constitution as it applies to cases and conflicts among the tiers of government. We can offhandedly list all of the reasons for the adoption of federal system in Nigeria. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. Consequently, the economic condition was one of the reasons that led to the adoption of federal systems of government in both Nigeria and South Africa. This type of government is also known as a "federation" or a "federal state" in common parlance (eg., United States of America). Emphasis on indigeneity, the federal revenue allocation formula and the increasing formalization of the 'federal character' principle, to mention only a few issues, increase sources of tensions and potential conflicts. This notwithstanding, the concept of federalism boasts of a very popular definition by an American scholar, K.C. Given the size of Nigeria, it lays claims to being the Giant of Africa. Many nations in the international community recognizes her as such. Geographical nearness of the component states to each other and the state network of roads and transportation. Thus, Nigeria's federalism is not only complex but also hard to understand. (eds. 3. Peter W I L F R E D Naankiel, FRED EKPE F. AYOKHAI, Covenant University Journal of Politics and International Affairs, African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, African Journal of Governance and Development, Calabar Journal of Politics and Administration, International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, Under Reconstruction: Ethnicity, Ethnic Nationalism, and the Future of the Nigerian State, Institutional Engineering and the Survival of Nigerian Federalism, " Managing a Plural Society : the Boomerang Effects of Nigerian Federalism' Journal of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics , 27, 1-2 (July 1989), 218-245, An Historical Interrogation of Federalism berlin, THE PRACTICE OF TRUE FEDERALISM IN NIGERIA AND THE NIGER DELTA QUESTION, "The dawn of constitutionalism in Nigeria in Mbondenyi, M. K., and Ojienda T. i dont have my first school leaving certificate. The construct of federalism, which originates with the concept of intergovernmental relations, dates back to the Greek civilization. %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz Nigeria did not choose federal system of government because it is the best or most practiced system of government in the world. Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. Many Nigerian ethnic groups began to agitate for their own states. In the first place, therefore, the contemplation of a federal pact is one of an overwhelming outcome of the emphatic need to handle the above concerns acceptably. << Trouble for INEC staff who violated Electoral Act during presidential polls as c 53 things to do with your boyfriend: fun ways to spend time together, Presidential election: Jack-Rich salutes Tinubu, Shettima over victory, Maritime workers hail Supreme Court over old naira notes, says cargo can now leave ports, Dating apps in Nigeria: best applications to help you find the one. The states' territories were formed around ethnic groups with common interest and close ties, culture, and dialects. On the other hand; a constitution is unitary when there are created by the law made by the central legislature and their existence depends upon the government to control, supervision of the central government. More importantly, certain heavy but blurred (or fluid) terminologies that define or designate Nigerias federal principle, which are highly pertinent to coexistence, have yet compounded the theoretical and practical significance of federalism in Nigeria. 3l:rmO"XDhG%2| Have you ever wondered why Nigeria is practicing a federal system of government and not any other system? Nigeria and Ghana can not easily form a country chiefly because they are not geographically contiguous. In this paper I explain the hows and whys of the minorities continued disadvantaged status in spite of the far-reaching steps that have been taken to ameliorate, if not eliminate, the problem. Government at different periods had set up commissions to advise on the acceptable revenue sharing formula, especially as it affects the three (3) tiers of government. Another cogent reason for federalism in Nigeria is the fear of marginalization. This prototype edition of the daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial informational resource until the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status. This has led to a deep sense of alienation and politics of ethnic identity. However, that is not so in a federal government system. V(B8eDK@sx AK hG~ u;6DV,pwP# _ O4C sR 8_yC ! 9S ) ?roh _ O4C sR & Pf?? AK kyC?& Pf;_Hu j_ G$: 5/ Olawale Olaopa, Ibikunle Ogundari, Mike Awoleye and Willie Siyanbola, Nigeria Quasi Federalism: An Obstacle To Peace And Development In Nigeria, FEDERAL BALANCING IN NIGERIA: A PARADIGM FOR SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY, DECENTRALIZING PUBLIC SECTOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND THE CONTRADICTIONS OF FEDERAL PRACTICE IN NIGERIA, The National Assembly, Constitution Amendment and Civil Society Expectations, True Federalism in Nigeria: A Political Discourse, Re-regionalization and Fiscal Federalism: The Panacea for Accelerated National Development in Nigeria, REPORT OF NIGERIA'S 2014 NATIONAL DIALOGUE, Politics, Power. As a result of this, it has brought about the cry of the minorities clamoring for their own state. of diversities helps in a nations decision to adopt the aggregative or disaggregative type of federalism. 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. Do you know the reasons for federalism in Nigeria? Again, in 1967 twelve states were created to appease the interest of those clamoring for states and weaken the geo-political holds of Biafra. It came about following the necessity for administrative convenience and managerial expenses. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (Nigerian Chapter), Abstract: The Nigeria civil war (1967-1970) provoked by declaration of Biafra republic had indelible imprint on Nigeria state. In this article, I will elucidate and discuss with references the reasons for the adoption of federalism in 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. 6 0 obj Differences between 1960 and 1963 constitution of Nigeria, Differences Between First, Second and Third Degree Murder, Best Lawyers In The World (With Pictures): Top 10 Most Popular, Factors that Limits Independence of the Judiciary in Nigeria, Statute of Fraud: Contracts Required to be in Writing, Advantages And Disadvantages Of a Limited Liability Company (LLC), Richest Christian Musicians In The World: Top 10 Wealthiest, Countries With The Highest Minimum Wage 2022: Top 13, Best Handworks/Skills To Learn In Nigeria 2023: Top 12 Most Lucrative, Richest Engineers In Nigeria 2022: Top 10 Highest Paid, Cheapest Places to Live in the United Kingdom 2022: 12 Most Affordable, Cheapest Places/Cities To Live In Nigeria 2022. 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. It is on this footing, herewith, that one can properly understand the rational for, and theory of federalism, what and why certain trends theme up federal-state relations in Nigeria, and the features of federal-state relations 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. Ethnic, Religious and Geographical Factor 3.5 5. /Length 3884 3. In the same way, the political culture of the United States is civic, republican and participatory. reasons for the adoption of federalism in nigeria pdf. Federalism And Intergovernmental Relations In Nigeria. 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 site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Do you want to know the basis and the reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria? Nigeria, a previously unitary state, became a federation in 1954. This is another reason for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria. Email Address. Fiscal Federalism and Democratic Governance in Nigeria - I. O. Taiwo 2004 ), Constitutionalism, Constitution Making and Constitutional Reform in Africa: Contemporary Perspectives from Sub-Saharan Africa, Chapter IX: The politics and policies of oil deregulation in Nigeria: Implications and policy suggestions. Levoluzione del federalismo nigeriano tra conflitti etnici e transizioni democratiche. 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. All attempts to solve these problems over the years have failed. On the contrary it has also been suggested that is created more diversity and conflict for the nation to grapple with. In examining post-independence constitution-making in Nigeria, this chapter finds that military rule blighted Nigerias capacity to respond appropriately to the challenges of federalism. British North American colonies unite 3 Up to 1867, the colonies 4 of British North America had no political or geographical links. Reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria include: 1. In a unitary constitution which opposes federal principles, everything belongs to the central government; the federating unit does not exist, let alone agitating for resource control. In recent times, specifically in post 2015 general election, there have been new waves of agitations for the Biafra republic by both Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra and Indigenous People of Biafra on one hand and for Niger Delta republic by Niger Delta Avengers on the other, added to terrorism and militancy that are already threatening Nigeria fragile state. Nigeria's founding fathers desired a federal political framework, believing that federal states have the structural capacity to accommodate diversity. 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. Federalism is a defined or is said to be the system where powers are shared between central and regional governments so that each is in a sphere coordinate and are independent. Problems of Nigerian Federalism 1) Revenue Allocation: This has been a problem in Nigeria. The regional government had power over matters that are listed under the residual list. Parliamentary and Unitary system of government were in operation in Nigeria between 1914 and 1946. 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? Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. It submits that the problem with constitutionalism in Nigeria is poor leadership and poor implementation of the Constitution. Federalism was basically introduced to bring about peace and unity in the different regions of the country. Here, both the majority and minority are represented in the government. By and large, it is the nature of the relationship of the federal and state governments that determines whether a state is federal or unitary.