
ISSN: 2690-5752
Abideen Muhammed Abeeb and Joseph Rudigi Rukema*
Received: February 16, 2021 Published: March 24, 2021
Corresponding author: School of Social Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
DOI: 10.32474/JAAS.2021.03.000172
Federalism as a political structure is designed to accommodate people of diverse culture and values while providing opportunity for harmonious coexistence and competitive development, this is why most plural societies prefers the arrangement, Nigeria inclusive. However, federal systems always have some internal challenges which are inevitable but are often been addressed within the system through certain mechanisms which are not also static but changing, the degree to which federal systems are capable of addressing the inherent changes which often than non-arises in the operations and functioning of the system, to a large extend determine the continued existence and survival of federal systems. Nations most therefore learn how to continuously mange the ever surfacing and dynamic nature of the system for the system to remain as the better way of governmental administration. This paper employs content analysis as its methodology, using documentary materials in books, journals, periodical and internet materials as sources of data collection. It is the belief of this paper that federal systems the world over has its inherent contradictions and challenges, therefore, the continued survival and existence of federal systems to a large extend depend on how best these problems can be jointly addressed by the federating units. Nigerian and Nigeria government should address her lingering challenges and problems for continuous harmonious existence rather than calling for restructuring.
Keywords: Federalism; Restructuring; Challenges; Prospects
The idea of how society and nations should be organized
and managed has been one of the greatest concerns of political
philosophers and thinkers from Socrates to date, the drive for
justice, equality, fairness, enduring polity and political stability run
through the ages. Similarly, different societies have over the years
fashion ways to structure their polity in such a way that they think
is most conducive for the administration and management of public
affairs (government) one of such is federalism. A political structure
or system in which government power that exist in a nation are
shared among the central government and component regions or
state. It is a viable mechanism for managing plural society with
diverse culture, linguistic and social diversity. It is the success in
bringing these diverse elements into unity that is the determinant
of success in other sphere of the relationship of the system [1].
Federalism as a political structure has existed for centuries,
but in modern time the origin is trace to the America scholar K.C.
Whares and the American constitution of 1891 in which he views
federalism as a political system formed by independent nations/
state who come together in union and where levels of government
exist with constitutionally defined sphere, with each level of
government (federal/central or state/regional) having its own area
of jurisdiction that is not subject to unnecessary interference by
another level but rather coordinated and not subordinate to each
other, and both levels of government acting directly on the life of
the citizens.
This system is what this paper attempt to re-examine in relation
to Nigeria state and it nexus with democratic system of political
administration and management, the challenges therein which
brought about the call and agitation for restructuring of the country
by groups and section of the state as well as the way forward [2-4].
The origin of the federalism in Nigeria is traceable to Author
Richard constitution of 1946 and Macpherson and Lyttleton
constitutions of 1951 and 1954 respectively. The creation of
regions (North, West and East and later the Mid-Western region with a central control in Lagos could be consider as the starting
point where regions have representatives in the central legislative
under the leadership of the colonial governor, some scholar view
it as unitary system or unitary decentralized system, whenever
way we view it federalism was introduced in Nigeria by the
British either for administration consideration or to carter for the
different diverse elements which made up the community or as
some scholar will argue, Federalism was imposed on Nigeria by the
British colonial masters in order for them to maintain control on
the country during and after colonization.
The Nigeria post-colonial government consolidated federalism
as the regional government set up by colonial master were retained
and relied upon as units within the system with their autonomy
maintained while the center remains as control organs. However,
the 1966 coup de ‘tat which brought in Col. Aguyi Ironsi as the
military head of state turned the system to a unitary centralized
system with decree 31 of 1966 (unification degree) reaffirming
it, this however, did not last as a return coup da‘tat was stage six
months latter July 1966 which brought in Col, Yakubu Gowon as
the military head of state, the two coup de ’tat soon led to civil war
between 1967-1970, the aftermath was the creation of 12 states
in 1967, 19 states in 1976, 21 states in 1987 and 36 states in 1991
by former military heads of states does consolidating the federal
system in Nigeria [5-6].
Nigeria today is a federal state made up of 36 states with
the federal capital Abuja and 774 local government areas with a
constitution which create the federal structure, power distribution
inter-governmental relation and areas of concurrent legislation
among others, the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria
provided for a presidential system of government anchored on
democratic principles in the administration, management and
leadership criterion of selection.
Democracy in operational term is a system in which people
choose their leaders through universal adult franchise, free and
fear election hold at regular and reasonable interval without
undue interference or the use of money and mass media and
without violent intervention of the police, security service and
the military (zinnes 2004). Dixon 2017, posit that democracy is a
political system committed to human equality, individual liberty
and humanism and is built on the formation of non-violence and
rationality that give rise to pluralism, tolerance and empathy. It
strive on the availability of a free press an independent judiciary
and in political administration terms, the constitutional structure
of democratic system is supported by two pillars; the pillar of
fundamental freedom and the rule of law and in constitutional term
democracy is the government of the people (popular sovereignty)
for the people government responsible to the people and by the
people (a republican government).
Conversely, the above definitions and views are what federalism
is and what democracy stand for them it is pertinent to view the
nexus between the two in term of structure and operation and in
term of their compatibility or otherwise and what factors or reasons
led to the call or citation for restricting, but before examining their
nexus it imperative to take a look at what restructuring in all about.
Restructuring: is a term use to connote effort geared
forwards rearranging, reconstruct, re-orient, reshuffle or revamp,
reconstitute, re-establishment, overhauling of institutions
organization and systems. It therefore suffices to say that there
must be issues or problems in a system or organization which may
warrant call for restructuring, revamping or overhauling [7-10].
Thus, it is pertinent to view the federal systems in Nigeria, the
democratic system and the call or agitation for restructuring so
as to know the issues and bottlenecks there in and how best to fix
them or suggest ways forward.
There is no doubt that Nigeria federal system is a creation of
British colonial masters from 1914 amalgamation to 1954 Lyttleton
constitution. The union brought about by the British colonial master
soon graduated into coup and counter coup after independent in
1960 and subsequently the civil war 1967-1970 with agitations
for secession by the different region North, West and East, this
is viewed as a result of the imposed federal system the British
which to many does not take in to cognizance the differences and
diverseness of the people in the different region of the country.
This imposition has led to outcry of marginalization, pressure
from minority for further sub-division of the country as canvassed
by different ethic and tribal groups; thus the Nigeria state is
a nation with many nations, with varied group agitating for
succession or breakaway, a nation characterized with lack of cooperation,
mistrust, sabotage and organized violent conflicts aimed
at destabilizing the polity and moving towards disintegration. This
division and agitation from groups and organization could led to
a total disintegration of the country if the inherent contradictions
within the system are not adequately and promptly address;
however, the question remains “is restructuring the solution to the
Nigeria problem”?
Francis Adigwe (1974) elucidate on the advent of British
administration in Nigeria, he gave a vivid biography and
sequencing of British occupation and establishment of federal
system in Nigeria beginning from the annexation of Lagos in
1861, the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorate
in (1914) the different constitutional development from 1922 to
1954 up to the independent constitution of 1960 this position is
also elucidated upon by Ali Mazuri (2007) in the book Brain gain
for the Africa Renaissance (issues in government (Mega-Nigeria
from Lugard to Gowon between exceptionalism and typicality, he
gave a view thorough view of Nigeria from World War I to Biafran
war and the events there in which brought about the union of the
different regions (Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo) into a federal state and the turbulence there in, he particularly acknowledge the role
perseverance and doggedness of Col Yakubu Gowon the Nigeria
military head of state (1966-1974) in his effort at maintaining
Nigeria as a single indivisible country [11-15].
According to him Nigeria federation become consolidated at
independent and since than it has been operating in both political
and fiscal context, although not in full consonance with the basic
principles of federal practice, historically he contended that Nigeria
federal system has oscillated between excessive regionalism as it
were in the first republic (1960-1966) and excessive centralization
in the military era (1966-1979 and 1983-1993 respectively, he
furthered his argument by said Nigeria. Nigeria federal system has
overtime undergone structural changes from the it initial three
region to four regions in 964 to 12 states in 1967 19 states 21 state to
its current 36 states. Scholars such as Akali and Salihu have viewed
Nigeria federalism and it formation in three stages. The period of
informal federation 1900- 1946, the first stages formal federation
1946-1967 and the second stage of it formation of federation
1967-todate whichever way we may view it, the federation has
no significant administrative structure right from colonial period
to date in fact it can be argued that the federation was mere
centralization of few department such as military, the railways, the
post and telegraphs the judiciary legal, survey department and the
treasury Takaga B.J (1996) P3.
Political theorist considers federalism as an ideal constitutional
approach to the problem of diversity and political integration, in
fact federal system the world over is seen as political arrangement
that provide opportunity for the myriad of diversity within a
political system and to find legitimate expression.
The introduction of federal system in Nigeria was aimed
at fostering peaceful co-existence among the diverse people in
term region, culture beliefs and values, this has however not
been fully achieved as different section continue to complain of
marginalization and poor representation in political positions of
authority.
In trying to view the nexus between federalism and democracy,
it is pertinent to first and foremost conceptualize the two term
with the intent of juxtaposing their features and attributes or what
scholar call tenets.
Federalism is a kind of political structure or form of government
agreed upon by group of people or communities (states) to come
together to cope with the twin problem of maintaining unity of
governance while preserving diversity of governance and mutual
co-existence, it is usually an arrangement for mutual co-existence
for peace and progress among the federating units while given
part of their power up to the central higher coordinating authority
and still retaining for themselves certain power and authority at
lower or regional level of government at their separate and distinct
communities.
In this region the two level of government federal and state or
central and regional acts directly on the life of citizens within the
constitutionally defined shared power, which are often coordinate
but not subordinate, thereby giving room for competitive
development with laid down rules and procedure for mutual cooperation
and resolution of conflict [16-20].
On the other hand, democracy is a system of government
(method of political administration) in which rulers are held
accountable for their action in the public realm by citizens acting
indirectly through the competition and cooperation of elected
representative (Schmitter and Kam, 1970).
Federalism which is a technique for managing conflicts among
heterogenous groups in a state through a system of constitutional
division of powers which provides for shared rules while also
allowing for self-rule at the subnational level.
This structural system is characterized by certain features
which are also pertinent to it continued existence and survival:
This includes among others adequate representation of the
views of all members of the sub-national groups in the policymaking
institutions of the center (Federal government). Elaborate
structures, institution and processes put in place to promote
intergovernmental cooperation. Existence of a democratic system
of government that respect the rule of law and uphold the principles
of separation of powers. A supportive federal political culture that
includes capacity to resolve federal conflicts through negotiation
and accountability and transparency in decision -making process.
Existence of more than one level/tier of government. Distribution
of power and responsibilities as well as resources among tiers of
government. A written constitution. and Independent and impartial
judiciary to interpret the constitution and decide on jurisdictional
disputes between the two or more levels of government.
Democracy is a system of government (political administration)
in which leaders are chosen by the citizens (people) through
periodic competitive, free and fair election in to political offices for
a fixed period of time and leaders are held accountable for their
actions (accountability) while guarantying human right (freedom)
and the ultimate power in the state lies in the hand of citizens
(power to recall leaders). Democracy is as a political system is
premised on certain fundamental tenet which are: Periodic election
held at agreed time interval, Freedom of choice of candidates,
Independent electoral body to conduct elections, Independent of
judiciary to resolve issues in election processes. Non-interference
in election processes,
Conversely federalism has to do with the structural arrangement
of a political society anchored on level of government (federal, state
and local) and constitutionally assigned shared power and function
with some level of coordination and supervision of the lower levels
of government by the higher level while ensuring local variation
and authority for the diverse interest in the collective interest of
the whole.
While democracy centers on method of political administration
anchored on the principle of collective decision making, freedom
of choice and expression, equal access to political office holding
through periodic and competitive election respect for fundamental
human right and above all political sovereignty.
It therefore surface to say that certain features are common
in federal structure and democracy as a political system this can
be seen in term of constitutionalism, division of power among
the levels and organs of government fundamental human right,
recognition of divergent views and options (majority rights and
minority interest) rules of law among others.
It can therefore be argue that ideally federalism is supposed to
be intendant (compatible) with democracy; that is to say federalism
on a good notion provides the enabling structure and necessary
condition for democratic governance little wonder therefore that
most democracy state are anchored on federalism structure such
as United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Canada,
South Africa Ghana and France to mention a little.
According to Alkali (2003) the impact of federal structure on
democratic government could be positive or negative depending on
the extent to which the structure promotion or hinders democratic
principles such as rule of law, accountability, transparency
development-oriented leadership, freedom of expression and
association, responsiveness, responsibility, representative
efficiency and effectiveness.
It therefore follows that under a democratic rule, citizen are
treated equally before the law leaders are accountable to the
citizen, leaders must act within the limit of the law and the interest
of all citizen (majority and minority) rights must be taking into
consideration in the realm of government such that no one is seen
as been excluded or marginalized within the polity.
It is expected that that federal structure will enhance equitable
representation during election in to political position of authority
under democracy which will in turn bring about sense of belonging
and fair play.
This paper examines restructuring of the federal system in
Nigeria on the back ground of its democratic system as political
administration in view of the renewed agitation by groups and
sections of the society for restructuring despite different integration
policies and program that have been employed in enhancing unity
among the people of Nigeria, what then could be dong to retain the
unity of Nigeria or should the restructuring be geared forward its
disintegration in to nation states.
The method used in this paper is content analysis, it is
principally a careful review of scholars views and positions on
federalism, restructuring and democracy in Nigeria and elsewhere,
in this prelude Journals articles, textbooks documentary materials
and internet documents has been used in gathering the required
data and information
The frame of analysis employed in this paper is structural
functionalism and instructional theory. Gabrial Almmd structural
functionalism as an approach to social science analysis view the
social system as being made up of structures that performs different
functions (roles) for the continuous existence of the social system,
while some perform allocation further, some perform distributive
functions others stabilization function while others performs
maintenance function while others performs specific function
within the system which are very essential for the continuous and
harmonious existence of the whole. Thus the role of the different
structure in the federal system in maintaining the continued
survival and existence of the system become imperative.
On the other hand institutional theory is premised on the fact
that in every society there are the existence certain fundamental
body (institutional) which is pre-request for the operation and
effective function of the whole system (society) and that these
institutions must not just exist but are functional, effective and
capable of carrying out their roles and responsibilities within the
system. Institutional theory is also linked to system theory and
structural functionalism theory.
The basic assumption here is that in every system or society
there exist, institutions which performs specific responsibility and
which must be effectively performed for the whole system much
function as it ought to function and for the continuous survival of
the system.
Finding reveals that inNigeria the federal structure and
democracy has not been able to address this seemingly challenging
problems and has over the years led to situation and issues
threatening the survival of the cooperate existence of Nigeria as a
country,these issues includes:
a. State creation and the minority question
b. Federalism and resource allocation among the federating units
c. Oil and minority agitation for succeeding
d. Military interest in the body polity
e. Ethnic–region conflicts
f. Federal character dilemma
g. Quota system
h. Insurgency and terrorism
i. Corruption and leadership crisis
j. Cry marginalization by groups
k. Nigeria civil war 1967 -1970
l. Poor state of the economy of the country.
m. Poor and lopsided representation among others.
n. Constitution and constitutionalism.
a. State creation: one of the major problems of federal
systems world wide revolve around general socio-economic
development particularly in developing countries where the quest
for rapid development is often anchored on issue of closeness to
government through state creation, this is often the reason for state
creation to correct the structural and administrative imbalances
of the country and to prevent further political friction , this has
however, no solve the problem as more ethnic groups cry for state
creation, the creation of states has its own flaws.
b. Federalism and resource allocation among the
federating units: Federal system of government often come with a
concept of power sharing with a concept known as fiscal federalism
which refers to the management techniques put in place to regulate
money transfer between the different levels of government from
federal to the states and local government(Enyi 2005). It also
concern the power to generate revenue and to spend same and
the perceived equity in all transactions However, this has not been
entrenched in Nigeria constitution right from colonial era till date
this has often sparked off controversies and sometimes violent
classes around the issue of revenue generation and sharing of
the collected revenue among the levels and units of government.
This issue has always led to popular demand for resource control
especially in the oil producing areas of the country.
c. Oil and Minority Agitation: Apart from the recent Boko
Haram insurgence in the North-Eastern part of the country which
has led to the killings of thousands, displacement of millions and
destruction of property worth billions of naira, threatening to turn
the country apart. Agitation by ethnic minority groups particularly
in the Niger delta over allocation and control of revenue emanating
from oil and compensation for environmental degradation arising
from oil exploration and political marginalization appears to be the
greatest challenge to national unity stability. Maintaining Nigeria
mono cultural economy has been a source of persistent discontent
and conflicts over the years.
d. Military interest in the body polity of Nigeria: There
is no doubt in that the Nigeria military has over the years shown
interest in ruling and controlling Nigeria polity haven tasted
power in 1966 to 1979 and 1983- 1999 or there about the Nigeria
military has therefore not only got involved in politics but had also
got entangled with the dynamics of Nigeria politics and resource
control, this is why the military have always intervene in in politics
through coup de’tat and try to remain in power by all means and at
all cost.
e. Ethno-religious conflicts: Although federalism has
always been widely acclaimed to be appropriate mechanism and
governmental principles for societies with vast ethnic religious
and cultural diversity. The Nigeria federal system has been more
disposed to conflicts and rampant clashes among the varying
groups, this clashes often lead to killings destruction of lives and
property thereby deterring growth and development, many public
infrastructures and facilities has been destroyed, many turn
orphan and homeless with many in abject poverty, high level of
unemployment and falling standard of living.
f. Federal character dilemma: This was introduced to
bring to the barest minimal incidences of one group dominating
another in the scheme of things particularly as it concerns the
federal institutions and organizations. It is aimed at promoting,
monitoring, and enforcing compliance with the principle of
proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, media and
political posts at all levels of government including the armed forces,
security agencies government owned companies and parastatals.
g. Quota system: This is one of the principles introduced in
order to bring to the barest minimal cry of marginalization by groups
or individuals in any national institution or organization owned by
government such as appointment, admission and participation. It
is intendant with the theory of equal opportunity for all without
discrimination on the group of ethnicity, tribe, religion or political
affiliation.
h. Insurgence and Terrorism: Over the past decades
according to Abdulkarim, Abeeb Mohammed, & Idriss (2018),
Boko-Haram insurgency and terrorist group operations have
been on for over a decade beginning from 2009- up-to-date. Their
cruel activities have been so devastating; they kill people in mass
and indiscriminately too. They also kidnap people too, especially
women, youths and children. A notorious example of this was the
brazen kidnapping of the Chibok Girls on 14th April 2014 (Olojo,
2015) and the Dapchi Girls (2018). These two incidents which
attracted both national and international outrage demonstrate not
only the brutal nature of the insurgency but also the complexity of
the crises. The group was reported to have taken over some villages
and local government areas in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states
and proclaimed Gwoza, a village in the suburb of Borno state as the
seat of their caliphate. The frequent ransacking of villages and the
attendant displacements, loss of lives and property has made life
nasty and brutish in the North-Eastern part of the country and there
appears no end in sight for the hellish situation. The 2014 Global
Terrorism Index (GTI) report that 82 per cent of people killed in
terrorist attacks across the world were just in five countries namely,
Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria and Syria.
i. Corruption, Leadership crises and Mismanagement:
Corruption in Nigeria has become a dynamic problem threatening
the country’s economic and political development the level of fraud,
unethical practices in public institutions and industries over the
years as reported by Transparency International ranked Nigeria
as one of the country high level of corrupt practices, The United
nations development program (UNDP) declared that Nigeria has
maintained seventy percent rise in poverty level in spite of our
increasing income over the last two decades, leaders have continue
to loot the treasury and siphoning the banks through external
transfers to other banks in the developed worlds.
j. Cry of Marginalization by groups: Over the years there
has been cry of marginalization of group by certain group, this is a typical feature of federal system. However, there are always inbuilt
mechanism to address issues of marginalization in most federal
systems such as quota system, federal character, zoning system and
fair equitable representation in position of political authority, it is
a known fact that this and many other policies do exist in Nigeria,
what is unknown is the extent to which this principles and policies
are implemented.
k. Nigeria civil war 1967-1970: The Nigeria civil war which
lasted for over thirty months leading to the killings of thousands
and millions of people and destruction of property worth billions
of naira and untold hardship and trauma in the brain and mind of
people still leave much to be forgotten so easily. The union brought
about by the British colonial master soon graduated into coups
and counter coups soon after independence in January1966, and
June, 1966 respectively. (Adegbite, Oduniyi, & Farinde, 2019). The
Nigeria civil (war between 1967-1970, ethno-tribal wars, social
and religious conflicts (Egunjobi, 2015) as well as insurgence and
terrorist activities(Ani & Ajaegbo, 2015). Are issues demanding the
attention of government which to many are un addresses issues.
l. Poor state of economy in the country: The poor state
of the economy has always been the cause of the sharp division
between the rich and the poor, using the latter to rise against the
government. It is common to find elite clash on the internal economic
upheavals in the country. There are, for instance, the dreaded Odua
People’s Congress, Area Boys in the South-West,Arewa Consultative
Forum and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of
Biafra (MOSSOB) and Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger
Delta (MEND) Boys among others. In the South-East, these groups
cause crises in the political stability of the country. Indeed, the
crises caused by the groups in the South do not only lead to loss of
lives and properties but usually also threaten the unity of the muchtalked-
about resource control in the Niger Delta area. Backed by
subterranean political forces, the various in the oil producing areas
of the South-East hinge their militant activities on their desire to
control the resources of their region (Ushie, 2013).
m. Poor and lopsided representation in positions of
Political authority: A fundamental problem in federal system
and in fact in democratic systems is how to ensure equitable
representation among the varied sections (ethnic, tribal) groups
that makes up the state or country more so that states in modern
times are cosmopolitan in nature and character yet, there is still
the need to ensure equitable distribution or allocation of political
positions among the different sections so as to limit the cry of
marginalization of a group by the other. In Nigeria this has remain a
great issue as it often the bases of agitation by groups
n. Constitution and constitutionalism: A very important
and fundamental guide in the administration of any political system
is the constitution (rules and regulations) guiding the conduct of
affairs in a given political society. Some Nigerian have attributed
the varied problems facing Nigeria to be rooted in her constitution
which is believed to be imposed on her by the military without
recourse to the will of the people. Therefore, the constitution in
itself it full of myriads lapses including the principles of federal
character and quota system which are all designed and imposed by
the military.
Conversely: these issues have brought about the call and
agitation for restructuring of the country by different groups
especially the minority group or those who felt they have not been
accorded rightful positions of authority within the polity or have
not been given fair share of what is considering as national cake. It
appears Nigerian government has over the years refuse to review
its mechanisms for sustaining federal system either deliberately or
unknowingly.
What then is restructuring? And does Nigeria really requires restructuring?
Restructuring can be view as rearrangement, reconstitution
and reestablishment or over having of a system in order words to
reconstruct, reorient, reshuffle or revamp a system or organization.
By implication restricting a federal system is a call for its
reconstitution and rearrangement it noteworthy to say that
federal system is ideally made up of federating units with diverse
values and all true which are brought together for the purpose of
promoting unity and progress among the federating units. It is the
recognition of this diverseness that make the system federal in the
first instance, the degree to which this diverseness can be integrated
for the mutual benefit of all has been a bowl of contention in all
federal systems, including the old federal systems such as United
states of America (USA) and Canada.
Restructuring or organization is feature of all systems either
economic, social or political, what is important is the nature and
dimension to which such reorganization (restructuring) should
or ought to take and what are the aims and objective of such
restructuring.
The question which arises; are we restructuring to address the
lapses inherent or identified in the system so as to correct and fine
tune the system for better performance or are we restructuring to
disintegrate or collapse the existing structure for a new one such as
confederal system or quest-federal system.
The fundamental question which comes to mind and which
needed to be address is what does the group of people calling for
restructuring actual have in mind? what is their aim and objectives?
These questions are apartment if we must talk of restructuring of
Nigerian federal system.
This is because the history of agitation, autonomy or self-rule
by the different regions in Nigeria pre-dates the present call for
restructuring in fact beginning from 1970 after the Nigeria civil
war, the major region in Nigeria the Yoruba in the South-West, the
Igbos in the South-East and the Hausa in the North had long clamor
for seceding from the federation while Yoruba were clamoring for
Oduduwa state, the Igbo were vested on the republic of Biafra as their own separatist country while the Hausa were bent on the
Bayajida caliphate as their dream state base on Islamic law the
shariah system.
It took Nigeria government effortful years to fight the civil war
to retain the unity of the country and to prevent succession by the
Eastern region.
The Nigerian federal system has been under threat of breaking
up over decades. Different regions within the federating system
have been clamoring and agitating for succession (breaking)
this has no doubt threatening the unity and co-operate existence
of the country as a nation: it has also led to the emergence of
militant groups across the geo-political setting of the unity whom
now resulted to violent conflicts, terrorism and insurgency as
possible means of attaining their goals, thus restructuring of the
federal system become the bowl of contention among the people,
the question remains what will be nature of the restricting will
restricting solve the problem and maintain the co-operate existence
of the country as a united indivisible action or will it lead to total
disintegration of the country.
Nigerian federal system as earlier explained has its root in the
1914 amalgamation of Southern and Northern protectorate by
sir Frederic Lord Lugard and subsequent consolidation with the
merger of the regions by colonial administrators such as sir Author
Richard 1946, Sir Macpherson of 1951 and Sir Lyttleton of 1954
respectively. At independence, Nigeria’s regional political classes
negotiated with themselves on one hand and between them and the
departing British colonial masters on the other hand, to continue
with the established federal system of government for the country.
This arrangement continue up till 1966 when the military stage
a coup deta’t in January and a counter–coup in July that year, the
accompanied crisis resulted in to civil war which last for 30 months
1967-1970; the crisis between the government of the federal
republic of Nigeria and Republic of Biafra, during this period the
government of Nigeria created twelve (12) state out of the existing
four region in attempt to consolidate the federal system and reduce
regional autonomy which has facilitated attempt to succeed by
certain region. Since then the Nigerian government has continue to
expand the frontier of Nigeria federal system through the creation
of more states such as nineteen (19) states under late General
Murtala Muhammed, Twenty-one (21) states, twenty-seven (27)
states and thirty-six (36) states respectively.
Similarly, the Nigeria government has over the years introduced
national integration policies and programs such as national
orientation, the mass mobilization for social justice and selfreliance
(maser) latter named national orientation agency. Federal
character principle aimed at given fair and equitable representation
to all regions and people of the diverse regions of the country, quota
system, right of residence and ownership of property anywhere
in the country, freedom of association, the national youth service
corps among others all aimed at integrating the divers entities of
Nigeria.
Despite all this there has been outcry of marginalization and
unfair representation, neglection and lack of development in some
areas and region of the country, thereby leading to the call for
restructuring of the country.
It is important to know that this outcry has been on far
sometimes now especially under democratic system, which give
room of right of expression and criticizing of government policies
and program through the mass media or people‘s representatives
in the parliament (Senate, House of Rept. and State House of
Assembly) this has led government to constitute bodies such as
the Constitutional Conference in 2014 under President Goodluck
Jonathan which compressed of people from diverse sections
of Nigeria society (politician, academician, traditional leaders,
business organization and private sector) to discuss the general
issues and problems of the Nigeria federal system which often
threaten if co-operate existence and unity.
Other bodies individual includes the national council of
state (comprising of all previous Nigeria heads of state and
government) intergovernmental agencies, inter-regions advisory
committees among others aimed at reviewing issues and problems
affecting the co-operate existence of Nigeria as well as suggesting
and recommended way forward.There is no doubt that these
committees and bodies have over the years deliberated on these
issues and made suggesting and recommendation some of which
have been implemented but some remains on while paper with
little or no hope of their implementation.
It is this issues and problem that have often resurface and
concerned groups always agitating for their implementation. As
time goes one group and people whose demands and agitation are
un answered or not met soon result to violent conflicts as a way of
achieving their goals and of recent some group have taken to fierce
struggle through terrorism and insurgency to drive home their
point.It is in the light of the above that recent calls for restructuring
of the federal system in Nigeria demands through over view.
Thus it mean the creation of states and local government as
well as expanding the political land space of the country through
successive government cannot be considered as restructuring
or does it not in actual sense address the issues and problems
confronting the system or are the groups and people calling for a
relapse into regional government as it were in it earlier stage before
the 1946 and 1951 Richard and Macpherson constitution which
merged and consolidated the federal arrangement or are the people
calling for con-federal system or quash-federal system where the
regions will be stronger while the Centre will be weak.
The call for restructuring demand a through and in-depth
understanding and analysis of what and how the restructuring
should be done and to what extend should the restructuring be
done so as to maintain the purpose and objective of federal system
without necessarily undermining the benefits and purpose as
envisaged by it founding fathers and proponents.
The ideal and notion that Nigeria should be restructure has
continued to gain wide spread momentum over the years for
example Akinrinade (2016) one of Nigeria ex-military officer
openly expresses his flee of the need to restructure the federal
system in Nigeria or else the country is most likely to break up in
the very near future.
What is most important is addressing the ever-evolving
challenges and problems of a federal system such as fair
representation in position of political authority, fair and wide
spread development (federal government presence) infrastructural
development, security of the property. Provision of infrastructures
such as road water, and electricity provision of employment
opportunity and above all good governance, through the protection
of fundamental human rights, equally before the law and
maintenance of law and order for peace and tranquility to rein for
development to take place and justice to prevail.
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