The federal system adopted in 1954 comprised a national government and three regional governments: Eastern, Northern, and Western. It came about following the necessity for administrative convenience and managerial expenses. Do you want to know the basis and the reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria? The construct of federalism, which originates with the concept of intergovernmental relations, dates back to the Greek civilization. Moreover, it is important to note that most of the ethnic groups in Nigeria had strong political inter-group relationship before colonial rule. The states too have no resources for development but depended on federal grants. Also, Read: Local Government In Nigeria : Definition, Functions, And Importance. For citation see: http://www.cejiss.org/issue-detail/biafra-s-resurgence-state-failure-insecurity-and-separatist-agitations-in-nigeria. Each state has the same level of self-governance. 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. 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. By every political barometer, this is a thought-provoking account of the Nigeria-Biafra political imbroglio. Adobe d C Federalism is a method of segregating powers so that the central and local governments are each within a domain, harmonizing and autonomous. Common national, racial, religious, cultural linguistic or social ties have often contributed to the unification of political unit. 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. 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. There must be a formal decision of government powers by the constitution between the federal and state government. True Federalism and Restructuring in Nigeria: Challenges and the - SSRN Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC, is a Law Student and a Certified Mediator/Conciliator in Nigeria. 3 Reasons for federal system of government in Nigeria 3.1 1. Academia.edu uses cookies to personalize content, tailor ads and improve the user experience. That notwithstanding, The origin and concept of federalism boasts of a very popular definition by an American scholar, K.C. First, how to properly place peoples, better still - indigenes and ethnic groupings, in their relevant socio-economic categories; that is, in line with the oil windfalls. PDF Federalism in Nigeria: Accommodating Diversity and Promoting Stability The regional government had power over matters that are listed under the residual list. Federal System of Government/Federalism | Week 8. 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. However, where there is a conflict of authority between the federal government and regional government, the federal authority supersedes. >> INTRO: Federalism has been approached with variegated definitions such that one might argue that there are as much definitions of federalism as there are authors on the subject. /Length 14727 It is also an undisputed fact that the Hausas and Yorubas fought Biafra to keep the unity of Nigeria. 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. The states' territories were formed around ethnic groups with common interest and close ties, culture, and dialects. Secondly, are these groups well pleased, or do they at least accept such manipulative placements? (PDF) Federalism as a Political Ideology and System of Government: The After nearly three decades of cumulative military rule, the country returned to civilian governance in 1999 under a presidential system of government. Even the masses in the rural areas of the country are allowed to participate in politics by electing their representatives into office. Nigeria are typically inclined to the derivation principle, which is the process of distributing centrally generated revenue to constituent units with regards to the contribution made by a group to the country's more 12substantial income. In Nigeria, it could be argued that our federal system of government is the creation of British colonialism. i dont have my first school leaving certificate. Ethnic, Religious and Geographical Factor 3.5 5. (PDF) Intricacies and paradoxes federalism and secessionism in Nigeria 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. Are there certain inherent and primordial grievances and preferences? The second theory focuses on the existence of external military or diplomatic threat for the origin of federalism. This was a period when long efforts were made to identify the legal relationships between the Leagues and the City States (Mogi, 1931:21). Fear of insecurity and the desire for a Union Meaning of federalism? Evidently, Nigeria's political culture. The history of Ijaw, Edo, Igala, Yoruba, Igbo, Nupe and Hausa Kingdoms are enriched with social-political relationships that existed before the emergence of the white man. Nigeria is confronted to the boomerang effects of the evolution of its federalism. Abacha regime, added more states making Nigeria a federation of 36 states and Federal capital Territory at Abuja. Moreover, In my view, federalism is a good system for Nigeria. Mainly of telling who is who in a given society. Economic factors in adoption of federalism in Nigeria are not unconnected with the issues of resource control, wealth generation and redistribution, and income distribution. 7 Reasons for Federalism in Nigeria: Why Nigeria Adopted Federal System Also, the adoption of the Littleton constitution of 1954 laid further credence to . Over the years the fiscal federalism in Nigeria has crystallised and remained . Besides this desire, there was also the presence of certain socio-economic conditions (Babalola, 2013 . ICT and Its Impact on National Development In Nigeria: An Overview It was under the 1954 constitution that federal system of government was fully adopted. Abstract One of the arguments for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria is the desire for economic and political viability and development in a nation of uneven distribution of human and. This is because federalism is presented as a panacea in organizing distinct political identities under a state. Nigeria's founding fathers desired a federal political framework, believing that federal states have the structural capacity to accommodate diversity. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. a system of state organization, to bring a workable polity with a just moral order is the reason why states adopt or should adopt federalism. REASONS FOR LOW TRADE Historical reasons - India adopted socialist model of economy and policy of import substitution and protectionism till 1990s and civil wars and domestic instability in other countries Poor Connectivity- Due to difficult terrain on borders, poor development of inland waterways, poor border infrastructure like border huts . 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. By the time Nigeria became a republic, the system of federalism was adopted and the country was considered as a federation of three regions. In Nigeria, there are different and distinct ethnic groups brought together by colonization. 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. Nigeria is quite a big country with an area of 923,768 km2. ), 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. MCC Vol 2 No 1 Article 04.pdf, GJ #2018, 2, Globalization and Federation in Peril: Renewed Agitations for Statehood and the Future of Nigerian State, by A. M. Maigari and U. Dantani, GLOBALIZATION AND FEDERATION IN PERIL: RENEWED AGITATIONS FOR STATEHOOD AND THE FUTURE OF NIGERIAN STATE, RESTRUCTURING NIGERIA: BEYOND POLITICAL RHETORIC AND THE MORAL PANIC, PDF copy of Published paper on Agitation and restructuring.pdf, ESSAYS ON RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION AS A PEREMPTORY NORM AND THE LIMITATION IN EXERCISING THAT RIGHT.pdf, Federalism, Military Legacies and the Restructuring Debate in Contemporary Nigeria, Legal Aid Journal of Legal Issues Vol. 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 . The paper identifies and discusses the problems associated with separatist movements and how they affect national and social security, and argues that while the definition of state failure is contested and therefore Nigeria cannot yet be called a failed state, but certainly a fragile state. So, what are the reasons for the adoption of federalism in Nigeria? The fact that these nations chose to adopt a federal system does not prove anything; it does, however, suggest that federalism may help these countries manage the problems that come with ethnic . As a result, issues relating to marginalization, economic imbalance, social alienation, ethnic suspicion and superior-subordination contestation are recurring malaises in the system. /F4 15 0 R It was believed that federal system of government would take care of the interest of the minority and human rights that had been the fear of the minority under colonial rule. 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. /F5 18 0 R There was just the Northern Protectorate and the Southern Protectorate. The powers that exist between the federal and state government also depends on the constitution. Email Address. To know more about various aspects of federalism in Nigeria ,you may read from . politicization of ethnicity or the ethnicization of the politics of state creation that Nigeria has witnessed in recent years. But besides these three major tribes, there are over 350 other smaller tribes with diverse languages and dialects. Also read: Highest paying law firms in Nigeria. 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. 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 . %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz The states were later increased to 30 states. Parliamentary and Unitary system of government were in operation in Nigeria between 1914 and 1946. Fiscal Federalism and Democratic Governance in Nigeria - I. O. Taiwo 2004 +rohyC ! 9S ) ?roh _ O4C sR & Pf?? AK kyC?& Pf;_Hu j_ G$: 5/ In developing countries like India, Iraq and Nigeria, federalism has either failed to close developmental gaps and ethno-communal tensions among various states or, more worryingly, in some. The USSR was an example of this type of federalism. PDF Fiscal Federalism in Nigeria: Theory and Dimensions 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. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. 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 is why there is a clamoring for restructuring and true federalism in Nigeria. Nigeria thus consists of various ethnic groups and sub-national states, all of which are at the mercy of the Central government. Federalism in Nigeria can be traced to Sir Frederick Lord Lugard , when the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated in 1914. Nigeria as a nation has succeeded in commanding influence among member states by the virtue of its size. The Plural nature of Nigeria. This marginalization is evinced by untold hardships such as poverty, lack of infrastructure for health care and education, and generally impaired wellbeing. Download Defensive Federalism [PDF] Format for Free - Clemson Parade 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. Everybody would likely agree that the conscious awareness and awakening of the course of who is who invariably determines who gets what, perhaps when and how. /F6 21 0 R This was one of the major reasons for the creation of the newer and smaller states after the independence. /Filter /DCTDecode PDF Nigeria'S Federalism and Challenges of Implementing Federal Character Post-independence creation of states and further division of states created after independence was done as a framework for the development of Nigeria. In 1963 Midwestern region was created and Nigeria became a nation of four regions. You are welcome dear reader. It represents a synthetic between two perspectiveneess; one is that politics of the United States should produce the good commonwealth and the other is that the principal task of politics is to create an open political market. The Challenge of Domesticating Children's Rights Treaties in Nigeria was federalism friendly and that gave rise to easy adoption of . Prof. Jan Robert Go of the Department of Political Science, UP Diliman. As I have already explained, Nigeria is an amalgamation of three different regions with beliefs and customs. examines the question on why federalism has not succeeded in managing and accommodating diversity in Nigeria. It allows for popular participation in politics at every level of government. Since 1954 successively Nigerian constitution had adopted the federal system of government without much emphasis on the unity or disunity it has accorded to Nigeria. |4-Iv The contradictions generated by this rigional arrangement threatened Nigeria unity. Nigeria and Ghana can not easily form a country chiefly because they are not geographically contiguous. 1954 Lagos Constitutional Conference In Nigeria (Decisions) - Kofa Study This is so because where federal principles apply, the various ethnic groups that cannot or dont form majority to produce large part may have the opportunity of governing themselves within their federating unit controlled by them. 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. V(B8eDK@sx AK hG~ u;6DV,pwP# _ O4C sR 8_yC ! 9S ) ?roh _ O4C sR & Pf?? AK kyC?& Pf;_Hu j_ G$: 5/ As a Nigerian, it is important to understand some basic things about the system of governance in Nigeria and why it is so. Do you know the reasons for federalism in Nigeria? To learn more, view ourPrivacy Policy. Identities can be in terms of ethnicity, culture, religion and other differences," she says. This makes it possible for the minorities to be separated from the domination of big ethnic groups. It is not surprising that Nigeria in its 55 years of political sojourn has tried different forms of federalism. Also see: Differences between 1960 and 1963 constitution of Nigeria, reasons for federal system of government in nigeria. The main goal of the Convention was to revise the Articles of Confederation, the agreement that governed the 13 colonies and was adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War . Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. (Tanzi, 1996). Below are the reasons why Nigeria adopted a federal system of government: The major reason for the adoption of federal system of government in Nigeria is borne out of the historical experience that brought all the ethical groups together under one 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. That is often the reason why some adherents of Marx quarrel vehemently about such preordained classification such as: haves and have-nots; and the liberal minds grappling with, insisting not only that all hands are not equal, but that they must never, for whatsoever reason at all, be made equal - believing that that would tantamount to the highest injustice. The constitution emphasized areas of authority between the central government and the regions. +roiF9_? AK ku nh4P9\ }}31Ik "V mk@G~ . Federalism was basically introduced to bring about peace and unity in the different regions of the country. Also it is more useful to expansiate on them. +rohyC ! 9S ) ?roh _ O4C sR & Pf?? AK kyC?& Pf;_Hu j_ G$: 5/ and Democracy in Nigeria, ISSUES IN NIGERIAN FISCAL FEDERALISM; THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PRINCIPLE OF DERIVATION AND RESOURCE CONTROL. It is our pleasure. 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. Is there high propensity or likelihood of exclusion, marginalization and relative deprivation, which was to engender obsessive mutual antagonism? Federalism in Nigeria. 2. According to Ayoade (2009:iii): Nigerians have come to identify the first republic 1960- 66 as the golden age of federalism in Nigeria. It was subsequently, not until after the American constitution of 1787, that a new concept of federalism was introduced. Federalism and the United States Constitution - ThoughtCo Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. ideology, federalism becomes the only solution to ensure peace and unity amongst the. In this article, i will comprehensively discuss the reasons for federalism in Nigeria. Problems of Nigerian Federalism | Nigerian Federalism 2023, Bscholarly LLC. Given the size of Nigeria, it lays claims to being the Giant of Africa. Many nations in the international community recognizes her as such. The British in their quest for economic wealth and geo-political edges over other Europeans in Africa made Nigeria the largest British colony in Africa. June 1,2022 The size of Nigeria is therefore managed and maintained with federalism. In some areas where major communal or other social antagonism cuts across territorial boundaries, ranging through all the federating units, communities or classes have been driven to seek to protect or strengthen their position by inter-territorial union. No doubt, the Ethnic, Religious and Geographical nature of Nigeria also contributed to the reason why federalism was adopted. Nigeria, a previously unitary state, became a federation in 1954. This paper recommends that there should be an overhaul of the political system through constitutional amendment process to expunge provisions that negate federalism and provide for implementation of true federalism. Nigeria can be said to be operating the federal system of government, whereas in actual practice, the country is tending towards a unitary system. sir Arthur Richards strengthened this proposal in 1945 and regionalism was introduced by his administration in 1946. Reasons for the Adoption of Federalism in Nigeria | LearnAllinfo 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). Another important factor that necessitated federalism in Nigeria was the political culture of the country. Book excerpt: Defensive Federalism presents an original contribution to the field of federalism and multinational democracies, exploring the concept of defensive federalism as a protection of self- government against the "tyranny of the majority". 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. PDF Federalism, Politics and Corruption in Nigeria: Implications for Higher Death of a nation - Biafra and the Nigerian question.pdf, The politics and problem of fiscal federalism and revenue allocation formula in Nigeria: Who should get what, how, when and why, Resource Control: a Necessary Element for True Federalism in Nigeria, THE IMPACT OF STATE JOINT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT ON STATE LOCAL RELATIONS IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA, MEMORANDUM ON TRUE FEDERALISM SUBMITTED BY THE 'RESTRUCTURE NIGERIA' COMMUNITY AS A RESPONSE TO THE APC COMMITTEE CALL ON TRUE FEDERALISM, THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL STUDIES The Legal Framework for the Corporate Existence of Nigeria, Intricacies and paradoxes federalism and secessionism in Nigeria.pdf, Civic Education Curriculum Implementation, NIGERIAN FEDERALISM AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: PURSUIT, PROSPECTS AND IMPEDIMENTS TO UNITY AND NATION BUILDING, Constitutions Making, Amendments, Reviews and Nigerias Political Development: 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. Regrettably, this system is founded on a militarily-conceived constitution lacking a fully enforceable bill of rights and clear governmental functions. 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. /Filter /FlateDecode Between 1960 and 1996, the three regions have been divided into smaller entities which are now known as states and their boundaries were reorganised. The analysis of the emerging issues and scenarios as well as the response options aims at supporting the efforts of different stakeholders including the Federal government on managing the current pro-Biafra agitation. 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 . READ ALSO: Reasons for political apathy in Nigeria, Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. Introduction In a statement on the 2015 Nigerian General Elections the Freedom House (2015a) congratulated Nigerians for an election that appears to be one of the smoothest and least violent in Nigeria's Before the amalgamation of the Northern Protectorate and the Southern Protectorate in 1914, there was nothing like Nigeria. THE THEME OF IMAGERY AND SYMBOLISM IN THE IPOB SECESSIONIST STRUGGLE, Abdul's Assignment on 711 Dr. Usman Mohammed, A nation divided against itself: Biafra and the conflicting online protest discourses, Ethnicity, Political Exclusion and the Resurgence of Separatism in South-Eastern, Nigeria, Hands Behind their backs: Making a case for a region-centred restructuring framework, THE EFFECT OF CRIMINAL INJUSTICE AGAINST EASTERN NIGERIA AND THE DEMAND FOR SELF-DETERMINATION BY IPOB. The first military head of state, General J.T.U Aguiyi Ironsi for instance was interested in a unitary Nigeria and he scrapped federalism.
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