This work recommends that the calls for the restructuring of federalism in nigeria under the constitution 1999as amended. The feature of nigerian federalism could only be better understood by a reproduction of the definition of the concept federalism, professor nwabueze in his definition, defined federalism as an arrangement whereby governmental powers within a country are shared between a national, country wide government and a number of regional governments. In order to discuss federalism at a theoretical level at least, it is necessary to dene it. Comparison of federalism vs democracy proves to be significant when we are studying different types of governments. Federalism, democracy and the national question in nigeria corresponding author. Providing both a detailed theoretical examination and fresh case studies, it clearly distinguishes between federation, a particular kind of state, and federalism, the thinking that drives and promotes it. The increasing agitation for a functional federal system or what is referred to as true federalism in the nigerian parlance, after the democratic transition that culminated in civil rule in 1999 is an indication that all is not well with the existing practice of federalism in nigeria. After the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates in 1914, richards constitution introduced some features of federalism into nigeria s political system. Pdf federalism as a political ideology and system of.
Federalism in nigeria can be traced back to the colonial era. In the aftermath of military rule, nigerias new civilian, democratic federal system is highly centralized while also being fragmented subnationally. But in nigeria, the practice has generated unending tensions among the different peoples,communities and individuals within it. Aug 04, 2016 nigeria and pakistan have had similar experiences of intermittent military rule and federal democracy.
The paper discusses some of the impediments to the institutionalisation of democracy in nigeria after more. Federalism can be seen as a system of government in which governmental powers that exist in a country are shared between central government and other component units i. As an ideology on one hand, federalism performs not only the function of explaining and orientating people. Second, to challenge the overpraised thesis on the role of democracy in implementing shariah, it explores the interplay between federalism and democracy in the struggle of muslims in northern nigeria to assert their religious identity. In that penetrating study, paden identified a neglected muslim communitythe. Fourth, in terms of managing the confluence of democracy and federalism, it investigates how and why the 1999 constitution has failed to resolve the paradox of the institutional forces of. While nigeria, ethiopia, and south africa are established african federal states, the union of comoros. Before we start discussing federalism in nigeria, it is pertinent to know what federalism really is. Federal theory and federalism in africa berihun gebeye. Third, it examines how the extension touches on the essentialism of democracy and federalism.
Federalism remained a part of nigerias political system since independence in 1960. Even the word federalism is an anathema in the lexicon of african politics. This is actually the core reason for federalism in nigeria. The challenge of federalism, democracy and development. May 29, 1999, after almost sixteen years of uninterrupted military dictatorship.
Causes for, and effects of federalism causes for federalism. Federalism was basically introduced to bring about peace and unity in the different regions of the country. The reality is that democracy has been raped in nigeria and is being. Democracy and federalism in nigeria fourth republic experience. Pdf federalism, constitutionalism, and local government. Federalism and incentives for success of democracy 7 on federalism or on questions concerning survival rates for new democracies. Pdf federalism and nation building in nigeria researchgate. The newfound phrase could be better understood using a geopolitical lens. The nigerian federal system falls short of this criterion, such that it has become contentious to categorise nigeria as a true federal system. The 36 states depend on monthly budgetary allocations from the federal government. Sep 03, 2017 in 1954, the nigerian founding fathers opted for a federal system of government despite its inherent challenges in a pluralistic society. Lecturer, faculty of law, ebonyi state university abakaliki. Stepan and skach 1993 report evidence that chances for survival of democracy may be better with parliamentary institutions than presidential see also linz andvalenzuela 1994. Federalism in nigeria refers to the devolution of selfgovernance by the west african nation of nigeria to its federated states, who share sovereignty with the federal government.
This is again another reason why federalism can succeed only in a democracy where the. Comparative federalism uses a comparative approach to explore the contemporary nature and meanings of federalism and federation. Local government autonomy as an imperative for true. Federalism in nigerias new democratic polity oxford academic. Federalism, mode of political organization that unites separate states or other polities within an overarching political system in a way that allows each to maintain its own integrity. While it remains true that nigeria is governed by democratically elected leaders at the federal and state levels, nigeria is yet to institutionalise democracy after a century of existence as a political entity. Riker, federalism is a political organization in which the activities of government are divided between regional governments and a central government in such a way that each kind of government has some activities on which it makes final decisions riker, 1975, p.
Federalism is a means of ensuring peace, stability and mutual accommodation in countries that have territorially concentrated differences of identity, ethnicity, religion or language. Department of political science, nnamdi azikiwe university, awka nigeria. The evolution, development and practice of federalism in. Reasons for the adoption of federalism in nigeria legit.
The midwest democratic front mdf, the united progressive. Alfred stepan in his work federalism and democracy. In fact, the problem is sufciently complex that no mere denition will sufce. The federal government largely controls the resources of the country and therefore wields huge political influence. Federalism and democracy may differ drastically in their principles or they could be such government forms, which are derived from one another. The study investigates the effects of boko haram on nigeria federalism and also how well nigeria has been able to manage its crises. Theory and dimensions dare arowolo lecturer, department of political science and public administration, adekunle ajasin university, nigeria abstract the dynamism and complexity of nigerias federalism has attracted academic scrutiny. Party upp, and the nigeria national democratic party nndp developed from.
Learn more about the history and characteristics of federalism in this article. Below are the reasons why nigeria adopted a federal system of government. Model states that although ethnic bloodshed occurred in most of europes postcommunist countries, it was federalism rather than. Federalism is a political concept in which power to govern is shared between national, and subnational governments creating what is often called a federation arowolo. The concept federalism in political science, like many other concepts in the social sciences, is without a universally accepted definition. In these trying times, it is very necessary for all nigerians to reflect on and interrogate the notions and practice of democracy, federalism, and what is essentially a fundamental. Federalism and ethnic conflict in nigeria suberu, rotimi, diamond, larry on. Federalism in the kingdom of belgium is an evolving system. Having firmly and solemnly resolve, to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under god, dedicated to the promotion of interafrican solidarity, world peace, international cooperation and understanding. D 32 page will on the conduct of its affairs free from direction by any government. Nigeria democratic experiment, tenets and principles of democracy, federalism principles and reason why nigeria adopted federal system of.
Federalism, especially in large or diverse countries, can also improve service delivery and democratic resilience, ensure decisions are made at. Each region had its own constitution, coat of arms and autonomy with regard to the functions. Federalism is not a panacea and it does not solve all problems it is important to create a federalist culture, as well as a culture of consensusbuilding, cooperation, tolerance, mutual understanding and respect of differences, diversity and multiculturalism, devotion to the common institutions and creation of a shared identity. Nigeria can be said to be operating the federal system of government, whereas in actual practice, the country is tending towards a unitary system. Democracy and federalism in the european union and the united states the european union a supranational system with its own institutional characteristics and autonomy has a structure and functional logic that are more similar to those of the united states than to those of european nationstates. Nigerias unitary federalism the guardian nigeria news. The clamour for true federalism in nigeria, true federalism means different things to different people. Federalism and nationbuilding in nigeria longdom publishing sl. The need to establish a stable system of federal democracy has dominated the history of constitutional discourse and design in nigeria since the winning of independence from britain and the inauguration of the first republic in 1960. In fact, in my judgment, if countries such as indonesia, russia, nigeria, china, and burma are ever to become stable democracies, they will have to craft workable federal systems that allow cultural diversity, a robust. Conceptual issues fiscal federalism is a byproduct of federalism.
Hence, mato 2010 and chukwuma 2014 both agreed that current trend of nigeria federalism is an aberration from the kind of federalism inherited from the british colonialists. Research paper federalism, democracy and the national. This research work xrayed 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. In comparison with established democracies nigeria is a highly. This immediately raises a number of the complexities that beset this subject and that mechanistic discussions of it tend to ignore or obscure. The demand for the creation of newer states in nigeria tends to emanate from substate groups, often ethnic or tribalinterest groups, which accuse the current larger state governments of subverting or ignoring the interests and necessities of the more local regions.
According to this conception, power belongs to the people popular. The concept of autonomy the concept of autonomy has its roots in the liberal conception of democracy, that is, government by the people at the grassroots. Nigeria, the most populous black nation on earth with a population of about 140 million people and over 350 distinct language groups, successfully transmitted to democratic governance on may 29, 1999 after so many years of military rule. Boko haram in nigeria has been a regular feature in nigeria, its existence can be traced to the mid 1990s. In these trying times, it is very necessary for all nigerians to reflect on and interrogate the notions and practice of democracy, federalism, and what is essentially a fundamental act of. The greatest problem of federalism in nigeria today is the general problems of the true nature of the federal relationship as manifested in the intense rivalry and confrontation between the federal and state governments. Home special report the challenge of federalism, democracy and development the challenge of federalism, democracy and development on february 17, 2012 4. Belgian federalism is a twin system which reflects both the linguistic communities of the country, french ca. Democracy, federalism and the nigerian lie the guardian. This phenomenon has attracted a great deal of comments across the world. Though a federation, nigeria practices administrative federalism and not fiscal federalism. Oil wealth, federalism and democracy in nigeria forum of. Federalism, nigerian federal constitution and the practice of. The challenge of federalism, democracy and development the challenge of federalism, democracy and development on february 17, 2012 4.
Let us begin with the southwest, which is dominated by the yoruba. Federalism, democracy and the national question in nigeria. Therefore, the problem with federalism in nigeria is the mixapplication or nonapplication of this clause especially as it has to do with power distribution awa, 1977. Amah emmanuel ibiam lecturer, faculty of law, ebonyi state university abakaliki, nigeria abstract a great democracy must either sacrifice selfgovernment to unity or preserve it by federalism. Real federalism has never existed in nigeria ajasin, 1992. Oct 12, 2016 nigerias constitutions up to the time of independence in 1960 were truly federal in character. Model states that although ethnic bloodshed occurred in most of europes post communist countries, it was federalism rather than the unitary system that was most commonly associated with multinational democracies. Given the territorially delineated cleavages abounding in nigeria and the historical legacy of divisions among ethnic groups, regions, and sections, the federal imperative was so fundamental that even military governmentscharacteristically unitarian, hierarchical, and centralistattached importance to the continuation of a federal system of government. While viewing the issue from a diachronic perspective. Both democracy and federalism promote pluralism and dispersal of power which is good for a multi ethnic society like nigeria. According to mato 2010, the nigeria of 1960 was a better federal arrangement than it is now. Federalism is the bedrock of democratic edifice for a country of nigeria s size and bewildering diversities.