THE HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE FEDERAL CHARACTER PRINCIPLES IN NIGERIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN THE CONTEMPORARY SYSTEM

  • 0 Review(s)

Product Category: Projects

Product Code: 00003315

No of Pages: 93

No of Chapters: 5

File Format: Microsoft Word

Price :

$12

ABSTRACT

One of the greatest problems facing the Nigerian polity is the issue of nationality question, especially as it concerns ethnic representation. The Federal Character Principle was adopted to counteract this issue. In this regard this work evaluated the extent to which the Federal Character Principle has gone in the promotion of a sense of belonging for all citizens in all sections of the country - paying particular attention to the issues and challenges confronting the principle and its application in Nigeria. The study centered on the Nigerian system - covering the administrative processes, political appointments and school quota system. The secondary method of data collection was adopted' most of the study materials are based on both previous and ongoing researches in the field library sources, textbooks, journals, conference papers, newspapers, magazines, and other study-guides which were especially helpful. Data analysis was done using descriptive and analytical method based on existing documentations and historical data. The study adopted the integration theory as its theoretical framework because of its relevance to the issue in focus. Tables and statistical data are also presented where necessary. The study discovered that Federal Character Principle has so far been unproductive in its function to promote national integration and even national development. Finally, the study called for, among other things, a redefinition of the country’s philosophies and values that will be suitable and be in consonance with the peculiarity of Nigeria environment. This will entail rethinking the Federal Character Principle to provide practical solutions to the country’s overall question of national integration and development.

Keywords: Federal Character Principle, Nationality Question, Development, National Integration, Ethnic Representation.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents:                                                                                               Pages:

Title Page       …                    …                    …                    …                    …        i

Approval Page                      …                    …                    …                    …        ii

Dedication     …                    …                    …                    …                    …        iii

Acknowledgement               …                    …                    …                    …        iv

Abstract         …                    …                    …                    …                    …        v

List of Tables…                    …                    …                    …                    …        vi

Table of Content                  …                    …                    …                    …        vii

 

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study                …                    …                    …        1

1.2       Statement of Problem                      …                    …                    …        5

1.3       Objectives of the Study                   …                    …                    …        6

1.4       Significance of the Study                …                    …                    …        7

1.5       Scope of Study         …                    …                    …                    …        8

1.6       Limitations of Study            …                    …                    …                    …        8

1.7       Operational Definition of Concepts…                 …                    …        8

 

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1       Global Overview                              …                    …                    …        11

2.2       Perceptions of Scholars…              …                    …                    …        15

2.2.1   Federalism     …                    …                    …                    …        16

2.2.2   Federal Character Principle            …                    …                    …        18

2.2.3   Federal Character Commission                  …                    …        22

 

2.2.3.1.   Composition of the Commission…                   …        24

           

2.2.3.2    Functions of the Commission    …                    …        24

 

2.2.3.3                Powers of the Commission         …                    …        26

 

2.2.3.4   The Enforcement Power of the Commission    …        31

 

2.3       Gap in the Literature…                   …                    …                    …        33

 

CHAPTER THREE:  HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF FEDERAL

                CHARACTER PRINCIPLE

 

3.1       Evolution of the Federal Character Principle      …                    …        35

 

3.2       The Principle and Practice of Federal Character in Nigeria:

A Case of Paradox   …                    …                    …                    …        39

3.3       Applicability of the Principle of Federal Character in Nigeria:

Special Focus on State Creation, Revenue Allocation, and

Education Sector      …                    …                    …                    …        45

 

3.3.1   Application of the Principle of Federal Character in

State Creation…                   …                    …                    …        45

 

3.3.2   Application of the Principle of Federal Character in

Revenue Allocation             …                    …                    …        48

 

3.3.3   Application of the Principle of Federal Character in

Education Sector                  …                    …                    …        49

CHAPTER FOUR: GENERAL ANALYSIS

 

4.1       Issues and Challenges confronting Federal Character

Principle in Nigeria  …                    …                    …                    …        53

 

4.2       The Implication of the Principle of Federal Character on

National Integration and Development                …                    …        59

 

4.3       General Appraisal of the Principle of Federal Character          …        66

 

CHAPTER FIVE:   CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 

5.1       Summary of Findings                      …                    …                    …        75

 

5.2       Conclusion                …                    …                    …                    …        79

 

5.3       Recommendations   …                    …                    …                    …        81

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY     …                    …                    …                    …        84

 

 

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Model for Admission into Universities            …                    …        52

Table 2: Empirical Indication of Power (Presidency) 1999 – 2015     …        71

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

Federal Systems all over the world are today increasingly seen as political arrangements that afford an opportunity for the myriad diversities within a political system to find legitimate expression (Okolo, 2014). Elazar (1993) has rightly opined that the federal principle is intrinsically an expression of political diversity and accommodation without in any way undermining the basic commitment to the sovereignty of the nation.

 

Nigeria happens to be one of the most prominent federal systems in the world today. Nigeria’s population is estimated at 181 millions (CIA 2015). The country has between 250 and 400 ethnic groups depending on the criteria used. A total of 374 ethnic groups were identified by Otite (1990). These ethnic groups are broadly divided into ethnic “majorities” and ethnic “minorities”.

 

The majority ethnic groups are the composite Hausa-Fulani of the North with Muslim majority, the Yoruba of the South-West, and the Igbo of the South-East with Christian majority. Against the backdrop of this ethno-religious composition, political issues in Nigeria are seen from their ethno-religious perspectives, thereby giving credence to ethnic and religious jingoists and war lords. Political offices and appointments are seen as battle fields among the various ethnic groups, where the battles must be fought with all the available weapons a group can muster (Obi and Obiekeze, 2004) and (Suberu and Diamond, 2004).

 

Another area of inequality in the polarization process is the tension and fears in the North that the more educated South would dominate state institutions as well as the concerns in the Southern part of the country that the more populated North would have an edge in the electoral contest. The zero-sum nature of political competition among the elites precipitated a bloody civil war between 1967 and 1970. According to Orji (2008) in Bello (2012), the soul-searching that followed the civil war reflected in the quest for elite’s consensus on how Nigeria should be governed to ensure political stability and fairness in the distribution of resources among the various ethnic groups that make up the country.

 

Economic and structural inequalities are other features of Nigerian national life. For example, in l986 tol990, 70% of the registered companies in Nigeria were located in the southwest, with 16% in the three northern zones and l4% in the two other southern zones (Hamalai, 1994). By 2001, 46% of the industries located in the northern zones had closed down as a result of infrastructural and macroeconomic difficulties; de-industrialization, associated with economic liberalization, has disproportionately affected the north (Adamu, 2003). Another index of economic inequality is preponderance of Lagos in banking operations. Lagos accounted for 48% of all deposits and 69.96% of all loans in 2006, while the three northern zones combined accounted for only 10.75% of deposits and 8.6% of loans (Soludo, 2007).

 

Structurally embedded social inequalities correspond to the educational and economic inequalities (Stewart, 2008). Within the context of widespread national poverty, it can be rightly argued that extreme poverty and ill-being are a distinctly northern phenomenon. The ten poorest states are in the northern zones, while the ten with the lowest poverty levels are in the southern zones (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2001). Central Bank of Nigeria data suggest that between 1980 and 2004, poverty increased from 13 to 35% of the population of the south-south, l3 to 27% in the south-east, and 13 to 43% in the south-west. Over the same period, in the north-central, poverty ballooned from 35% of the population to 72% in 2004. In the north-east, it went from 36 to 72%, while in the northwest the trend was from 38 to 71% (Soludo, 2007). Access to social amenities like education, sanitation, and health services closely correspond to the poverty trends. For example, in 1995, while 29% of new born in the south-west were not immunized, the corresponding figure for the north-west was 66%. In the north-west only 25% of pregnant women used clinics compared with 85% in the south-east (FOS, 1995/ 1996). Similarly, the maternal mortality rate in the north-east is 93.9% higher than the level in the south-west (Galadanchi, 2007). In fact, these systematic and overlapping inequalities made Nigerians born into different ethno-regional groups to expect very different qualities of life and thus, materially undermine the basis for a common citizenship,

 

The problem of acrimonious existence among the diverse groups and interests in the federation of Nigeria, leading to mutual distrust, suspicion, and inter-communal conflicts, has become perennial and endemic in the nation’s body politics and has militated against the political stability of the country since independence. The fear of domination of one ethnic group or section of the country by another, the national question of who gets what (when and how), and how the national wealth should be shared, constitute a major factor of this problem, As a result of this mutual suspicion existing among the various social groups, whatever the issue at hand in Nigeria is, the patterns of reaction to it will always be determined by geo-political as well as religious considerations. This situation seriously hampers efforts at national unity as it applies to the building of a united Nigeria out of the disparate ethnic, geographic, social, economic and religious elements or groups in the country (Agbodike, 1998), (Gamberi, 1994), and (Kurfi, 1998).

 

Among the measures put in place and constitutionally guaranteed as a recipe for national integration is the doctrine of Federal Character. The principle of federal character was formulated and put into use by successive governments in Nigeria to address and hopefully mitigate the problem of diversity so as to ensure a peaceful, stable and united Nigeria. As Ojo (1999) persuasively explained, Federal character principle as an integrative mechanism is defined as fair and effective representation of the various components of the Federation in the country’s position of power, status and influence. He however observed that the principle of federal character touches an array of problems in the political process which includes ethnicity, the national question, minority problem, discrimination based on indignity, resources control, power sharing, employment and placement in institutions among others. It provides a formula for participation in the governance of the country in such a way that a single section of the country will not dominate another or a segment dominating the rest. The basic assumption, as noted by Ojo (1999) is that, if every segment of the Federation participates in governance, there would be almost equality in the country in the scheme of things and expectedly, it will engender a sense of belonging and national integration.

 

It is against this background that this research sets out to examine the expediency of the federal character principle as an integrative mechanism with a view to highlighting the issues and challenges affecting its application, implementation and functionality in the Nigerian polity.

 

1.2       Statement of Problem

Nigeria is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious state with a substantial population being adherents of Islam (Muslims), Christianity (Christians), and a host of indigenous religions (Okolo, 2014). Across ethnic lines, Nigeria is characterized by three major divides - Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba - with hundreds of minor ones. In spite of these differences in orientation, culture, and belief system, the British colonialists unified the various peoples under one single administration in 1914. This so-called union has been described by a foremost Nigerian political scientist as a “forced brotherhood or sisterhood” (Ayoade, 1998). This unholy marriage has left the country constantly embattled with the challenges of accommodating diversities, fostering inclusiveness, and promoting national unity amongst the diverse ethnic groups that make up the Nigerian nation-state.

 

Nigerian policy makers have, in a bid to tackle the above challenges, established the principle of Federal Character in the constitution of 1979, and have continued to operate the principle, However, certain problems still need to be addressed with regards to the application and functionality of this principle. It is to this end that this work asks the following questions:

1.         What is the extent to which the Federal Character Principle has gone in unifying the diverse polarities in Nigeria?

2.         What degree has the Federal Character Principle gone in solving issues of developmental imbalance, fear of dominance, and suspicion between and among various groups in Nigeria?

3.         What are the issues and challenges which militate against the effectiveness of Federal Character Principle?

4.         What are the political implications of the principle and practice of federal character in the Nigerian polity?      

 

1.3       Objectives of the Study

The followings are the research objectives:

1.         To access the extent to which the Federal Character Principle has gone in unifying the different polarities in Nigeria.

2.         To find out the degree to which the Federal Character Principle has gone in solving issues of developmental imbalance, fear of dominance, and suspicion between and among various groups.

3.         To identify the issues and challenges which militate against the effectiveness of Federal Character principle.

4.         To find out the political implication of the Federal Character Principle in Nigeria.

 

 

1.4       Significance of the Study

The study is significant in several ways.

Firstly, it strives to respond to one of the most critical problems bedeviling the Nigerian society - the issue of national question. It is also timely and relevant because today, the country is sharply divided along ethnic and religious ties. So, if the findings and recommendations of the research are studied and adopted, it can go a long way in restoring democratic peace and unity in the system. Secondly, the study delved deeply into identifying issues which militate against integration and even national development which federal character preaches. These issues include elitism, sectionalism, ethnocentrism, etc. The study went further to suggest remedial measures that may be instituted to tackle these issues.

 

Further, the weaknesses discovered and identified will also help the government and policy makers in future policy making processes. They may include, in subsequent policy formulation, some measures to correct the weaknesses so as to strengthen the system. In turn, the citizens will also benefit from the positive reforms that will come from this study. In the long run, the whole country will enjoy the positive outcome of the study.

 

Lastly, the Study Will also be advantageous to the researcher as it will give him the opportunity to contribute to the growing literature in the sub-discipline of comparative federal studies.

 

 

 

1.5       Scope of Study

This study is strictly centered on the federal character principle as an integrative instrument in Nigeria. It covers from 1999-2015.

 

1.6       Limitations of Study

In the course of this research, some constraints were encountered. These were majorly in the areas of insufficient materials, finance and shortage of time. However, these limitations were eventually overcome, hence the presentation of this report.

 

1.7       Operational Definition of Concepts

Federalism: This is defined as a system of government in which there is constitutional division of powers among different levels or tiers of government (usually, federal, state, and local governments). In this system, the federal or central authority represents the whole and acts on behalf of all in certain matters, especially in areas of common interest. There also exists state/region or local authorities with powers of legislation and administration within constitutional limits.

 

Federal Character: The Principle of Federal Character is seen as an attempt towards integrating the various aspects of the Nigerian federation. It is an effort to promote national unity, foster national loyalty, and give every citizen of Nigeria a sense of belonging in the nation, through fairness and equity in the distribution of public posts and socio-economic infrastructures among the various federating units of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is in view of the diverse ethnicities, cultures, and languages which exist and whose desire is to nourish and harness the resources of the land in enriching the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

Federal Character Commission: The Federal Character Commission (FCC) is a Federal Executive body established by Act No. 34 of 1996 to implement and enforce the Federal Character Principle. The provisions of the 1999 Constitution in Sections 14 and 153 consolidated the establishment of the FCC for operation in Nigeria’s democratic system.

 

Nation Building: Nation Building is quite ambiguous a term to define. It connotes different strategies and processes of national life which culminates into national development. More specifically, nation building can be said to involve the processes of creating an integrating or unifying ideology for a (new) state; forming the state into an integrated society in practical terms; and establishing and maintaining functional state apparatuses. Generally, it translates into the interconnectedness between identity building and social integration which in turn guarantees national development.

 

National Integration: This is the awareness of a common identity amongst the citizens of a country. It means, for instance, in Nigeria, that though we belong to different ethnic nationalities, religions, and regions, and speak different languages, we recognize the fact we are one and see ourselves that way. This kind and process of integration is very important in the building a strong and prosperous nation.

 

Ethnicity: This is seen as ethnic affiliation or distinctiveness. An ethnic group is a category of people who identify one another based on common language, ancestral, cultural, or national experiences. It is primarily an inherited status. Ethnicity is loosely used synonymously with nation; hence, it is defined by homogeneity.

 

Meritocracy: This trend emphasizes that power, positions, and authority be vested in individuals based on ability. It is a system of distributing opportunities and advantages to people on the bases of their abilities and talents rather than other considerations such as class or group privilege, seniority, or wealth. Advancement in such a system is based on performance measured through examination and/or demonstrated achievement in the field where it is implemented.

 

Mediocrity: This concept defines a quality, ability, or achievement that is average or below average. More concretely, it can refer to a person who does not have the (special) ability to do something well. This has become a burning issue in extant literatures on issues of adequate representation in relationship to performance in Nigeria’s political and public lives.

Click “DOWNLOAD NOW” below to get the complete Projects

FOR QUICK HELP CHAT WITH US NOW!

+(234) 0814 780 1594

Buyers has the right to create dispute within seven (7) days of purchase for 100% refund request when you experience issue with the file received. 

Dispute can only be created when you receive a corrupt file, a wrong file or irregularities in the table of contents and content of the file you received. 

ProjectShelve.com shall either provide the appropriate file within 48hrs or send refund excluding your bank transaction charges. Term and Conditions are applied.

Buyers are expected to confirm that the material you are paying for is available on our website ProjectShelve.com and you have selected the right material, you have also gone through the preliminary pages and it interests you before payment. DO NOT MAKE BANK PAYMENT IF YOUR TOPIC IS NOT ON THE WEBSITE.

In case of payment for a material not available on ProjectShelve.com, the management of ProjectShelve.com has the right to keep your money until you send a topic that is available on our website within 48 hours.

You cannot change topic after receiving material of the topic you ordered and paid for.

Ratings & Reviews

0.0

No Review Found.


To Review


To Comment