FEDERALISM, DEMOCRACY AND THE NATIONAL QUESTION UNDER NIGERIA'S FOURTH REPUBLIC
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Date
2007
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Department of Political Science, Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, University of Ilorin
Abstract
Federalism and democracy are ideals which most plural societies perceive as capable of solving their multifarious problems. This can be explained partly within the putative virtues of federal ism and the known ideals of democracy and, partly because both are mutually reinforcing in their capacity to reconcile divergent interests and accommodate differing views within a liberal framework. This is in addition to preserving individual and groups right to self-determination. The adoption and practice of this system in Nigeria can therefore be situated within these pleasurable contexts. To this extent, the adoption of federalism and democracy in Nigeria is premised on their potency as strategies for managing the multifarious concerns expressed by various groups, which have been carefully couched in a diplomatic language called, the national question. However; through a content analysis of relevant data and observable trends in the country especially since /999, this paper argues that the appropriateness and efficacy of these principles as answers to the question leave much to discuss. The bottom line is that.the cause of their adoption in the first place has ever remained the consequence.
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Keywords
Federalism, societies, Nigeria, self-determination