Resource Control and the Dilemma of Restructuring Nigerian Federalism: Issues and Challenges
Main Article Content
Abstract
This paper examined the continuous debates on resource control and the contention surrounding the restructuring of the Nigerian federalism. The study adopted the Interest Group Theory of politics which emphasized the persistent and unending competition of different group for the control of power and resources in a pluralistic society. The quantitative research method was adopted where data were analyzed using content analysis. Findings revealed that, several Commissions were set up to addressed the problem of revenue allocation with particular attention given to derivation, needs, national interest, population and even development. However, the main bone of contention lies in the actual percentage to be accorded to each state or region. Actions which include mobilization campaigns, social protests and heated debates between the North and South presented a challenge to the effective functioning of federal system in Nigeria. In other words, the failure of the state to find a political solution to the problem has led to a plausible demand for structural reform and self-determination within the federation. This paper recommended a democratic resource control model which advocated for the reversal of the principle of revenue allocation and sharing based on equity and distributive justice thereby addressing basic needs of the entire population.
Downloads
Article Details
References
Abah, E. O., & Paul, N. M. (2017). Restructuring the Nigerian federalism: The proposed form and shape. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 25 (7), 1518-1526.
Akinyele, R. (1993). The Management of minority problem in Nigeria. The Quarterly Journal of Administration, XXVI (1&2), 123-234.
Amuwo, K. A. (1998). Federalism and Political Restructuring in Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited.
Antonia, P. et al, (1976). Towards the development of theory: Cultural Pluralism Redefined. The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare. 4 (1), Article 11. Retrieved from http://www.scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol4/iss1/11.
Ayoade, J. (1998). The federal character principle and the search for national integration. In Amuwo, K., Agbaje, A., Suberu, R. & Herault, G. (Eds.). Federalism and political restructuring in Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited.
Ball, A. R., & Millard, F. (1986). Pressure politics in industrial societies. London: Macmillan Education Ltd.
Barzilai, G. (2003) Communities and law: Politics and cultures of legal identities. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
Baumgartner, F. R., & Leech, B. L. (1998). Basic interests. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Bentley, A. F. (1967). The process of government. Cambridge: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. (1999).
Ekpo, A. (2007). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: The challenges of the next decade. In Elaigwu I. (Ed.), Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Facing the challenges of the future. Jos: Institute of Governance and Social Research.
Elaigwu, I. (2007). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Facing the challenges of the future. Jos: Institute of Governance and Social Research.
Fleiner, T. (1996). Switzerland: Constitution of the federal state and the cantons. In L. Basta & T. Fleiner (Ed.), Federalism and multiethnic states: The case of Switzerland. Fribourg: Institute of Federalism.
Gana, T. S., & Egwu, S. (2003). Federalism in Africa: The imperative of democratic development. Trenton: Africa World Press, Inc.
Ihonvbere, J. (2003). The Nigerian state as obstacle to federalism: Towards a new constitutional compact for democratic peace. In Gana, T., & Egwu, S. (Eds.). Federalism in Africa: The imperative of democratic development. Trenton: Africa World Press, Inc.
Ismagilova, R. (1996). Ethnicity, nationalism and self-determination in contemporary Africa. In Sharma, S. (Ed.). Multi-culturalism and ethnicity in global context. Jaipur: Jaipur Publishing Co.
Iyoha, M. (2007). Fiscal federalism: Towards coping with and resolving future challenges. In Elaigwu, I. (Ed.). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Facing the challenges of the future. Jos: Institute of Governance and Social Research.
Jega, A. (2007a). Fiscal federalism: Towards coping with and resolving future challenges. In Elaigwu, I. (Ed.). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Facing the challenges of the future. Jos: Institute of Governance and Social Research.
Jega, A. (2009b). Democracy, development and good governance in Nigeria. Bayero University Press, Mammbayya House.
Jinadu, A. (1982). The constitutional situation of the Nigerian states. Publius, 12(1), Winter.
Joseph, R. (1991). Democracy and prebendal politics in Nigeria: The rise and fall of the second republic. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited
Key, V. O. (1964). Politics, parties, & pressure groups. London: Thomas Crowell Company.
Kumar, S. (1998). Cultural pluralism, multiple identities and federal nation building. In Vijapur, A. (Ed.), Dimensions of Federal Nation Building: Essays in Memory of Rasheeduddin Khan. New Delhi: Centre for Federal Studies.
Mohammed, O. A. (2014). Inter-governmental fiscal relations in Nigeria: Problems and prospects. In Obi, E. A., & Nwankwo, R. N. (Eds.). Dynamics of Inter-governmental relations: A Nigerian and comparative perspectives.
Musa, Y. D. (2014). Areas of inter-governmental conflict in Nigerian federalism: Second and fourth republic in perspectives. In Obi, E. A,. & Nwankwo, R. N. (Eds.). Dynamics of inter-governmental relations: A Nigerian and comparative perspectives.
Obi, E. A. (2014). The local government system in Nigeria: Evolution, reform and current trends. In: Obi, E. A., & Nwankwo, R. N. (Eds.). Dynamics of Inter-governmental relations: A Nigerian and comparative perspectives. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited.
Obi, E. A., & Nwankwo, R. N. (2014). Dynamics of Inter-governmental relations: A Nigerian and comparative Perspectives. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited.
Obidimma, A. E., & Obidimma, E. O. C. (2015). Restructuring the Nigerian federation for proper functioning of the Nigerian federalism. IISTE Journal of Public Policy and Administration Research, 5 (9), 147-157.
Oladeji, A. (2005). Federalism and the political economy of revenue allocation in Nigeria. NISER Monograph Series, 2(1), 32-54.
Olowononi, G. (1998). Revenue allocation and economics of federalism. In Amuwo, K., Agbaje, A., Suberu, R., & Herault, G. (Eds.), Federalism and political restructuring in Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited.
Olson, M. (1965). The logic of collective action. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Orji, N. (2008). Power sharing: The element of continuity in Nigerian politics. Dissertation for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the European University Institute.
Osaghae, E. (1992). The status of state governments in Nigeria’s federalism. Publius, 22(3), 123-203.
Osagie, E. (2007). Revenue sharing (vertical and horizontal). In Elaigwu, I. (Ed.). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Facing the challenges of the future. Jos: Institute of Governance and Social Research.
Oyediran, O. (1998). Nigerian government & politics under military rule. Lagos: Friends Foundation Publishers Ltd.
Phillips, A. (1991). Managing fiscal federalism: Revenue allocation issues. Publius, 21(4), 154-234.
Schlozman, K. L., & Tierney, J. T. (1986). Organized interests and American democracy. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers.
Usman, P. (2007). Resource or revenue sharing. In Elaigwu, I. (Ed.). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Facing the challenges of the future. Jos: Institute of Governance and Social Research.
William R. H., & Madelon, S. (1973). Cultural pluralism and schooling: Some preliminary observations. In Cultural pluralism in education: A mandate for change. (Eds.). Madelon, S. W., & Harry, N. R. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
William, E. (2011). Connolly: The ethos of pluralization. London: University of London.