A Publication of Department of Political Science and International Relations
Journal VOL. 1 NO. 1, June. 2019, ISSN: 2714 - 4054
The Unfinished Quest for Federalism by Nation-States; The Nigerian Experience
Isinkaye Kehinde Abiodun
ABSTRACT
The paper explores why some countries of the world have chosen to adopt and sustain the federal system of government. Several factors are accounted for the adoption of federalism and this range from historical reason, large geographical land scape, multi-ethnic and composition, the need to protect local and peculiar interest among others. The paper discussed Nigerian federalism, locating its rot in colonial rule over the country. It affirmed the fact that the challenges facing the nation occurred due to lopsided political configuration of the country and over concentration of power at the centre. Those afore-listed factors have nearly crippled the state governments in Nigeria. It concludes that there are challenges in federal states and these can be overcome through negotiation, conferences and dialogue taking place from time to time.