Mister

SUGGEST AN APPROPRIATE UNIT OF REPRESENTATION UNDER THE NIGERIA FEDERATION INTRODUCTION Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi cultural entity. Made up of more than two hundred and fifty different ethnic group amalgamated into one, the country requires and need a special system of government that can incorporate and unit all the different groups with their different culture, belief and orientations. THE CONCEPT OF FEDERALISM Federalism as a concept of governance connotes a political system or arrangement erected on two (or more) levels of government. And, these levels deal with common and territorially diverse issues and policies (Aklindele et al., 1998; Akindele, 1987; Nwabuzor and Muller, 1985; Awa, 1973; Akindele and Olaopa, 1997, 1998). However, the pattern of relationship among these levels of government as does their actions or inactions are rarely stable over a period of time. In other words, federalism is “highly dynamic and the equilibrium of its power are continuously changing” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1969: 136) in ways conducive to mutually beneficial reinvention for both the “governors” and the “governed” whenever the need arises. This has been so within all federating polities and, should be so in those that are claiming or want to claim to be federating. Thus, it has been argued that “federalism is a process rather than a static design” (Ibid). And, that it is a spectrum (Livingstone: 1971:25) because it is not: absolute but a relative term, there is no specific point at which society ceases to be unified and becomes diversified. All countries fall somewhere in the spectrum which spring from a theoretically wholly integrated society at one extreme to theoretically wholly diversified at the other (ibid) There is no doubt that a federal political arrangement is complex and demanding, looking at its various components which Schmitt (1997: op.cit.:150) likened to “a car model” with several different bodies, engines and several types of options. This explains why Smiley (1977) once argued that: a federal system must attempt to deal with diversities which are territorially based either by conferring the power over some of these pervasive diversities on the state or by giving the constituent (local government) units a permanent voice - (or function through decentralization or devolution) - in the central government (to make the citizens feel the impact or presence of the government). It equally explains the varying degrees of definitional elucidations given to the concept of federalism by most scholars. While Rodee, Christol, Anderson and Greene (1983:52) defined federalism as “a constitutional division of governmental power between the national and the constituent units,” to Friedrich (1963:585) federalism is a union of group united by one or more common objectives but retaining their distinctive group being for other purposes... it unites without destroying themselves that are uniting and it is meant to strengthen them in their group relations. Certainly, there is no gainsaying the fact that 'federalism' is one concept that has been and is still being used, missed and abused. This assertion is more of a truth with Nigeria which is called, known and addressed as the 'Federal Republic of Nigeria'. Whether Nigeria is truly a federal state that practices true federalism is an issue that has generated public debates and controversies. These seemingly endless debates and controversies are better appreciated, when viewed against the backdrop of our chequered historical experiences dating back to the colonial epoch. RECOMMENDATIONS The federal Republic of Nigeria should adopt the following four- tier unit of representation: * FEDERAL The federal Republic of Nigeria consisting all the federal unit or regions should be made up of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary as presently constituted under the presidential system, unless the Westminster Parliamentary system is preferred in which case the equivalent structure shall be put in place. However, the far-reaching powers of the executive branch should be appropriately reduced to reflect a Federal, rather than a unitary structure * Regions, Federating Units, and/or Ethnic Nationalities This should be the second level of government. The federating units or regions should consist of major ethnic nationalities provided that regional boundaries are appropriately adjusted such the entire population and territory of any ethnic nationality should fall within one region. The rationale for this is the need to ensure political stability and peace between all regions, and the desirability that the nationality question be resolved once and for all. Each region may be headed by an elected governor if the presidential system is adopted or by a Premier if the Westminster system is preferred. Structure may be similar to what currently obtains at the state level. * Province This should be the third level of government. The current local government area structure or a modified version of it should be constituted. The province may be governed by an elected Board of commissioners as chief Executive officer of the province or in the alternative; the province may be governed by an elected chief executive Officer responsible and answerable to an elected board of commissioners. * Division/City/Town Council This should be the fourth level of government. This will help bring the government closer to everyone. The council will govern metropolitan areas. Divisional councils will cater for country areas. A geographic area should be designed as a city or town depending on the population and economic resource factor in the area. The main advantage is to bring the government to the grass root, and give everyone a sense of ownership of the Nigeria project.