politics of accommodation in nigeria's federalism

269 Pages·2017·4.48 MB·English

POLITICS OF ACCOMMODATION IN NIGERIA’S FEDERALISM
(1993-2007)

BY

SOLOMON AKHERE BENJAMIN
MATRIC. NO: 26315
B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. Pol. Sc, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, IBADAN.

A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, IBADAN
NIGERIA
DECEMBER, 2012.
ii
ABSTRACT
Most federations face the problem of accommodation, which mainly concerns the management
of diverse competing interests within the system. There is paucity of studies that integrate issues of
power sharing; revenue allocation and political restructuring that have militated against effective
political accommodation in Nigeria’s federalism. The study examined how these contentious issues were
managed within the period 1993-2007 towards achieving an effective and successful federal framework
for Nigeria.
Data were obtained mainly from secondary sources. These included archival materials, such as
memoranda and reports from constitutional conferences, the Political Bureau, Political Reform
Conference, committee on power sharing and rotational presidency and commissions on revenue
allocation as well as past and present constitutions. The selection of materials was based on their
relevance to the issues raised. Content analysis was used within the framework of critical theory to
interpret the data.
The study showed that the political elite were innovative in dealing with the problem of political
accommodation only in relation to threats to their common interests. This innovativeness manifested in
response to crisis situations, such as secession threats, electoral crisis and minority agitations. They
included the creation of states and localities in response to the minority’s question, to ensure that no
single or group of states was strong enough to threaten the territorial integrity of the country and to
ensure even development. Power shift and the principle of rotational presidency, including the rotation
of other executive offices in the federation, were endorsed by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
and other major political parties to deal with the question of power sharing. These measures seemed to
effectively resolve the question of federalising power at the centre even though they were still being
contested. Furthermore, the success of these measures was limited by the practice of elite control of
power in the name of an ethnic/religious group, satisfying the imperative of accommodation while
creating a problem of public accountability. The ascent of particular elite was often in disregard of intra-
group contestations thereby foreclosing negotiations at the sub-ethnic level. The limits of the revenue
allocation formula as an elixir for the challenge of resource control was reflected in the rebellion and
revolt against self-appointed leaders and other elite by youth and women’s groups in the Niger Delta.
The uprising against conservative Muslim sects by radical groups in the core north also underscored the
contradiction between elite satisfaction and the severe poverty of the broad masses of the population in
the midst of oil wealth.
The Nigerian elite have been quite innovative in adjusting federal practice to improve
accommodation of the various segments of its diverse peoples. Measures of political accommodation
have, however, had limited effects because their implementation largely contradicts the requirements of
rational planning and general welfare. The issue of political accommodation requires strategic balancing
of the demands of elite accommodation and public welfare for federalism to be successful in Nigeria.
Words: 479
Key words: federalism, political restructuring, accommodation, resource control,

iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Several individuals and groups have contributed to the completion of this study.
Perhaps I should start by expressing my gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Eghosa
Osaghae, who right from the time I decided to pursue a doctorate degree in the
Department indicated his interest and willingness to supervise me, at a time most lecturers
in the Department were unwilling to accept any candidate because their hands were full.
Also, he was instrumental to the choice and fine-tuning of the topic. He has been
accessible, and generous with suggestions which have shaped the outcome of this thesis.
He stood with me through all difficulties in the programme. I cherish most his
combination of high level of intelligence and humility, which is rare among people of his
class.
I am equally indebted to Professors J.A.A. Ayoade, C.O. Ikporukpo, Adigun
Agbaje, Eghosa Osaghae, Bayo Okunade and R.T. Suberu (all of the faculty of the Social
Sciences), who constituted the panel of examiners during the defence of my conversion
from M.Phil to Ph.D. Their critical comments and suggestions helped in no small
measure in reaching the conclusions of this thesis.
Perhaps I should say that Professor. F.O.Nyemutu Roberts, a very good friend,
colleague and my immediate boss contributed immensely to the success of this study. He
assisted in several ways, by reading the manuscript, making suggestions, helping in data
collection and constantly singing into my ears the need to complete the programme
irrespective of obstacles on my way. At a critical point during the programme, he initiated
my going on leave to facilitate the final completion of this study. I am highly indebted to
him.
My thanks also go to the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA), for
aiding me with a grant at the inception of the programme. However, I cannot end without
expressing my sincere gratitude to members of my immediate family, Elizabeth (wife),
Ihueghian, Eghonghon, Ebosaremen (daughters), and Ofumere (my late son). They
regularly prayed for me especially when it became obvious that the forces of darkness
iv
were waging war against the completion of the programme. I thank them for bearing with
me, when most of the time they were left alone at home without my presence.
I also wish to express my appreciation to Messrs William C. Mejuru, Matthew
Ekenziah, Kayode Adetoro and Mrs. V. Osuozah all of NISER, Ibadan, who ensured the
success of this thesis by helping in the word processing at the initial stage of the study. In
particular, I thank Mr. Mejuru who found time to be with me to ensure that the
paragraphs, tables and appendixes are properly positioned. Above all, may God the
Almighty take all the honour and glory for the completion of this thesis, its protracted
period of completion notwithstanding.

Solomon Akhere Benjamin
v
DEDICATION
To my late father, Mr. Benjamin Oghunmhan Aziegbe, who, though illiterate,
recognised early enough the wisdom of sending me to school, and to my elder brother,
Mr. Lawrence Ehizutomi Aziegbe, for his contribution towards my post-secondary
education.
vi
CERTIFICATION

I certify that this study was carried out by Mr. Solomon Akhere Benjamin, under
my supervision in the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan,
Nigeria.

……………………………………………………..

SUPERVISOR

Professor Eghosa E. Osaghae, Ph.D. (Ibadan)
Department of Political Science
University of Ibadan,
Ibadan, Nigeria.
vii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

AFEM Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market
AG Action Group
AU African Union
CBN Central Bank of Nigeria
CDC Constitution Drafting Committee
CFCR Citizens Forum for Constitutional Reforms
COR Calabar-Ogoja-River
CTC Caretaker Transition Committee
DA Dedication Accounts
DPA Distributable Pool Accounts
EMIROAF Ethnic Minority Organisation of Africa
FCT Federal Capital Territory
FDA Federal Development Authority
FG Federal Government
FMG Federal Military Government
FRN Federal Republic of Nigeria
GNP Gross National Product
HR House of Representatives
IEMRPO Ijaw Ethnic Minority Rights Protection Organisation
INC Ijaw National Congress
INEC Independent National Electoral Commission
LG Local Government
LGAs Local Government Areas
MAMSER Mass Mobilisation for Social Justice and Economic Reliance
MNR Movement for National Reformation
MOSOP Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People
NA National Assembly
NANC Ndoki and Asa National Congress
NASS National Assembly
NCCC National Constitutional Conference Committee
NCNC National Council of Nigerian Citizens (it started in 1944 as the
National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons)
NISER Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research
NDDC Niger Delta Development Commission
NNPC Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
NPC Northern Peoples Congress
NPN National Party of Nigeria
NPRC National Political Reforms Conference
NRMAFC National Revenue Mobilisation and Allocation Fiscal Commission
NUPENG National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers
OMPADEC Oil-Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission
viii
OPC Odua Peoples Congress
PDP Peoples Democratic Party
PENGASSAN Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
PRC Provisional Ruling Council
PSTF Petroleum Special Trust Fund
SMG Secretary to the Military Government
SMM Southern Minorities Movement
SPDC Shell Petroleum Development Company
UBE Universal Basic Education
VAT Value Added Tax

ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Page ……………………………………. i
Abstract ……………………………………. ii
Acknowledgements ……………………………………. iii
Dedication ……………………………………. v
Certification ……………………………………. vi
List of Abbreviations ……………………………………. vii
Table of Contents ……………………………………. ix
List of Tables ……………………………………. xii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ………............................................... 1
1.1 Background......................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem……………..………………………………… 6
1.3 Research Questions…………………………………………………..… 11
1.4 Aim and Objectives…………………..……………………………… 12
1.5 Justification for the Study….……………..………………………….… 12
1.6 Scope of the Study………………………………………..……….…… 13
1.7 Methodology…………..…………….……………………….……….. 14

CHAPTER TWO: CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION, THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW……………………………… 15
2.1 Conceptual Clarifications and Theoretical Framework.………………… 15
2.1.1 Politics …………………………………………………………… 15
2.1.2 Accommodation …………………………………………………… 16
2.1.3 Federalism ........................................................................................ ….. 19
2.1.4 Examples of Federation ………………………………………………… 24
2.1.5 Confederation/Cooperative Federalism ………………………………… 26
2.1.6 Why Federalism? ……………………………………………………….. 27
x