Nigerian Federalism and Agitations for Self-Determination
Vitus Achu Amadi
Department of Sociology
Caritas University Amorji-Nike, Enugu
Email: achuvit@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This paper “Nigerian Federalism and agitations for self-determination” attempts a critical analysis of the incessant self-determination agitations and its consequences on the tenacity of the Nigerian unity and the security of lives and property of her citizens. For example, the 1967 declaration of the Republic of Biafra by the then Eastern Region leading to the Nigeria-Biafra war; the Movement for the survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB); the declaration of Oduduwa Republic in the South Western Nigeria respectively, and other selfdetermination
agitations by minor nationalities in the Nigerian federation. The
question is: what are the socio-economic and political factors responsible for these seemingly unending self-determination agitations?; and how can these agitations be put to a final rest? The study adopted the qualitative method of data collection and analysis as its research methodology. It argued that these internal self-determination agitations threatening the Nigerian unity is a long-term after-mat of the incompatible
colonial amalgamation of 1914; a reflection of the continuation of the ethnic politics in Nigeria since 1960 and further complicated by the de-structuring/restructuring of the country into six geopolitical zones beside other diversities. It, therefore, recommends inter alia, the constitutional adoption of a new political format of “collegial government” or “collegial presidential system of Government” at the centre comprising four presidents of equal status representing Northern Region, Western
Region, Eastern Region, Southern Region (i.e., former Mid-Western Region) or six presidents of equal political status representing the present six geopolitical zones like in Switzerland.
Keywords: Agitation, Self-determination, National Integration, Collegial
Government, National Security, Federalism.
