RESTRUCTURING (IN) NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR BETTER SOCIETY

Abstract

This paper aims at a critical evaluation of the recent clamor for political restructuring in Nigeria and its capacity for better Nigerian society. The paper applies historical and hermeneutical methods to understand the extent to which federalism has failed Nigeria and to determine how restructuring can redeem the situation of Nigeria polity. Keeping track of the stated aim, the paper studies the concept of restructuring as the adjustment of the Nigerian political system for a better society. Also, it studiesthe advantages of restructuring over the present federalism. The paper argues that the federal system in Nigeria has concentration of powers at the federal level than the federating states. This situation promotes ethnic and religious bigotry, hence leading to persistent agitations for restructuring, separations, e.t.c.The study shows that the present political structure can only lead Nigeria to nowherebut doom and instability symptomized by increasing insecurity, marginalization, corruption, e.t.c. Hence the implication of the study shows that the current doom and instability has become so widened and obvious enough that the corresponding agitations for restructuring becomes legitimate and a necessity for national development. Therefore, the paper makes the case for the government to dispassionately quicken actions towards adequate and thorough political and structural realignment as a veritable tool for national development.