TOWARDS A TRUE FEDERALISM IN NIGERIA: AN APPLICATION OF JOHN LOCKE'S LIBERALISM

Abstract

The Nigerian Political system and society has been plunged into a serious quagmire and instability as a result of an abysmal political foundation or a subverted foundation. Some of the imperial masters' constitutions especially those of Clifford and Littleton laid the foundation for true federalism in Nigeria and was brought to its full vigor by the 1963 post independence constitution. However, this federalism as it is in itself was destroyed by the military intervention in the Nigerian politics. After the 1966 military coup, a unitary constitution was devised by the military junta which took away autonomy from the regional governments and the right to develop themselves with their resources was also eroded. Every power then was concentrated on the government at the center and this has given an undue advantage to some sections of the state at the detriment of the other sections. It has also opened doors to a lot of political and social vices in the state. It has eroded the sense of patriotism in those in the political echelon, encouraged corruption, tribalism, fuelled religious conflicts, poverty and economic dwarfism. The resources of other regions are appropriated for the benefit of the 'Big three' according to M. Chris Ali. The minority groups' interests are not adequately protected, rather what is theirs are taken away or appropriated for the welfare of others leaving them impoverished and their ecosystem destroyed making it impossible for them to earn a living. These and many other anomalies and misnomers are the challenges facing the Nigerian federalism which this research exercised will expose in detail and its solution sought by the application of the principles of John Locke's liberalism to properly position the Nigerian federalism match up to its counterparts in others states like America and Canada whose federalism are considered a true federalism.