Home > History, Political Science > Vol 1 No 1 June 2013 Abstract 4
Federalism, Integration and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria
Tsuwa, John Tor; Jev Amos Asongo
Review of History and Political Science, 1(1), pp. 37-49.

Abstract
The paper set out to examine the issue of federalism, integration and democratic consolidation in Nigeria. The design for the study was the descriptive analytical tool of analysis. The study reveals that the problem of plurality or heterogeneity is not peculiar with Nigeria. That USA, USSR, China, India, etc also have similar problems. However, while nations like India and China have turned their diversity into homogeneity, the same is not the case in Nigeria. Findings reveal that federalism rather than strengthen integrative processes in Nigeria have rather emphasized high level centralization. The study also reveals that despite myriads of conceptualization of integration no clear indication of what the end product would look like and how one could recognize an integrated polity. What is seen is a state of conceptual confusion in the field. Despite the short-comings noticed in the conceptualization of both federalism and integration, federalism is still reputed to be an effective political cum constitutional design for managing governmental problems usually associated with ethnic and cultural diversity. The study concludes that despite the problem facing Nigeria’s federalism, the country is still regarded as a pioneer in the practice of federalism and in the use of power-sharing mechanisms and practices. The study recommend that Nigeria needs to find a solution to the country’s crises of unity in fiscal federalism, political restructuring and democratic consolidation. Adopt different philosophy entirely, that will guarantee group rights and the acceptance of the heterogeneity of the nation.

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Tsuwa, John Tor., & Asongo Amos Jev. (2013). Federalism, Integration and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria. Review of History and Political Science, 1(1), pp. 37-49.

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TSUWA, JOHN TOR TOR is a lecturer with the Department of Political Science, Benue State University, Makurdi. He is a member of many professional bodies such as IFRA, Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), National Science and Research and Education Association (NASHER), Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) amongst others. Tsuwa has published well researched articles in books, journals and periodicals in his area of specialization which is Peace and Conflict Studies, Governance and Development issues as well as Foreign Policy, defence and Strategic Studies. He has also presented papers at both local and international conferences.

E-mail : [email protected]
Phone/Cell No : +2348060442948

Jev Amos Asongo
Department of Political Science
Benue State University, Makurdi