Law as a Vehicle for Good Governance and National Integration in Nigeria (Part 6)

Introduction

Recently, we discussed the key themes which benchmark good governance, namely, nation-building, citizenship, leadership and national disintegration. In this week’s outing, we shall continue our discussion through the eyes of notable scholars. We shall then move on to the challenges of national integration and good governance in Nigeria and mechanisms for achieving same, such as amalgamation, federalism, indigenisation and Nigerianisation. Read on.

The Odyssey of Good Governance and National Integration in Nigeria (continues)

Kola Olufemi captured the enigma thus:

“While the geo-political divide and mutual suspicion between the North and the South have been resilient factors in Nigeria’s political life, at no other time had the structural contradictions in the polity degenerated into multiple fratricidal and seemingly irreconcilable conflicts, than in the period of the Fourth Republic since 1999. The depth and dimension of this development are reflected in the rise and popularity of ethnic militias such as the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Arewa Peoples Congress (APC), Egbesu Boys, Ijaw Youths Congress, Bakassi Boys and sundry militant organisations canvassing competing ethnic claims. It goes without saying that this spectre of ethnic militias, is a poignant indicator of the level of discontent with the governing formula that many perceive to have worked to their disadvantage”.

There’s no national identity and trust; no inherent attachment in Nigeria; no submissive loyalty to the motherland. 

Onyeoziri, (2002:17), pontificated: loyalty to the Nigerian State remains at best, reluctant, while stability has continued to elude the system. Inter-communal or ethnic hostility and even open violence have increased, while the constant complaint of marginalisation tells its own story of the declining sense of belonging that exists in the land. These are eloquent symptoms, that the policy of federal character is not producing the desired effect. And, it is easy to think of many reasons why.

We are, at best, different people sharing only the green-white-green as an artificial umbrella. Little wonder, Biafran leader, late Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, noted thus: “The true problem with Nigeria is that she is fully embroiled in an identity crisis. The Nigerian of today is a sociopath, in search of a national programme. We live in a country, in search of a common character.” (Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Emeka 1989).

One of the major issues and factors, affecting Good Governance and National Integration is the failure of federalism to overshadow and reign over ethnic cleavages, religion, underdevelopment, corruption etc. This is more so, as the idea of federalism is made nonsense of, due to domination by one or two constituent units. 

According to Tarlton (1965), “integrative elements of a federal system must, if that system is to function at an optimum level of harmony, predominate over existing elements of diversity…” (Tarlton, Charles (1965). “Symmetry as Elements of Federalism: A Theoretical Speculation.” Publius: The Journal of Federalism. Vol. 27. No. 4). 

Rotimi Suberu (1990), reported thus: federal experiments in the Third World are not only endangered by deep sectional loyalties and largely unavoidable but politically explosive inter-segmental inequalities, but also by the intensely conflictual nature of Third world politics (Suberu, Rotimi T. (1990). “Federalism and Political Instability in Nigeria”. Plural Societies. Vol. 19. No. 23. This was Suberu on inequalities practicing the federal system).

The issues of inequality, misgovernance, zero commitment to federalism, and unsatisfactory allocation of revenue in various regions of the nation, makes a mockery of federalism as a whole. It means, the practice of federalism is not good enough. Olufemi (2005), noted thus:

“The feeling of deprivation and alienation runs deep in the region and this is responsible for the simmering and widespread insurgency in the area. In fact, the major youth’s organisations had called for a boycott of the 1998-99 transition exercise, insisting on political restructuring through a Sovereign National Conference”.

From the standpoint of the ethnic nationality groups, federalism has not worked in Nigeria as evidenced in the complains of over centralisation of power, ethnic domination, marginalisation and repression. Amoda (2001), captures this contention in the following words: The immediate cause of discontent has been the transformation of the government of Nigeria, from a federally to a unitarily administered authority. With this transformation, control of the economy has shifted from regional governments to the central government. This change in the balance of power between the regions and the centre, has been institutionalised by the balkanisation of the First Republic regions into States. Every military government since Gowon has concluded its tenure with further balkanisation of the founding regions, the North, the West, the East and the Mid-West.

The “gbegiri” and “Amala” or “come-and-chop” or “stomach infrastructure” politics the leaders engaged in through the decades, has resulted to the frenzied clamour for restructuring, secession and bad governance – engendering National Disintegration.

Challenges of National Integration

National integration is a complex process that involves the unification of diverse ethnic, religious, linguistic, and cultural groups within a nation. Nigeria, as a multiethnic and multicultural country, has faced several challenges in achieving National Integration. 

Some Challenges of Nigeria

Ethnic and Regional Differences: Nigeria is home to about 374 ethnic groups, speaking over 500 languages (Prof Onigu Otite). Each of these has its own unique cultural and linguistic heritage. These differences often lead to conflicts, rivalries, and a sense of exclusion among different ethnic groups. The unequal distribution of political power, economic resources, and development opportunities among different regions exacerbates these tensions.

Religious Divide: Nigeria is divided between Islam and Christianity, with a significant Muslim population in the North and a Christian majority in the South. This religious divide has, at times, fuelled conflicts, particularly between Muslim and Christian communities. Religious extremism and intolerance, further strain the process of national integration.

Political Instability: Nigeria has experienced periods of political instability, including military coups, corrupt governance, and weak institutions. These factors have contributed to a lack of alienation among different groups.

Economic Disparities: Economic disparities between different regions and social groups, contribute to feelings of marginalisation and exclusion. The Northern regions of Nigeria, for instance, generally lag behind in terms of economic development, compared to the Southern regions. This economic imbalance can breed resentment, and hinder national integration.

Language Barrier: Nigeria has over 500 languages, with English being the lingual franca (official language. However, not all Nigerians are proficient in English, and language barriers often times hinder effective communication and understanding between different ethnic groups. This has also led to misinterpretation, mistrust, and hinder the integration process.

Resource Control and Allocation: The control and allocation of natural resources, particularly oil, have been contentious issues in Nigeria. Disputes over resource control often lead to conflicts and tensions between different regions, exacerbating ethnic and regional divisions.

Lack of Trust and Unity: A lack of trust and unity among different ethnic, religious, and regional groups poses a significant challenge to national integration. Historical grievances, perceived injustices, and unresolved conflicts, contribute to this lack of trust and unity.

Poor State-run political institutions in Nigeria are yet another barrier to national unification: Nigeria is closer to the cliff due to the State institutions’ weak, embryonic, sterile, insensitive, and immoral traits. Also, lack of fairness, justice, and equity in the nation undermines national cohesion, by preventing the enjoyment of fundamental human rights, resource allocation, and power sharing, as well as the punishment of criminals who hide from the law in political havens or bunkers built by the ruling classes (Daniel Aondofa Mailumo (PhD), Discourse on Democratic Governance And National Integration in Nigeria, International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Reviews Vol.9 No.2, August 2019; p.198 – 204, (ISSN: 2276-8645) at 202).

Addressing these challenges, requires sustained efforts and proactive measures. Some possible solutions include promoting inter-ethnic dialogue, fostering inclusive governance, addressing economic disparities through equitable development, investing in education and cultural awareness programmes, promoting interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance, and creating a sense of shared national identity through symbols, institutions, and policies that embrace the diversity of Nigeria.

Challenges of Good Governance in Nigeria

Since independence, the pre-eminent issue in Nigeria has been how to achieve and sustain good governance at all levels. This has been a ready excuse in the hands of civilian politicians and military adventurists alike. In both cases, it’s been used as a pretext for regime change. So persistent has it been, that it has elicited a plethora of literature – some scholarly and others not so scholarly. In the former class is the classic work by the late Prof Chinua Achebe titled “The Problem With Nigeria’’, where he squarely located the issue as one of leadership – in other words good governance. In his opinion, get that right and everything will be well with Nigeria. More than 40 years after it was written, that view largely holds true. Successive election cycles and military coups have proved to be little more than a game of musical chairs, and each time a new regime seemingly tries to out-do the others incompetence, graft, nepotism and ineptitude. 

Allied to the above, a cocktail of centripetal and centrifugal forces have conspired to tug at the seams of the country, threatening to tear it apart. These include non-State actors such as armed bandits, kidnappers, terrorists, religious fundamentalists and separatists. Indeed, the failure of leadership (or absence of good governance), is arguably directly implicated in our struggle to achieve national integration. So, what do we do? What are our options? Are there any still left, or have we run out them? What do we need to do that has not been done before – or that needs to be done differently? Do we need to re-invent the wheel, or to think out of the box – or both? The former is clearly out of the question. The latter is more apposite. In that regard, the question is: What ‘box’ is there to start with? What is the status quo? How can we make a great leap out of its restrictions? Does it involve a leap of faith? What are the guarantees of a successful outcome of its efficiency? Given the self- evident truth that no panacea or prescription can be legitimate unless it has the backing of the law, what role can law play, in addressing the twin malaise which we have identified as bedevilling Nigeria? Does the law already contain such prescriptions, and how have they fared? What are those prescriptions? It is better to think without the box. (To be continued).