Analysis of Good Governance as an Earmark of Distinctive Federalism in Nigeria Federation

Published: Jul 5, 2023

Abstract:

Purpose: The restructuring of Nigeria towards the path of true federalism is a clarion call for good governance in the federation. It is argued that the enhanced performance of governmental agencies in any federation is a product of good governance, which in turn leads to peace, security, and development in the living standard of the people. The main objective of this paper is to examine good governance as a catalyst of true federalism in Nigeria.

Research methodology: The paper employs a qualitative methodology that heavily relies on secondary sources of data.

Results: In line with the findings, Nigeria's route to true federalism is being hampered by a variety of challenges which include but are not limited to weak leadership, corruption, flawed electoral procedures, an uneven distribution of resources, and a lack of security of lives and properties.

Limitations: The study covers only Nigeria and may not be appropriate to generalize the findings to other countries practicing federalism.

Contributions: The study contributes to knowledge as it examines the impact of good governance as an earmark of distinctive federalism in Nigeria federation, which has not been adequately discussed in numerous works on federalism. It recommended that good governance that encompasses accountability, prudent financial management, and an improved judicial system backed up with adequate security of life and property.

Keywords:
1. Amalgamation
2. Constitution
3. Democratisation
4. Federalism
5. Good Governance
Authors:
Amos Ojo Adedeji
How to Cite
Adedeji, A. O. (2023). Analysis of Good Governance as an Earmark of Distinctive Federalism in Nigeria Federation. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 2(2), 147–158. https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v2i2.1474

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Issue & Section
References

    Abdellatif, A. M. (2003). Good governance and its relationship to democracy and economic development. Paper presented at the Global Forum III on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity, Seoul.

    Adebayo, A. A. (2014). Implications of ‘Boko Haram’terrorism on national development in Nigeria: A critical review. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(16), 480.

    Adedeji, A. O. (2023). Leadership and Culture of Violence and its Implication on the Sustainable Development of Nigeria. Journal of Social Responsibility, Tourism and Hospitality (JSRTH) ISSN 2799-1016, 3(01), 8-21.

    Ahmad, P. T., & Wani, H. A. (2013). Constraints and Possibilities of Good Governance in South Asia. Educare, 5(2).

    Ahule, B. (2013). The role of trade unions in good governance for sustainable development in Nigeria. Journal of Africa Dynamics of Social Science Research, 4(1) 26, 39.

    Akanji, T. A., Danjibo, N., & Eselebor, W. (2011). Implications of Election Tribunals for Electoral Violence Prevention in Nigeria. Challenges of Democratic Governance in Nigeria. Ibadan: Society for Peace Studies and Practice, 1-15.

    Arinze, O. M., & Oliver, N. (2016). Politics of impeachment in Nigeria; A discourse on causes and implications for democratic consolidation. Journal of Policy and Development Studies, 10(1), 48-56.

    Asaju, K. (2016). Democratic Governance, Federal Character Principles and National Development in Nigeria. Review of Public Administration and Management, 4, 172-188.

    Awofeso, O., & Obah-Akpowoghaha, N. G. (2017). The challenge of federalism and its implications for the Nigerian state. International Journal of Politics and Good Governance, 8(3).

    Babatope, O., & Oladipopo, A. (2010). Electoral transparency, legitimate governance and national development. Developmental perspectives in arts and social sciences education.

    Chris, O. I. (2016). Leadership challenges and Nigerian development. Leadership, 1(1).

    Dubagari, U. (2017). The rule of Law and electoral process in Nigeria: A critical reflection. Global journal of interdisciplinary social sciences. GJISS, 6(6), 1-7.

    Ekeh, P. P. (2000). Nigerian political history and the foundations of Nigerian federalism. Annals of the Social Science Academy of Nigeria, 12, 10.

    Elaigwu, J. (2007). Federalism, governance and security in Nigeria. Paper presented at the Conference paper delivered at International Conference, Evangelische Akademie Loccum.

    Eme, K. J. (2015). Who is afraid of true federalism? Retrieved from https://dailytrust.com/who-is-afraid-of-true-federalism/

    Epelle, A., & Dean, A. (2013). The Nigerian State and Good Governance: Searching for a needle in the haystack. Journal of Multi-disciplinary Social Discourse, 8(4).

    Epelle, A., & Thom-Otuya, B. E. (2014). Federalism and Good Governance in Nigeria: The Nexus. Public Policy and Administration Research, 4(4).

    Ewetan, O. O. (2012). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Theory and practice. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 1(3), 1075-1086.

    Fayemi, J. K. (2012). Federalism And The Quest For National Integration And Development In Nigeria.

    Glennie, J. (2010). Africa must heed Mo Ibrahim's good governance message’. The Guardian.

    Ibrahim, S., Audu, B. J., Tyav, T. T., & Hamza, M. (2021). Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria: Roadmap to Sustainable Development. KIU Journal of Social Sciences, 7(2), 45-56.

    Keping, Y. (2018). Governance and good governance: A new framework for political analysis. Fudan Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 11, 1-8.

    Mollah, A. (2016). Free, fair and credible election and democratic governance in Bangladesh: How far the dream of success. Review of Public Administration and Management, 4(2), 1-9.

    Mwesigwa, D., Acanga, A., Chono, O. A., & Oboi, A. (2023). Firming non-political actors to enhance the quality of urban service delivery. A review on the City Development Forums in Uganda. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 2(2), 107-117.

    Mwesigwa, D., & Oladapo, I. A. (2021). Accountability: a necessity to pro-poor service delivery

    in Municipal Councils in Uganda. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(1), 43-54.

    Odock, C. N. (2006). PCR 112 Democracy and Good Governance. National Open University of Nigeria.

    Ogbeidi, M. M. (2012). Political leadership and corruption in Nigeria since 1960: A socio-economic analysis. Journal of Nigeria studies, 1(2).

    Ojuade, J. I. (2011). Democratic Governance in Nigeria: A Calculated Theatrical Performance or a Fantasy? In T. A. Akanji, N. L. Danjibo, & W. A. Eselebor (Eds.), Challenges of Democratic Governance in Nigeria. Ibadan: John Archers Ltd.

    Okoroafor, C. (2010). Democracy and good governance: ingredients for socioeconomic development in Nigeria. International Journal of Development and Management Review, 5(1), 173-184.

    Omotoso, F., & Abe, T. (2010). Federalism, politics and governance in Nigeria. Governance, Politics and Policies in Nigeria: An Essay in Honour of Professor Dipo Kolawole: Benin Editions Sonou D’Afrique.

    Onu, G., Chiamogu, A. P., & Chiamogu, U. P. (2022). Governance challenges and resurgence of Igbo nationalism in Nigeria: Dissecting Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 2(2), 133-145.

    Osadolor, O. B. (1998). The development of the federal idea and the federal framework, 1914-1960. Federalism and political restructuring in Nigeria, 46.

    Osisioma, B. C. (2019). Nation Building: Realities, Challenges, Prospects. Conference:

    Oyefara, J. L. (2013). Good governance and environmental sustainability in Lagos state, Nigeria: Can the state achieve goal seven of millennium development goals (MDGS)? European Scientific Journal, 9(5).

    Santi, N. R., & Afif, F. Y. (2021). The impact of the quality of democracy on the economic growth of provinces in Indonesia. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(2), 121-132.

    Seran, O. B., Neolaka, M., & Gana, F. (2021). Improving the capacity of the Head of the sub civil service in regional apparatus organisation of the government in Malaka district. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(1), 15-28.

    Suberu, R. T., & Center, S. A. (2005). Renovating the Architecture of Federalism in Nigeria: the option of non-Constitutional Renewal. Sunday Punch, Sept, 21.

    Ugwu, S. C. (1998). Federal system : the Nigerian experience. Nigeria. MaryDan Publishers.

    UNESCAP. (2009). What is Good Governance?

    Uwakwe, F. C. (2019). Separation of powers: Panacea for good governance in Nigeria. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journal of International Law and Jurisprudence, 10(1), 140-150.

    Wani, H. A. (2014). Constraints and impediments of good governance in Africa: Future prospects. Afro Asian Journal of Social Sciences, 5(1), 1-21.

    Worldbank. (1992). Governance and Development. Retrieved from https://documents1.worldban k.org/curated/en/604951468739447676/pdf/multi-page.pdf

  1. Abdellatif, A. M. (2003). Good governance and its relationship to democracy and economic development. Paper presented at the Global Forum III on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity, Seoul.
  2. Adebayo, A. A. (2014). Implications of ‘Boko Haram’terrorism on national development in Nigeria: A critical review. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(16), 480.
  3. Adedeji, A. O. (2023). Leadership and Culture of Violence and its Implication on the Sustainable Development of Nigeria. Journal of Social Responsibility, Tourism and Hospitality (JSRTH) ISSN 2799-1016, 3(01), 8-21.
  4. Ahmad, P. T., & Wani, H. A. (2013). Constraints and Possibilities of Good Governance in South Asia. Educare, 5(2).
  5. Ahule, B. (2013). The role of trade unions in good governance for sustainable development in Nigeria. Journal of Africa Dynamics of Social Science Research, 4(1) 26, 39.
  6. Akanji, T. A., Danjibo, N., & Eselebor, W. (2011). Implications of Election Tribunals for Electoral Violence Prevention in Nigeria. Challenges of Democratic Governance in Nigeria. Ibadan: Society for Peace Studies and Practice, 1-15.
  7. Arinze, O. M., & Oliver, N. (2016). Politics of impeachment in Nigeria; A discourse on causes and implications for democratic consolidation. Journal of Policy and Development Studies, 10(1), 48-56.
  8. Asaju, K. (2016). Democratic Governance, Federal Character Principles and National Development in Nigeria. Review of Public Administration and Management, 4, 172-188.
  9. Awofeso, O., & Obah-Akpowoghaha, N. G. (2017). The challenge of federalism and its implications for the Nigerian state. International Journal of Politics and Good Governance, 8(3).
  10. Babatope, O., & Oladipopo, A. (2010). Electoral transparency, legitimate governance and national development. Developmental perspectives in arts and social sciences education.
  11. Chris, O. I. (2016). Leadership challenges and Nigerian development. Leadership, 1(1).
  12. Dubagari, U. (2017). The rule of Law and electoral process in Nigeria: A critical reflection. Global journal of interdisciplinary social sciences. GJISS, 6(6), 1-7.
  13. Ekeh, P. P. (2000). Nigerian political history and the foundations of Nigerian federalism. Annals of the Social Science Academy of Nigeria, 12, 10.
  14. Elaigwu, J. (2007). Federalism, governance and security in Nigeria. Paper presented at the Conference paper delivered at International Conference, Evangelische Akademie Loccum.
  15. Eme, K. J. (2015). Who is afraid of true federalism? Retrieved from https://dailytrust.com/who-is-afraid-of-true-federalism/
  16. Epelle, A., & Dean, A. (2013). The Nigerian State and Good Governance: Searching for a needle in the haystack. Journal of Multi-disciplinary Social Discourse, 8(4).
  17. Epelle, A., & Thom-Otuya, B. E. (2014). Federalism and Good Governance in Nigeria: The Nexus. Public Policy and Administration Research, 4(4).
  18. Ewetan, O. O. (2012). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Theory and practice. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 1(3), 1075-1086.
  19. Fayemi, J. K. (2012). Federalism And The Quest For National Integration And Development In Nigeria.
  20. Glennie, J. (2010). Africa must heed Mo Ibrahim's good governance message’. The Guardian.
  21. Ibrahim, S., Audu, B. J., Tyav, T. T., & Hamza, M. (2021). Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria: Roadmap to Sustainable Development. KIU Journal of Social Sciences, 7(2), 45-56.
  22. Keping, Y. (2018). Governance and good governance: A new framework for political analysis. Fudan Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 11, 1-8.
  23. Mollah, A. (2016). Free, fair and credible election and democratic governance in Bangladesh: How far the dream of success. Review of Public Administration and Management, 4(2), 1-9.
  24. Mwesigwa, D., Acanga, A., Chono, O. A., & Oboi, A. (2023). Firming non-political actors to enhance the quality of urban service delivery. A review on the City Development Forums in Uganda. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 2(2), 107-117.
  25. Mwesigwa, D., & Oladapo, I. A. (2021). Accountability: a necessity to pro-poor service delivery
  26. in Municipal Councils in Uganda. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(1), 43-54.
  27. Odock, C. N. (2006). PCR 112 Democracy and Good Governance. National Open University of Nigeria.
  28. Ogbeidi, M. M. (2012). Political leadership and corruption in Nigeria since 1960: A socio-economic analysis. Journal of Nigeria studies, 1(2).
  29. Ojuade, J. I. (2011). Democratic Governance in Nigeria: A Calculated Theatrical Performance or a Fantasy? In T. A. Akanji, N. L. Danjibo, & W. A. Eselebor (Eds.), Challenges of Democratic Governance in Nigeria. Ibadan: John Archers Ltd.
  30. Okoroafor, C. (2010). Democracy and good governance: ingredients for socioeconomic development in Nigeria. International Journal of Development and Management Review, 5(1), 173-184.
  31. Omotoso, F., & Abe, T. (2010). Federalism, politics and governance in Nigeria. Governance, Politics and Policies in Nigeria: An Essay in Honour of Professor Dipo Kolawole: Benin Editions Sonou D’Afrique.
  32. Onu, G., Chiamogu, A. P., & Chiamogu, U. P. (2022). Governance challenges and resurgence of Igbo nationalism in Nigeria: Dissecting Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 2(2), 133-145.
  33. Osadolor, O. B. (1998). The development of the federal idea and the federal framework, 1914-1960. Federalism and political restructuring in Nigeria, 46.
  34. Osisioma, B. C. (2019). Nation Building: Realities, Challenges, Prospects. Conference:
  35. Oyefara, J. L. (2013). Good governance and environmental sustainability in Lagos state, Nigeria: Can the state achieve goal seven of millennium development goals (MDGS)? European Scientific Journal, 9(5).
  36. Santi, N. R., & Afif, F. Y. (2021). The impact of the quality of democracy on the economic growth of provinces in Indonesia. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(2), 121-132.
  37. Seran, O. B., Neolaka, M., & Gana, F. (2021). Improving the capacity of the Head of the sub civil service in regional apparatus organisation of the government in Malaka district. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(1), 15-28.
  38. Suberu, R. T., & Center, S. A. (2005). Renovating the Architecture of Federalism in Nigeria: the option of non-Constitutional Renewal. Sunday Punch, Sept, 21.
  39. Ugwu, S. C. (1998). Federal system : the Nigerian experience. Nigeria. MaryDan Publishers.
  40. UNESCAP. (2009). What is Good Governance?
  41. Uwakwe, F. C. (2019). Separation of powers: Panacea for good governance in Nigeria. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journal of International Law and Jurisprudence, 10(1), 140-150.
  42. Wani, H. A. (2014). Constraints and impediments of good governance in Africa: Future prospects. Afro Asian Journal of Social Sciences, 5(1), 1-21.
  43. Worldbank. (1992). Governance and Development. Retrieved from https://documents1.worldban k.org/curated/en/604951468739447676/pdf/multi-page.pdf