Abstract
Due to its size, large population, oil-based economy and geographical location in West Africa. Nigeria is regarded as an important state in Africa. The country is also one of the longest surviving federal states on the continent and therefore represents an ongoing experiment in federalism in the Third World. Since its independence in 1960, however, Nigeria has been devastated by chronic political instability. This article tries to address the issue why this is the case and to identify ethnic-religious diversity and successive military regimes as the most important sources for the mentioned political unrest. The course and nature of political instability in Nigeria is pul in historical context - a context which also include the secession attempt by Riafra as one of the tragic highlights in the past of Nigeria. In conclusion, the author speculates on ways and options as to how secession attempts can be prevented and a larger amount of national political stability be achieved.
Highlights
Nigeria gained independence on 1 October 1960
Nigeria is burdened with a debt o f more than 37 billion dollars and an inflation rate o f 70 percent (Anon., 1995a:36)
This situation immediately raises the following questions: how could such a situation have been possible and what explanations could be provided for it? It is clear that the attainment o f formal political independence has not resulted in an aw areness o f national political unity in the country
Summary
Nigeria gained independence on 1 October 1960. The three and a half decades which have elapsed since, represent a troubled period o f intense political competition, military coup d'états, general instability o f government and a long, expensive and bitter civil war. Indications are that the essence o f this problem is located in the concept o f the nation state which presupposes that the citizens o f states regard themselves as a unity with a communal loyalty towards the government and the geographical area that the state occupies In many instances this is not the case, especially in Africa where the majority o f states are multi-ethnic in composition (Papp, 1988:19). In order to accommodate the geographical, ethnic, religious and political diversity in Nigeria and to try to accomplish national unity, the country instituted a federal political system from the very beginning It is the aim o f this article to consider to what extent the federation has been successful and what the practical circumstances and limitations relating to the Nigerian situation have been. A reasonable assessment o f the defects o f and possible remedies for this leading state in W est Africa is given
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