FEDERALISM: THEORY AND HYPOTHESIS

 

shall adopt the theory of federalism in generating our hypothesis. There is neither an accepted theory of federalism, nor any agreement as to its real nature (Ray, 2006:150). This implies that the term is still shrouded in controversy largely because of contrasting conceptualization. However, commendable attempts have been made by different scholars to demystify the concept. Ray (ibid), distinguishes between a federal principle, a federal constitution and a federal government. By the federal principle, he means ‘the method of dividing powers so that the general and regional governments are each within a sphere, coordinate and independent.’ A federal constitution is one in which the federal principle is predominant. A federal government is that which embodies predominantly a division of powers between general and regional authorities each of which, in its own sphere, is coordinate with others and independent of them. The explanation given to the federal recipe above gives a clear picture of what a federation looks like.

From an operational perspective, Ojo (2002) points out that federalism is reputed to be an effective political and constitutional design for managing complex governmental problems usually associated with ethnic and cultural diversity. Mazrui (1971) asserts that federalism is an institutionalization of compromise relationship. It is not only democratic, complete with the institutionalization of most essential ingredients; it is also creative and flexible enough to incorporate several accommodation formulas.

 

Despite the optimism regarding the ability of federalism to resolve problems of diversity and disparity in the interests of harmony and unity, Jinadu (1979) opines that there is the problem of how to design the federation in such a way as to prevent an ethnic group or a combination of ethnic groups, or one state or a combination of states, from perpetually dominating and imposing their will on other ethnic groups and also contestations over land the issue of indigene- settlers as witnessed in Jos.

 

One cannot discuss federalism in Nigeria outside its implication for the country’s ethnic diversity (Agbu, 2004:3). From a socio-economic perspective, believes that the contestation over federalism in Nigeria has manifested itself not only in the quest for federally generated revenue but also access and control over political power as the country is still searching for unity in diversity.

 

 

CORRELATIONAL HYPOTHESIS

1.     Chaos and crisis weaken the security  of a federal state

2.     Federal principle, constitution and government are design to manage the complex national  problems of human society

3.     Ethnic  diversity makes a combination of ethnic groups or one state or a combination of states dominating and imposing their will on other ethnic groups and also a contestations over land

4.     Unity in diversity  is made to promote harmony and peace among ethnic groups      

                                                                                                    

DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS

1. The contestation over land just as the issue of indigene-settlers as        witnessed in Jos  resulted to crisis and human lives, properties and lands  were vanish

2. The principle of federal character based on ethnic and religious consideration enthrones mediocrity

3. The more ethnic diversity and the less unity in diversity

 

CAUSAL HYPOTHESIS

1. Nigerians in quest for federally generated revenue and control over political power led to conflict among ethnic groups

2. Federalism resolves problems of diversity and disparity in the interest of harmony and unity

3. Nigeria federalism promote diversity which causes inter communal conflict among Nigerians   

                                                                                                      

 

 

DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS IN OPERATIONAL FORM

 

Directional Form

1. The contestation over land just as the issue of indigene-settlers as witnessed in Jos  resulted to crisis and human lives, properties and lands  were vanish

Operational Form

“As natives try to dominate one another over land just as witnessed in Jos, the issue of indigene-settlers often escalate crisis, lives, properties and lands were vanish”

Directional form

2. The principle of federal character based on ethnic and religious consideration enthrones mediocrity

Operational form

          “Equity, fairness and justice in the distribution of national   wealth  to various religious and ethnic groups in a federal state makes the      whole citizen to participate in the political systems”

Directional form

3. The more ethnic diversity and the less unity in diversity

Operational form

          “The more marginalization and injustice in budget allocation,                   the higher ethnic diversity and chaos will arise in the federal          state”