%0 Journal Article
%T Redefining the Nigerian System of Government: The Error of a Copied Democracy without True Federalism
%A Abraham Great
%J Open Journal of Political Science
%P 177-192
%@ 2164-0513
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojps.2024.142011
%X <span style=\"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;\">The political life of
Nigeria has been characterized by years of switching to different forms of government:
from colonial to parliamentary, military, and pre<span>sidential systems of government. From independence, the country h</span>as
maintained the appellation of Federal Republic, even though in reality, true
federalism cannot be pointed to; which begs these questions: 1</span><span style=\"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;\">)</span><span style=\"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;\"> Does Nigeria really have true democracy? 2</span><span style=\"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;\">)</span><span style=\"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;\"> What led Nigeria to adopt federalism and was this the right choice? 3</span><span style=\"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;\">)</span><span style=\"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;\"> Could there be a hidden agenda for democracy, particularly in
Third-world Nations like Nigeria? Did any nation really become developed with
democracy or are there developed nations using democracy as a tool for
sustainable development? 4</span><span style=\"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;\">)</span><span style=\"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;\"> Does the principle of
currently practiced federalism enable dictatorship? 5</span><span style=\"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;\">)</span><span style=\"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;\"> What did Nigeria get wrong that Singap<span>ore
got right, seeing as both nations gained independence around th</span>e same
period? This paper will reflect the story of how Nigeria attained federalis<span>m, albeit a seemingly fake one. The flaws of
Nigerian democracy wi</span>ll be identified to justify the assertion that
democracy is not healthy for the country. The hidden motive behind the
retention of federalism will also be unearthed in order to establish how much
of a disservice the present arrangement is doing to the stability and progress
of the country. Finally, upon the afo<span>rementioned
premises, a case for a system of government that ensu</span>res contin<span>uity in order to impact on the progress of a
developing pluralistic </span>nation will be made.</span>
%K Politics
%K Government
%K Federalism
%K Democracy
%K Nigeria
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=131730