Political Inclusion: A Panacea To The National Questions In Nigeria’S Fourth Republic

Abstract

The article explores the past to justify the present in the history of co-existence among political groups in Nigeria. Political instability becomes an obstacle to the national unity in the country. While this is true, the article argues that trend in Nigeria shows there has been frequent political crises that resulted in the successive military coup d’ etat and counter coups in an attempt to hold power for controlling the national resources after the political independence. The article contests that the national questions may alley the issue in the Fourth Republic of Nigeria. Rather, it addresses the practice of governance among the ethnic groups after the restoration of democratic system in 1999 under President Olusegun Obasanjo and aftermath. Governance maintains the values of democracy for sustaining and strengthening the national unity across the country. It is argued that national questions are not challenging issues but a pathway to dialogue in the federal system. The article submits that in the Fourth Republic, political inclusion becomes the viable option in the corporate existence of the political groups. Political inclusion reflects the practice of civic responsibilities for decision-making process in a democratic system. The active participation of the citizens would contribute to nation building and political institution that delivers the campaign promises to the people in the Fourth Republic. The article made use of descriptive research method.