Political Inclusion: A Critical Response 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. Ethnic groups and political instability are threat 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. However, the article problematizes around the demand for restructuring of the federation and the elaboration of government structures in the country. The article contests that the national questions may mitigate the issue in the Fourth Republic of Nigeria. Rather, it addresses the restructuring of the federal structure among the ethnic groups after the restoration of democratic system in 1999 under President Olusegun Obasanjo and aftermath. 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 participation becomes the viable option in the corporate existence of the ethnic political groups. Political participation 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. Using qualitative research methods, the study explores the background framework of the national question and analysis from the context of the Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, focusing on political participation, governance, statement of the problems, and response toward the national question in Nigeria.