The Politics of Boundary Formations and Implications on Federal System of Government in Nigeria 1967 – 1996

Abstract

This article interrogates boundary formations in Nigeria 1967 – 1996. It argues that the exercise of boundary creations in the country was politicized by the military ruling elite in concert with local elite in the country just to satisfy selfish interest and for the purpose of rent seeking and promotion of clientele relations thus leading to the marginalization of different sections of the country. Our inquiry extends to ascertaining whether in fixing boundaries in Nigeria the state did so in consonance with the basic principles of federalism. The choice of 1967 as entry point lies in the fact that it marks the beginning of states creation in Nigeria while the 1996 exit date on its part marks the end of an era of state and local government creations in the country by the military regimes. In discussing the politics of how boundaries were fixed in Nigeria 1967 – 1996, the work adopts a combined or an eclectic theoretical scheme that borrows heavily from both John Locke and Thomas Hobbes’ social contract theories to explain its phenomenon and the aftermath. The study builds on a body of existing literatures which although have tackled issues on the politics of boundary formations in Nigeria, they have not discussed the impact or implications of state and local government creations on Nigeria’s federalism. The research utilized historical research design in a narrative form and achieved its objectives by taking a historical analysis of boundary formation politics in Nigeria 1967 – 1996 across regime periods. In addition to secondary sources, the study relied on primary data such as archival materials and oral interviews in its methodology in order to achieve its objectives. The study proposes that the exercise of boundary fixings in Nigeria was a direct outcome of the interest of the state. Thus, it has been established that Nigeria’s processes of boundary formations have been guided by manipulations by the elite that held on to power stretching from the point of independence. The study’s findings have implications on restructuring the Nigerian state so as to redress or dismantle the structural imbalances in the country in order to achieve fairness for all citizens. Key w ords: Politics, Boundary Formations, Federalism, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/HRL/55-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2024