ASSESSMENT OF FEDERAL CHARACTER PRINCIPLE ON ZONING OF APPOINTIVE POSITIONS IN NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC

Abstract

Nigeria is a federal society comprising 36 states structure with a population of more than 200 million people and has more than 250 ethnic groups, it is also referred to as plural society with different ethnic, religious, cultural, linguistic, as well as geo-political, social and economic challenges. Due to diverse nature of Nigeria state, federal character principle was adopted to promote unity in diversity, ensure equitable development in all the geo-political zones and reduce the fear of sectional domination. Despite the adoption of federal character principle, the zoning of appointive positions still remains lopsided in Nigeria and this poses a challenge for the oneness of Nigeria. This study thus set out to unravel or access the principle of federal character in the zoning of appointive positions. The objectives of this study are to know the challenges facing implementation of federal character principle in zoning of appointive positions in Nigeria’s fourth republic and to know if zoning of appointive positions in Nigeria facilitates national unity. To achieve this, the research adopted a mixed method design and both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were used in carrying this research. This was done through the use of a questionnaire with the sample size of 384 derived from the Krejcie and Morgan table and statistical method was used to analyze the data collected, which shows the frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The researcher also gathered relevant information from library and internet sources, textbooks, magazines, newspapers, journals and other relevant materials for the study. More so, purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting the best fit respondents to be surveyed. The sample involved some individuals from each geopolitical zone in Nigeria, which involves South- South, South- East, South- West, North- South, North-East and North- Central. Based on the findings, this study concludes that effective implementation of Federal character principles will be generally acceptable by all ethnic groups in Nigeria as a normative expression of the equal right of all Nigerians to participate in the appointive positions of the country. This study recommends that there should be strict adherence to policy guideline and implementation plans as spelled out in the federal character principle.