WAEC Government 2019 Theory — Question 9

Model answer

(a) Federalism is a system of government with at least two tiers of government and a constitutional division of powers between them. Nigeria adopted federalism in 1954 through the Lyttleton Constitution. Problems confronting Nigerian federalism include: (i) Resource control/revenue allocation, otherwise known as fiscal federalism. (ii) Boundary disputes among constituent units. (iii) The rotation of political power among the different groups that constitute the federation. (iv) Minority issues and state creation. (v) Inter-ethnic rivalry. (vi) Over-concentration of power at the centre. (vii) Threat of secession, e.g. IPOB. (b) Features of Nigerian federalism include: (i) The existence of the federal character principle to ensure equitable and fair appointment of people into government offices. (ii) All states of the federation are equally represented in the Senate. (iii) The constitution has always been written and rigid. (iv) A bicameral legislature at the federal level, while states run a unicameral legislature. (v) The Supreme Court of Nigeria is the final court of justice in the country.