INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND THE PRACTICE OF FEDERALISM IN NIGERIA

1.0 Introduction

Federation demands boththe horizontal and vertical interaction of the various levels of government, namely the federal, state and local levels. Thus in a federal arrangements like Nigeria, Intergovernmental relations (IGR) appears to focus attention on major discernible issues, notably the increasing recognition of the importance of smooth and effective management of complex political system and equally the need to manage the inside array of transactions among consistent bodies (Okafor 2005). A federal political arrangement specifies a decision of governmental powers between the national government and constituent units and such a decision is usually specified in the constitution.

1.1 Background Of The Study

There is usually a mistaken assumption that Intergovernmental relation (IGR) can be discussed on meaningfully in the content of a federal arrangement. This is the view of graves who says that (IGR) is surrounding with federalism but the actual fact “IGR” encompassed more than is chiefly on nation state relationship with occasional attention to Intergovernmental relations can be delineated in a unitary state. These are (National − local relations, inter-local relations and external relations).

The term Intergovernmental relations is common used to refer to relations between central, regional and local government as well as movement between any one phere (level) that facilitates the attainment of common goals, through cooperation Opeskin 2009, used in t he sense mechanism for Intergovernmental relation maybe seen as employing consensual tools for the mutual benefit of the constituents units of the state for vetrder waldt and Dutort 2009 Intergovernmental relation refers to the mutual relation and interaction between government institutions of horizontal and vertical levels. This is in line with thormhill 2010 definitions that Intergovernmental relations consists of actions and transactions politicians and officials in national, sub-national units of government and organs of the state. The foreigne are in line with the relationship between government and subordinate units hence defined Intergovernmental as the interaction that takes place in the or among the levels of government within a state. Crusial to this relation among sphere of government are statutory bodies legislative backing and non- statutory bodies (constituted by government for special task) as this can promote Intergovernmental relations in the form of committees, boards of a range of other bodies, kaye Thornhills abd forine, 2011, Hight 2008 defined Intergovernmental relation as an interaction network of institution at national provincial and local levels, created and refined to enable the various parts of government to cooperate in a manner which is appropriate to its institutional arrangements.

In this view, Obi 2004 sees Intergovernmental to mean the complex pattern of interactions cooperation and inter-dependence between two or more levels of government is further described as a plethora of forma and informal relationship and transaction that develop among levels of government within a nation state. In Nigeria for instance, it refers to the interaction that exists among the federal (central or national) state and local government, state and state interactions. All these put together refers to the pattern of v relations.

An Intergovernmental relation system therefore consist of facilitative system and relationship that enables the unit of government to participate effectively and carryout mandate so that governmental goals are achieved. This include executive mechanism, coordination mechanism, cooperative agreements, judicial and legislative mechanism that all facilitates delivery by government mechanism. The aim of Intergovernmental relations therefore is to enable governmental activities (Primary source deliver) through surveyor effectiveness and efficiency in delivering services to sustain democratic and delivery across all pheres of government for the common good (Isumina 2010). Flovino from the above, Intergovernmental relations can be described as the interactions that takes place among the different levels of government within a state usually the concept is associated with stated having a federal administrative system . this however, does not in any way suggest that Intergovernmental relation do not take place in a unitary system. Ina federal system however, where the relation between the federal central or national government and the major sub-national units (province region or state) are formally spelt out in the constitution any re-arrangement must be through a constitutional amendment involving all the levels of government although the emphasis is the analysis of Intergovernmental relation is on federal state relations shows/diverse relations with respect to a federal state through nine types of relations are dissemble these are federal-state-loca-federal-civi groups and Okafor 2004).

Federalism as a system of government is not easily managed world over because of the differences that exists between independent states that form the federation. However, some countries like the United states of America, Australia, Canada, among others haveb managed their federal state local affairs coordinate no matter the problem they face Nigeria is not an exception of other federal system faced with management problems of affairs of its federal principles Nigerian federal situation is prune to competitions, tensions and conflicts insight from its introduction in 2009 to date due to structure for domination by the ethnic elements in the country (Wright 2012). Intergovernmental relations do not just imply between different government organs but involves both the citizens and governmental institutions. Agencies and officials at various levels of government operations. It is very difficult for the policy by keeping it isolated from the effect and impact of the other governmental agencies in existence at different.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Like all federal system, Nigeria’s federalism since its adoption has been operation in both fiscal and political context consists of the mode of exploration and distribution of resources while the political context relates to puttino in place appropriate structures that would facilitates the self realization of component units. It has been noted that financial subordinates of units or markets inequality between the, in terms of wealth, population and land mass constitute potent distablishing factors in federalism and make an end of federalism (Wheare, 2012, Awa 2014).
In the fiscal context, there is no doubt that profound conflict exists among the component units of the Nigeria federation at inception of the system, there was a brok devolution of power of the regions equally, each region endgeers considerable autonomy over its internal affairs in addition to having a regionally police force and civil service but in terms of relative distribution, the principle of derivation occupied a significant place the distribution formuar.

The derivation remained a major emphasis in federal revenue allocation between 2012 and 2015 when the military look over hardship of the country. The Nigeria federal situation over the years have been power tussle between the different tiers of government within the Nigeria policy due to diversities almost in all ramification of cultural regions, social and national environment to mention a few from its origin in 2009. These tussles in other to get the lion share of the natural cake by the federation units have resulted to competitions, tensions and conflicts that have threatened the survival of Nigeria as a nation. As there are inses of marginalization, deprivation and unemployment of some parts by other parts which eventually led to the hesitation for control of resources and practice of the federalism in Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives Of The Study

This study is intended to critically investigate into the root causes of the uncordial Intergovernmental relations between the different tiers of government that have led to the power tussles between ethnical groups within the Nigerian nation.

1. To identify the major course of dispute between the federal and state government.
2. To examine the extent to which federal government control on state government militate against its development.
3. To ascertain if the revenue allocation formular is justifiable.
4. To proffer solutions to the causes of uncordial Intergovernmental relations between different tiers of government.
5. To compare the policies of the militants and cinlians administration and Intergovernmental relations and identify the difference between the two (2).
6. The revenue allocation formula a major problem of Nigeria Intergovernmental relations

1.4 Research Question

1. In what areas has the federal control or state government affected bayelsa state government initiatives in socio-economic and political development?
2. Do the federal government/Bayelsa state government follow the pattern of relationship designed 2007 constitution?
3. What are the factors militating against federal state government relationship in Nigeria?

1.5 Significance Of The Study

The importance of this study is to Nigeria individual and government who are either students or are agents of government engaged in the management of government activities. The reason there shoud be done that way is because it will reveal hidden details of how the Nigeria federalism was formed and why there are struggle for domination in the Nigeria federal situation. Furthermore, this work have put forward ingredient for the restriction of the Nigeria federal system in order to avoid competitions, tensions and conflicts that have engoulf Nigeria over the years.

1.6 Scope Of The Study

This study of federalism and Intergovernmental relations will focus on examining the nature and challenges of tussles in other to act the lion share of the national cake and power tussle will be solved. This research is contain by so many factors. The distance to the study makes it difficult for investigation, financial and other logistical inadequacies also constitute some constraints. However, the overcome these huddles by relying heavily on already published literatures both ward and soft copies. Questionnaires, interviews and other data were conducted and gotten offline and online using various social network, email and through other convenient method of data collection.

1.7 Limitation Of The Study

It’s obvious that only research work suffers challenges. These study is no exception in this connections a few limitations have risen like inadequate financing and lack of time to carryout much detail of this work which is no doubt are immediately beyond solution but not in any way affecting the validity of the fact that these are being generated from only incompetence in terms of Intergovernmental relations and implementation by the body concrete. This is because of the quality of material resources available to the researcher which may not be able to accommodate a more ambition and expensive coverage.

However, this limitation does not in any ways detract from the relevance and validity of the findings in respect of the organization and the real potential for extrapolating these finding to similar factors.

1.8 Definition Of Terms

In this section, some used terms which are related to study such as government, relations, federalism etc are defined.

Government:

The act of governing, exercising authority or the study of governments of states and other political units, politics, political science.

Relations:

An apstratcion belonging to characteristics of two entities or past together or mutual dealings or connections or community among persons or groups.

Federalism:

The idea of a federal organization of more or less self government units