GOVERNANCE FAILURE AND CLAMOUR FOR REGIONAL AUTONOMY IN NIGERIA’S THE FOURTH REPUBLIC

ABSTRACT This research project examined the workability of good governance in Nigeria through granting of regional autonomy. In doing this, the study acknowledged the fact that the model of federal system adopted in the country is the leading problem that negates national integration and plummetes the development of the Nigerian State into the categories of the failing states in Africa. The study thus focused its emphasis on the Fourth Republic which is the longest of the republic that have existed in the country since independence in 1960. Historical research design was adopted to elicit data and information from mainly secondary sources. Findings showed that the persisting agitation for regional autonomy and resource control was birth by over concentration of power at the central government in Abuja, underdevelopment status of most of the natural resource rich regions, and most importantly, marginalization of the oil rich Niger Delta region. This situation collaborates with the ‘failed state theory’ and questions the centralized administrative system adopted in the country. To optimize the performance of regional governments in order to provide good governance to the people of Nigeria, financial autonomy should be granted regional governments. The federal constitution of 1999 should undergo amendment to accommodate the desires of both the minority and majority ethnic nationalities in the country.The existing revenue sharing formula between the federal, state and local governments should be revisited to enhance good governance at the grassroot levels.