Proto-Nationalisms as Sub-Text for the Crisis of Governance in Nigeria

Abstract

There are several accounts of the genealogy and manifestations of the myriad governance crises, which Nigeria continues to face five decades after independence. Although no single account is sufficient to explain the governance misadventures, one key point resonating is that progress and development have proved elusive over the years. In this article, we seek to move away from the dominant characterization of this governance crisis as deriving directly from the consequences of a monolithic oil economy, a deeply fractured and volatile political terrain, or even corrupt and patrimonial rule. Instead, the article locates the root of Nigeria’s governance crisis in the queer pattern of the emergence, reinvention, and manipulation of proto-nationalisms characterized not by any nationalistic quest for independence and spatial liberation but one pursued to gain foothold in governance and to partake in its perquisites. Invariably, the post-colonial nation-states that emerged at independence in many African countries, for the most part, neither followed through with any logical expression of genuine nationalism nor mobilized toward a shared vision of nationhood. The article shows how individuals and groups within the polity soon became locked in contested and irreconcilable positions that further made the construction of a truly nationalistic identity difficult, if not forlorn. This article submits that successive post-colonial administrations unimaginatively followed the divide-and-rule traditions of the colonial state and thus failed to mobilize the popular support required for the construction of a broad-based national identity that is key to managing the protracted governance crises the country has experienced since independence.

Narrative of Governance Crisis in Nigeria: Allegories of Resource Curse and ‘Emergence’ from Tunde Kelani’s Saworoide and Agogo-Èèwọ

“…On the one hand, resource curse, dating back to couple of centuries ago and still relevant till the contemporary period, is a political-economy concept for explaining the travails of overdependence on mineral resources. As such, the concept appears to provide insight into the reasons why a resource-dependent state like Nigeria could be experiencing a peculiarly violent and neo-patrimonial politics (Olaiya, 2016). The concept perhaps gave credence or provided template for what Adebanwi (2017:81) called 'perennial savagery'.…”

“…The language of engagement was mostly nationalistic by intent and purpose (Agovi, 1990). The postcolonial era witnessed literary works that focussed on the activities of the post-independent leaders who appeared to adopt the modus operandi of governance of the colonial periods (Olaiya, 2016). The writings and the audio-visual works continued in the emancipatory and critique manner apart from showcasing the uniqueness of African culture and tradition (Ugonna, 1977).…”

Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations in Africa: Retrospect and Prospects from Nigeria

“…Submissions from extant literature have establish the contending issues as to the roots of the festering crisis of contentious intergovernmental relations in Nigeria. The oft-cited policies adopted during the colonization period in which regions served as units for administrative and political constituencies and mobilization of resources, perhaps, occupies the foremost in consideration (Sklar, 2004;Rothermund, 2006;Olaiya, 2014;Olaiya, 2015;Olaiya, 2016). A direct political episode that manifested is that the regional adoption renewed or intensified long-standing animosities among ancient bordering communities, or breed fresh ones in a number of instances (Olaiya, 2014;Olaiya, 2016).…”

“…The oft-cited policies adopted during the colonization period in which regions served as units for administrative and political constituencies and mobilization of resources, perhaps, occupies the foremost in consideration (Sklar, 2004;Rothermund, 2006;Olaiya, 2014;Olaiya, 2015;Olaiya, 2016). A direct political episode that manifested is that the regional adoption renewed or intensified long-standing animosities among ancient bordering communities, or breed fresh ones in a number of instances (Olaiya, 2014;Olaiya, 2016). Some scholars also rationalized about the logical and inevitable consequences of the coerced or interrogated amalgamation of hitherto disparate ethnic grouping and regions, and preferences for regional allegiances as against nation building (Sklar, 2004;Olaiya, 2015).…”

Democratisation process and governance crisis in contemporary Nigeria: A re-examination

“…At the time of independence optimisms were freely expressed about the new nation with the promise of a model of economic, political and social development worthy of emulation by other nations in transition in Africa and perhaps beyond. The sanguinity appeared appropriate of the new Nigeria, considering its well-established bureaucracy, fashioned after the British Westminster system of parliamentary democracy and bounty mineral deposit waiting to be explored (Olaiya, 2013). However, the excitement and optimism had hardly waned down when 'Nigerians soon found themselves embroiled in all the problems and turmoil which have beset most postcolonial nations' (Geddes, 2010:1).…”