Inclusive Governance in Ethnically Divided Nigeria since 1999: The Application of the Principle of Federal Character and Power Sharing System

Abstract

The realism of how best to ensure the participation of every ethnic group in governance has been a very big political challenge to successive governments since returning to democratic governance in 1999. This is because the exclusion of groups from the political process has made socio-political and economic crises a regular feature of the country. This paper examines the adoption of inclusive governance in Nigeria (federal character and power sharing formula). These principles have helped to ensure the socio-political integration of the various ethnic groups in the country and as well serve as a balancing mechanism over conflicting socio-political demands of every ethnic group.