Thesis Abstract

Zoning policy has been a significant factor in shaping the development of democracy in Nigeria. This research project aims to explore the relationship between zoning policy and the democratic process in the Nigerian context. The study will examine the historical evolution of zoning policy in Nigeria and its impact on political power distribution and governance. Through a comprehensive literature review, this research will analyze the concept of zoning and its application in Nigerian politics. It will investigate how zoning has influenced the distribution of political positions among different regions or ethnic groups in the country. The study will also assess the effects of zoning on political stability, inclusivity, and representation in Nigeria. Furthermore, this project will investigate the challenges and controversies surrounding zoning policy in Nigeria. It will explore the criticisms of zoning as a mechanism for power-sharing and examine its implications for democratic consolidation and good governance. The research will also consider the role of political parties, civil society, and other stakeholders in shaping and contesting zoning arrangements in Nigeria. Moreover, this study will examine the impact of zoning on political competition and electoral dynamics in Nigeria. It will analyze how zoning affects the behavior of political elites, the mobilization of voters, and the overall functioning of the democratic system. The research will also investigate the role of zoning in mitigating or exacerbating ethnic and regional cleavages in Nigerian politics. In addition, this project will explore the prospects for reforming or restructuring zoning policy in Nigeria. It will consider alternative approaches to power-sharing and political representation that could enhance democratic governance and national unity. The research will also assess the implications of zoning for social cohesion, economic development, and conflict resolution in Nigeria. Overall, this research project seeks to contribute to the scholarly understanding of the relationship between zoning policy and the development of democracy in Nigeria. By examining the historical evolution, impact, challenges, and prospects of zoning, this study aims to provide insights into how zoning influences political dynamics and governance practices in the Nigerian context.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
The zoning policy has really caused a lot of political instability in the country as a result of disagreement among politicians but in spite of that it still brings about development of democracy. A recent pieces in the economists highlights the system of zoning, that Nigeria employs to alternate power between the north and south of the country. In the economists word. “candidates are picked alternatively from north and south behind closed doors and presented to voters in rigged polls”. Since independence 50 years ago, Nigeria has not achieved its full potential as the giant of Africa public services across the country
are all but non-existent, corruption rife and democracy in the time meaning of the word is not being practiced. For many decades, presidential politics in Nigeria has been saddled with ethnicity or tribal politics, religious intolerance and more recently electoral malpractices, well meaning and patritic elements in the polity had wrested with the idea of the best formula that will guarantee peace and stability in the country. Historically the highest political office in the land has been dominated by the countries citizen’s of northern extradition. This was made possible by subsequent military regimes whose
brands of leadership has no space for democratic contraception. The zoning formula was therefore envisage to enable the northern and southern Nigeria to have an equal chance of producing the president during an eight year presidential cycle. The zoning formula was first adopted by the second civilian administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Dr. Alex Ekwueme in 1979, during the first quarter of president Shagari’s second term, the military led by general Buhari truncated regime, thereby making it impossible for southern Nigerian to experience the plan. During the consecutive 15 years of northern dominated military governance, the zoning formula was forgotten for the past ten years, beginning with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s civilian regime 1999-2007, and the administration of Shehu Musa Yar’dua and president Goodluck Jonathan 2007 to president, the (PDP) Peoples Democratic Party had started dangling the carrot of the presidential zoning between the southern and the northern sections of the country. Advocates of presidential zoning often cite peace and stability in the policy as the main reason, but Nigerians must seriously ask themselves how zoning both presidential down to even gubernitorial
elections have been able to bring peace and stability (development), can zoning or quota produce the best leadership material suitable for development desperately needed at this critical time. According to professor J.T Nwabueze, zoning and rotation principle or policy is part of a democratic culture used for fair play. He went further to say that it counters the negative impulse and tendency of a group of people to remain in office as long as possible and use the resources of the nation to service its narrow and practical interest. It also offers itself as an antidote to a practice that engenders nepotism, promotes
corruption, and breed ineiciency, which in turn stultifies growth abs sustainable development. Ifedi Andi Okwenna, 2009, also opined that if power is allowed to systematically rotate between the various zones the political space will not only widen, the process will definitely throw out capable leaders who can transform our country and move it to greater height.