Ethnic Nationalities and the Crises of Federal Democracy in Nigeria

This paper examines the crises of federal democracy in Nigeria, focusing on the marginalization of the Igbo ethnic nationality from 1960 to the present, which has led to the rise of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other secessionist movements. The goal is to examine the distribution of political appointments and positions along ethnic lines, emphasizing the underrepresentation of Igbo people in positions of national leadership. The issue stems from Nigeria's federal structure, which has not promoted inclusive governance, resulting in desires for self-determination and ethnic strife. The paper examines the patterns of ethnic exclusion and how they have contributed to the marginalization of the Igbo under Nigeria's federal structure using the consociationalism theoretical framework. The study used secondary sources of information from the internet, including books, journal articles, newspapers, government documents, and other pertinent sources. The article suggests political changes that prioritize fair power distribution within a unified country, namely restructuring. It comes to the conclusion that inclusive governance systems are essential to resolving the problems of marginalized ethnic groups like the Igbo and ensuring the long-term viability of Nigeria's federal democracy. The ongoing exclusion of certain groups from positions of political and economic power will probably intensify ethnic tensions and jeopardize national unity in the absence of such reforms.