POLITICS OF REGION-BUILDING IN NIGERIA’S DEMOCRATIC EXPERIENCE SINCE 1999

Abstract

This research paper examines the politics of region-building in Nigeria democracy since 1999. Since the return of democracy in Nigeria after several military junta that disrupted the nations civilian rule, Nigeria and its consideration on political development, is one of the fundamental benefits anticipated of any democratic system. The thrust of this paper is to bring to limelight why Nigeria democracy since 1999 is yet to fix in motion inclusive mechanism for its non-uniformity, but dynamic regional based politics to nationhood. Therefore, polities of region- building been antithesis for nation-building required for democratic principle towards attainment of unity in diversity. This expose considers some of the strenuous and intractable challenges militating against the Nigerian democracy and nation-building, such as regional political structure, the challenge of socio-economic inequalities, the constitutional challenges, institutions for leadership challenges, poverty, ethnicity and corruption among many others. The paper posits that that major challenge to Nigeria’s nation building and development is politics of region-building. The sources of data collection used were mainly secondary and tertiary. The conclusion is interspaced by proposing considerable mechanism adopted by Nigeria government in relation to nation-building and political development to enthrone and promote good governance, social justice by integrating democracy and divergent nation into nationhood.