Nigerian Federalism Under Civilian and Military Regimes

Nigerian experiences with military and civilian rule suggest that military rule is not entirely incompatible with federalism. The heterogeneous and centrifugal forces that operate in a multinational polity like Nigeria make the use of federal principles a reasonable option for military rulers. To some extent, federal principles have become entrenched in Nigeria. Too great a violation of those principles by a military regime can spark communal conflict and destabilize the regime. The major differences in the operation of civilian and military federalism are to be found in the style and structures of administration.