REPRESENTATIVE BUREAUCRACY IN NIGERIA; FROM FEDERAL CHARACTER PRINCIPLE TO POLITICAL CLIENTELISM

Authors

  • Yagboyaju D Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan
  • OYEWO Oyekunle OLUSEYE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, THE POLYTECHNIC IBADAN

Keywords:

Bureaucracy, Representative Bureaucracy, Clientelism.

Abstract

The study examined public bureaucracy in a polyglot Nigeria with the view to appraising the efficacy of the Federal Character Principle through a descriptive but analytical approach. It noted that the infusion of ethnic sentiment into the nation’s public service does not support its expected roles as agent of socio-economic development in the country and that the federal character principle does not, in practice, address the challenges of representation in the country. Rather, it supports a clientele arrangement in which a patron sponsors individuals into public offices in attempt to preserve and perpetuate his political relevance. The study recommends a reform of federal character principle to enthrone a regime of merit and equity in the nation’s public service. 

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Published

2017-10-27