Scholarly works in the Department of Political Science and International Relations

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Politics as Social Necessity: Discourse on the Moral Foundation of Politics
(2022) Onyekwere Bartholomew Agunnia
Politics, in letter and in spirit, will be restricted to the sphere of government and, by implication, the state. The paper is philosophical and uses critical methods with recourse to secondary data. It admits the contention that politics has its origin in morality and should always be subjected to moral assessment. When politics is mentioned, we mean that which politicians and public and political office holders and statesmen do in the service of the state. Other perspectives of politics, such as what happens in the family circles, boardrooms, marketplaces, industries, and religious organisations, and in organisations outside government and the state, are hereby suppressed, even as the allusion may only be in passing or by implication. The paper argues that politics and politicking have their origin in human moral consciousness. Men, in organised society, could only reasonably evolve a system through which they are rationally organised. Politics is in accord with the moral nature of man. The paper posits that politics must be practiced within the ambit of morality and is therefore constantly in need of moral assessment; this accounts for the reason civilised countries make high moral demands on their politicians and political office holders. Political parties on their own shop for people of impeccable character and high levels of integrity to fly their flags during elections; a critical objective of a political party is to clinch power. The development or otherwise of any polity is determined in the main by the degree of morality appropriated by the political office holders. A government is judged by its moral standing. This therefore underscores the conclusion that politics is consistent with morality. Politics is better understood, assessed, and made intelligible within the framework of morality. Therefore, any attempt to deprive politics of its moral inclination will be a disservice to humanity. More so, that politics stems from human activity, and like most human acts, it calls for moral assessment and hence a return to moral consciousness and ethical reorientation in political life.
Globalisation and Developing Countries: A Blessing or a Curse in Nigeria
(Insight on Africa, 2012-01-01) Ogunwa Samuel Adetola
The Role of Political Parties in Federal Societies: Assessment of Nigeria
(Crawford Journal of Politics, 2019) Ogunwa, Samuel Adetola
The role of political parties in a federal system of government was focused upon in this contribution. The paper argues that political party and democracy are twin concepts that draw on one another. Political parties rely on the institution of democracy in the selection of its flag bearers to make political representation democratic, transparent, and accountable. Furthermore, the political parties in a federal setup may be abnormal when they are not democratic in purpose. The abnormalities in political parties, particularly in Nigeria is the basis of pathologies, ideological emptiness, and a lack of internal party democracy within and among them are the consequences of poor governance in the polity.
A Book Review of - New Scramble for Africa
(2013-07-14) Oyeneye Olusegun Taiwo; Ogunwa Samuel Adetola
Democracy, Federalism and Governance in Nigeria.
(2024-01-01) Ogunwa, Samuel Adetola; Abasilim, U. D
Nigeria became one of the federal societies under the supervision of the British colonial government in 1954. Federalism and democracy ceased when the military government usurped and suspended the Republican Constitution in 1966. The periods of military rule witnessed over-centralization of power at the centre, while the federating states became Lilliputians. The usurpation of jurisdictional competencies and centralization of power made the federating states and local governments default on their socio-economic responsibilities. The paper aims to elucidate the intricate relationship between federalism and democracy in Nigeria, shedding light on the repercussions of their erosion during military rule. Through a comprehensive review of historical events and constitutional changes, this study examined the consequences of over-centralization and jurisdictional encroachments during military governance. The paper revealed that the institutionalization of federalism once embraced without due consideration, led to detrimental adjustments and crises during military rule, significantly impeding socio-economic and political development. The paper concluded that democracy and federalism are twins ‘brothers’ and will remain relevant and last long when Nigerian leaders, particularly elected representatives, undertake constitutional reforms that prioritized power devolution to states and local governments. This adjustment, rooted in justice and fairness, will rejuvenate the symbiotic relationship between democracy and federalism, ensuring lasting relevance.
ECOWAS and Sub-Regional Integration in West Africa: An Appraisal
(Covenant University Journal of Politics and International Affairs, 2015) Adeola Gabriel Lanre; Fayomi Oluyemi
Regional integration is viewed as a veritable means of leveraging comparative advantage within a common market for the purpose of promoting trade growth and development. It is the recognition of the inevitable role of trade to stimulate rapid socio-economic cum political development that spurs countries within West African sub-region to establish the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In the last four decades of its existence, the community has been able to achieve remarkable progress in some areas. ECOWAS has remained united, even though it has been reduced from sixteen to fifteen members with the exit of Mauritania. Nevertheless, the organization can pride itself as the largest regional grouping in Africa. It has also demonstrated a measure of effectiveness in matters of security and conflict resolution by the establishment of ECOMOG and only recently, ECOWAS leaders also called for synergized actions against Boko Haram by accepting the establishment of the Multinational Joint Task Force as well as the commitment demonstrated by Benin, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Chad in the fight against the terrorist group. The methodology adopted for the study is qualitative. Therefore, the main thrust of the paper is to examine such areas that are beneficial to members of the community. Of particular importance are issues of trade, technology, investment, and free flow of ideas and movement of persons within the sub-Region that permit the congruence of a large single market which make possible comparative advantage and economics of scale. ECOWAS has not really progressed beyond resolution and treaties in these areas. As a result, the community has to battle with the exiguous internal market and the fact that all the countries of the community are almost producing the same product. The community’s problems are worsened by globalization which it has to contend with and giving the fact that the economies of majority of members are fragile and incapable of competing with more sophisticated products brought in by the liberalization of the market, and so the paper further to assesses the benefits accruing to these countries from trade direction, and development-based infrastructures such as energy, communication, industries among others in the face of their dependent posture in the globalized world.
The Dynamics of Africa's Cultural Affinity and the Global Electoral Outcomes: Evidence from Ekiti State of Nigeria
(Crawford Journal of Politics, 2021-09-21) Aladegbola Isaac Adegbenga
Are politicians only rewarded by voters for distributive allocations? Are patterns of voting always a function and reflection of how goods are distributed? The patterns that have emerged in the electoral politics of Ekiti State of Nigeria since it was created in 1996, the event of June 21st 2014 gubernatorial election and the outcome of 2015 general elections in the state have challenged the “common position within the political accountability framework that examined whether political incumbents are always rewarded by voters in return for distributive allocations”. Employing the empirical research method, this study interrogates the unexpected electoral outcome of the 2014 and 2015 elections in Ekiti State and considers the trends of Ekiti elections from 1999 to 2018, covering the Fourth Republic. Tracing the relationship between identity and distributive politics, the study finds that cultural affinity and state homogeneity are additional relevant factors that shape electoral outcomes in Africa beyond the explored distributive goods and distributive politics that generally shape global electoral outcomes.
From 200 Dollars to 50 Dollars: The Political Economy of Nigerian Workers’ Retrogressive Living Wage in Four Decades
(International Journal of Research in Business and Management, 2020-04-24) Aladegbola Adegbenga Isaac; Mike Omilusi
Nigeria’s minimum wage, which had its advent in 1981, seeks to set a wage floor at an amount considered sufficient to satisfy the basic necessities - food, clothing, housing, education, and recreation - of the worker. Since then, every minimum wage change in Nigeria has been preceded by agitations and sometimes strikes by the labour establishment. This paper examines the struggle of the labour movement as a crucial element within the democratisation process in Nigeria and seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the root causes, effects, and consequences of the progressive living wage in the country. It contends that more than half of the Nigerian population still grapples with extreme poverty while a small group of elites enjoys ever-growing wealth, leaving a glaring sense of inequality in the polity. Relying on available public data, the paper interrogates the deteriorating living conditions of Nigerian workers amidst the opulent lifestyle of the nation’s political class and recommends policy options to the current narrative.
Patriarchy and Colonization: The "Brooder House" for Gender Inequality in Nigeria
(Journal of Research on Women and Gender, 2020-05-04) Aladegbola Isaac Adegbenga; Jaiyeola Emmanuel Olorunfemi
The battle for women’s suffrage at English Parliament in 1866 marked the earliest recorded legal battle for equality between men and women. Since then, the issue of gender equality has grown to become a global concern. While it is generally agreed that human rights apply to all human beings (men and women included), women’s fundamental rights and freedom have been limited by patriarchal practices and traditions. The situation is worse in many African societies where colonial legacies and patriarchal culture assign superior roles to men and subordinate roles to women. In Nigeria, these practices have reduced the status of women to being inferior to their male counterparts. This in turn makes it difficult for women to fully participate in as many social, political, and economic activities as men do. Patriarchal culture has brought tremendous setbacks for women in Nigeria, which is the focus of this paper. In addition, stereotyping and stratification of jobs, skills, political offices, and businesses have become so deeply rooted in patriarchy because of the cultures and ideologies of the society. This began with the traditional gender roles in the pre-colonial era and was reinforced during the colonial era when women were forced out of commercial farming and trading to do food-crop farming and petty trading, which both bring in less money. Presently, this practice keeps women under glass ceilings and in low-paying jobs, which contributes largely to most Nigerian women being in poverty, experiencing poor health, and suffering from various abuse due to the inequality of social status between genders. Therefore, this paper critically discusses the historical perspective and analyses how colonial legacies and patriarchy are nurturing gender inequality in Nigeria, using hegemonic and Nigerian masculinity as the theoretical framework of analysis.
The political economy of ‘Okada’ transport business as an employment strategy in Nigeria
(Journal of African Political Economy and Development, 2018-12-14) Aladegbola Isaac Adegbenga
Much academic energy has been so dissipated by transport geographers on the traffic relevance of motorcycles (Okada), especially as a commercial means of providing mobility. Observably, the mutually related essence of transport and employment that led to the popularity of motorcycles in most cities in Nigeria is fast extending to multidimensional problems of economy, politics, and social malaise. The objective of this study therefore is to find out these other underlying political, economic, and social factors overshadowing the mobility relevance of motorcycles as a transport business and why it is fast becoming an employment strategy for millions of unemployed youths in Nigeria. The questions are: has it alleviated poverty in the country or has it provided for means of development of human capital for the needed industrialisation in Nigeria? The study area is Ekiti State, Nigeria, where surveys of sampling methods with random techniques are used to pick 500 Okada riders as respondents. The critical investigation in this study is to find out why the respondents are engaged in the ‘Okada’ transport business and why they abandoned their various trades as artisans and their education. It is to examine Okada’s business’ prospect of buoyant economy and the observable Okada riders’ daily income and association with political elite. The study is to also find out why ‘Okada Unions’ are becoming second arms of political parties, forming strong pressure influences' and'stated groups’, which are always motivated by politicians to attain political gains. The study will be raising policy options for the government that will not only secure a socio-political and economic future for the country as a developing nation but will also be predicting the outcome of the monolateral Okada economy across Nigerian cities.
The Political Economy of the New Slave Trade in Africa
(Global Journal of Human Social Science Sociology, Economics & Political Science, 2012) Aladegbola Isaac Adegbenga; Olaniyan Azeez O.
A macroanalysis of various enquiries into the nature and causes of Africa’s crises may reveal a continent placed on perpetual slavery. From trans-Atlantic slave trade to colonialism; from colonialism to flag independence and Neo Colonialism; from trade imperialism to human trafficking; from the rampaging momentum of globalisation to erosion of Africa's culture and communal morality; from ‘Tokunbo’ syndrome and currencies, Africa seems to be on the verge of internationally inspired perpetual servitude. The costs of these old and modern vices are enormous, and the task of salvaging them is not less so. While the paper exposes the two divides, it goes to argue that the actualisation of the New International Economic Order (NIEO) remains a must for Africa as a continent if she must survive the present socio-economic and political disempowerment, eating deep to her efforts at meeting the aims and objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
Political Development and Revolution in Modern States: Interrogating the Necessity of Revolution in Nigeria
(Crawford Journal of Politics, 2021-03-07) Ogunwa Samuel Adetola; Ogunwa Florence Adeseeke
This work identifies and discusses the phenomenon of revolutions. While there is no consensus as to what constitutes a revolution, revolution makes total alteration in the life of a political system. Several reasons have been deduced for revolutionary movements in countries. The reasons are so germane that when the government fails to carry out the constitutional responsibilities of the state. This is essentially and particularly important in democratic societies when the ruling governments did not keep to the promises made to the electorates during electioneering campaigns. The failure of government sometimes influenced the military to stage a coup, and toppled the government, even the democratic government elected by the people. The dictatorial governments have been removed either by the military coup d'état or revolution. Consequently, the contagious effect of the ancient or pre-twentieth revolution affected the twentieth-century revolutions, and these revolutions equally spread to the current century, even the “Arab Spring” between 2010 and 2012: Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, to mention a few. The change of governments has restored the hopes and aspirations of the people and the future of the countries and the people at large. The work convincingly argues that there is no single environmental factor that makes the revolutionary movement prevail. Series of events are what make revolution possible. Nigeria as a country has not experienced the phenomenon of revolution but has had the government changed by the military on several occasions. The military In politics, Nigeria has made incremental adjustments; these patchwork's or reforms are not politically and holistically articulated, and perhaps the amendments have some political undertones. Today, both objective conditions are readily available to trigger a revolution, even another military rule, but it only needs subjective conditions to trigger it. This paper argues that revolution is inevitable—not even the change of government by the democracy or military will do—but a radical and fundamental adjustment to the political architecture of the country. Nigerians have been shortchanged for good governance. The paper concludes that to avert upcoming political upheavals and consequences of revolution, which may alter the Nigerian state convincingly, the political leaders need to redesign governance in the country to meet the aspirations of the people in all ramifications.
Managing Globalization for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.
(The Public Administration and Social Policies Review, 2015-04-17) Ogunwa Samuel Adetola
Managing globalization for sustainable development in Nigeria is now more imperative than ever before, if the quest for development in all ramifications is to be achieved holistically. The development anticipated from globalization has turned to be zero-sum game since economy of globalization is intended towards consolidating the North hegemony. Developing countries continued to receive the pitfalls of globalization in spite of the fact that the developed and developing worlds should be co-beneficiaries. Also, globalization is subjective and at the same time Eurocentric as it propagates the philosophy of Western ideology housed in the New World Order. The paper is a warning signal for the Nigerian government to put the country in order, so that the wave of globalisation, which allows multinational corporations to decide the fate of others through nationalisation and internationalisation of national properties of the peripheries to those of metropolitan cities who neither reside in the peripheries, nor sent agents across the globe to monitor investments in and out. The paper argues that Nigeria has been at the receiving end of globalisation, and in fact globalisation is a socioparasite on the country’s quest for greatness. For globalisation to be relevant in Nigeria and to benefit the majority of the Nigerian peoples, the leaders at all levels of governance should be autonomous and sensitive before globalisation is accepted in all ramifications. The paper concludes that there are benefits to be derived from the globalising world, if both the givers of globalisation and the receivers of globalisation can create an atmosphere where political, economic, social, and cultural consensus can be made so that what becomes ‘A’, that is, the Global North, becomes ‘B’, that is the Global South, and what becomes the Global South becomes the Global North in the long run.
Globalization and the Quest for Development in Nigeria
(American Journal of Social Science Research, 2014-07-22) Ogunwa Samuel Adetola; Ologbenla Derin
Globalization and development in Nigeria is now more imperative than ever before, if the quest for development in all ramifications is to be achieved holistically. The development anticipated from globalization has turned to be a zero-sum game since the economy of globalization is intended towards consolidating the North hegemony. Developing countries continued to receive the pitfalls of globalization in spite of the fact that the developed and developing worlds should be co-beneficiaries. Also, globalization is subjective and at the same time Eurocentric as it propagates the philosophy of Western ideology housed in the New World Order. The paper is a warning signal for the Nigerian government to put the country in order, so that the wave of globalization which allows multinational corporations to decide the of fate of others through nationalization and internationalization of national properties of the peripheries to those of metropolitan cities who neither reside in the peripheries, but sent agents across the globe to monitoring their investments in and out. The paper argues that Nigeria has been at the receiving end of globalization and in fact globalization is a socio-parasite on the country’s quest for development. For globalization to be relevant in Nigeria and to benefit the majority of the Nigerian peoples, the leaders at all levels of governance should be autochthonous and sensitive before globalization is accepted in all ramifications. The paper concludes that there are benefits to be derived from the globalizing world, if both the givers of globalization and the receivers of globalization can create an atmosphere where political, economic, social, and cultural consensus can be made, so that what becomes ‘A’, that is the Global North becomes ‘B’, that is the Global South and what becomes the Global South becomes the Global North at long run.
Governance and Covid-19 in Developing Countries: Observations from Nigeria
(crawfordjournalofpgstudies.org, 2022-06-09) Ogunwa Samuel Adetola; Ogunwa Florence Adeseeke
The governments across the world were caught unprepared for the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that claimed several lives. Millions of people struggled between life and death in both developed and developing countries. The disease was so devastating that various governments closed their borders and shut down socio-economic and political activities. People were devastated because there was no movement within and between countries. To cushion the challenges posed by the coronavirus, governments, and organisations in different countries provided palliatives ranging from financial incentives to food items, among others, for their citizens, even helping the needy countries. The paper argues that the effect of COVID-19 in Nigeria is greater than the COVID-19 pandemic itself. Nigerians defiled the directives of their governments largely because these governments’ palliatives not only yielded negative development but were only for the few selected Nigerians. Besides, the elites who were infected by COVID-19 struggled to have space within the limited bed spaces with the masses. Thus reaping from the bad governance they put in place. The paper concludes that the events of 2020, particularly the coronavirus, provided a holistic call to the governments in the country to without delay to put in place institutional mechanisms that will address the issue of good governance: energy, roads, security, particularly modern health care facilities which the government and the governed can access with tokenism for their well-being
The Role of Political Parties in Federal Societies: Assessment of Nigeria
(Crawford Journal of Politics, 2019) Ogunwa Samuel Adetola
The role of political parties in a federal system of government was focused upon in this contribution. The paper argues that political party and democracy are twin concepts that draw on one another. Political parties rely on the institution of democracy in the selection of its flag bearers to make political representation democratic, transparent and accountable. Furthermore, the political parties in a federal setup may be abnormal when they are not democratic in purpose. The abnormalities in political parties particularly in Nigeria is the basis of pathologies, ideological emptiness, and lack of internal party democracy within and among them are the consequences of poor governance in the polity.
Democracy, federalism and governance in Nigeria
(Journal of Governance and Development, 2024-04-25) Ogunwa Samuel Adetola; Abasilim Ugochukwu David
Nigeria became one of the federal societies under the supervision of the British colonial government in 1954. Federalism and democracy ceased when the military government usurped and suspended the Republican Constitution in 1966. The periods of military rule witnessed over-centralisation of power at the centre, while the federating states became Lilliputians. The usurpation of jurisdictional competencies and centralisation of power made the federating states and local governments default on their socio-economic responsibilities. The paper aims to elucidate the intricate relationship between federalism and democracy in Nigeria, shedding light on the repercussions of their erosion during military rule. Through a comprehensive review of historical events and constitutional changes, this study examined the consequences of over-centralisation and jurisdictional encroachments during military governance. The paper revealed that the institutionalisation of federalism, once embraced without due consideration, led to detrimental adjustments and crises during military rule, significantly impeding socio-economic and political development. The paper concluded that democracy and federalism are twins ‘brothers’ and will remain relevant and last long when Nigerian leaders, particularly elected representatives, undertake constitutional reforms that prioritised power devolution to states and local governments. This adjustment, rooted in justice and fairness, will rejuvenate the symbiotic relationship between democracy and federalism, ensuring lasting relevance
Globalization and the Quest for Development in Nigeria
(American Journal of Social Science Research, 2015-03-07) Ogunwa Samuel Adetola; Ologbenla Derin
Globalization and development in Nigeria is now more imperative than ever before, if the quest for development in all ramifications is to be achieved holistically. The development anticipated from globalization has turned to be a zero-sum game since the economy of globalization is intended towards consolidating the North hegemony. Developing countries continued to receive the pitfalls of globalization in spite of the fact that the developed and developing worlds should be co-beneficiaries. Also, globalization is subjective and at the same time Eurocentric as it propagates the philosophy of Western ideology housed in the New World Order. The paper is a warning signal for the Nigerian government to put the country in order, so that the wave of globalization which allows multinational corporations to decide the of fate of others through nationalization and internationalization of national properties of the peripheries to those of metropolitan cities who neither reside in the peripheries, but sent agents across the globe to monitoring their investments in and out. The paper argues that Nigeria has been at the receiving end of globalization and in fact globalization is a socio-parasite on the country’s quest for development. For globalization to be relevant in Nigeria and to benefit the majority of the Nigerian peoples, the leaders at all levels of governance should be autochthonous and sensitive before globalization is accepted in all ramifications. The paper concludes that there are benefits to be derived from the globalizing world, if both the givers of globalization and the receivers of globalization can create an atmosphere where political, economic, social, and cultural consensus can be made, so that what becomes ‘A’, that is the Global North becomes ‘B’, that is the Global South and what becomes the Global South becomes the Global North at long run.
Revisiting the Civil Society and Democratic Governance in Africa: Present or Absent in Nigeria?
(JPPUMA: Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan dan Sosial Politik UMA (Journal of Governance and Political Social UMA), 2023-06-18) Ogunwa Samuel Adetola ; Ogunwa Florence Adeseeke
The civil society midwife democratic government in 1999. They fought for it. Although some died in the process of agitating for democracy, the fundamental human rights and rule of law are firmly entrenched, including the freedom of association, free movement, and speech among others. The paper argues that today’s democratic government was worked for, but those who worked for it did not participate in the transition program since the military's characteristics, particularly those of General Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida, keep the transition program in perplexity and continuous. The failure of the leaders and members of civil organisations to participate is responsible for the crisis of governance. Those elected into governments across the states, including the federal government largely masquerading behind politics as governance output. The paper is of the view that the civil society organisation in the country cannot claim irresponsible to Nigerians since they ushered in democratic rule; therefore, efforts must be geared towards validating the purpose of democracy and the dividends of democratic governance in Nigeria.
Globalization and the Quest for Development in Nigeria
(American Journal of Social Science Research, 2015-07-03) Ogunwa Samuel Adetola; Ologbenla Derin
Globalisation and development in Nigeria are now more imperative than ever before if the quest for development in all its ramifications is to be achieved holistically. The development anticipated from globalisation has turned out to be a zero-sum game since the economy of globalisation is intended towards consolidating the North hegemony. Developing countries continued to receive the pitfalls of globalisation in spite of the fact that the developed and developing worlds should be co-beneficiaries. Also, globalisation is subjective and, at the same time, Eurocentric, as it propagates the philosophy of Western ideology housed in the New World Order. The paper is a warning signal for the Nigerian government to put the country in order so that the wave of globalisation, which allows multinational corporations to decide the fate of others through nationalisation and internationalisation of national properties of the peripheries to those of metropolitan cities who neither reside in the peripheries, but sent agents across the globe to monitor their investments in and out. The paper argues that Nigeria has been at the receiving end of globalisation, and in fact globalisation is a socio-parasite on the country’s quest for development. For globalisation to be relevant in Nigeria and to benefit the majority of the Nigerian peoples, the leaders at all levels of governance should be autonomous and sensitive before globalisation is accepted in all ramifications. The paper concludes that there are benefits to be derived from the globalising world if both the givers of globalisation and the receivers of globalisation can create an atmosphere where political, economic, social, and cultural consensus can be made so that what becomes ‘A’, that is, the Global North, becomes ‘B’, that is the Global South, and what becomes the Global South becomes the Global North in the long run.

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