AKSU Journal of Politics and Society

Politics of Debt Crisis and Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

2024-09-30T09:35:07+00:00

Available data indicate that sub-Saharan African countries are highly indebted to various developed nations and donor agencies, with an unfavorable debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio. Thus, Africa’s indebtedness to satellite countries has continued to impair sustainable development in the continent. This study probed the African debt crisis with a view to offering new insights into the embedded politics behind continued borrowing and repayment policies. The study utilised qualitative research design and dependency theory. It observed that while debt is a global phenomenon, the sub-Saharan Africa countries are heavily indebted, and despite the excessive borrowing, much has not been achieved. Instead, the growth rate has been slow, and poverty has been on the increase. The study contended that there has been deliberate collusion between the African governing elite and satellite countries through neo-liberal economic policies to keep the sub-continent subservient in all ramifications. This has made the sub-continent perpetually dependent on the lender entities thereby entrenching a systematic plundering of African resources through unfavourable debt servicing and loan repayments. The study posited further that the prevalent connivance between the African governing elite and the satellite countries would continue to goad rising debt profiles and undermine the economic growth and development in sub-Saharan Africa if strategic measures on debt management are not put in place and fully entrenched. The study makes a case for an inward-looking approach and efficient management of available natural resources to generate necessary income and explore other export opportunities to drive the economy to overcome rising debt profiles in sub-Saharan Africa.

Unified Local Government in Nigeria

2024-09-30T09:51:50+00:00

The study examines the causal relationship between the unified local government system in Nigeria and National development as envisaged by the 1976 Local Government reforms and guaranteed by the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN)(as amended). Put in other words, whether or not the unified local government system in Nigeria is beneficially or detrimental to National Development. The theoretical framework adopted for the study was Development School of thought. The utility of this theory to the study is that it highlights that the basic need for the creating of local government is development, this is because the role of enhancing democratic participation and delivery of efficient and effective social services are ultimately development oriented. The findings from the study reveal among other things that it appears the inconsistencies in the constitutional provisions, the overbearing influences of the state governors, corruption and pattern of intergovernmental relations has done mischief against this noble effort and by extension crippled local government as an instrument of fostering national development. The study therefore recommends among other things, amendment in Section 2(2) CFRN, Sections 7 and 8, item 22 of the Exclusive Legislative List in the Second Schedule Part I, paragraph 15(a) of Part I of the third schedule, Section 197(b), item 3 and 4 part II of the third schedule, Section 162(b)(5)(7) and (8) and Section 7(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Causes and Effects of Road Construction Project Failures in Nigeria

2024-09-30T09:47:14+00:00

This study examined the causes and effects of road construction project failures in Nigeria with a view to proffering possible solutions to the problem. The study was conducted using qualitative research based participatory observatory method and textual analysis of secondary data gathered from books, journals, archival documents, newspapers, magazines, and government reports related to the topic of the study. Findings from the study revealed eight major causative factors for road construction project failure such as the problems of geological investigation and lack of laboratory, poor design, poor supervision, the use of low quality work force and materials, poor maintenance culture, inadequate hydraulic structure, low standard practice, and inadequate enforcement of sanction to defaulting contractors. The study concluded by recommending workable solutions to drastically reduce the problem of road construction failures in the country.

Violation of Human Rights and Impact of US Assistance in the Fight Against Boko Haram

2024-09-30T09:39:00+00:00

In the cause of evaluating the US assistance to Nigeria in the first against Boko Haram insurgency in the country, the study succeeded in evaluating the bilateral military relations between two different administrations in both countries; that of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari in Nigeria and that of Barack Obama and Donald Trump of the United States. The study emphasized that the radicalization of the Boko Haram sect which heightened the state of insecurity in Nigeria, especially the northern part of the country arose international attention and interest which eventually made the US government to develop a special interest in the activities of the group. Though, the US have been of immense help to Nigeria in providing logistics, intelligence support, training and financial assistance to Nigeria to be able to combat the scourge of the terrorist group; the study is aimed at evaluating and ascertaining the effectiveness of the US assistance to Nigeria in the entire fight against Boko Haram insurgency sect, and the theory of dependency was adopted as the most ideal theory that suits the research. The study finally recommended among others that the US should increase its assistance to Nigeria in combating the daring posture of the Boko Haram sect through increase sales of military hardware to Nigeria, aviation training and incentivizing disarmament, demobilization and reintegration efforts in Nigeria as to put an end to the spate of insurgency in the country

New Wave of Military Interventions and the Development of West African States

2024-09-30T09:48:54+00:00

The study assessed the new wave of military coup d’états some Sahel African Countries and its implications for the development of these countries, the sub-region and Africa. The historical and descriptive research technique was adopted, thus drawing relevant data from secondary sources. Data generated were analysed using the qualitative method. The study adopted the theory of contagion; and proposed the following questions to guide it: first, what factors are responsible for the new wave of military coups in francophone West Africa? Second, what challenges are imposed on the sub-region by the wave of military coups and the response by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)? Third, to what extent has this scenario in West Africa ignited the scramble for Africa by the two ideological blocs of Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Warsaw Pact? The study argues that the new wave of military coups in the sub-region is as a result of the failure of democratically elected governments to tackle the teething problems of poverty, insecurity and socio-economic development. Furthermore, it was revealed that socio-economic relations between these West African countries and France as well as the West have contributed to the growing tension. The study recommends among others, good democratic governance by African governments.

Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, and the Dialectics of Insecurity and Sustainable Development in Cross River State, Nigeria

2024-09-30T09:42:53+00:00

Much like in many climes, illicit small arms and light weapons proliferation is considered one of the significant contributors to security challenges in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study examines the recurring incidence of insecurity and its devastation on sustainable peace and economic development in Cross River State. The communal land crisis, sea piracy, oil bunkering, unemployment, porous borders, corruption, cultism, illegal arms dealers, drug trafficking, and militancy are the significant causes of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Cross River State. The paper utilized a mixed method of data collection. Data for analytical purposes are extracted through interviews and direct observations for the primary method, and documentary instruments such as journal articles, textbooks, internet materials, and security bulletins are used for data generation, and inductive analytical techniques for data analysis are obtained for the secondary method. The study recommends that government strengthen the institutions that fight against corruption and entrenchment of social justice; there is a need for the state to create a healthy economic environment with relevant social, economic, and physical infrastructure for businesses and industrial growth that will provide valuable jobs and quality education to her citizen, community policing need to encourage in most of the crime-prone areas, and there is also need for government to strengthen the formal security formations with modern equipment and retraining its staff to meet up the present security challenges. Lastly, the government needs to enact policies to integrate, reconstruct, and rehabilitate the conflict-prone communities with markets, schools, improved medical centers, etc. Doing these will make them surrender their arms and embrace sustainable peace and economic development in Cross River State, Nigeria.