PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

The incidence of political exclusion in the world has continued to increase among different ethnic groups, and this has continued to generate tension. However, in Nigeria, the inception of the current democratic dispensation in 2015 led to the politics of exclusion in sheds of opinions of individuals whose contributions are required for the development of the country and in political appointments of people from particular religious and ethnic groups. Though the federal character principle of affirmative action has received reasonable scholarly attention, these studies have failed to examine how non-adherence to this policy initiative has increased the marginalization of the Southeast zone of Nigeria from 2015 to 2019. Based on the expository strength of the social exclusion theory and through a rigorous content analysis of data collected using the documentary method, it was argued that the non-implementation of this principle increased the marginalization of the southeast zone. Tables and figures validated these results in our analysis. Thus, emphasis is not only placed on affirmative action but rather on the manner in which it is performed. Our thought for policy implications considered the urgent need to review extant laws and policies enacted on inclusiveness, focusing on the yearly release of data by the commission across the country and effective sanctions for defaulters.

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• Ibenekwu, I. E. (n.d.). Igbo traditional political system and the crisis of governance in

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• Ikegbunam, P. C., & Agudosy, F. I. (2020). Cultivating Biafran agenda in Nigeria: Evaluation of the influence of radio Biafra’s rhetoric of ethnic marginalization on rural dwellers in the South-East. Journal of Media and Communication Studies, 13(1), 23-37. https://doi.org/10.5897/JMCS2020.0698

• Jameson, K. P. (2006). Political crises, social conflict and economic development: The political economy of the Andean Region. Journal of Economic Issues, 40(3), 850-853, https://doi.org/10.1080/00213624.2006.11506961

• McMullen, J. (2010, September 8). The search for common ground. Reconciliation For Western Sydney: Building bridges between aboriginal peoples and other Australians. https://reconciliation4westernsydney.org/building-bridges/building-bridges-2010/321-2/

• Morgan, D. L. (1993). Qualitative content analysis: A guide to paths not taken. Qualitative Health Research, 3(1), 112-121. https://doi.org/10.1177/104973239300300107

• Murray, C. A. (1984). Losing ground: American Social Policy, 1950-1980. Basic Books.

• Murray, C. A. (1997). What it means to be a libertarian: A personal interpretation. Broadway Books.

• Mustapha, A. R. (2007). Institutionalizing ethnic representation: How effective is the Federal Character Commission in Nigeria? (CRISE Working Paper No. 43). Department of International Development, University of Oxford. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57a08bf440f0b64974000ec6/wp43.pdf

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• Nwangwu, C., Onuoha, F., Nwosu, B., & Ezeibe, C. (2020). The political economy of Biafra separatism and post-war Igbo nationalism in Nigeria. African Affairs, 119(477), 526-551. https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adaa025

• Nwodo, N. (2017, January 28). Ndigbo: Our case, a ticking time bomb. Vanguard. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/ndigbo-case-ticking-time-bomb/

• Obiyan, A. S., & Akindele, S. T. (2002). The federal character principle and gender representation in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 6(4), 241-246. https://doi.org/10.1080/09718923.2002.11892352

• Odo, T. (2019). Nigerian State and Neo-Biafra separatist agitation in the South-East, 1999-2019 [Unpublished bachelor’s thesis]. University of Nigeria.

• Ohaneze. (2002). The violations of human and civil rights of Ndi Igbo in the Federation of Nigeria (1966-1999). Snaap Press.

• Okonta, I. (2012). Biafran ghosts: The Massob Ethnic Militia and Nigeria’s democratization process (Discussion Paper 73). Nordic African Institute. http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A538466&dswid=-8874

• Okoye, K., Ezeani, E., Ezugworie, C., Oranye, H., & Ekekwe, E., (2021). Federal character principle and political participation in Nigeria: Interrogating the relevance of the policy. African Renaissance, 18(4), 343-366.

• Olusoji, G., Oluwakemi, O., & Mofope, A. (2014). Meritocracy- 0 versus mediocrity-1: and mediocrity won: The case of the Nigerian Federal Character Principle (FCP). International Review of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(1), 46-51.

• Omeje, C. (2018, June 27). Investigations: Poorest Nigerians deprived of federal government’s cash transfer. International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR). https://www.icirnigeria.org/investigation-poorest-nigerians-deprived-of-federal-governments-cash-transfer/

• Omoleke, I. I., & Olaiya, T. A. (2015). Democratisation process and governance crisis in contemporary Nigeria: A re-examination. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 9(4), 131-140. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJPSIR2014.0702

• Onimisi, T., Ku Samsu, K. H., Ismail, M. M., & Mohd Nor, M. W. (2019). Implementation of federal character policy in Nigeria civil service. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering, 8(2S9), 570-577.

• Ononogbu, D. C. (2017). Ethnicity, ethnic identity and conflict in Africa. In A. O. Onu, J. Eze, & K. C. W. Udegbunam (Eds.), Social science perspectives to peace and conflict (Vol. 2; pp. 55-63). Grand-Heritage Global Communications.

• Onu, G. (2008). Contemporary issues in Nigerian politics and government and implications for sustainable development in Nigerian. Journal of Politics and Administration, 2(1), 56-72.

• Onuoha, G. (2011). Contesting the space: The ‘New Biafra’ and ethno-territorial separatism in South-Eastern Nigeria. Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, 17(4), 402-422. https://doi.org/10.1080/13537113.2011.622646

• Orji, E. I. (2001). Issues on ethnicity and governance in Nigeria: A universal human rights perspective. Fordham International Law Journal, 25(2), 431-482.

• Orluwene, O. B. (2018). The challenges and pathologies of Nigerian federalism. Social Science and Law Journal of Policy Review and Development Strategies, 6(1), 72-87.

• Osaghae, E. E. (1989). The federal cabinet, 1951-1984. In P. P. Ekeh & E. E. Osaghae (Eds.), Federal Character and Federalism in Nigeria (pp. 1-25). Heinemann Educational Books.

• Osaretin, U. S. (2019). Biafra agitation and politics of imbalance in Nigeria. Journal of Civil and Legal Sciences, 8(2).

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