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Religion and Political Turbulence in Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 November 2008

Jibrin Ibrahim
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Extract

There 15 increasing evidence that social movements constitute an important repository of Africa's political practice. Émile Durkheim reminds us that although social facts, expressed in thought, feeling, or action, are derived from an environment external to the individual, they impose on him a route that he is obliged to follow. He suggests, therefore, that we study the public law that codifies existing political values and the sanctions that oblige obedience. The problem, however, is that formal institutions are sometimes unable to penetrate and impose their logic on social movements.

Type
Articles
Information
The Journal of Modern African Studies , Volume 29 , Issue 1 , March 1991 , pp. 115 - 136
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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References

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58 ‘Federal character enumeration’ and associated canvassing have been some of the most important activites of prospective candidates for political and professional posts, government contracts, development projects, etcetera. It needs to be stressed that Section 13 (3) of the 1979 Nigerian Constitution ruled that ‘The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity’, and Section 14 (4) made the same provision for states and local governments.

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