PAKIRI OYANEMUGHAN PG/M.ED/11/58795 THE PLATONIC REPUBLIC AND THE CHALLENGES OF NIGERI AN STATE SOCIAL SCIENCES Digitally Signed by : Content manager’s Name DN : CN = Webmaster’s name Content manager’s Name O= University of Nigeri a, Nsukka OU = Innovation Centre 1 THE PLATONIC REPUBLIC AND THE CHALLENGES OF NIGERIAN STATE BY PAKIRI, OYANEMUGHAN PG/M.Sc./12/61917 A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, IN THE PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.Sc.) IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (POLITICAL THEORY) UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR JONAH ONUOHA OCTOBER, 2013 2 TITLE PAGE THE PLATONIC REPUBLIC AND THE CHALLENGES OF NIGERIAN STATE BY PAKIRI, OYANEMUGHAN PG/M.Sc./12/61917 3 APPROVAL PAGE This project report has been examined and approved by the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka for the award of Master of Science (M.Sc) in Political Science (Political Theory) PROFESSOR JONAH ONUOHA PROFESSOR JONAH ONUOHA SUPERVISOR HEAD OF DEPARTMENT EXTERNAL EXAMINER PROFESSOR C.O.T UGWU DEAN OF FACULTY 4 DEDICATION To the Almighty God 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There would have not been a work like this in the absence of the God Almighty. The completion of this work was indeed made possible by many people. The profound appreciation goes to my supervisor, Professor Jonah Onuoha. Wait, for painstakingly guiding me through the process of the research, and without whose contributions it would have been difficult to find my way through the complex ideas. I quite appreciate the time and effort, upon your tight schedule, this work was also paid attention to. I also acknowledge the sincere appreciation of Professor A.M.N Okolie for his immeasurable contribution towards the completion of my studies in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I am very much indebted to all the members of the staff of the Department of Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; who have impacted on my priceless gift of knowledge throughout my stay in the Political Science Department; Prof. Obasi Igwe, Prof. E.O. Ezeani, Prof. Ken Ifesinachi, Dr. P.C Chukwu, Dr. S.N Asogwa,Dr. Chris Ezeibe etc. I also remember the indelible loss of our mother in the Department, late Prof. (Mrs.) Miriam O. Ikejiani-Clark, may your soul find a resting place in God’s bosom, Amen. My thanks also goes to the authors from whose work I made references. I wish to express my gratitude to Hon. Dr. Pastor Peter Pereotubo Akpe, Mr. Robinson Etolor and Peremobowei Ebebi for their brotherly and professional support towards the success of this thesis and my stay in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I wish to acknowledge the support of the Bayelsa State Government Scholarship Board, for its financial contribution to the success of my Masters studies. My profound appreciation goes to Pakiri Zenetimipade my wife and children respectively, for their care and understanding during my course of study. I which to acknowledge the support and prayers of my brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, nieces, aunts and in-laws, especially during my studies away from home. I wish to express a solemn appreciation for the contributions of my friends and colleagues, Mbaegbu Casmir, Lawyerkeme Romeo Koffi , Ugwu Ebere Vivian, Chigozie Okonkwo, Williams Ujugwu, Emmanuel, Obiageli,etc., The words and moments we share together cannot be forgotten even in a hurry. I will never forget the generous intervention of a God-sent 6 friend;Chime Darlington, without whom I have lost contact, but to whom I am grateful. I learnt so much from you during the course of the study. Efforts of guys in Acid lodge cannot be undermined, Sis Ife, Chineye, Tochi and Amaka. Bros Gabriel Abule, Ugwueze Michael, Garenkeme, Paul, Ogbu, Konboye, including all that knows the worth and value for neighbourhood. TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i Approval page-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ii Dedication ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iii Acknowledgement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iv Table of Contents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- v Abstract-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vii List of Figures------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ viii Chapter One 1.1 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 1.3 Objectives of the Study ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.4 Significance of the Study -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 1.5 Literature Review ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 1.6 Theoretical Framework ----------------------------------------------------------------------------40 1.7 Hypotheses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------42 1.8 Method of Data Collection ------------------------------------------------------------------------42 1.9 Method of Data Analysis------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43 Chapter Two 7 NIGERIAN STATE PLATONIC REPUBLIC 2.1 Politics of Nigerian State : Reflection on Plato’s Republic --------------------------------- 44 2.2 Structure and Governance of the Nigeria State: Emphasis on the Negation of Plato’s Ideas----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50 Chapter Three IMPLEMENTATION OF PLATO’S PHILOSOPHY IN THE REPUBLIC AND POLITICAL CHANGE IN NIGERIAN STATE 3.1 Historical background to Plato’s Republic-----------------------------------------------------64 3.2 Interplay between the Implementation of Plato’s Philosophy and political change in Nigerian State----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 70 Chapter Four ACCUMULATION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY UNDERMINE THE REALIZATION OF PLATONIC STATE IN NIGERIAN STATE 4.1 Corruption Surgery in the Political Leadership in Nigeria Since 1960----------------- 75 4.2 Challenges of Constitutional Democracy in Nigerian State-------------------------------- 99 Chapter Five Summary and Conclusion -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 123 Recommendations----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 128 Bibliography------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 130 Appendix --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 139 8 ABSTRACT This study examines the Platonic Republic and the Challenges of the Nigerian State. There exist plethora of scholarly submissions on the aforementioned topic; most of the scholars that have explored the issue under discussion centered their argument on Platonic State and Democracy in Africa, structure of leadership and Plato’s ideas, Plato’s Republic and leadership question in Africa. This study takes another dimension to looking into Plato’s Republic and the Challenges of the Nigerian State with emphases on Plato’s philosophy in the Republic and political charge in Nigerian State as well as accumulation of private property and the realization of a Platonian State in Nigeria. The hypotheses were validated and accepted; secondary source of data were employed in data collection while the social contract served as the lens through which the study was treated. Useful recommendations were made through the articulated conclusion 9 LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 1 on the Structure of Nigeria State ---------------------------------------------------- 139 Figure 2 on the Three classes of individuals in the State ------------------------------------ 140 Figure 3 on the Three parts of the soul in the individual ------------------------------------ 140 Figure 4 on the Corruption Perception Index 2004 and 2012 ------------------------------ 141 Table 5 on Okigbo Panel Report of 1994 ----------------------------------------------------- 88 Table 6 on Corruption Surgery in the National Assembly ---------------------------------- 112 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY The most comprehensive collection of Plato’s philosophical idea appears in the fundamental principles for the conduct of human life. The societies are formed for a particular purpose. Individual human beings are not self-sufficient; no one working alone can acquire all of 10 the necessities of life. In order to resolve this difficulty, we gather together into communities for mutual achievement of our common goals. This succeeds because we can work more efficient if each of us specializes in the practice of a specific craft or job. Thus, Plato held that separation of functions and specialization of labour are keys to the establishment of a worthwhile society (Morrow ,1988). The society composed of many individuals, organized into distinct class according to the value of their role in providing some component part of the common good