ESSENTIAL BACKGROUND: Nigeria has become overwhelmed with challenges, making democratic consolidation extremely difficult for this struggling nation. The main obstacles to democratic consolidation in Nigeria are: • Ethno-religious divisions make the formation of a common identity impossible. • Widespread poverty has left much of the population without the means to participate in the political process. • An overwhelming national situation. The government limits state powers and hinders the democratic process, contributing to: • Massive corruption across all three levels of government (national, state and local) only serves to weaken any development of the nation as a whole . RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Nigerian government consider retaining the presidential election clause but that the indigenous cabinet clause be abolished. The abolition of the indigenous clause would put an end to the ethno-religious divisions which hinder the development of a common identity. With 36 states currently vying for a role in government, the political process has become saturated with conflict and division. The indigenous clause only serves to further divide the Nigerian people. It makes sense to want to represent all ethnic groups in order to accurately represent the nation as a whole. However, the imbalance in socio-economic development has made it impossible to have qualified people from each state in the highest government positions. For example, a candidate from the North might be chosen solely on the basis of their geographic allegiance rather than their actual intelligence or qualifications relevant to the position. Having such a large number of ethnic groups makes the creation of a common identity extremely problematic, and abolition... middle of document...... As noted, Nigeria is unbalanced in terms of development socio-economic, and therefore allowing each group to have a say in the political arena tends to lead to incompetence and a slowdown in development in the long term. For Nigeria to truly move forward and prosper, this clause must be rejected. The principle of federal character and all its provisions are for the moment a necessary evil. Nigerians must face whatever discomfort this principle causes because it will eventually lead to the big government they have always desired. Nigeria is now in its fourth republic. Although not much different from the second republic, Nigeria is obviously trying to learn from the past and move forward. Nigeria does not need to stand idly by and face injustice right now. They can act now and abolish the clauses that continue to hinder democratic consolidation..