For several years now, sections of Nigerians have been clamouring that the country’s federal system needs urgent restructuring. The proposal covers fiscal federalism, reduction of powers at the centre, correcting sociopolitical and geographic imbalances in terms of state and local government creation, state police, citizenship, land reforms among others.
The governments of late General Sani Abacha and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo both convoked National Conferences with a view to looking into these matters but all ended as colossal failures.
Since independence in 1960, Nigeria’s government has undergone series of structural reforms politically and economically, both under civilian and military regimes. The country, using the 1960 and 1963 constitutions, operated a parliamentary system of government and retained regional government structure that was operated by the British colonial administration. In the Second Republic, presidential system of government was introduced into the country.
Under the military regimes, General Aguiyi Ironsi, Nigeria’s first military head of state, came up with Decree 8 which moved the country towards a unitary system of government. Under General Yakubu Gowon, Decree 8 was reversed and eventually replaced by Decree 34 in order to forge a stronger Nigerian federation. To further consolidate on strengthening the Nigerian federalism at a most critical period of her history, marked by the Civil War, Gowon created 12 states.
Generals Murtala Mohammed, IBB and Sani Abacha, respectively created more states in order to widen and strengthen the reach of the federation.
Many people wanted to know whether it is necessary to restructure Nigeria. But what in the first place is wrong with the present structure? And is it possible to do so at this material time? Assuming it is possible, who will do it? These and more questions have remained part of public discourse for a long time. It is, therefore, interesting that the issue has become very topical at the ongoing National Conference.
We, however, share the concern of many Nigerians on our system of government. For instance, Bisi Adegbuyi, a delegate from Ogun State, asked a pungent question during the debate on the president’s speech to the delegates at the Confab: “Why are we continuing with template of unity that has not helped?” he asked.
Others warned that there is obvious political imbalance in the country and unless it is addressed, the unity and peace of Nigeria’s federalism will remain a mirage. A cleric and delegate, John Achimugu, also raised concerns about the role of religion as an agent of destabilisation, saying that, rather than necessary constitutional, democratic or political expediency, “our society is now zoned according to faith”. These are dangerous trends that hang the fate of the country’s unity perilously.
The most important observation relating to the Nigerian federalism posits that the plural nature of our society necessitates the operation of a federal structure if the country must remain as one. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was quoted as saying that, considering the ethnic, linguistic, religious, cultural, regional and geographical factors of the country, “The federal system is, under the present conditions, the only basis on which Nigeria can remain united”.
While this may be true, it is obvious that critical adjustment is imperative. Like the delegates are asking, it is no longer sane to continue to dwell in the illusion, sentiments and hallucination that things are still the same in the country. With the challenges of national security orchestrated by religious fanatics, a presidential system of government with a bicameral legislature is what is needed. We agree with other Nigerians that our system of government is too expensive and corrupt.
Nigeria cannot continue to operate a fiscal federalism that dishes out funds gotten from the resource of one part of the country and shared among indolent states. This Confab should be able to work out reasonable recommendations that can lead to a new constitution that is capable of creating a more profitable federal structure in this country.
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