There is definitely something really wrong with all anyone who says there is nothing fundamentally wrong with Nigeria. Our predicament is that we disagree over the exact nature of the problem, and the appropriate solution. Those who believe the problem is amalgamation, want to break up the nation. Those who believe the problem is political structure, want a return to “true federalism”.
Those who believe the problem is religious diversity, want a Caliphate, while those who believe the problem is inappropriate and outdated laws, want a review of the penal code and a new Constitution. Truly other than the failed anti-corruption war there is no commonly agreed agenda in the nation today. The latest buzz word in political circles is “restructuring”. Oddly enough none of the new advocates of restructuring has actually defined what they think it means, explained how it’s supposed to take place, or bothered to outline its short term and long term effects. Ironically many new champions of restructuring are tainted fellows well past their prime, who when occupying high office squandered their opportunity to place the nation on a path of progress.
Twenty-five years ago, in 1992, foremost nationalist Chief Anthony Enahoro founded the Movement for National Reformation (MNR). Having been involved in both the struggle for independence, and the civil war, he recognized the dishonesty in continuing to expect people of varying bio-diversities, languages, cultures, civilisations, religions and world outlook to come together under one centralized leadership and pretend as if their differences didn’t exist or didn’t matter.
Section 2(c) of MNR’s Constitution which outlines their aims and objectives states inter-alia “..reformation of the Federation of Nigeria with particular reference to its political structure including the political system, its economic structure including the resource control system, and its inter-nationality relationships”.
General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) who was self-styled “President” at the time vehemently opposed nationwide restructuring. Instead he tinkered with state creation and embarked upon a failed democratic experiment which ended with the botched 1993 elections. IBB’s reign ended in infamy when he squandered a God given opportunity to reform and restructure the nation for progress and development. His recent volte-face is farcical. There is an adage that whenever a person wakes up, it’s his morning. Unfortunately, IBB’s morning has come in his twilight years! In stark comparison to his failure, the MNR went on to give birth to the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which was instrumental in re-establishing democracy in 1999.
In addition, the Movement fostered the Pro-National Conference Organization (PRONACO) which produced a viable comprehensive “People’s Constitution”. Other vocal champions of restructuring are former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) bigwigs who failed to champion the cause for the eight years they were in office. Their new-found romance with the idea looks suspiciously like part of a strategy for the 2019 elections. Those who were prominent in the era of the PDP failed to uphold truth, objectivity, love and care, and instead in their shallow-mindedness collectively embraced cheating, greed, hypocrisy, wickedness and corruption. They were aided by an unworkable, perverse, chaotic and unjust 1999 Constitution.
The military imposed document facilitates the sort of bad governance which marginalizes citizen’s rights and nurtures agitations for self-determination of ethnic peoples. To their eternal shame the PDP effectively embraced everything that is wrong with our society and jettisoned everything that could have turned the situation around. In 16 years’ they failed to produce a nation which works in the interests of the majority. There is a misguided belief that the majority of the ills plaguing Nigeria are a result of the overbearing influence of Federal Government. But it’s simply wishful thinking to believe that devolving powers to self-sustaining federating units will lead to the development of infrastructure, education, health facilities, critical amenities, and social development projects.
The root of our problems is poor leadership not political structure and the priority for now should be eradicating massive corruption, political chicanery and poor governance. The 1798 version of Encyclopaedia Britannica defined Negroes as having “the vices of idleness, treachery, revenge, cruelty, impudence, stealing, lying, profanity, debauchery, nastiness, and intemperance which have extinguished the principles of natural law and silenced the reproofs of conscience”. According to the authors Negroes are “strangers to every sentiment of compassion and are an awful example of the corruption of man when left to himself”.
This aptly describes most of our leaders. Only after reformation of their character should political restructuring along with devolution of powers and finances take place. It’s allocation formula of 56% to Federal Government, 24% to States, and 20% to local governments is outrageous. Federal Government is supposed have the fewest responsibilities and least funding. On the other hand, Local government which is the closest to the people’s real needs, requires massive funding.
The path to justice, fairness and economic wisdom lies in inverting the current allocation formula. The ills in our society can never be solved by political restructuring alone. It’s imperative that we reform ourselves as a people. At the end of the day unless our leaders restructure their mentality, no amount of political re-ordering will lead to a viable and vibrant nation.
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