Introduction
A federal system of governments involves the delegation of power between the national government, the federating states, and local governments. The ability of the component states to manage their own resources, raise revenues, participate in the ratification of the national constitution, make laws, provide security, and regulate for the general well-being of the citizens within their geographical and political boundaries are some of the fundamental elements of a federal system of governments.
A federal system is midway between a unitary system (where the central governments delegate power and authority to the states and local governments) and a confederal system (where the federating states are more powerful than the central government).
In a confederal arrangement or confederacy, the central government only exercises the power and authority reserved for it or delegated to it by the component states. In other words, the component states dominate the central governments and operate as a semi-independent nation-state. Canada and Switzerland are some of the few countries where Confederacy is presently in operation. As a matter of fact, that was the model that people like the late Chief Olu Aboderin and late Chief Bisi Onabanjo had wanted or suggested before they died.
The Nigerian Reality
Constitutionally, we have a federal system of government, but in reality, we operate a unitary system of government. Today, the component states in the federation cannot fend for themselves and cannot survive on their own, without the monthly allocations from the central governments. The Thirty-Six States in the federation are like counties or local councils - a true replica of a unitary system of governments - where the center is more powerful than the whole. That was never the intention of our Founding Fathers.
Federalism was at its best in Nigeria before the discovery of oil. Then, there was palm oil, rubber, timber (Iroko, and Sapele Wood), cocoa, cotton, coal, and last but not the least, ground nuts. There was a Cocoa House at Ibadan, there was also the number one Television Station in Africa at Ibadan, and an Olympic Size Stadium, first of its kind in Africa also at Ibadan, and the present Nigeria House in London, England; all acquired without oil and gas money. Groundnuts pyramids in Kano was a spectacular scene to behold and the textile industry was booming. Not anymore.
If we have had a government and leaders that subscribe to accountability and transparency in the management of our human and natural resources, the unending demands for true federalism, confederal option, and Sovereign National Conference would have been over for long.
In addition, if northern political leaders, yes, I repeat, if northern leaders and elder statesmen did not feign ignorance in the face of the barbarism and blatant killing of innocent souls and bombing of churches and public places by the Boko Haram sect, some Nigerians wouldn’t be calling for a true federalism or disintegration in the magnitude it is presently.
Today, and as it has always been, military coup and politicking are the most lucrative professions in Nigeria. The reason for that is not far-fetched. There is easy money flowing from crude oil, too little to do with the money, and less accountability on the part of elected leaders. So long as oil money continues to flow, governors and council members will be less likely to embark on purposeful revenue drive from other sources within their respective states.
Therefore, achieving true federalism or a true federal system of governments in Nigeria, without establishing a benchmark for alternative revenue sourcing by the states and local councils, will remain a mere illusion. In other words, we will never experience true federalism in Nigeria as long as crude oil remains our major sources of revenue.
Each unit must be positioned to manage its resources, people, and affairs, and develop at its own pace, without constituting a charge or undue burden on the central government and the other component states. But first, the central government must be relieved of its absolute control of crude oil deposit, which has become a curse.
On President Jonathan’s Legitimacy
The truth is that the zoning formula adopted by the PDP during the primaries ceased to be of any legal or logical relevance once President Yar’Adua and Vice President Good Luck Jonathan ran, won, and sworn in as President and Vice President respectively. So, on the death of either the President or Vice President; it is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that defines succession process, not the zoning law or formula that was adopted by PDP during the primaries. Nigeria is not a dictatorship, it is not a one-party state, and it is not an oligarchy. It is a multi-party State democracy. The complete absence of a strong opposition party at the national level, notwithstanding.
Therefore, questioning the wisdom of President Jonathan for stepping into the vacuum created by the death of President Yar’ Adua is analogous to questioning our sovereignty, the legitimacy of our corporate existence, and our inherent rights to exist and function as an independent nation-state. The rights to vote and be voted for, and the rights to elect, or re-elect, or un-elect anyone as President, is part of that inherent right guaranteed in the Constitution.
The Constitution is an embodiment of the supreme law of the land and it trumps other laws, rules, and regulations, and they would be invalid to the extent they conflicted with the Constitution.
The argument that the President is not legitimate because he allegedly usurped the presidential position zoned to a particular region (north), is contemptible, vile, and despicable. The accompanied violent and ongoing violent acts, unquestionably constitute treasonable charges. If they are not checked, there is every likelihood that could lead to anarchy, tribal warfare, ethnic cleansing, and the complete disintegration of Nigeria as a country.
In this trying time, Nigerians should realize that President Jonathan was elected by the people to serve for four years as provided for in our electoral law and constitution until he is voted out of office, we should let peace reign. Therefore, we must remain firm in our support for an unshaken and unbroken Nigeria and the Presidency. We must collectively reject any scheming orchestrated to imperil the momentum of this administration.
Failure is never an option; if the President is successful, we are better for it. If he fails while daring challenges, we all fail. He must and he has to succeed as a leader and as a President. That must be our goal and prayer. We can no longer afford laxity in governance. Period. Therefore, opposition to his policies must be constructive and specifically tailored to (1) achieve a compelling national interest (progress, equal right, justice, and security), and (2) check the excesses of the presidency with a view to enabling a governing process that is more transparent, efficient, and responsive. Calling the President unprintable names is not the best way to go and it won't change anything.
On Poverty and Marginalization of the North
Overcoming the intrigues (misinformation) of the elders and statesmen of the north, presently represented by the Arewa Consultative Forum group is the first step to overcoming the much over-hyped ‘national question' in Nigeria. The same people who monopolized our national government and our wealth for the benefit of their immediate family, friends and allies for decades are now blaming the incivility and religious intolerance in the north on marginalization and poverty.
It is a known fact that these past leaders and statesmen did not contribute as reasonably possible, given the control they had over federal institutions to enhance the values, standards of living, and educational advancement of the less-privileged and the talakawa of the north when they were in government.
Now, the main talking points are poverty, revenue allocation disparity, and marginalization! Where is the marginalization – you have the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representative, and a Governor of Central Bank who commands absolute power, all from one region. With due respect to the Governor of Central Bank, Mr. Sanusi Lamido, the west, or precisely, the Yoruba race, is best suited as things are now politically, to raise the issue of marginalization. Mr. Lamido should call on his elder-statesmen to account for the time they spent in power at the federal level and tell northerners and Nigerians in general what they did with the federal might, the control of the treasury and educational funds.
Professor (Senator) Jubril Aminu fought relentlessly and disdainfully against the implementation of free education at all levels in Nigeria for a selfish reason: It will only benefit the south. See http://yoruba.org/Magazine/Summer97/F5.html. He argued that northerners will not take advantage of the program and it will widen the existing educational gap between North and South. Sadly, he prevailed on the federal government to stay clear of free education at all levels nationally. They did and that, my friends, is the national policy today.
Successive governments headed by northern political leaders did everything possible to undermine our education growth and advancement, knowing full well that they have the financial means to send their own children and the few privileged ones in the northern region abroad for western education on a full scholarship. This is a statement of fact. So, what is "sentiment" or bigotry about it?
On the flip side, with the feudal educational policy now in full force nation-wide, Southern parents labored tooth and nail to send their children through higher institutions. Those who couldn't afford the exorbitant School fees mortgaged their parent’s homes and smuggled their ways out of the country by any means possible. The then Bendel State was openly marginalized via abuse of Federal Character and Quota System. Candidates were forced out of the Air Force and the Police Force recruitment lines because they are from Bendel State. It was almost obscene.
Yes, Southern youths who were not successful with "Oluwole" or not fortunate to win the Almighty Green Card Lottery administered by the US Department of State (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), took to other jobs to survive our harsh reality in Nigeria. Similarly, in the US - from Boston to New York City and from Chicago to Dallas, there are thousands of Southern Nigerians with graduate degrees driving Taxi or doing the popular Nursing jobs to be able to pay bills and reach out to family members back home in Nigeria. It is a different world.
When I was growing up, there were only about four banks along Akpakpava Street in Benin City, Edo State. Today, almost every block on that same street has a thriving bank. That development is not the handiwork or a function of the investment initiative of any of the unproductive Governors, but from the massive flow of foreign cash repatriated into that city daily by the same young men and women who mortgaged their family homes in the 80s to be able to travel out of the Nigerian realities.
In the Northern region, it is always about government - the control of the federal government and all the privileges and opportunities that come with it, contrary to the trends under Balewa and The Sadauna of Sokoto. Social awareness is not there anymore. An average Northerner does not know about "Oluwole", Green Card Lottery, or the feel of a Nigerian passport. Only in the North, you will find State Governors paying out wages every month to people who are simply hired or placed on the payroll to do nothing.
Adding to that, poverty in the north, though deserving attention, is not a recent development, either. The un-education of Northern children has been with us for ages. Each year they squander their budgetary allocation for education, because of the abysmal low enrollment.
Adding to that, poverty in the north, though deserving attention, is not a recent development, either. The un-education of Northern children has been with us for ages. Each year they squander their budgetary allocation for education, because of the abysmal low enrollment.
Again, what did Northern Governors and their Commissioners for Education do with the funds allocated to the Northern region for educational use? How many students did they graduate in the past 50 years?
This is an indictment on the part of Senator Jubril Aminu and all the Governors and Commissioners of Education in the northern region since amalgamation. Most importantly, it is an indictment of the feudal policy and class system that northern ruling class cherishes, but do not know how to overcome.
This is the time to look inward for a reasonably stable government. This is the time to ask the simple question: how did Governor Abubakar Rimi transform the educational system in Kano State during the Second Republic? How did Awo and his followers educate the entire student population in the Western Region tuition-free in the First Republic and the Second Republic? These are legitimate questions that present political leaders and Governors in the Northern Region and Southern Region as well need to answer, without delay and with solutions, too.
The emphasis on Sharia Law at the dawn of the Third Republic by Northern Governors was a misplaced judgment, ill-advised, and counter-productive. The Governor who introduced Sharia Law to Nigeria was the worst performing Governor in the area of education in the history of Nigeria.
Emphasis should have been on educational advancement and socio-economic empowerment. That is the only solution to the obscene wealth gap between the rich and the poor (talakawas) in the north. It is not religion. And certainly, not the gratuitous daily handouts or paying salaries to unproductive workers.
Emphasis should have been on educational advancement and socio-economic empowerment. That is the only solution to the obscene wealth gap between the rich and the poor (talakawas) in the north. It is not religion. And certainly, not the gratuitous daily handouts or paying salaries to unproductive workers.
Finally, those who create the problems that made the call for disintegration robust are the enemies of true federalism.
Those who polluted the Niger Delta, catered away the riches and corrupted our system of government are the enemies of true federalism.
Those who devalued our educational system and sent their children to private schools at home and abroad with stolen wealth are the enemies of true federalism.
Those who politicized revenue allocation methodology and derivative formula, and cornered much of our wealth through the creation of unproductive states and local government councils are the enemies of true federalism.
Conclusion
This is no longer the time to allow anyone or any political group to undermine our future and misappropriate our resources. This is not the time for a negligible few to appropriate the bulk of our national wealth through shady crude oil deals. We should firmly resolve that never, never, will any individual, a group of individuals or interest groups unilaterally impose a President or a Vice President on the rest of us again. Any member of a political party with a desire to run for the office of the President must be able to participate in the primaries, without encumbrances or calculated inhibitions. I do not know what went wrong between President Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku; whatever it was, his treatment, his disqualification, and un-disqualification in the presidential primaries that brought in the late President Yar'Adua was appalling, disgraceful, and a total violation of Atiku's fundamental right to run for electoral office, barring any disqualifying conviction or criminal offense/record. We are better than that. And we must speak up.
Long Live Nigeria and the Good People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mr. Alex Aidaghese
