The Search for A True Federalism – Part Four

The fallacy of Disintegration and Moving Forward: It is more about fighting corruption and eradicating leadership deficit rather than calling for disintegration based on Hausa/Fulani dominance. 

Yes, things have fallen apart, and the centre is not holding on strong. A few months ago, Mr. Leonard, Shilgba, PhD., a regular writer on SAHARA REPORTERS, argued eloquently in a lengthy article for the creation of independent nations based on ethnic configurations out of the present Nigeria. The same week, another regular writer, Mr. Rudolf Okonkwo, introduced a new slang into the separation debate. He compared Nigeria to a house without a solid foundation and argued metaphorically that since the house is incapable of self-support, it should be demolished for smaller and stronger units to emerge. In his words: “In place of the temple, a series of family homes in the form of estates should be built around the spot where the temple is.” Saharareporters: “Destroy This Temple” By Rudolf Okonkwo: September 8, 2011

A fine piece, no doubt.  But Mr. Okonkwo, like thousands of others, separation enthusiasts did not propose or develop a modicum of thought on how to manage the monstrous Immigration and Customs rules and regulations that would evolve following disintegration. Nor did he address the pervasive leadership crisis or the corruption epidemic that is a common trend all over Nigeria.  Unless these gentlemen who are calling for the dismantling of the Nigerian State are telling us that the newly created sovereign countries out of present Nigeria will be manned by a new breed of politicians and technocrats imported from Sweden or heaven. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s be realistic and be objective in our analysis of the potential benefits of disintegration: the British knew too well that creating multiple independent countries from that geographical expression – apology to Pa Awo – based on tribal affiliations or ethnic groupings would be a Herculean task to manage or govern, because of the magnitude of the diverse ethnic groups within.  It is a known fact that neither the northern region nor the southern region is a monolithic or one tribal enclave that would make for a coherent and viable independent country if divided, which explains the urgency of amalgamation of the entire land mass or ‘geographical expression’ in 1914.

That reasoning subsists till today. We survived the treasonable felony trial, and we survived the Civil War. The Igbos or Igbos were indiscriminately massacred before, during, and after the civil war; we do not crave a repeat. Not now. Let’s find strength in unity and direct our anger at a common enemy.

For instance, how would you guarantee the safety of Hausa merchants at Ikpoba Hill in Benin City, and at Obalende and Okokomaiko in Lagos? What would you do with the Igbos at Idumota and Alaba Market in Lagos and in every nook and cranny of Nigeria? And what would you do with the Yorubas, Hausas, and Fulanis in Port Harcourt? Would you expect a wholesale distributor of yams and fresh tomatoes at New Benin Market in Downtown Benin City to obtain a visa or a pass before travelling to Makurdi in the new Middle Belt Region for her supplies?

By the way, do you know the people who own Abuja? Would the Federal Capital Territory become another Jerusalem (a troubled land) or a holy and sovereign land like the Vatican, or a new Mecca? What would you do with our biggest headache - NNPC?

Where does Kwara belong? How about the people of Kogi State and the inhabitants of Jos and the Tivs and the Igbiras of Benue?  Are they part of Arewa Republic, or the Oduduwa Republic, or the Middle Belt Republic?

For those of you canvassing for the Regional Police Force, how would you overcome the harassment from the Oduduwa Police Force, Midwest Police Force, and Idigbo/Biafra Police Force while travelling by road from the City of Lagos in the Oduduwa Republic to Port Harcourt or Calabar in the South-South Republic?

Again, would you recommend the creation of a separate and independent republic out of Arewa Republic for the people of southern Kaduna, whose last names sound as if they are from River State?

The political class knows too well that Nigerians are a bunch of gullible, docile, and ethnic chauvinists, afflicted with chronic short-term memory disorder. We celebrate big names in and out of government, in total disregard for their abysmal performance while in office, especially if such big names are members of our own tribe or community. It is symptomatic of hapless minds, of beaten people searching for heroes and handouts from the wrong places.

What we perceived as the policy of the north, what we are worrying about as northern dominance, is not exactly so. They are the handiwork of a negligible few, intent on monopolising wealth and power, with the active support of gullible, predominantly uneducated followers, psychologically and mentally enslaved by misinformation tactics perfected by daily handouts made possible by stolen wealth. The pains and sufferings of the Talakawas and their counterpart in the south do overlap and bear similar patterns. Corruption and squandering of riches are as rampant in the south as they are in the north.

The Sovereign National Conference (SNC), in spite of the noble intent of the proponents, has been unduly politicised - it is perceived by many as another way to legislate the disintegration of Nigeria. No government (elected government for that matter) would willingly sign on to a conference where no one is sure of the outcome. That is the opinion of those in government and the majority of the power elite groups about SNC. Therefore, my suggestion to the apostles of SNC, is to set up a 'Progressive Think Thank' and use that as a platform to organize and hold conferences on the issues that we all care about - population, oil and gas licensing and permitting,, the state of origin concept, injustice, security, religious bigotry, corruption, accountability, trust deficit, and poverty of ideas in the leadership. You don't have to wait for the central government to approve of your goal to organise and strategise for the way forward.

We need to develop some mechanisms for resource control and allocation of mineral resources in each region between the component states and the federal government. And give the component states some latitude in the control and exploitation of mineral resources within their regional boundaries. The need for states to exercise control over resources in their domain is paramount, and it is the first step to true federalism.

We might not have a Bill Clinton or another Awo, but if we could gather enough wisdom, enough foresight and look beyond our present anger and resolve to jettison ethnic and religious considerations when making leadership choices, if we could stand and remain objective in our assessment of our potential leaders, I am optimistic that we will find greatness again very soon.

Therefore, we must be bold, resolute, and willing to ruffle heads when the need arises, learn to identify and say no to feudal principles, greed, and opportunism. Above all, be willing to take a stand, a firm stand on what you believe is good for the people; prepare to make enemies if the need be, to achieve the desired changes that we talk about presently. It begins and ends with a strategic grassroots movement, awareness campaign, with a focus on leadership change, not the state of origin of the President.

God bless you and God bless the good people of Nigeria.

December 2011