I have attained and far exceeded the goals I set for myself at the inception of this Blog about four years ago. And the time is now for me to move on. All I wanted to write about then was the 'Search for True Federalism and the Need for a Progressive Change,' mindful of the fact that the monstrosity of our Federal Government is not sustainable. So, conscious of the fact that I have a lot of original materials on the subject, and conscious of the fact that no Editor would willingly accept or publish my copious materials verbatim, I decided to create a social media platform where I hope to express my feelings in my own words and in my own terms about the perversion of our federal system by the successive Military Governments through the creation of socio-economically comatose states and culturally bankrupt local government councils. See "The Search for True Federalism: Balancing Feudal Interests with Southern Greed and Opportunism in Nigeria", published January 02, 2012. Followed by "Game Change: The Uncertainty of Sovereign National Conference and Need for a Progressive Option", published a few months later on March 16, 2012.
Constitutionally, we are supposedly a federal system, but in reality, we operate a unitary model where the center is more powerful than the whole. As of today, and as it has always been since the end of the civil war and the emergence of oil windfall, the federating units have turned indolent and parasitic. They cannot fend for themselves and cannot survive on their own, without the monthly allocations from the Federal Government. The thirty-Six States (Lagos State excluded) are now more or less like local government councils - a true replica of a Unitary System of Government.
Constitutionally, we are supposedly a federal system, but in reality, we operate a unitary model where the center is more powerful than the whole. As of today, and as it has always been since the end of the civil war and the emergence of oil windfall, the federating units have turned indolent and parasitic. They cannot fend for themselves and cannot survive on their own, without the monthly allocations from the Federal Government. The thirty-Six States (Lagos State excluded) are now more or less like local government councils - a true replica of a Unitary System of Government.
How did we get here? Simple. Successive Military Governments (all headed by Military Officers of northern extraction - no sentiment or ethnic coloration intended) dismantled Nigeria arbitrarily resulting in malnourished fragmentation in the form of new states and new local government councils. They did so under the pretext of bringing governments closer to the people. Not exactly. The fragmentation was founded on political considerations rather than sound economic judgment - the distribution of the oil wealth. A decision that betrayed the true essence of federalism leading to the disappearance of economic independence reminiscence of the pre-civil war era. And it put an end to the competitive spirit (the skyrocketing groundnuts pyramids in Kano, the robust Rubber/Timber industry in the Delta, the booming Cocoa production in the Western region, as well as, the Coal mining operation the East) and the semi-autonomous status that the respective regions enjoyed before and after independence.
Indeed, Aguiyi Inonsi, (a southerner - again, no sentiment or ethnic coloration intended) was the first Head of Government to introduce the Unitary model into the Nigerian political system. He had his reasons, Genuine or puerile, it was the view of Ironsi and his advisers at that turbulent period in our political history that given the mistrust and ethnic animosity generated by the assassination of the Premier, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and the Sadauna of Sokoto, Almadu Bello during the Nzeogu's coup, a unitary system of government would facilitate unity, peace, and tranquility in the country. And ultimately, calm nerves in the northern region in particular. But they were wrong. The northern region, represented by the often referred "young military officers" thought otherwise, and went on a systematic pogrom of the Igbos in their midst.
Influenced by the well-established philosophy of Sir Almadu Bello of one indivisible northern region that is not subject to the dictate of any government - local or foreign - outside of Kaduna, they considered a unitary system of government a colonization tool, introduced by Ironsi to dominate the northern region politically and economically. And then came the counter-coup. And the man died. Then came Yakubu Gowon, (a northerner), followed by the civil war and a "no victor" and a "no vanquished" outcome. At the end of which he, through military fiat, carved out Nigeria into the Twelve States.
A similar pattern of State creation would follow subsequently by IBB and Abacha (all northerners) leading to the present Thirty-Six States structure - exercises lopsidedly contrived and arbitrarily executed to favor the northern region. A development seemingly at odds with the age-old vision of Sir Ahmadu Bello of an all-powerful, all-conquering, indivisible northern conglomerate.
Truth is, their intention was not to colonize the south or betray the vision of the late Sadauna with the emerging unitary model, but to redistribute the new wealth in favor of the northern region as wildly spread as possible. In a nutshell, the more the number of local governments and states created at a particular region, the more of federal wealth (proceeds of crude oil) that goes to that particular region monthly. But it came at a huge cost: the unintended consequence turned out to be structurally and politically more devastating to the entire fabric of our federal system of government than reasonably manageable.
Indeed, the fragmentation is unsettling, not necessarily on the ground of its motive, but by the blatant abuse of the process. Sentiments aside, there is no justification for the huge difference between the number of local government councils created in Kano State (44) and Lagos State (20), when it is officially documented that Lagos State has more population than Kano State. It is the same situation all over the country, though the Lagos/Kano case seems to be more egregious. This is a very troubling national issue! I do not hold this position because I hate the good people of Kano State or other states in the union that benefited unduly from the arbitrary calibration of Nigeria.
For the purpose of record, I am simply stating a position to wit, the fundamentals of our federal system are corroded - by who, how and when - a position that is completely divorced from the question of irredentism. And corrosion that makes some Nigerians to nurse a sense of rebellion since the end of the civil war. That most established commentators or political leaders, out of observance of political correctness or in hope of securing lucrative government contracts, do not consider it worthy of coverage is understandable. No one wants to be accused of the new slang in town - sentimental, or been blacklisted from federal appointment.
In all modesty, I do not understand what is emotional or bigotry about one expressing concerns about a very important national issue that was so grossly and lopsidedly manipulated to the advantage of a particular region. It doesn't make sense! It is despicable and must be condemned in the strongest possible term. If we can't unite, we should at least, strive to make the best out of the amalgamation for no tribe or region was incorporated through conquest or assimilation.
So, on this Blog, we took the stand that until the philosophy and ethnic factors that underlie the unitary model, which, evidently, nurtured a very powerful center - a center that monopolizes the free oil wealth and dispenses it as it pleases is abandoned and discredited, profligacy and indolent at state and local government levels and at federal agencies will not know end. In addition, the call for disintegration will continue to gain currency surpassing its historic height because it is the frustration in the face of massive looting of our treasury - a culture that defies federal might and curtailment - that galvanizes the discontentment within the intelligentsia.
In that group, you will find the most ardent proponents of Sovereign National Conference, true federalism and disintegration. In other words, if successive governments cannot get it right on these two basic facts: One, judicious management of the huge wealth that it monopolizes, and two, elimination of the monstrous corruption epidemic in the system, then we have to go our separate ways. You can't monopolize what you can't management.
But we disagree. Perversion of the federal system notwithstanding, it is the view of this Blog that disintegration of Nigeria will not completely eliminate the decay in our political system, because greed and corrupt practices transcend regional boundaries. Also, we do firmly believe that disintegration is not a realistic proposition given the level of our social and economic integration spanning decades of intrigues, turbulence, and survival.
One quick example, and with all due respect to the proprietor of Radio Biafra, within Nigeria, about 30% of Ndigbo live outside of the traditional or native Igbo homeland. And about 15% of the children in that bracket are involved in inter-tribal marriage. If I may add, about 90% of the merchants in Benin City, my own Benin City, are of Igbo extraction. Same with Alaba International Market in Lagos and in all the big cities all over Nigeria. So, what are we talking about! Therefore, we firmly hold that True Federalism is a better alternative. (The mechanisms for the gradual decentralization - resource control and inward-looking by the respective Governors - are available elsewhere on this Blog).
As a well-grounded student of government and public affairs, I am supremely confident and quite certain that with True Federalism in motion, Governors of the component units, managing their own resources and the accompanying responsibilities, would (1) be less disposed to profligacy given the huge amount of investments and quality time they expended to generate the same revenue. (2), The possibility of restraint in corrupt practices would be at appreciable level in light of the general knowledge that there is no Aso Rock on standby to initiate bailout in the event of imminent or real workers insurrection in any of the states. And (3), the social stigmatization that would follow failure in office by any of the Governors in the event of unresolved labor unrest would catalyze quality performance and a result the governed would be proud of. In other words, oil is a curse; it promotes indolent and stultifying of creativity and bold agenda. Take it out of the picture, creativity will evolve and many Awoists would arise all over the country in no time. And that brings us to the question of leadership.
In spite of everything, it is the opinion of this Blog that a leader of Pa Awo's trait and caliber at the Presidency - with his forthrightness, ingenuity, strict adherence to party blueprint, and grasp of macroeconomics - wouldn't have had much problems eradicating in record time the greedy instinct in us that breeds and perpetuates corrupt practices, which in turn, creates a disconnect and massive wealth gap between the governed and the political leaders. In other words, we will get the best out of true federalism with the quality leadership of Awo virtues at the helm of affairs.
The Search For Quality Leadership:
Indeed, Aguiyi Inonsi, (a southerner - again, no sentiment or ethnic coloration intended) was the first Head of Government to introduce the Unitary model into the Nigerian political system. He had his reasons, Genuine or puerile, it was the view of Ironsi and his advisers at that turbulent period in our political history that given the mistrust and ethnic animosity generated by the assassination of the Premier, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and the Sadauna of Sokoto, Almadu Bello during the Nzeogu's coup, a unitary system of government would facilitate unity, peace, and tranquility in the country. And ultimately, calm nerves in the northern region in particular. But they were wrong. The northern region, represented by the often referred "young military officers" thought otherwise, and went on a systematic pogrom of the Igbos in their midst.
Influenced by the well-established philosophy of Sir Almadu Bello of one indivisible northern region that is not subject to the dictate of any government - local or foreign - outside of Kaduna, they considered a unitary system of government a colonization tool, introduced by Ironsi to dominate the northern region politically and economically. And then came the counter-coup. And the man died. Then came Yakubu Gowon, (a northerner), followed by the civil war and a "no victor" and a "no vanquished" outcome. At the end of which he, through military fiat, carved out Nigeria into the Twelve States.
A similar pattern of State creation would follow subsequently by IBB and Abacha (all northerners) leading to the present Thirty-Six States structure - exercises lopsidedly contrived and arbitrarily executed to favor the northern region. A development seemingly at odds with the age-old vision of Sir Ahmadu Bello of an all-powerful, all-conquering, indivisible northern conglomerate.
Truth is, their intention was not to colonize the south or betray the vision of the late Sadauna with the emerging unitary model, but to redistribute the new wealth in favor of the northern region as wildly spread as possible. In a nutshell, the more the number of local governments and states created at a particular region, the more of federal wealth (proceeds of crude oil) that goes to that particular region monthly. But it came at a huge cost: the unintended consequence turned out to be structurally and politically more devastating to the entire fabric of our federal system of government than reasonably manageable.
Indeed, the fragmentation is unsettling, not necessarily on the ground of its motive, but by the blatant abuse of the process. Sentiments aside, there is no justification for the huge difference between the number of local government councils created in Kano State (44) and Lagos State (20), when it is officially documented that Lagos State has more population than Kano State. It is the same situation all over the country, though the Lagos/Kano case seems to be more egregious. This is a very troubling national issue! I do not hold this position because I hate the good people of Kano State or other states in the union that benefited unduly from the arbitrary calibration of Nigeria.
For the purpose of record, I am simply stating a position to wit, the fundamentals of our federal system are corroded - by who, how and when - a position that is completely divorced from the question of irredentism. And corrosion that makes some Nigerians to nurse a sense of rebellion since the end of the civil war. That most established commentators or political leaders, out of observance of political correctness or in hope of securing lucrative government contracts, do not consider it worthy of coverage is understandable. No one wants to be accused of the new slang in town - sentimental, or been blacklisted from federal appointment.
In all modesty, I do not understand what is emotional or bigotry about one expressing concerns about a very important national issue that was so grossly and lopsidedly manipulated to the advantage of a particular region. It doesn't make sense! It is despicable and must be condemned in the strongest possible term. If we can't unite, we should at least, strive to make the best out of the amalgamation for no tribe or region was incorporated through conquest or assimilation.
So, on this Blog, we took the stand that until the philosophy and ethnic factors that underlie the unitary model, which, evidently, nurtured a very powerful center - a center that monopolizes the free oil wealth and dispenses it as it pleases is abandoned and discredited, profligacy and indolent at state and local government levels and at federal agencies will not know end. In addition, the call for disintegration will continue to gain currency surpassing its historic height because it is the frustration in the face of massive looting of our treasury - a culture that defies federal might and curtailment - that galvanizes the discontentment within the intelligentsia.
In that group, you will find the most ardent proponents of Sovereign National Conference, true federalism and disintegration. In other words, if successive governments cannot get it right on these two basic facts: One, judicious management of the huge wealth that it monopolizes, and two, elimination of the monstrous corruption epidemic in the system, then we have to go our separate ways. You can't monopolize what you can't management.
But we disagree. Perversion of the federal system notwithstanding, it is the view of this Blog that disintegration of Nigeria will not completely eliminate the decay in our political system, because greed and corrupt practices transcend regional boundaries. Also, we do firmly believe that disintegration is not a realistic proposition given the level of our social and economic integration spanning decades of intrigues, turbulence, and survival.
One quick example, and with all due respect to the proprietor of Radio Biafra, within Nigeria, about 30% of Ndigbo live outside of the traditional or native Igbo homeland. And about 15% of the children in that bracket are involved in inter-tribal marriage. If I may add, about 90% of the merchants in Benin City, my own Benin City, are of Igbo extraction. Same with Alaba International Market in Lagos and in all the big cities all over Nigeria. So, what are we talking about! Therefore, we firmly hold that True Federalism is a better alternative. (The mechanisms for the gradual decentralization - resource control and inward-looking by the respective Governors - are available elsewhere on this Blog).
As a well-grounded student of government and public affairs, I am supremely confident and quite certain that with True Federalism in motion, Governors of the component units, managing their own resources and the accompanying responsibilities, would (1) be less disposed to profligacy given the huge amount of investments and quality time they expended to generate the same revenue. (2), The possibility of restraint in corrupt practices would be at appreciable level in light of the general knowledge that there is no Aso Rock on standby to initiate bailout in the event of imminent or real workers insurrection in any of the states. And (3), the social stigmatization that would follow failure in office by any of the Governors in the event of unresolved labor unrest would catalyze quality performance and a result the governed would be proud of. In other words, oil is a curse; it promotes indolent and stultifying of creativity and bold agenda. Take it out of the picture, creativity will evolve and many Awoists would arise all over the country in no time. And that brings us to the question of leadership.
In spite of everything, it is the opinion of this Blog that a leader of Pa Awo's trait and caliber at the Presidency - with his forthrightness, ingenuity, strict adherence to party blueprint, and grasp of macroeconomics - wouldn't have had much problems eradicating in record time the greedy instinct in us that breeds and perpetuates corrupt practices, which in turn, creates a disconnect and massive wealth gap between the governed and the political leaders. In other words, we will get the best out of true federalism with the quality leadership of Awo virtues at the helm of affairs.
The Search For Quality Leadership:
We never lose sight of the fact that quality leadership, determines to a great extent, the attitude of a given people towards grafts and corrupt practices. That thinking informed our consistent demands for realignment of progressive forces and of a new leadership clique at the national level imbued with revolutionary spirit - a narrative that permeates the length and breadth of this Blog. See some excerpts from "Game Change: The Uncertainty of Sovereign National Conference (SNC) and A Case for Progressive Option”, published on March 16, 2012
"I have no doubt in my mind that a progressive administration - specifically at the national level, devoid of ethnic or religious coloration - is our best hope given the level of discontent of the governance and the apparent disconnect between the governed and successive governments since independence. Until we have a genuine leader who espouses financial discipline, transparency, and accountability in the management of our wealth, we cannot make tomorrow better than today."
"Given the fact that the present administration [the President Jonathan's Administration] has not exhibited any modicum of rebellion against status quo in terms of ideas and accountability, the earlier progressives of all shapes and stripes unite around a bold agenda and unseat the power clique the better for the nation at large. That, my friends, is the surest route to emancipating the Nigerian man in every one of us."
"Therefore, this paper is more of a progressive re-positioning narrative, making a case for (1) the need for southern progressives and northern mavericks and intellectuals to unite and rebel against greed and feudal principles in order to avert imminent class warfare, (2) that given the seemingly fragile state of our sovereignty, the idea of SNC, though well intended, should not be a 'take it or leave it' option, because there are too many uncertainties surrounding it’s happening within a definite time period, (3) that progressives and Mavericks, with a uniform political and socio-economic agenda nation-wide, stand a better chance at uniting this country and arresting the ills that facilitate religious intolerance, greed, corruption, and political assassinations, and (4) that the ruling class - from north to south and east to west - are the cause of the hatred in our political system and the not so latent demand for secession. Therefore, defeating them in a democratic setting is a moral imperative." Some excerpts from “Game Change: The Uncertainty of Sovereign National Conference (SNC) and A Case for Progressive Option”, published on March 16, 2012
Today, there is a Progressive dispensation trickling down calculatingly from the top to the bottom of our political landscape. And in a few days, President Barrack Obama of the United States of America will be playing host to our own President Muhammadu Buhari at the White House. (Can't remember the last time Uncle Sam thought it fit to conference with a government of Nigeria at an elaborate setting). The best is yet to come.
Indeed, the start might have been painfully slow, but change is definitely in the air. And I can feel it. NEPA has risen from its self-imposed slumber, and EFCC and Chairman Larmode are seemingly no longer on life support. I have no doubt in my mind that, all things being equal, that is, President Buhari, staying true to progressive mandate, ending the insurgency and bloodbath in the northeast and middle-belt, sending corrupt political leaders and fraudulent Petroleum Marketers to jail, and recouping our stolen wealth, President Obama will visit Nigeria before the end of his second term in office - a visit that will be the grand finale of his Presidency.
In sum, President Muhammadu Buhari's success is going to be defined by how his Presidency prosecutes fraudulent Nigerians, and to what extent he is able to recoup the money stolen by public servants and political leaders. Adding to that, the President must put in place a formidable and daring team to consummate the change as propagated. How he is able to assemble that formidable team, depends largely on the nationalistic (ethnic and religious neutrality) and the progressive state of mind of his invisible core team - these are the people the President consult with behind the scene. Whatever the state of mind of these group, President Buhari should always remember that it is a PROGRESSIVE DISPENSATION, after all, and not a Military Dictatorship. Therefore, he should resist any attempt for outside interest to hijack the process. So, Mr. President, let the revolution be televised. If not now, when? If not you, who? Those who plundered our commonwealth and looted our treasury should be made to forfeit to the State (Nation) every Naira in their possession. You are about 72 years old; you are not in want of new wealth or craving for new friends. Nothing else matters anymore, but the soul of a troubled nation. You have nothing to lose, Mr. President, but Nigeria has everything to gain. Let the revolution be televised. It is about equal rights and justice; otherwise, the demand for true federalism or disintegration will not abate.
In sum, President Muhammadu Buhari's success is going to be defined by how his Presidency prosecutes fraudulent Nigerians, and to what extent he is able to recoup the money stolen by public servants and political leaders. Adding to that, the President must put in place a formidable and daring team to consummate the change as propagated. How he is able to assemble that formidable team, depends largely on the nationalistic (ethnic and religious neutrality) and the progressive state of mind of his invisible core team - these are the people the President consult with behind the scene. Whatever the state of mind of these group, President Buhari should always remember that it is a PROGRESSIVE DISPENSATION, after all, and not a Military Dictatorship. Therefore, he should resist any attempt for outside interest to hijack the process. So, Mr. President, let the revolution be televised. If not now, when? If not you, who? Those who plundered our commonwealth and looted our treasury should be made to forfeit to the State (Nation) every Naira in their possession. You are about 72 years old; you are not in want of new wealth or craving for new friends. Nothing else matters anymore, but the soul of a troubled nation. You have nothing to lose, Mr. President, but Nigeria has everything to gain. Let the revolution be televised. It is about equal rights and justice; otherwise, the demand for true federalism or disintegration will not abate.
