By Chimennma Okolo Esq.
Look around you and tell me what progress have been made by Nigeria/Nigerians since the federal regionalism was jettisoned for the present unitary structure?
Before the advent of the military usurpers in our political landscape and despite the so called crisis in the political superstructure of the 1960s, the Nigerian Federation has not witnessed till date the type of concerted effort at development that we witnessed in the early 1960s.
The reason for the rapid development is obvious - each of the regions ( West, North, East and later the Midwestern regions) controlled it's affairs and managed it's resources with little or no interference from the centre.
It was from the said resources that the Western Region could build University of Ife, adopt free education, the region television station and build infrastructure. The competition engendered birthed the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the Eastern Region. They also focused on developing their potentials.
The same can be said of the north who had total control of their groundnut pyramids and was from the proceeds able to handle developmental issues they viewed as critical.
But the success of the regional political structure was based on the fact that the people freely (well as freely as one under colonialism can freely make decisions) decided and accepted regional system of government.
It was not forced down their collective throats.
However all economic/ development indices and data showed Nigeria on the path to growth and survival. Now all indices are in the negative and we have remained since after the advent of the military adventurers a country of "potentials" and no achievements.
So why had we failed to get in gear to fulfilling our potentials?
Why is everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) feeling choked in the country?
Why is nothing working?
Why are our infrastructures possibly worse than war torn countries?
The answer is simple - the political system we operate now.
We operate a unitary and obviously unworkable system.
This system has propelled and sustained a lazy laissez faire attitude to governance.
It is what I call a dependent federalism.
A feeding bottle system of government unseen anywhere in the world.
Every month all states gather in abuja for FAAC (i hear this only in Nigeria) and share whatever is available.
This system has concentrated both political and economic power in the centre and has therefore made whoever is President alpha/omega.
While this system is suited for military governance it is impractical for political governance.
It is this system that engndered ethnic suspicions and sustained strife across the nation as everyone feels cheated.
From current happenings it should be obvious that the current political architecture needs restructuring.
People should be allowed to own/control and manage their resources.
We can no longer afford to concentrate so much power in the hands of one man holed up In Aso rock.
Mark my words if we fail to restructure we shall be forced to destructure.
I don't know how long this system can last but it can't continue forever.
Do enjoy the festivities if you can!
Chimennma Okolo is a Lawyer, Youth Activist and Environmental Rights Campaigner.
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