Those screaming themselves hoarse:” restructure Nigeria!” Are
those who have lost out in the present political configuration! Mostly, they
are ex-governors, ex-senators and power brokers who lost out in the course of
things. Many others are people from the south-south who have moved from the
majority holding sway in the centre, to the minority with defeat of the Peoples
Democratic Party in the Presidency. While configuring the National Conference
of 2014 where ethnic nationalities in Nigeria were represented, with more
people looking out for the federal government than any other part of Nigeria, the
issue of restructuring Nigeria along the resource line came to bear. And a lot
of people supported it. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan sought to use the
National Conference as a tool to get himself reelected, unfortunately his
strategy failed, and the question now arises: why didn’t he restructure the
country while he was in power? Did he need a conference of nationalities and
political jobbers to make him understand that Nigeria desired restructuring? I
believe he did not! The challenge about restructuring is that no governor,
senator, minister or president who is in power in Nigeria would truly desire
restructuring along resource or ethnic lines!
The President will not
want it, because it would weaken him. Think of it this way. The United States is
the World’s most powerful nation, but its president is not so powerful! While
the Nigerian president controls the entire police force, military and secret
service, makes over 3,000 appointments, he also has an almost bottomless access
to funds that he could use anyway he wants. If it’s not enough he can reach
into other funds without necessarily notifying the legislature and spend money
as he wants. That’s why all the recent presidents: Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and
Goodluck Jonathan could not restructure Nigeria. Who would have such immense
power in his hands and voluntarily give it up? No one!
Even though the United States is the richest nation in the
world economically, the president of that country has a limited access to funds
that he can use without consulting congress. His control of the military is not total except in a period of war. He does not control the entire police force and the intelligence community act without necessarily taking orders from him.
The person(s) who wrote the 1999
constitution for Nigeria never really had a federation in mind, hence the
agitation for “true federalism”. The scenario in Nigeria is very odd. Those who
happen to be in government are satisfied with the system because they have
access to funds that they can use to feather their political nests. Those that
are not in government and have no access would continue to scream, until they
get into government and then they will be quiet again.
Any group of people within the federation of Nigeria who
expect a restructuring of the nation are only deceiving themselves. Restructure
and weaken the presidency? Restructure and those 27 states that are unable to
pay salaries will begin to fend for themselves? Restructure so that the focus
of the oil rich states in the south-south and south west would be more on their
governors, who presently are getting away with a whole lot, and less on the
federal government that is blamed for every mishap, lack and embezzlement that
occurs in the states and local governments?
Nigeria is an enigma firmly planted in maze. One can get lost
in the political dynamics of a country that has refused to grow because of
political sentiment and is incapable of bringing politicians who have stolen so
much wealth to book. The task of the present government would be to reform the
judiciary and make sure corrupt judges are flushed out and politicians adhere
to the laws of the country. Corruption appears to be winning the present fight,
and corruption will continue to win unless there are judicial reforms.
Perhaps its providence that has ensured that the vice
president of the country, who currently acts as president, is a professor of
law who is widely respected both within Nigeria and internationally. Professor Yemi Osinbajo whose specialty is evidence
in law practice could use his acumen for reform, which he demonstrated as
commissioner for Justice and attorney general of Lagos state, to help reform
the judiciary at the federal level and help the federal legislators institute
changes in the laws, which not being introduced have enabled so many people get
away with theft, avarice, embezzlement and outright misappropriation. It
appears that the salvation of the country is not necessary in restructuring, but
in judicial reform. Gradually we are getting there. First , with whistle
blowers and next with changes in graft and corruption laws. The blindfolded
lady who carries the scales could help ensure that Nigeria is great again.
After proper reforms have been instituted which help the ordinary citizen hold
leaders accountable at every step of the way, let’s see who will still shout: restructure
Nigeria!
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| Prof Yemi Osinbajo |
