Buhari, bring down this unitary wall
FOR over 10 years I have posited that even if an angel is the president of Nigeria, the EFCC boss is an angel, and all the judges, ministers, service chiefs etc are all angels; fighting corruption in Nigeria will still remain a grand illusion.
Not that corruption can’t be fought and won in Nigeria. It can. But we can’t fight it on the present foundation of a unitary system in a polity that can only operate optimally on true federalism, resource control, free market economy, privatization, deregulation and no subsidy.
Nigeria is a unique case where the only system that can work and make the country to work optimally and make rapid progress is true federalism and resource control. Also because of distortions that had compromised the economy, the imperative of market becomes obvious. We are in the same situation where Russia was under President Boris Yeltsin when late Professor Milton Friedman was approached to advise them on their economy. His recommendation was market economy, privatization, deregulation and liberalisation.
Nigeria stopped working since 1966 when the military came in and introduced unitary constitution. Obasanjo’s constitution of 1979 that we are still operating is a unitary constitution though they call it federal. The country since the military came in is built on free oil money that belongs to the Niger delta people. In a free market economy, private ownership of the means of production is the cornerstone. But in Nigeria, armed military government in the fashion of armed robbers seized the oil from the individual land owners on whose land the oil was found by gun and decrees. The land, the resources on it belong to the owner of the land not the federal, state or local government. No lie like the one usually given to deny agitation for state police justifies the central government taking over oil resources from people of Niger Delta.
Anything outside that negates market economy system. And it is an outright robbery. The Nigerian ruling class can only continue to share the oil money through the unitary arrangement; hence from Obasanjo to Buhari, they are opposed to true federalism and resource control. As long as everybody gets that free money from Abuja, it can be spent any how and nobody is accountable to anything. Using EFCC, DSS, probe or investigation is only diversionary, parochial and fooling the people.
As we speak, EFCC, DSS operatives, staff in the presidency, people linked to present power configuration and other agencies are taking advantage of the war against corruption to become rich. Another set of new rich people are emerging. That is why I said that even if Buhari and his top men are angels, the present system accommodates corruption, hence stealing will still take place as usual and more than as usual too among the new power brokers.
The unitary system and centralisation makes Nigeria an exceptional country where tiny minority civil servants, soldiers, custom and immigration men, policemen, corporations’ men are superbly rich without being productive and the remaining 99.5% of the 180 millions languishes in extreme poverty. The consequence of the above can only be precisely predicted. The poverty created by few looters of the treasury, who also engage in ostentatious living in turn create armed robbery, kidnappers and Boko Haram.
What is the way out? I call on Mr. Buhari like President Ronald Reagan called on Mr. Gorbachev to pull down this wall of unitary constitution and central control of the economy and embrace true federalism and resource control. When there is nothing to share again, every local government chairman, state governor will go and sit down and come up with how they are going to run their local government and state. And Federal Government and its officials will also sit down and ask themselves whether they can maintain bi camera parliament, continue to create illegal agencies like EFCC, etc.
In Canada, we pay property tax as property owners or we pay indirectly as tenants. Because of this, the municipality authorities and officials must as a necessity carry the garbage, provide street lights, water, repair the roads, remove snow, etc. They dare not to provide these services except they want trouble. They can’t say they don’t have money hence they will have to explain what they do with the taxes.
Mayors and councilors can’t share the tax money, neither can premiers (governors) nor their ministers. By implication, mediocre persons can’t go to government. Only people who have something to offer do. Government officials from the president to the legislators think and generate their salaries. Their salaries are not given. If they don’t generate revenue, they don’t get paid.
In Nigeria people seek elective and political positions because the Niger delta oil money is already there to take care of them. They don’t have to think and work. They just manage files. They take their own share of the money and leave the paltry remaining to sometime pay workers and provide services when they can. If they can’t leave anything behind everybody can go to hell.
The big and sad news today is some people ‘stole’ or misappropriate $2.1billion and they are in the news because they belonged to PDP administration. Hundreds of billions had been stolen before them and while they were stealing by APC governments’ officials; and billions are still being stolen now and will be stolen under this administration because the system is just built for that.
We don’t need angel and saint Buhari to stop corruption. We need him if he is genuine to listen to us and experiment with our solution of bringing down the wall of unitary constitution by introducing true federalism, resource control and real market economy where the economy is run by the households and firms, an independent central bank and other regulators.
After all, when Mr. Buhari ran with Mr. Tunde Bakare, pastor of Latter Rain Assembly in 2011, he ran on the platform of true federalism, devolution of power, state police and free market economy. Some of these still featured in his APC manifesto. Therefore, it should not be difficult to put this motion as he once believed and he remains a believer; except he only deceived.
• Sanmi Obasa writes from Canada.
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17 Comments
I think PMB should look into this. We can not continue to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result
Well said bro! But u really need to know that we have to take it one at a time. So far, the present Federal government is in the right direction. Let me tell u the bitter truth. Those who have dominated the market place in this country have have been enjoying free money from the government coffers. This is the time to weaken them n at the same time empowering those with genuine business acumen. That must happen first before anything. We need to defeat the cabals that have financial muscles to impede the progress of this country.
Well said, Mr. Obasa. However, you might as well bray at the moon; Buhari and his ultra-conservative APC will not do it. My disappointment was the role that progressive SW played in the transition from PDP to APC. It is a fact that without Tinubu and the SW faction of the party, there would have been no change of power. At a time when the country yearned for real change, rather than help bring about the transformation the country needed, especially in light of the national conference, which the same SW admirably midwifed and influenced to give us progressive and forward-leaning resolutions, Tinubu and a slight majority of the same SW, the home of progressive politics, played the only ace available in the election and, therefore, installed an ultra-conservative government in Aso Rock. The error was in not using the pre-election advantage that Tinubu and the SW had to articulate a structural change aka fiscal federalism agenda for APC. Had Tinubu been more pro-progressive and less pro-Tinubu’s personal ambition, he had what it takes to model the APC governing agenda along the lines of the SW’s “On Federalism We Stand,” and that would have resonated well with both the SS, the SE, and most of the North Central. Without fiscally restructuring the nation, not even an Arch Angel can redeem us. It is instructive that Buhari has told state governors to start looking for alternative sources of revenue. This is coming over 48 years late, though. The weathering, gradual decay, of the country stated that May day in 1967 that Gowon abolished 50% derivatives, and removed all incentives for the regions and the new states he created to generate revenue; it was the day that the culture of dependence, laziness, mediocrity, guaranteed easy money and the associated corruption among many other ills were instituted by decree. Gowon’s measure was actually punitive against a people, but the entire nation eventually became a collateral victim. Bulk of the present crises originated from that decree; their consequences have been building up and are only cumulatively manifesting this big now. They are a continuum which can only be better appreciated as a trend – a line graph will show a downward trend since the new structure became operative. 1970 was up and 2016 is down. Nothing indicates that the trend will go up anytime absent a return to the model or another one similar to what Gowon’s cabinet dismantled. The chicken is coming home to roost. Tinubu blew a huge and rare opportunity. The nation hungered for change, he hard the opportunity to bring about a change, but he delivered the wrong change.
Opamkaa, it was Gen. Ironsi with his 24 of may 1966 decree NO:34 which abrogated the federal structure in exchange for a unitary one. It (unitary decree) was done with a sole intention to checkmate the perceive domination of the northern region after murdering all it’s political and military leaders and that was beginning of most of our present day challenges.
So please don’t blame Gen. Gowon, he just continue with what others before him started and It is too late to rewrite history.
continue on your blame game, who introduce and who did not introduce, while your leaders are there sucking your economy dry. monkey, The wise are here exchanging ideas how to better that zoo for lazy ones like you to have a better government, while you are here defending your tribes man that could not even build a single thing for you with all the oil boom he enjoyed. Perhaps that’s why some people believe they should not be in the same country with lazy and negative thinkers like you.
I don’t begrudge you your ignorance to which you have a constitutional entitlement if you so choose and you have so chosen. However, you should keep it to yourself. It is on record that as ill-advised as Ironsi’s decree 34 was, he had enough common sense to retain the fiscal autonomy of the regions, hence Fajuyi in the West, Ejoor in the Midwest, Katsina in the North and Ojukwu in the East with 50% derivative intact. The regions were still contributing 50% of their revenue to be shared between the federal government and the rest of the nation. Despite the fact that Danjuma and Murtala’s revenge coup and the North’s program of ethnic cleansing of Igbos was part of a secession plan, Gowon and his regime needed a final solution to the Igbo problem. That was the reason for state creation to enable the cabal isolate and marginalize Igbos. Not only were Igbo population, land and mineral resources forcefully ceded to Bendel and Rivers states, what was left of Igbos in East Central state was not allowed to be on their own when their safety was not guaranteed in Nigeria. You can see, Mr. Maihula, that the real genesis of the backward fiscal unitary system was Gowon’s cabinet. In comparison, Ironsi’s Decree 34 was far better than Gowon’s, and better than both the 1979 and 1999 constitutions, which retained the backward provisions of Gowon’s decree 34. Ironsi retained fiscal autonomy, the most important ingredient of fiscal federalism. Without Gowon’s distortion, all the regions and I dare say, the 12 new states he created, would have continued to sustain themselves today with or without additional revenue from Oil. Prior to oil, Eastern region recorded one of the fastest growing economies at the time. Without oil, Western Region achieved one of the highest literacy ratios in Africa. Without oil, the North, like the other regions recorded great heights. Go check the record or ask those who know better.
Gowon, OBJ, Buhari and many other goons consistently boast of their war exploits to keep Nigeria one. I submit to you that they fought to put Nigeria on a backward trajectory, the consequences of which are manifesting today. Thanks to the zero derivatives they forced on the system May 27, 1967, every state or federating unit was stripped of its ability to generate revenue. The same Buhari is now flailing in helplessness under the system he and others shed blood to enforce. Ojukwu rejected the idea ab initio and even tried again at Aburi to return to sanity, but hatred of Igbos blinded the other faction. Who is sweating now? We have not seen the last of the fall in the price of oil yet. This phenomenon might force the establishment to face the negative consequences of the infamous act of May 27, 1967, which the goons have done everything to avoid. You cannot blame it on Ojukwu any more. You can split all the hair on your head, you can’t absolve Buhari from blame.
please go and read that decree again. wether you like or not that (decree 34 of 1966) was the beginning of our (Nigerian’s) challenges to date.
It is not a wrong change, not at all. A lot has happened in that Country that is beyond the ordinary. Things are also happening globally that their impact will force Nigerians to take a stand and make a choice. Abacha foisted himself on the country but he became an instrument that was used by God to save Nigerians from military rule as the military eventually disgraced themselves from politics.
Obasanjo and his co-travellers in PDP took over leadership of the country and grew corruption exponentially. PDP reigned with impugnity only to be disgraced out of office. Most of their members who looted their respective offices have left the “UMBRELLA” and are now inside the “BROOM” shouting corruption and accusing their former party and colleagues of corruption. Instead of them being swept out with the Broom, they occupy positions of responsibility in the present regime. We had a President that had the mental capacity but lacked the will power to lead the country in the right direction. Now Nigeria is left with a President that has the will power to lead but lacked the mental capacity for that assignment in the 21st Century. Just as Abacha was used by God to disgrace the military out of Government, so will these set of politicians be it those inside the Broom or under the Umbrella be disgraced out of Politics in Nigeria.
Flash back Jan 2012, fuel subsidy was removed, Nigerians took to the streets in some states particularly Lagos in a political conspiracy to frustrate the PDP Government by the same opposition groups in power today. Some of us advocated that the economy cannot support subsidy but the poor masses were deceived then and are now suffering the consequences of that deception today and it will be worse tomorrow. Today, the same set of people are now in power and are talking from both sides of their mouth to remove or not to remove subsidy. Unfortunately most Nigerians are so blinded by tribal and religious sentiments to the truth.
Externally, the twin impact of the fall in crude oil prices and the rise of Islamic Jihadist will push Nigeria to either restructure to true federalism peacefully or forcefully.
I had prayed and will continously pray that crude oil price should fall to $10/barrel. For only then will incompetent, lazy kleptomaniacs cease to manage Nigeria. The culture of sharing from oil revenue from the center will then be replaced with the culture of generating internal revenues from every states’ God given natural resources that are abundant across that country. When that happens, the lure for the present unitary system of government will be replaced by true federalism.
Boko Haram is still creating havoc in the North and they have sworn allegiance to the notorious Islamic State or ISIL or ISIL. A group that has committed itself to establishing an Islamic Caliphate and Sharia Law in the world, a group that is intolerant of other religions. In a secular country like Nigeria, if their threat is not dealt with very well, it will push Nigeria to breaking point. The BH situation is getting worse and should be more worrisome for Nigeria as ISIL has been increasing their forces and establishing a stronghold in Libya as a result of the American – led coalition dismantling of the group in the Middle East. They cannot be and should not be allowed to grow in Nigeria; otherwise the country will break up.
Unfortunately, the recent clashes with the shiite Muslims in Kaduna by the military; the handling of the agitation of MASSOB or IPOB as well as the agitation of the Niger Delta Youths on the FGN Amnesty program coupled with the flagrant disregard for the rule of law and Govt’s disobedience of court orders is leading that country to the point where the country is either restructured peacefully to true federalism or there will be chaos and possible break up of the Country. The government, the leaders,statesmen and all Nigerians cannot and should not allow the country to break up. There is a lot of synergy, human and natural resources that the country has been endowed with for greatness that will enable Nigeria to play her leadership role in Adrica. Only a peaceful resolve to revert to a true federal structure will take Nigeria to greater heights and the time is now.
It is doubtful that PDP would have sunk to such miserable low under Awoniyi, Ekwueme, Ogbe and many other real democrats . Obasanjo, who reaped the fruit of the labour of the G34, turned the party into his personal property. He used INEC and all the instruments of coercion to sideline the real owners of the party, and the even opposition parties. That was the genesis of the fall of the current republic. Had GEJ allowed himself to be a willing tool of OBJ, he would have been in power today. Kwakwanso and the other governors would not have decamped, and they would have “delivered” their states.
As you said, things happen for a reason. I still believe that Tinubu blew the opportunity to be our Mandela. As contradictory as it sounds, the strongest tool on the table right now is the lousy price of oil. Severe shortage of revenue is the only thing that will force the ruling cabal to take the issue of restructuring seriously. Fiscal federalism will not solve all our problems, but it will point us in the right direction again. We are potentially better than what we have been forced to become today. It’s good to have strong leaders, but they are nothing in the absence of strong democratic institutions that will uphold and enforce rule of law irrespective of personality or class.
The nation is overdue for a peaceful transition from unitary / command economy to fiscal federalism. Tinubu and his faction had all the recipe to position APC (irrespective of the flag bearer) for that ideal transition. What we have is a unitary APC ideology. Buhari and this APC ideology are not capable of coordinating that transition. In the absence of a peaceful transition, a strong storm is brewing now. Buhari played into the hands of SE youths by mismanaging the case of Mr. Kanu. I suspect that the energy and movement will shift towards achieving devolution of power. The SS faction is spoiling for action to achieve the same goal. Progressives in the SW are watching with keen interest. Buhari does not have the right political and diplomatic mien to handle the situation. Each of these agitating factions has what it takes to mess up the system and force a less than peaceful change. I would rather we continue as one nation because we gain from our size and diversity. However, it is not enough to be one; we have to function well. Prior to the current model, we were on the same parallel with Singapore, Brazil, India, and South Korea among other G20 nations. You can’t mention us in the same breathe with any one of those nations today except to mock us. Those who stand in the way of a peaceful transition only make a violent separation not only attractive, but inevitable. Like you, I hope that the price of oil continues to fall. I say that hoping that it will force our leaders to confront the real problem we have, which is survival as a nation and, therefore, avoid the alternative.
when he ran on the platform of true federalism, he lost the election…so those of us in the north do nt want true federalism…capische?
NO NEED TO BEG ANY LEADER TO EMBRACE TRUE FISCAL FEDERATION.THIS HAS BEEN THE FOLLY OF PAST GOVTS.THIS PRESENT ADMINISTRATION WILL FAIL IF POWER IS IN A FEW HANDS.IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PRESIDENT REALLY WANTS TO SUCCEED AND WOULD EVENTUALLY REALLISE THAT IN THIS 21ST CENTURY NO GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL CAN TREAT THEIR CITIZENS AS SERFS WHO LIVE ONLY TO PLEASE THEIR MASTERS.
Well, well, i do agree with you in SOME of your analysis, but should i remind you that, Nigeria was enjoying a true federalism in the sixties (that’s between 1960 to 1967) before some pretenders to nationalism out of pure hatred woke up and murder both political and military leadership from some of the federating units, excluding theirs, and take power at the centre and went ahead to promulgate a military decree abolition same federalism they are shouting for. That was the beginning of most of our crisis in today Nigeria. From the civil war, to military coup, nepotism, political and financial corruption as well as cut-throat competition for power at the centre.
Until when most of us (Nigerian’s) understand that even though we are in same country but we are people from different tribes and culture and none will trade his for the other. meaning that we’ve to understand and respect each other. It’s impossible for us to forget our differences, but we can live in peace by understanding and respecting our differences. Because our diversity may be great but the things that unite us (humanity) are stronger then the things (religion, tribe and geographical location) that divide us. MAY GOD ALMIGHTY HELP OUR GREAT COUNTRY NIGERIA.
The true unitary was between 1960 and 1966. But the coup of 1966 changed everything. Military started unitary system in 1966 in an attempt to control the nation. True federalism is not possible under military regime. Ironsi & co introduced unitary system to control the system.
I totally disagree with you. There is no unitary system of govt. in anyway between 1960 to 1966. there is total autonomy and healthy competition between the regions within that period.
Please cross check your facts.
Sorry my bad. I meant to say, no Unitary system between 1960 and 1966. Thanks for your observation.
Re:Buhari, bring down this unitary wall
Nice article. Sounds like Reagan asking Gorbachev to bring down the Berlin Wall. The article is a reminder of
our constitutional history that resulted in the three Regions having their own Constitutions other that the Constitution for the Federation prior to October 1st 1960. Then the first Military Regime gave us the Unification Constitution Decree
34 of 1966 that came to force on 24th May, 1966; the beginning of the many political and by extension, other problems we have been battling with till today. Unfortunately, those who have been benefiting from this skewed “Federal” system are not likely to give up their “comparative advantage” easily.
Can anybody imagine the United State of America, the country we tried to copy for our presidential system operating
a skewed federal system similar to ours? A country that has Federal, State and County Police system as against Nigeria’s own Federal Police system with single command for the 774 Local Government Areas of the Country? Don’t ask how many
Divisional Police Stations headed by Divisional Police Officers (DPO’s) with whatever command structure report all the way to the Inspector General of Police.
Our problems are not any worse than what other countries have gone through. What we lack is political will and that
is a big deal for Nigeria because there is so much distrust. That is the bottom line.
Asking Buhari to revert to True FEDERALISM and RESSOURCE CONTROL is a long shot and unrealistic. It’s asking Buhari to embark on CUTTING OFF HIS POINTED NOSE TO SPITE HIS FACE. Besides, who cares to change a winning TEAM and STRATEGY ? Buhari and his brothers are in the WINNING TEAM now and forever. They just have to annoint their WILLING TOOLS to enhance their enviable position.So, let’s be realistic. Buhari CAN…. (NOT)
We will review and take appropriate action.