Public affairs analyst, Prof Simeon Nnah, has stressed the need to decentralise power in Nigeria, stating that the current concentration of power at the centre is hindering the country’s development. 
  
According to Nnah, the powerful centre has led to a “feeding bottle and palliative economy”, where everyone relies on the Federal Government for support.  Speaking on NewsCentral TV, Nnah noted that in the 1960s, each region was self-sufficient and produced what they needed to sustain their economies.
  
He cited the example of the Western region, which owned a television before France, lamenting that, today, the regions were no longer self-sufficient and relied heavily on the Federal Government.
  
The professor argued that the Federal Government’s grip on power was too strong, citing the example of former President Obasanjo’s declaration of a state of emergency in a state and the removal of the governor.  He also pointed out that the Federal Government’s influence was evident in the conduct of elections, where the template used in one state was imposed on another.
  
He argued that the Federal Government’s influence and control over institutions, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the police were major factors that determine the outcome of elections and other national matters.
  
Nnah emphasised the need for strong institutions rather than strong individuals, citing the example of the United States, where the President could not dictate to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who to arrest and who not to arrest.
  
He lamented that the EFCC and other institutions are often influenced by the body language of the President. Nnah also pointed out that the concentration of power in Abuja had led to a situation, where the Federal Government could do as it pleased without being held accountable, citing the example of the current happening in Rivers State, where selective court orders were being obeyed.
  
The professor noted that Nigeria’s Federal system was not being practised as it should be, citing the example of the United States, where states have a high level of autonomy.
  
According to him, Nigeria’s federal system is being practised in a way that concentrates power at the centre, rather than allowing states to operate independently.

He said: “There’s too much power concentrated at the centre. That is why we have a feeding bottle and palliative economy and everybody is running to Abuja. In the 60s, it was expedient that every region had to struggle to produce whatever they would use to sustain their economy.
  
“The western region had television before France, but today you will discover that all the regions are no longer doing anything but tuning to Abuja to collect one thing or the other. 
  
“Energy, police, agriculture, almost everything, are on the exclusive list. This administration tried to make the local government stand on its own but the governors are not letting go.”