QUESTION 4 OF 23 PRESIDING QUESTIONS FOR 2023 PRESIDENTIAL QUESTS: THEIR AMBITIONS VERSUS OUR CONVICTIONS
SECTION A:
REFORM
OF GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE FOR DECENTRALIZATION/FEDERALISM; AND FOR ECONOMIC
REVOLUTION & SECURITY RESTORATION
The
reasonable and patriotic calls for constitutional decentralization/devolution
of powers/federalism in Nigeria in order to relieve the country’s governance
framework of its current dysfunction and ineptitude are perhaps, categorized
into three;
i.
The first is pro-regionalism (Afenifere & several notable sociopolitical groups;
legal luminaries such as Aare Afe Babalola, CON, OFR, SAN and Chief Wole
Olanipekun, OFR, SAN, FCIArb; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief
Emeka Anyaoku; some State Governors & traditional rulers etc.) and they
advocate a return to six regional blocks/federating units in consonance with
the current six geopolitical zones. It means, for instance, the North West
region will have its “legal, geographical, administrative, political and
economic” powers domiciled in one of the seven States therein as the regional headquarters
while the remaining six will be subservient to that capital;
ii.
The second, to which I belong (alongside revered lawyers such as Prof. Itse
Sagay, SAN; some State Governors & Federal Legislators etc.) is not in
support of regionalism but devolution of powers to the current 36 States, FCT
and 774 LGAs. It means, for instance, that after self-standing for about two
decades as Osun State, more “legal, geographical, administrative, political and
economic” powers would be ceded to it such that a man from Ijebu-Ijesha in
Oriade LGA of the State would have most of his government-related approvals
obtained at Osogbo (which he’s already acquainted with) rather than travel to
another man’s State designated as the new regional capital; and
iii.
The third camp (comprising some clerics, lawyers, politicians, etc.), who have not
clearly identified any clear-cut decentralized governance structure they would
rather have. It means, for instance, that they are yet to take a position on
the decentralized governance structure that they consider suitable to replace
the current unitary system, although they frown at the continued
over-centralization of powers that the 1999 constitution (as amended) promotes
at the Federal level of government.
Therefore,
as we advocate for constitutional decentralization/devolution of “legal,
geographical, administrative, political and economic” powers once the next
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is sworn in on the 29th
day of May, 2023, which version do you support?
a.
Six regional blocs
b.
36 States, FCT and 774 LGAs
c. I’m yet to identify a specific
decentralized governance structure
d. I disagree with the idea of
decentralization/devolution of powers/federalism
Dr. Adetolu Ademujimi is a Medical Doctor, Author, Reformer, Coach and Public Policy expert who wrote in from Akure in Nigeria. Email: ademujimi@yahoo.co.uk; Twitter: @toluademujimi; Instagram: @adetoluademujimi; Linkedin: @adetolu ademujimi
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