₦airaland Forum

Devolution of Power In Nigeria

By Olukayode Akingbogun

My fellow countrymen and women, today i was ruminating over the many problems Nigeria and its citizens have been faced with over five decade. To say that the source of our problems are the very leaders we have had the misfortune to have would be an understatement. Recently, Mallam Ribadu made claims that state governors and their acolytes carted away $10 Billion every month during his time at the EFCC. Even the strongest of economies cannot withstand that amount of money flying out of their economy, without disastrous consequences. If Ribadu thought this was going to provide him some positive image, i'm happy to disappoint him, 'cos it only goes a long way to show how inadequate, ineffective and suspect his methods of combating corruption was at the time.

Now that is not the point of this blog. I have suddenly realised that, Nigeria with all of its complexities is backing down the wrong alley with respect to its desire for democratic rule. Many people have asked whether it is wise and reasonable for Nigeria to practice democracy, and if at all it should be the presidential style of self rule. My thirst for civil rule at a point in time covered my eyes to the inappropriateness of presidential form of government to the Nigerian situation. What is good for the goose is not often good for the gander sometimes. It is estimated that contrary to our believe that Nigeria's population is approximately 160 million, we have far exceeded that tally to a more reasonable tally of about 210 million people (albeit not according to our suspect population census).

To my understanding we have 774 local government councils in Nigeria, which make up the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Seeing that the Presidential system of government is proving too difficult for our politicians to practice, it is my candid opinion that there is the need now more than ever, for power at the centre to be devolved immensely for the benefit of the ordinary Nigerians at the grassroots.

The idea is to scrap the three tier system of government, and replace it with a two tier system. So we have power at the federal level, and much more power and responsibilities at the local government levels. The benefit of doing this is immense. First and foremost, it reduces the cost of governance. Secondly, it reduces the duplication of roles between the federal, state and local government executive arm of government. In other words, rather than local government council chairmen serving as stooges and doormats for the state governors, they can actually serve as the conduit through which federal government policies and processes will be delivered to the people at the grassroots directly. There will be no need for state ministeries, rather each local government will have its own departments responsible for delivering federal government instructions, policies and acts of law to the people directly.

I know that devolution of power will have far reaching consequences, but the benefits far outstrips the disadvantages. For example, the cost of conducting elections will be drastically reduced, since there will be no need to conduct elections for state governors. Salaries for state governors will varnish, as well as those of their commissioners, special advisers etc. Furthermore, there is a real potential of reaching out effectively to many more people at the grassroots level. dividends of democracy will reach these people faster and effectively than currently obtains.

By far the biggest suggestion on the back of devolution of power will be the abolition of a single president for our country Nigeria. In recent times the whole country has been innundated with the saga of rotation of the presidency amongst the ethnic groupings, The North is seemingly aggrieved that they haven't served the full term of presidency (as if there was a natural guarantee that the incumbent would/should have won such an election in a free and fairly organised election) due to the demise of Umaru Yar'Adua. Personally, i believe that we as a nation have failed to embrace the moral lessons the almighty God is trying to convey to us, which is that, 'only God disposes while we continue to propose'. Anyhow, since Nigeria has six geo - political zones (North East, North Central, North West, South East, South South and South West), why can we not have one representative for each of these zones to form a National Government of Consensus (NGC)?

The chairmanship of this committee/group is rotational, so that each of the six representatives serves a year as the chairman of the committee, and by inference is the president of Nigeria for the year he serves as the chairman of the committee. Now, that will solve a lot of the problems being encountered in our electoral system. For one, each zone is responsible for electing its representative, and each zone knows they have an equal stake in the governance of our country Nigeria. Obviously, power is shared amongst the six representatives, and decisions will have to be made democratically. This reduces enormously the power wielded by the president of Nigeria.

In conjunction with having local government councillors, each local government should be entitled to 10 lawmakers at the centre. There should be two assemblies as it currently obtains. So five will contest for the lower house and five for the upper house. The one term of office should be six years for all those who contest and win elective office irrespective of what position they contest for. As a nation, Nigerians know their history. We know that southern and Northern protectorates were amalgamated in 1914 to form what we know today as nigeria. Those agitating for a break up of the country are only being selfich and mischievous. All we need to do right now is to form a consensus as to how we really want to govern our country, to gether in unity. If everyone is assured that they have an proportional stake in Nigeria, nobody will agitate for a break up., and thus no one tribe will feel that it is being cheated in any shape or form.

Nigerians have co - existed for many years successfully, and aside for minor skirmishes can continue to do so for the forseeable future.The time has come for the Nigerian youth to arise and live up to his responsibilities. Nigeria needs its youths to take up the mantle of leadership. Nigeria needs its old and tired politicians to go into hin=bernation. They have done what they are capable of in terms of moving nigeria foward, and whether good or bad, only history can judge them. For how long will our elders continue to prevent the youth of our nation fromassuming the mantle of leadership in nigeria. Nobody, young or old is a monopoly of ideas. Our elders have doen their bit, its time for others to have a go at it.

Nigeria is a very large country, with a very large population. It therefore dictates that, as a country we need to adapt our ways to reflect the complexities of a large country such as Nigeria. We have attempted some other forms of government in the past as well as the one we are currently trying out. There is no shame in us turning round and saying, 'let's try something else'. Of course, there are some who will resist change for purely selfish reasons. Theyare not agents of progress, and so they don't count. With a unanimous stand they would have to shape up or ship out. Those are he two options available. The era of us decieving oursleves must end. We muist start exploring alternative ways to make the lives of our citizens more meaningful, more worthwhile of  being Nigerians.

The time for introspection is now