True Federalism and Restructuring 2023 -By David Sidney

Nigeria is a sovereign state which consists of 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory as enacted in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Federal Government is the central government that controls the economy; generate the nation’s electricity power grid, construction of roads etc. this is where the actions of the Federal Government in most cases directly affects the states positively or negatively. For instance, if the National power grid falls today, it would mean no electricity supply for the whole nation.

Before 1967 where 12 states were created, Nigeria consisted of 4 regions: the Northern region, The Eastern region, the Western region and the Mid-western region. These regions had autonomous power to determine what happens in their region; that was why the Western region under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo was able to implement the free education policy at all levels in the region.

Now, recently, Nigerians have begun to clamor for the restructuring of the country which would accept true federalism. This ‘restructuring’ has not been given a clear cut definition; some say the nation would go back to the cabinet system of government, while others are of the opinion that the nation should go back to regionalism. The South Western part of Nigeria has given the most vocal support for this ideology with some of its political leaders such as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Kayode Fayemi and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo etc at one time or the other strategically voiced their support for this ideology. The South East also supports it. The Northern political zone in some instances has bluntly rejected the idea with most Nigerians believing that the north fears a potential secession hence their cold feet response to the ideology. President Muhammadu Buhari who rode on this principle during his 2015 presidential campaign has suddenly developed cold feet towards it. The only Northern politician that has openly supported the idea of restructuring is Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 Presidential Election, where at every occasion openly declares his support and promises to implement it within 6 months if voted in as president.

As we approach the 2023 elections, any candidate who supports the tenets of restructuring and true federalism should be supported by all zones, as it is the right step in the direction of the development of the country.

In conclusion, my own definition of restructuring is the autonomous power of the 36 states of the federation to be able to generate their own economy with their resources, generate their own power supply, create their own state police and generate their own internal revenue. There’s no need to go back to the era of regionalization. Also where, the country would practice a unicameral legislature with two representatives as this is a step in cutting the already expensive cost of governance.