In a recent
interaction in the United
States , Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
asserted that the “problem with our country is not a matter of
restructuring…and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument
that our problems stem from some geographic re-structuring”.
*Atiku |
It is a surprise that the Vice President would
take such a position and, in particular, fail to appreciate the connection
between Nigeria ’s
defective structure and its underperformance.
It is unhelpful to reduce the construct of
“Restructuring” to a geographical concept as VP Osinbajo does, which in itself
demonstrates a lack of appreciation of the core tenets of the concept.
For the avoidance of doubt, re-structuring is not about the re-drawing of state
or regional boundaries. The restructured Nigeria
that a large number of Nigerians talk about, is a Nigeria that not only provides
opportunities for everyone to work but even more specifically challenges every
layer of governance to demonstrate capacity to create wealth and jobs for the
citizens.
Restructuring is not just about the devolution
of powers to the states, it is about transforming the respective roles of the
federal, state and local governments to perform more efficiently in matters of
territorial as well as economic governance.
Above all, when we talk about restructuring,
we are not talking about just constitutional tweaks, we are talking about a
cultural revolution. It is not about re-shuffling a few responsibilities or
resources, but about disrupting the authoritarian politics our democracy has
inherited from its military and colonial rulers of past.
Viewed this way, Nigeria needs to be restructured. Nigeria has
operated a faulty system of federalism, especially under military governments.
Both economic and political structures are defective, resulting in weak
economic management systems which, in turn, prevent all levels of the Nigerian
government – federal, states and local governments, from operating at optimal
levels.
Faced with the reality of non-performance,
Nigerians have clamoured for the restructuring of the economy towards a more
diversified structure. To make this happen would require that we establish and
sustain a model of governance which would nurture a spirit of participation and
consensus on key national issues and accommodate all the diverse segments of
the society. In other words, if we accept the wisdom behind calls for a
restructuring of the economy, we must be ready to build a foundation for its
success: we must, in other words, re-structure the polity.
The federal structure is so complex with a
very strong centre that it has succeeded in accumulating many responsibilities,
and along with these, huge resources, which belong to the other levels of
government.
It is all too obvious that the current
arrangement does not respond to the needs of the people at the local level. We
have all too often lied to ourselves that the politicians sitting in Abuja can effectively
respond to the needs of a population in far remote locations as Kaura Namoda,
Iseyin, Arochukwu or Bama. Only the autonomy of the local governments and the
states both of which are closer to their people than the Central Government in Abuja can guarantee this
and result in more effective decisions. Only when local administrations are on
the saddle, will there be greater accountability for decision making as well as
improved flexibility, adaptability and ability to change as a result of a
reduction in bureaucracy.
I strongly believe that the restructuring of Nigeria will
foster the spirit of co-operation and consensus in a nation of diverse ethnic
groups, cultures and religions. It is desirable, in fact, you may even say it
is required to establish, nurture and sustain a strong and effective democratic
government.
In this continuous dialogue, we should remind
ourselves that restructuring is not a new or strange phenomenon. A number of
developing economies have had cause to restructure their economies, for greater
efficiency or to correct imbalances or to reorient them towards, for example,
more open and market-oriented systems with greater reliance on the private
sector as engine of growth. Even the United Kingdom is restructuring its
political and economic systems to enable a better union among its component
parts. Businesses restructure for better performance. Even families do!
Working with the National Assembly and all
other stakeholders, we will lead the process of genuine and transparent
constitutional amendments, in order to provide the necessary stimulus and focus
on how to restructure Nigeria
that would work for all.
*Atiku Abubakar is a former Vice
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999-2007) and
presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party.
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