Before we start talking

Unfortunately for the nation these “no go areas” are the critical elements that need discussion. It defies belief that after 100 of amalgamation and over 50 years of independence we are not yet matured enough to discuss Nigeria in all its ramifications. It is illogical not to discuss where we are from, where we are […]

Unfortunately for the nation these “no go areas” are the critical elements that need discussion. It defies belief that after 100 of amalgamation and over 50 years of independence we are not yet matured enough to discuss Nigeria in all its ramifications. It is illogical not to discuss where we are from, where we are now, and where we intend to get to. After all when did we ever agree to live together as one? The truth is that despite our grandstanding as the “Giant of Africa” the country is not working and has failed its citizens. All matters which have to do with us as a nation must be discussed, including whether we actually genuinely desire to stay together or indeed whether it is indeed in our best interest to do so. If we do decide to stay together then the terms and conditions under which we will live together must be mutually agreed.
The nation suffers from a myriad of problems in structure and leadership which the National Assembly as part of the problem cannot address. Admittedly our constitution is fundamentally flawed but at the end of the day the dividends of good governance are delivered by people not constitutions. While it is vital that any conference discusses the structure of the country and the best form of government anyone who thinks that it will solve any of our problems is living in cloud cuckoo land.  The real problem is not the ineffectiveness of our constitution but directionless leadership. What the nation really needs at this point in time is not more talk but inspirational nation building. Consistently poor leadership is being denied and hidden under the pretext that our system is defective and constitution fundamentally flawed. It is true that we are not one and the same people and most Nigerians primarily identify with their tribe and state. The majority of children still grow up speaking their local dialect before learning the national language English. What we do however have in common is a desire for the wellbeing of our families and loved ones, and unless provoked we are generally welcoming and peace-loving peoples. The sooner we make allowances for each other and learn to respect our differences the better off we will be.
Colonialists forcefully amalgamated different peoples with differing cultures, religions, traditions and attitudes who had nothing in common other than the colour of their skin. Before we were coupled together by the British, recognized ethnic nationalities existed. It should be clear to us all that the amalgamation treaty of 1914 was neither an act of parliament nor was it based upon agreement by the federating units.  Many civil and political organizations are cautiously warning that current political tensions may break up the nation unless the problems are resolved through a genuine conference. Sadly many Nigerians are now of the opinion that if breaking up the nation will solve our problems then so let it be!
To them it is increasingly evident that our unity only serves the interests of those operating at the centre. Nigeria is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious country and we were not amalgamated in our interests but in the interests of colonial masters. It should be quite clear that as presently constituted the nation is not working and is on a perilous downward slide. It is simplistic to say that the decline in standard of governance and the increase in corruption is the result of a defective constitution. Greed avarice, tribalism, fraud, and inhumanity have characterized all past governments. The imposition of the Presidential system by failed military governments is also responsible. A system that cannot guarantee free and fair elections, cannot allow for the operation of the rule of law and which prevents men of integrity and patriotism but modest means from assessing power certainly needs total overhauling.
The important areas that must be urgently addressed for the continued well being of Nigeria are fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, state police, rule of law, electoral processes, and resource control. Enforcing citizen’s rights, social welfare and an effective anti-corruption war are also crucial. Nigerians have never fully been part of governance because participation in our democracy has been reduced to the simple casting of a vote whenever called upon. All our past leaders have been produced by military coups or rigged elections. There is nothing wrong with talking but to spend 7 Billion Naira on a discussion with “no go areas” is likely to be a waste of money. Many citizens feel they have not been well treated in the Nigerian experiment and they want out. Others do not want to live with people who do not want to live with them. A common prayer in Nigeria is “May God not allow us to be so hungry that we have to look for food in the house of our enemies”. Nigerians are tired being discriminated against in the name of federal character and quota systems.
Our lack of patriotism can be traced to absence of meritocracy, uninspired leadership and a defective constitution. The monumentally corrupt political class increasingly takes advantage of this fraudulent, ineffective, contradictory and inappropriate document. As far as the latest Conference is concerned the main problems are lack of a legislative backing, the inability to appropriate cost because the budget hasn’t been passed, the impracticability of the three months time frame, and the challenges provided by the method of voting. All in all the format and template of the conference leaves a lot to be desired and it is difficult to believe that the outcome will be any different from those held before.