Restructuring not the answer

I do not share the view that restructuring of Nigeria is the panacea for the myriad of our socioeconomic challenges. Rather, I think the problem is failure of leadership which has not managed the polity around the national ideals and moral values. Failure of leadership cannot reasonably be the basis for restructuring. I find it […]

I do not share the view that restructuring of Nigeria is the panacea for the myriad of our socioeconomic challenges. Rather, I think the problem is failure of leadership which has not managed the polity around the national ideals and moral values. Failure of leadership cannot reasonably be the basis for restructuring. I find it hard to see the wisdom in resorting to restructuring any time the nation is faced with challenges instead of working hard to overcome the challenges.
We also forget that America which is 240 years old has tried the confederacy arrangement and found it unsuitable before its current federal system where the national government is balanced by state level power. Yet it still has challenges which it works hard to overcome.
In the same way, Nigeria of 56 years old is not expected to be without challenges of nation building. Nigeria has tried the confederacy arrangement in the first republic, tried the unitary system and now is on the federal system where the center is just strong enough to keep the country one but not too strong as to tilt the country to a tipping point. At the moment, the center cannot be said to be overbearingly strong with 52% and states collectively take 48%.
Those who claim restructuring of the country will make it possible for each confederacy unit to develop at its own space are those who wish Nigerians to live as if they live in different countries where some Nigerians would be at cutting edge while some others will live on the knife edge of survival.
Such a structure is recipe for split.
Nigerians should note that balanced development with equal opportunity that comes with social justice is what builds a strong nation. That is why it is often said reduction of inequality is not only good politics but good economics as well.
All our leaders and the led need to know is that values of justice, liberty, equal opportunity, peace, common decency and prosperity for all, are never natural order of things but attained through hard work.

Anthony N Z Sani, Kaduna.