The idea of an indivisible Nigeria


I battled to make this discourse topic thus “Nigeria Must Federate Or Perish,” but for some reasons, I opted for the above. The idea of a unitary governance in Nigeria is not an ancient one. As a concept, it was born in the palace quarters of the “Great Britain,” exported to Nigeria and foisted on a people as diverse and heterogeneous as the ingredients and elements in a melting pot, yet this uneven blending and/or unequal marriage cannot stand or endure.

The underlying motive for Britain’s move to colonise Nigeria following the Berlin Conference 1884 was not to develop but dimish; not to reform but repress; not to expose us to the alien and odious civilisation but to exploit and expropriate us; not to librate but to linch and limit us from reaching our optimum capacity. Apparently, they found solace in the northern region of Nigeria on arrival, from thenceforth they strategised forces with the monarchical powers to extend domination to the other parts of Nigeria.

My concern here is not limited to digging out certain historical facts pertaining the motives behind the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates in 1914 of Nigeria which was headed by Sir Frederick Luggard, but rather to focus on the anachronism of the indissoluble state plus a critical look at the way forward. As I earlier asserted, whatever coloration the core concerns of the British wears for “invading” a sovereign disparate entities now known as Nigeria, it was far from being said to be wholesome, selfless, and commendable. Ab initio, it smacks of greed, envy, avarice, and exploitative tendency. The day you are confronted with the sheer facts of the level of development, substantial civilisation and communal harmony which Africa especially Nigeria, (as its regions were structurally known then) had attained prior the onslaught of the imperial nations, you will tend to spit on the face of those that glows on our calamities till date. Yes, they have continued to flourish expansively in their well protected nation because we’re failing exceedingly in our now forsaken country.

Arguably, this cannot be accused to be antagonising or some crafted sarcastic notes to the West hemisphere nation(s), who instead expect us to appreciate their coming to our boundary frontiers and ports with the military forces and ammunition on the one hand and religious books on the other, imposing themselves on all of us. I am not being hostile to my fellow humans irrespective of the varying race, language and belief, but I detest intimidation and a proud look, no, not even tacitly enclosed in this write up. Scientists will deplore the claims that a discordant society such as we are fundamentally is sacrosanctly indivisible, even though the heavens will fall. Anyone who is critically minded, and who has a deep concern for the general good of the people at heart, will, therefore, seek for workable ways to actualise the common welfare of the entirety of the people, unapologetically. If toes must be stepped on in the process of developing the society for all and sundry to profit withal, so let it be. They are called “The Cabals” with their dreadful, confounding and imposing postures, thus the jerry-built Presidents tremble and cower before them. “The societal calamities and woes is to the comfort and wonder of the chiefs,” is the Igbo saying that best define Nigeria present situation, quite unfortunately.

Let me backtrack to the display of motives for Britain’s encroachment on our privacy and repression of our privileges, which was the vehicle upon their voyage to their Africa colonies was driven. To buttress my point, it was said that Walter Egerton’s administration, who became the governor of Lagos Colony in 1903, and which jurisdiction covered most of the Yoruba lands in the Southwest Nigeria of the present, imposed policies that tended towards segregation of Europeans and Africans. These are, among others, the exclusion of Africans from the West African Medical Service, saying that no European should take orders from an African, which had the effect of ruling out African doctors from serving with the army. In this singular policy, is my affirmation of the selfish purposes, hidden intentions and racial supremicist agenda of the British colonial masters demostrated and betrayed. But Nigerians have come of age, long time ago. Can we less-talk about the things that maim us and more of the feasible resolutions that can mend us. And this too defines constructive journalism – the practice of analysing intractable issues holistically with the enviable aim to proffer a satisfying settlement.

In a nutshell, running a federating state in Nigeria as a nation, practically and profitably is a possible system of government which we can employ and enforce. If the nitty gritty of this proper federation system of government as against this incongruous presidential pattern is elaborately presented to one, you will realise that the former is both cheaper, compatible with our peculiarities, efficient and coefficient. I don’t want to start digging deep into the details of what the restructuring prerequisites are (such significant tips can be retrieved from any existing historical media archives), but I would rather preoccupy myself here with the indispensable and unquestionable grounds for the reappraisal of the country’s existing structure. Let the necessary constitutional amendment and ratifications ensue and which will envisage and provide the legal background for the states to marshal out developmental plans exclusive to each state and see to it’s conclusive execution. The harnessing and disbursement of the indigenous natural resources and manpower of each state, shall invariably be handled by the state governments. The slogan may sound something like this, “Return, reappraise your state’s indigenous worth and remit to the central government a certain negotiated portion.” This way, the devolution of political power and the mad rush to the center, whether for the monthly allocation of (what I chose to call the) “national loot or deceitful dividends,” or seeking the supreme favours from the President, around who virtually the nation’s economic, social and political affairs, revolve, shall become a walkover and of course, cease. The termination of financial improprieties, the elimination of many other social infractions and governmental misconducts owing to the power concentration at the center, shall be realised. But the rascal embezzlement of public funds, the bastardization of the dignified statutes and legitimacy of government body, shall cease being our prevailing reality.
Wishing us good speed and prudence. So help us God!

Orajiaku, freelance journalist and activist, writes via
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08187885533 

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