Truncated in 1966 by the military, the system of government as enshrined in the ensuing Constitutions, 1979 – 1999, has been one, over centralised with enormous powers and resources vested in a central government, creating a de facto unitary state. The aftermath has been an inflection in Nigeria’s development trajectory and a concomitant decline in key elements of the politico-economy, systemic weakening of institutions, systemic failure of leadership and of governance and systemic corruption.
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the dominant debate is on leadership and governance system. On the one, the need for a leader who will galvanise a badly fractured polity within the framework of the current governance system. On the other, a governance system that will shape values, ethics and norms in the political process and pave the way for emergence of a patriotic leadership.
Characteristic of the current governance system, all manner of persons are being projected in the media as prospective candidates for sundry political positions in 2023 general elections, some of whom have varying cases of malfeasance pending in court. This is a sad reflection of the low estate of our values. Almost always this system throws up mediocrities presenting the electorate with choices between the devil and deep blue sea.
The unrelenting advocacy for true federalism by many Elder statesmen – Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Edwin Clerk, the late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and by socio-cultural groups – Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo, etc is borne out of their patriotic desire to see Nigeria on the path of justice, peace and development.
President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015 on three-point agenda – economy, security and anti-corruption without regard to a vital provision of APC’s manifesto i.e., ‘to initiate action to amend our Constitution with a view to devolving power, duties and responsibilities to states and local governments in order to entrench true federalism and the federal spirit.
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