Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has remanded a self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the dream Biafra Republic Government in Exile, Simon Ekpa, along with four others, after they were arrested over alleged terrorism. They were charged with public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent, according to Finnish media reports. In a statement today, November 21, Finland’s Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrest of five individuals for terror-related crimes. Ekpa is accused of using social media to incite violence against civilians and authorities in southeastern Nigeria. Nigerian authorities had petitioned the Finnish government to arrest Ekpa. The statement reads: “The detention demands are related to the preliminary investigation, in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. “The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.” The police said that the four suspects were arrested for financing the alleged terrorist activities. The case involves international collaboration and court there would be hearings for the suspects, even as the country’s Crime commissioner, Otto Hiltunen confirmed that the main suspect, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, has promoted activities resulting in violence and other crimes. Further investigations are ongoing. Ekpa was first arrested in Finland in February 2023. He was later released.
As Nigeria faces hyperinflation, many businesses are struggling to maintain profitability amidst rising costs. Now, more than ever, having the right tools to keep your business competitive and financially stable is crucial. Bixer, an AI-powered, cloud-based business management solution, is designed specifically to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Nigeria identify operational leakages, prevent employee theft, cut management costs, and streamline processes. Here’s how Bixer’s robust suite of features can help you stay ahead of inflation and safeguard your business from financial pitfalls while boosting your profit margin.
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President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Government has proposed a budget of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year, even as he wrote to the National Assembly, seeking for approval to take another $2.2 billion (about N1.77 trillion) external loan. The 2025 budget represents a 35 percent increase from the 2024 total budget of N35.5 trillion. The proposed budget breaks down into several key areas, including a non-debt recurrent expenditure of N9.92 trillion, capital expenditure of N7.72 trillion, debt service of N8.25 trillion, statutory transfer of N1.37 trillion, and a sinking fund of N243.66 billion. The budget proposal projects a gross domestic product growth rate of 4.6%, crude oil price of $75 per barrel, exchange rate of N1400/dollar, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day. Briefing newsmen shortly after approval of the proposal by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Tinubu in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said: “Key parameters for the 2025 to 2027 MTEF include an oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel for 2025, oil production set at 2.06 million barrels per day, and a projected exchange rate of 1,400 Naira to the US Dollar, as well as GDP growth target of 4.6% for 2025. “For 2025, the federal government budget estimate is, is the aggregate expenditure is estimated at 47 trillion, and this includes a borrowing of 13 point 8 trillion, which is 3.87% of the estimated GDP and it includes projections, especially for the first time, provisions for contribution to the development commissions that have been passed by the National Assembly or are in the process of being passed by the National Assembly. “Equally, the fiscal objectives were conservative because we want to ensure that we study the course much as we believe the projections will be exceeded. “The budget size that was approved for presentation to the National Assembly in the mtef is 47 point 9 trillion, with new borrowings of 9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025 as well as noting that we need to sustain the market deregulation, commendable market deregulation of petroleum prices and exchange rate. “And to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to lower its oil and gas production cost significantly, and even to consider the need to amend the relevant sections of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 to address the significant risk to Federation.” Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has written to the National Assembly, seeking the approval of a fresh $2.2 billion as a new external borrowing plan in the 2024 Appropriation Act. The President’s request was contained in a letter read by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary today, November 19. If approved, the loan will be used to part-finance the budget deficit of N9.7 trillion for the 2024 budget. The President also forwarded the 2025- 2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and the Fiscal Strategy Paper to the National Assembly for consideration and approval. Tinubu also sent the National Social Investment Programme Establishment Amendment Bill to make the social register the primary tool for the implementation of the Federal Government’s social welfare programmes. The letter read in part: “Request for the resolution of the National Assembly for the implementation of the new external borrowing of N1,767,102,179.00, that is about $2.209bn already enshrined in the 2024 Appropriation Act. “In accordance with the provisions of Sections 21 and 27 Subsection 1, the Debt Management Office established Act 2003 and the approval of the Federal Executive Council, I write the request for a resolution of the National Assembly to raise the sum of $2.2 09bn. “The new external borrowing enshrined in the 2024 Appropriations Act, part financed the budget to about $9.17 trillion. “A Euro bond of about $1.7bn and Sukuk financing of another $500m the actual makeup of the financing.” The second letter reads: “Please receive the 2025-2027 MTF and FSP approved during the Federal Executive Council meeting on the 10th day of November 2024. “The Senate is invited to note that as the 2025 budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria will be prepared based on the parameters and fiscal assumptions of the approved 2025-2027 MTF and FSP, it is imperative to seek the National Assembly’s expeditious legislative action in this submission. “I trust that the House of Representatives will consider the passage of this submission expeditiously.” The Federal Executive Council approved the $2.2bn external borrowing plan last Thursday.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate implementation of N70,000 minimum wage for workers under the employ of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The Minister also granted approval for the payment of three months arrears for all staff of the Administration with effect from November, 2024. The Acting Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, in statement, said that minister Wike congratulated the workers and asked them to further rededicate themselves to the service of building an all inclusive capital city for all Nigerians. The minister called on the staff to support him as he continues to deliver on the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The media team of President Bola Tinubu seems boiling, as Daniel Bwala, who just joined the communication team told newsmen in the presidency that he was the official spokesman to the President. Bwala was spokesperson to Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections. Bwala announced to newsmen yesterday that he had taken over as Presidential spokesman, saying: “today, I resumed officially as the Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications/Spokesperson (State House).” However, Bayo Onanuga, who had been acting as presidential spokesman since the exit of Ajuri Ngelale in September, countered Bwala. Onanuga, who has since moved into the office occupied by Ngelale, said that there was no single spokesperson for Tinubu, but three.
The root cause of Nigeria’s problem is, unarguably, inappropriate system of government. Bad governance, poor economy, insecurity and corruption are just offshoots. It is absurd to pool people characterized by ethnic nationalism with diverse regional allegiance, culture, interest and vision together under a central government, and expect to make progress.
Nigeria’s political structure is incompatible with its plural composition. As a multiethnic society, Nigeria has been struggling under a political framework that is unsuitable, anomalous, and inimical to its future, resulting in discordant policies and delivery setbacks. And until the political structure veiled in unitary configuration is discarded and replaced with federalism or, in the alternative, confederation, Nigeria risks collapse. Nigeria is a hypothesis that has been undergoing experiment, which can now be confirmed to be unworkable due to improper political system. After careful evaluation of its complex diversity, nothing suggestive that the country can ever overcome its challenges with the current system. It is like using palm oil as substitute for aviation fuel to power an aircraft, and expect it to fly. The country is on a wrong trajectory, and incapable of producing any form of prospects, except there is a change of system. The 1999 Nigerian Constitution is in structure, content, spirit and intent, a unitary constitution when viewed against the backdrop of the Exclusive list which has 67 items and the Concurrent list with 13 items, an indication of strong centre, weak states. The constitution is incompetent to resolve Nigeria’s unending woes. It is antithetical to the essence of the country’s amalgamation, where hitherto different independent nations, now have their destinies determined and centrally regulated against their vision and values. What Nigeria needs is a completely new Constitution with features of federalism, characterized by decentralization or devolution of powers to the federating units or regions, with authority over control of natural resources in their domains, together with liberty to pursue their dreams and aspirations in line with their peculiar potentials, values and needs. This will enable them develop at their paces independently without any statutory interference from the centre. Otherwise, the country can be restructured into a confederal system where the regions or federating nationalities should have obligation to wholly manage their affairs, except for responsibilities relating strictly to army, foreign affairs, currency, and perhaps, internal trade, which should be ceded to the central government to administer with full power and authority. These options are the only way Nigeria can be saved from a looming catastrophe, as elasticity of endurance is waning fast.Self-determination by agitators of Biafra Republic, Oduduwa Republic/Yoruba Nation, Niger-Delta Republic, Arewa Republic, and even the recent display and hoisting of Russian flags during the “End-Bad Governance Nationwide Protest” that was held from August 1 -10, 2024 in northern parts of the country, are evidence of widespread discontent arising from the current system of government. Besides, as a consequence of the unitary system, there is a growing feeling of ethnic and regional subjugation among ethnic nationalities, resulting in system disloyalty. Policies enunciated by government designed to reposition the economy, reform the political system, eradicate profligacies, and even eliminate terrorists’ organisations in the country are covertly frustrated with complicities of persons from aggrieved regions or sections. Put differently, differences in values, culture, heritage, tradition, history, language, geography and belief system, have led to clash of visions, interests, goals and priorities among federating units or regions, which have further thrown up centrifugal forces that have held the country hostage. This is a complex inherent challenge and source of division in the country. This portends danger, and a signal of emerging trouble, particularly within the context of young generation of persons in the various ethnic nationalities whose opportunities, talents and creativity are repressed by quota system and intrinsic flaws in the unitary structure. Running a country with people working clandestinely at cross-purposes to advance ethnic and regional agenda, offers no hope of achieving any deliverables beyond cosmetic progress. Also, the unitary system breeds economic injustice among federating states or regions. By allowing some states or individuals to freely harness, harvest and utilise mineral resources and cash crops, including groundnuts, cocoa, rubber, palm oil and solid minerals n their domains, while depriving other regions like Niger Delta of resources in their territories, is a major flaw in the system. It is not only unjust; it is a trigger for insurrection.Specifically, to single out the oil and gas resources in the Niger Delta Region for expropriation through obnoxious Petroleum Act of 1966 which now forms part of Section 44(3) of the 1999 Constitution, is tantamount to robbing Niger Delta people to service other regions. Government has used the law to legalise ownership, with proceeds shared among federating units or states, implicitly depriving the Niger Delta people of control over their resources. Regrettably, the people of the region alone suffer from hazardous effect of oil exploration. The ecosystem of the region has been destroyed, as agricultural and fishery activities are no longer generative. This is further compounded by depletion of their lands which have been constantly acquired by government and allocated as oil blocks to individuals and organisations.Unitary system in a plural society like Nigeria encourages high-stakes investments in politics induced by unhealthy ethnic and regional competition among politicians in an effort to grab power at the centre or federal level, and in turn, use it to control and distribute resources and appointments for ethnic and regional advantage. Such unwholesome quest for power has no place in federalism, where power is decentralized to federating units. Under the unitary system, states and local governments are appendages and dependants of the federal government. They rely on monthly revenue allocation from federal government for survival, which encourages laziness and docility with weak creative capacities for revenue generation. This promotes subservient corporatism and inefficiency.Besides, system contradictions inherent in the unitary system put a wide gap between the people and the central government, and this makes it difficult to hold leaders at the federal level accountable, particularly over breach in governance ethics. But a regionalized or decentralized system will bring people closer to power, and leaders can be held accountable for their actions and inactions. Nigeria’s stunted growth as reflected in the country’s continued decline in general indices, including misery index, is direct consequence of the centralized system, which has caged destinies, and by extension, capacities of the federating nations to develop independently. Therefore, political leaders must be courageous enough to think beyond personal interests and deep-rooted prejudices to support a system that will give the federating units freedom to drive and manage their aspirations. After all, a pluralistic country like India with diverse cultural differences are able to co-exist in peace because of suitable system of government – Cooperative Federalism. Besides, Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland that make up the United Kingdom, separately pursue their dreams and even compete for laurels at Olympics and World Cup, while maintaining their status as members of the United Kingdom. Why can’t Nigeria be unbundled and recreated to make it work, so that federating regions can achieve their goals within the context of their distinct cultural aspirations. The current Nigeria’s system is a catalyst for division, unable to foster unity, a necessity required to drive the country in one direction. The four attributes of Unity, Faith, Peace, and Progress as contained in the country’s coat of arms, have failed to inspire confidence and loyalty, as they barely exist in the minds of Nigerians. In the absence of impaired vision, those opposed to change in status quo (unitary system) are doing so because of entrenched interests arising from benefits their regions or ethnic groups derive from the subsisting configuration. Nigeria’s political structure as encapsulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) cannot deliver on the country’s dream of prosperity, other than unending insecurity, ethnic rivalry, strife, nepotism, poverty, stunted development and corruption, which sadly, have become part of Nigeria’s trade mark and identity. Therefore, until the country is unbundled and reconstructed, using a new constitution that devolves powers to regions, which allows them to run independently within the context of their separate cultural and economic aspirations, Nigeria risks dismemberment.
Dr. Mike Owhoko, Lagos-based public policy analyst, author, and journalist, can be reached at www.mikeowhoko.com, and followed on X {formerly Twitter} @michaelowhoko.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a new nuclear doctrine, implementing changes he outlined in September. The updated policy document was released Tuesday.
The revised doctrine permits Russia to use nuclear deterrence to counter aggression from hostile powers or military alliances with weapons of mass destruction or significant conventional arsenals. It also includes countries allowing their territory to be used for attacks against Russia.
The policy states that an attack by one member of a military bloc, even if non-nuclear, will be treated as an assault by the entire alliance. This principle also extends to countries without formal alliances but supported by nuclear powers.
According to the doctrine, Russia aims to ensure that any potential aggressor understands retaliation will be “inevitable.” The policy promises the same protection for Russia’s military allies.
The document outlines ten key threats necessitating deterrence, such as hostile nuclear capabilities, potential weapon proliferation, military build-up near Russian borders, and conventional weapon systems capable of striking Russian territory. It also addresses sabotage risks that could trigger large-scale environmental damage.
Triggers for nuclear action now include verified intelligence of a significant incoming attack involving aircraft, missiles, or drones crossing into Russian airspace.
The president of Russia retains the sole authority to decide on nuclear weapon deployment and inform foreign nations of any related decisions.
This update comes days after reports that U.S. President Joe Biden approved Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons for strikes within Russia. Putin has warned that such moves could lead to direct conflict between NATO and Russia.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu is seeking international collaboration and cooperation to combat hunger and poverty as well as other socio economic challenges. At the opening session of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, President Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria would continue to leverage international cooperation and resources to bolster domestic strategies. He commended the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, championed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, describing it as pivotal in the global fight against hunger and poverty. “This bold and visionary step underscores Brazil’s leadership in addressing one of the most urgent and persistent challenges facing our world today. “The creation of this Alliance marks a significant milestone in our global efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty, and it also sends a powerful message of solidarity to vulnerable populations around the globe. “By fostering collaboration between governments, international organisations, and civil society, this initiative offers a comprehensive approach not only to addressing immediate needs but also tackling the structural causes of hunger and poverty.” President Tinubu noted that the initiative is similar to one of the eight priority areas he outlined at his inauguration 18 months ago, saying that Nigeria’s eagerness to adopt international best practices to advance its economic development is unwavering. He said that Nigeria’s endorsement of the declaration of commitment to join the Global Alliance is a significant step in its efforts to address hunger and poverty. According to him, by supporting the initiative, Nigeria also demonstrates a solid commitment to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1, which focuses on eradicating poverty, and SDG 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger. “These goals are at the core of Nigeria’s development agenda, and the Alliance offers a platform to accelerate progress towards them. “By collaborating with international partners, Nigeria aims to leverage best practices, innovative solutions, and financial support to enhance its efforts to combat poverty and hunger. The endorsement reinforces Nigeria’s role as a key player in global efforts to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life for all its citizens.” President Tinubu emphasized the urgent need for the United Nations Security Council reform to ensure its continued relevance in global interventions. He reiterated Nigeria’s readiness and capability to represent Africa within this elite. He called on the G20 to champion this noble ideal, having admitted the African Union as a group member. “The Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the world’s diversity and plurality. Africa deserves priority in this. “The Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the world’s diversity and plurality better. “Africa deserves priority in this process, and two permanent seats should be allocated to it with equal rights and responsibilities. Nigeria stands ready and willing to serve as a representative of Africa in this capacity.” In the statement read on his behalf by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, President Tinubu noted that the G20 now wears a toga of a forward-looking international institution that upholds reform-minded multilateralism. He commended the decision by the G20 to grant permanent membership to the African Union and for its consistency in sustaining the tradition of inviting guest countries to join the group. This broad participation, he said, allows the opportunity for more inclusive and effective discussions to address shared global challenges. “Some permanent members of the Council have shown promising signs of support for this process, which is a positive development. We welcome this shift in attitude and call for a faster pace to the long overdue change. “The world faces various challenges, including extreme poverty, inequality, climate change, terrorism, and global conflicts. “These issues are exacerbated by longstanding inequities in the global governance system, which have led to unsustainable sovereign debt and distortions in access to capital markets, trade imbalances, unfair representations and hindered development in the Global South. “It is our responsibility to find pragmatic solutions to fix these imbalances. “Particularly pressing is global taxation, which profoundly impacts developing countries. “The current international tax system, largely shaped by the interests of more affluent nations, often leaves developing countries at a disadvantage, especially in taxing digital economies. “This systemic imbalance has led to significant revenue losses, hampering our efforts towards sustainable development and economic self-reliance.” President Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria, alongside other African Group member states, championed a historic initiative at the United Nations: calling for a framework Convention on Tax to establish a more equitable and inclusive global tax system. He urged the G20 to heed the call by countries, especially those of the global South, to reform the international financial architecture. “Multilateral institutions must be revamped to bridge the gap between the Global North and South. This is the path for the future and one the G20 must champion. Nigeria is committed to being part of that future through active participation in the G20 and our steadfast support for achieving SDG 2030 targets.”
As against the previous practice where the presidency had a media arrowhead, the last of which was held by Ajuri Ngelàle, President Bola Tinubu has now done away with the idea of making one person heading his media team. In re-designing the media team, as contained in a statement today, November 19 by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President grouped the three special advisers in one fold. The three special advisers are Bayo Onanuga, who is for media and communication strategy; Sunday Dare, as media and public Communications and Daniel Bwala, as policy communication.
The statement said that the redesigning indicated that “there is no single individual spokesperson for the Presidency. “Instead, all the three Special Advisers will collectively serve as spokespersons for the government.
“This approach aims to ensure effective and consistent communication of government policies, decisions, and engagements.”
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede has tagged most Nigerian lawyers as criminals without which no mega financial fraud, especially illicit financial flows, can be possible. Olukoyede who spoke at the sixth Annual Criminal Law Review Conference in Abuja, stressed that lawyers aid in the transfer of huge funds into offshore accounts, preferably in tax havens. “The most traumatic discovery of the EFCC in recent years was the subjugation of national interest and well-being to personal interest by lawyers who aided briefcase foreign investors to fleece the nation in dubious transactions. “The P&ID scam, the Mambilla Power Project, and Sunrise issues are cases in point.” The EFCC boss said that while the anti-graft agency had had cause to prosecute judicial officers and senior lawyers, his respect for the bench and senior members of the bar remained undiminished. “However, based on the unique experiences of the EFCC in the prosecution of corruption cases, I am particularly interested in systemic reforms in our justice delivery system that capture the process for the discipline and regulation of judicial officers, the regulation and discipline of legal practitioners, ethics, values and standards of legal practice.
“These are essential to me because the job of EFCC is ensuring that the corrupt do not find space in our national life. When they do, to make them pay for their deeds.” The anti-graft chief advised the judiciary “to address the issue of obscene legal fees senior lawyers earn from political office holders, particularly the manner in which they collect such fees which clearly conflicts with existing statutes. “If a lawyer would not care about the source from which a sitting governor or any other public servant pays him millions of Naira to defend him in the electoral tribunal, the lawyer must necessarily be mindful of the fact that the only proper way to collect such humongous amounts is through the financial system. Aside from violating money laundering regulations, hauling millions of Naira of professional fees from public office holders in liquid cash as senior lawyers do is only aimed at tax evasion. “It is needless to stress that the best act of mentoring from leaders of the bar to the younger generation of lawyers is by living out the ethical demands of the profession.”
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The statement said that the redesigning indicated that “there is no single individual spokesperson for the Presidency.
“This approach aims to ensure effective and consistent communication of government policies, decisions, and engagements.”
“These are essential to me because the job of EFCC is ensuring that the corrupt do not find space in our national life. When they do, to make them pay for their deeds.”
Restructure Nigeria To Avert Its Collapse, By Michael Owhoko
Nigeria’s political structure is incompatible with its plural composition. As a multiethnic society, Nigeria has been struggling under a political framework that is unsuitable, anomalous, and inimical to its future, resulting in discordant policies and delivery setbacks. And until the political structure veiled in unitary configuration is discarded and replaced with federalism or, in the alternative, confederation, Nigeria risks collapse. Nigeria is a hypothesis that has been undergoing experiment, which can now be confirmed to be unworkable due to improper political system. After careful evaluation of its complex diversity, nothing suggestive that the country can ever overcome its challenges with the current system. It is like using palm oil as substitute for aviation fuel to power an aircraft, and expect it to fly. The country is on a wrong trajectory, and incapable of producing any form of prospects, except there is a change of system. The 1999 Nigerian Constitution is in structure, content, spirit and intent, a unitary constitution when viewed against the backdrop of the Exclusive list which has 67 items and the Concurrent list with 13 items, an indication of strong centre, weak states. The constitution is incompetent to resolve Nigeria’s unending woes. It is antithetical to the essence of the country’s amalgamation, where hitherto different independent nations, now have their destinies determined and centrally regulated against their vision and values. What Nigeria needs is a completely new Constitution with features of federalism, characterized by decentralization or devolution of powers to the federating units or regions, with authority over control of natural resources in their domains, together with liberty to pursue their dreams and aspirations in line with their peculiar potentials, values and needs. This will enable them develop at their paces independently without any statutory interference from the centre. Otherwise, the country can be restructured into a confederal system where the regions or federating nationalities should have obligation to wholly manage their affairs, except for responsibilities relating strictly to army, foreign affairs, currency, and perhaps, internal trade, which should be ceded to the central government to administer with full power and authority. These options are the only way Nigeria can be saved from a looming catastrophe, as elasticity of endurance is waning fast.Self-determination by agitators of Biafra Republic, Oduduwa Republic/Yoruba Nation, Niger-Delta Republic, Arewa Republic, and even the recent display and hoisting of Russian flags during the “End-Bad Governance Nationwide Protest” that was held from August 1 -10, 2024 in northern parts of the country, are evidence of widespread discontent arising from the current system of government. Besides, as a consequence of the unitary system, there is a growing feeling of ethnic and regional subjugation among ethnic nationalities, resulting in system disloyalty. Policies enunciated by government designed to reposition the economy, reform the political system, eradicate profligacies, and even eliminate terrorists’ organisations in the country are covertly frustrated with complicities of persons from aggrieved regions or sections. Put differently, differences in values, culture, heritage, tradition, history, language, geography and belief system, have led to clash of visions, interests, goals and priorities among federating units or regions, which have further thrown up centrifugal forces that have held the country hostage. This is a complex inherent challenge and source of division in the country. This portends danger, and a signal of emerging trouble, particularly within the context of young generation of persons in the various ethnic nationalities whose opportunities, talents and creativity are repressed by quota system and intrinsic flaws in the unitary structure. Running a country with people working clandestinely at cross-purposes to advance ethnic and regional agenda, offers no hope of achieving any deliverables beyond cosmetic progress. Also, the unitary system breeds economic injustice among federating states or regions. By allowing some states or individuals to freely harness, harvest and utilise mineral resources and cash crops, including groundnuts, cocoa, rubber, palm oil and solid minerals n their domains, while depriving other regions like Niger Delta of resources in their territories, is a major flaw in the system. It is not only unjust; it is a trigger for insurrection.Specifically, to single out the oil and gas resources in the Niger Delta Region for expropriation through obnoxious Petroleum Act of 1966 which now forms part of Section 44(3) of the 1999 Constitution, is tantamount to robbing Niger Delta people to service other regions. Government has used the law to legalise ownership, with proceeds shared among federating units or states, implicitly depriving the Niger Delta people of control over their resources. Regrettably, the people of the region alone suffer from hazardous effect of oil exploration. The ecosystem of the region has been destroyed, as agricultural and fishery activities are no longer generative. This is further compounded by depletion of their lands which have been constantly acquired by government and allocated as oil blocks to individuals and organisations.Unitary system in a plural society like Nigeria encourages high-stakes investments in politics induced by unhealthy ethnic and regional competition among politicians in an effort to grab power at the centre or federal level, and in turn, use it to control and distribute resources and appointments for ethnic and regional advantage. Such unwholesome quest for power has no place in federalism, where power is decentralized to federating units. Under the unitary system, states and local governments are appendages and dependants of the federal government. They rely on monthly revenue allocation from federal government for survival, which encourages laziness and docility with weak creative capacities for revenue generation. This promotes subservient corporatism and inefficiency.Besides, system contradictions inherent in the unitary system put a wide gap between the people and the central government, and this makes it difficult to hold leaders at the federal level accountable, particularly over breach in governance ethics. But a regionalized or decentralized system will bring people closer to power, and leaders can be held accountable for their actions and inactions. Nigeria’s stunted growth as reflected in the country’s continued decline in general indices, including misery index, is direct consequence of the centralized system, which has caged destinies, and by extension, capacities of the federating nations to develop independently. Therefore, political leaders must be courageous enough to think beyond personal interests and deep-rooted prejudices to support a system that will give the federating units freedom to drive and manage their aspirations. After all, a pluralistic country like India with diverse cultural differences are able to co-exist in peace because of suitable system of government – Cooperative Federalism. Besides, Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland that make up the United Kingdom, separately pursue their dreams and even compete for laurels at Olympics and World Cup, while maintaining their status as members of the United Kingdom. Why can’t Nigeria be unbundled and recreated to make it work, so that federating regions can achieve their goals within the context of their distinct cultural aspirations. The current Nigeria’s system is a catalyst for division, unable to foster unity, a necessity required to drive the country in one direction. The four attributes of Unity, Faith, Peace, and Progress as contained in the country’s coat of arms, have failed to inspire confidence and loyalty, as they barely exist in the minds of Nigerians. In the absence of impaired vision, those opposed to change in status quo (unitary system) are doing so because of entrenched interests arising from benefits their regions or ethnic groups derive from the subsisting configuration. Nigeria’s political structure as encapsulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) cannot deliver on the country’s dream of prosperity, other than unending insecurity, ethnic rivalry, strife, nepotism, poverty, stunted development and corruption, which sadly, have become part of Nigeria’s trade mark and identity. Therefore, until the country is unbundled and reconstructed, using a new constitution that devolves powers to regions, which allows them to run independently within the context of their separate cultural and economic aspirations, Nigeria risks dismemberment.
Dr. Mike Owhoko, Lagos-based public policy analyst, author, and journalist, can be reached at www.mikeowhoko.com, and followed on X {formerly Twitter} @michaelowhoko.