Introduction
Within the final episode, we made the next suggestions for realising the aim of making use of the legislation to attain good governance and nationwide integration, vis: a brand new people-driven Structure; a shift in our ideological orientation; creating socio-economic alternatives: enthroning equality, justice and equity for all; and propaganda of nationwide loyalty anchored on agency statehood. In right this moment’s (the ultimate) installment, we will proceed our define of steered suggestions, together with the next: zero dominance of a number of ethnic group by one other or others; institutionalisation of true federalism; establishing regional safety outfits and, lastly, eschewing tribal politics. Get pleasure from
Suggestions (Continues)
Zero Domination
Domination of a specific ethnic group or constituents over others can’t serve the general goal of nationhood. With out prejudice to historical past, the integrative mechanisms put forth to blur the margins have failed, and domineering has change into the be careful of elites from totally different backgrounds. In Nigeria, the domination by the North in affairs of the federal government for many years has resulted to disapproval by different residents. This enigma have to be seemed into with the intention to foster the battle for good governance and nationwide integration.
True Federalism
The federal nature of the federal government should be the most important benefit for Nigeria’s coexistence. As earlier famous, the system was launched to blur the variety present amongst the folks. Nonetheless, it’s regrettable that the opposite aspect of the coin is what Nigeria has skilled from this lovely idea as a result of sick apply. If true federalism is practised, it could treatment the lacunas present throughout the numerous ethnicity.
Regional Safety Outfits
Nigeria has been a loss of life zone, particularly because the emergence of the Boko Haram insurgency within the North.
The Fulani herdsmen emerged, maimed, killed, destroyed and burnt. Concern of them knowledgeable the institution of safety outfits by different areas. For example, the operation Amotekun for the South West; whereas the Jap Safety Community (ESN), emerged for the Jap area. These numerous safety outfits have gone a protracted method to disintegrate the safety belief and confidence the folks have within the armed forces. How can the folks be built-in once they don’t really feel safe inside their farmlands, borders and houses?. How can they develop a way of oneness and unity when the safety challenges are region-centric?. The latest emergence of the unknown gun males within the East have additional worsened the entire problem because the roads are not protected for navigation. The proliferation of all this safety outfit isn’t wholesome for a democratic constitutional authorities. It breeds mistrust on account of unhealthy governance resulting in Nationwide Disintegration.
Tribal Politics
Tribal politics had been recorded within the historical past of Nigeria previous to independence in 1960 and even after. Nweke data that in 1951, the three political events that have been shaped to contest elected positions as supplied by the MacPherson Structure have been tribalised.
The Nationwide Council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC) which was shaped by Sir Herbert Macauley [later Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe], was dominated by the Igbos; the Motion Group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo was for the Yorubas; whereas the Northern Individuals’s Congress (NPC) led by Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was managed by the Hausas/Fulanis. He additional posits that sentiments and tribalism have been inculcated into the Nigeria’s political construction which resulted in disaster. The political disaster generated by tribalism in Nigeria’s political life made the Colonial Secretary, Oliver Lyttleton, name for a brand new structure which might grant every area extra autonomy and put together a method for its independence. In 1953 when Sir Oliver Littleton’s Structure was written, the Structure supplied that:
1. The areas that needed self authorities might have it in 1956, leaving the North to resolve when it was prepared and that,
2. Lagos would change into a federal territory.For these provisions to be entrenched within the Structure, it implied that tribalism is obtrusive within the nation’s polity. It’s a bane to nationwide integration and good governance.
At present in Nigeria, the ruling All Progressive Congress APC is believed to be Northern-centric; whereas the Peoples Democratic Social gathering PDP, is believed to be Southern-centric. Then again, the Labour Social gathering is believed to be affiliated to the East. This has risen ethnic and non secular pressure,+ within the polity. Due to this fact, tribal based-politics must be discouraged.
Conclusion
For any Nation to maneuver forward, integration of the boy, soul and minds is a sine qua non. It’s because, unity is not only theoretical, however virtually runs by way of the thoughts, act and inaction of the folks. Nigeria is a good nation with wealthy practices; however, the misgovernance and 0 integration which have in flip induced nationwide disintegration has induced a lot socio-political and financial derision, delusion and obloquy. Ethnic and non secular cleavages have made the rules of federalism – shambolic and distasteful. Class battle, corruption and financial sabotage have made the entire essence of nationhood a nightmare. The ethnic views of the folks differ gravely – with numerous perceptions on management. So many constitutional mechanisms have been put in place to deal with problems with nationwide concern, however all failed. Due to this fact, if this political El dorado of a nation does need to proceed it’s existence in progress for the frequent good of the folks, mammoth effort have to be put collectively within the spirit of oneness and solidarity to motherland to attain an agreeable path for the nation’s future.
The persistence of the dual challenges of excellent governance and nationwide integration, regardless of the existence of the foregoing authorized and Constitutional prescriptions, owes extra to the perspective as a folks than any structural or inherent ineffectiveness or inadequacies. As is usually mentioned, a system is barely pretty much as good as its operator. In different phrases, solely a nasty workman complains about his (or her instruments).
We will nonetheless, forge forward and never throw up our fingers in despair, within the information that the hunt for the proper system is all the time a piece in progress. It’s a journey and never vacation spot, as no system is ever good. What issues as absolutely the irreducible minimal, is the standard of management (in any respect ranges) who possess the imaginative and prescient matched by the requisite patriotic zeal and can to make the distinction within the nice leap ahead to allow us to attain the Nigeria of our desires. What all of us need, is Nigeria that lives as much as our expectations and aspirations- each collectively and as particular person residents. That’s the place credible elections are available in. Their significance can’t be over-emphasised as the perfect management – recruitment course of and mechanism. Our votes have to be counted and in addition allowed, and no effort must be spared on this regard. We should subsequently de-emphasise the persisting resort to the courts (or Tribunals), to find out the folks’s selection. That development is an aberration and never the perfect – rule of legislation or not. I’ve since labelled it ‘’Judocracy’’. (The top)
THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK
“The top of legislation is to not abolish or restrain, however to protect and enlarge freedom.” (John Locke)
“The legislation must be clear, concise, and simple to grasp.” (Thomas Jefferson)
