Editor’s note: The agitation for true federalism has been on the front burner of discourse in the last few years. While the past governments failed to restructure the Nigeria’s political landscape, most Nigerians believe that the current dispensation led by President Muhammadu Buhari would allow restructuring. But on the other hands, the agitation for Biafran nation is also gathering momentum everyday as many groups such as IPOB and MASSOB from the Eastern part of Nigeria believe that the solution to some of their problems is to have the government of their own.
In a message sent to ZENITHBLOG.com, a Facebook user, Akinyetun Tobiloba, who is also an undergraduate student of Political Science at Lagos State University, explains why the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration should give Nigerians true federalism or allow Biafran government.
One cannot talk about Nigeria history without mentioning the Civil war of 1967 between the Biafra forces and the Nigeria Army. Biafrans were fighting for independence, they wanted their own country, and they wanted to govern themselves. This war took away many lives, children were recruited to fight, war crimes were committed, but in the end the war was termed: “No victor no vanquish” war.
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When one looks at the decision of the warlord, late Odimegwu Ojukwu, one will come to the conclusion that he wanted disintegration from Nigeria because he was not happy with the counter coup which ushered in General Yakubu Gowon because he was not the highest military commander in the Nigeria Army then.
President Muhammadu Buhari
Also he saw that it was a northern coup which made him and his loyalist to demand for Biafran nation. This war which ended 47 years back has now resumed, although in a civilised way through protest and agitation. The recent protests and agitations, have, therefore raised a vital question – Should Biafra be allowed to go?
In my own opinion, I would suggest that Nigeria should be restructured and true federalism should be adopted. Nigeria’s constitution actually provided for a federalist state but Nigeria practises a de jure federal system and not a de facto federal system.
A de facto federal system is that which practises federalism in reality, the United States is a very good example. In a true federalist state, the constituents unit i.e. states and local governments do not surrender “all”. They retain some degree of independence economically and politically, which will ensure that the federating units develop at their own pace.
It will go a long way to settle issues facing the country like ethnicity, crime among others. In fact, the problem of whose region’s turn is it to rule the country at a particular time will be brought to a minimal if not to an end because much focus will be on developing each unit, there would be competition among the different unit which promotes development.
The federal government will be seen as the binding authority and serve as the symbol of unity among the federating units so there won’t be need for fear of disunity in the country.
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In a small village, we have the king and the citizens; every citizen has a farm which they plant on. During harvest, citizens are bound by law to take a certain percent of their harvest to the king and keep the rest.
If a particular citizen has enough, he can decide to borrow those who need it which they have to pay back but the law will never bind anyone to give to the needy by force. Although, the king as the father of the nation can also borrow anyone, he can also decide to give. Nigeria as a country should learn from my short story.
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Watch this ZENITHBLOG.com video as Femi Fani-Kayode speaks about what President Buhari told him:
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