A Thought On A Proposed Regional Government, by Nurudeen Dauda

To start with, arguably the Nigeria’s first Republic (1960-1966) from the North, West, East and to the Mid-Wester regions represented our “golden era” in terms of our progressive journey to both “regional” and “national developments”. It remains “debatable” on whether our “progressive journey” in the First Republic was either due to the “quality” of our then “leadership” from all the “regions” and or it was the “governance” structure operated in the country at that time and or both.

In my view, no Nigerian from whatever parts of the country he or she comes from; especially the “common man” who the present situation does not “favour” should be “afraid” of any constitutional “changes” or even a “brand new” constitution in form of either a “regional system” if it will serve our “best interest” and or the “continuation” of the present system with some amendments. Our major concern from all parts of the country should be about the search for patriotic leadership and a system that will serve the interest of the majority.

The sad “reality” of our dear country now shows that the vast “majority” are worse off. The “system” only works for the “tiny minority” of our elite. We must have a national “conversation” and or a “dialogue” on a system that works for the vast majority. The beneficiaries of the present system will go to every length to ensure that it remains.

In my thought, a Southern president is not the problem of the North neither a Northern president the problem of the South. Out of our 64 years of independence the North led the country for 48 years while the South led for 16 years. Out of the 16 leaders we have had so far 12 are from the North while only 4 are from the South yet the North has the highest poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy rates in the country. No “ethnic” group or “region” and or “religion” is in an Island of “Milk” and “Honey” and or “Bread” and “Butter”. We are all in its together! 

The “agitation” for “restructuring” and or “constitutional amendment” is more pronounced in the South. The Southern elite often accused the Northern elite of being too comfortable with the present Nigeria’s arrangement due to the North’s numerical strength in terms of “voting” in an ethnically, regionally and religiously sentimental country.

There is a general consensus that our dear country needs a surgical operation for its to work for the majority us. We must accept the fact that the present system does not benefit majority. It is equally a fact that the patriotism of most our present leaders needed much to be desired. Our dear Northern elite should and or must participate on a constructive national “conversation” and or “dialogue” with their compatriots in order to discuss the future of our dear country.

Perhaps in response to the said “insinuation” by the Southern elite against the Northern elite; few weeks ago the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) stated in clear terms that the North is not “afraid” for any engagement with their compatriots in a national “conversation” or a “dialogue” on the future of Nigeria through either a constitutional amendment and or a restructuring contrary to the insinuation around.

It is apt to state that, our huge both human and natural resources in the country are largely untapped. The little resources being tapped only benefits the tiny minority elite. We really need an effective system with a patriotic leadership that will ensure that our both human and natural resources are tapped for the benefit of the vast majority of our people. We really need a better deal in our dear country.

May God bless Nigeria!