Apart from the first republic where each region was engaged in a healthy competition with the others, I fail to see any inkling of federalism not to talk of confederalism practised in Nigeria.
Right from the first coup d’etat of January 15, 1966 which subsequently produced General Agui Ironsi aka Ironsides as the first military head of state till now, Nigeria has been practicing a unitary system of government.
Interestingly, even where the constitution provides otherwise, the powers that be have been defiant in their refusal. A case in point is the freedom of local governments to access whatever is allocated from Abuja.
It was with a surprise therefore that I read General Olusegun Obasanjo is now a born again.
Yes, born again to the restructuring of Nigeria.
Personally, I think the regime that is commonly called Muritala/Obasanjo did a lot of harm to Nigeria.
Was it not then that the principle of federal character was introduced?
Was it not then that Labour Unions were centralized?
Was it not then that university admissions were centralized?
Was it not then that civil servants started seeing their appointments as NOT permanent?
OBJ had another shot in government by becoming President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. He did not believe in strict federalism then.
Something tells me that was for obvious reasons!
Now, he’s preaching restructuring!
Someone here is telling him, go tell the birds!!
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