There is no doubt that Nigeria is divided more than it has been ever since it was amalgamated by Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard.
The dichotomy between is more intense as there is a personal sentiment that northern Nigeria is trying to hold on to power regardless of the consequence.
Let’s talk about President Buhari administration, inflation has gone up and citizens are complaining of hardship. If we had to summarize everything that has been happening, the major complaint of the people is poverty and equal representation.
However, what is even more important is everyone benefitting from the dividends of democracy in Nigeria.
The answer at this moment to making a national significance would be RESTRUCTURING. Nigeria needs to be restructured at this moment if we are to preserve our national unity. Over the years, the southerners have always felt that northern region are living off their resources while still feeling presidency is their right.
Nigeria needs to restructure the country so that our democracy no longer continue to look like unitary system of government. Ever since the civil war, the state and local government can no longer make decision except it is approved by federal government.
The issue of state police in the south west to combat killer herdsmen and the refusal of federal government to let them bear arms makes the populace doubt government seriousness about overcoming the herdsmen menace. The footage of vigilante in Kastina bearing arm makes the division deepen further.
At this stage, we need to go back to the time where states can generate resources and use it for their development. The issue of River State Governor, Nyesom Wike accusing Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) of injustice when it comes to sharing formula. Let’s get this clear, when there is no poverty in the land and people are living fine, no one will think of causing menace to the society.
Why do we keep borrowing whereas we have abundant resources capable of making us competing with G7 countries? The issue is that we have bad leadership and if that is addressed, Nigeria economy situation will begin to improve.
The change is not going to come within a day. However, journey of a thousand mile begin with a step and the main step is to restructure the country. Potential individuals have continued to leave the country and the government seems unbothered about the situation.
President Buhari once described Nigerian youths as lazy, but their productivity in foreign countries proved otherwise. States do not need to wait on federal government for support, and one thing we fail to realize is that restructuring will easily expose corruption.
However, ethnic loyalty seems more important than the nation’s progress and this is why division continue to grow stronger.
Perhaps, the likes of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho will slow down with their self-determination agenda when we have a nation that works. After all, no one would want to leave the country when they know they are safe and secure, and there is a suitable environment to thrive. All the security troubles we are facing would be resolved if we have good leadership.
The benchmark for this is RESTRUCTURING because leadership of every state will know that no help is coming from federal government. With the 2023 general election in sight, let’s hope whoever takes the mantle from President Buhari will be bold enough to make the decision.
