Many experts and activists have proffered the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) as the panacea to the resolution of current imbalances and suspicions in our polity. This current agitation started over twenty years ago when the clamour for democratic governance swept across the African continent. It appeared as the only peaceful means of “overthrowing” the likes of Eyadema, Mobutu, Kerekou, Campaore and other African dictators of that era. While it succeeded in Benin Republic following the defeat of Kerekou by Nicephore Soglo, it failed abysmally in Zaire (DR Congo) and Togo. By contrast, most countries that adopted a direct constitutional conference without overburdening themselves with the unnecessary issue of sovereignty had better and smooth transitions. Countries like Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, among others are in this category. Is SNC really the answer we seek?
My answer is no. The sovereignty of country resides with the people and they have transferred this to the National Assembly and the President to act on their behalf. Are we going to ask the present custodians of the people’s mandate to abdicate this responsibility? Are the proponents of SNC ready to activate the constitutional provision that stipulates how sovereignty is withdrawn from mandated custodians? I hope that people are not confusing the military regimes with democracy. The SNC is not the answer to entrenchment of true federalism in Nigeria because the president can initiate bills that will lead us to that destination if he so desires. I will advise those campaigning for effective true and fiscal federalism to put pressure on the president to activate the process instead of demanding for an unrealistic SNC.
It is difficult to discern the correlation between the increasing demand for SNC and the realization of true federalism, which the framers of our constitution paid lips service to. Could the proponents be asking for dismembering of the country in disguise? The hypocrisy of the entire argument for SNC is that it is solely based on the distribution of accruing revenue to the country. I have not heard of any debate that is premised on the improvement of the living standards of the populace, rather it has been condensed on “marginalization” of the elite of different tribes and religion. Nigerians must know that implementation of true federalism can be achieved through the constitutional amendment route the president is using for tenure elongation bill. So why the delay or why are the agitators not exploring that?
Nothing exposes our selfish nature better than the posturing adopted by different ethnic groups and regions on the matters of federalism, resource control and religious secularity. A trip down memory lane will be helpful here. In September 1966, the government of then Col. Yakubu Gowon convened an ad-hoc constitutional conference to chart a new direction for the country. All the regional delegates voted for confederation except the Mid-West (present day Edo and Delta states). The reason was not far-fetched at the time. The Mid-West was the least endowed at the time and needed the comfort of a united country to trudge on. Juxtapose that scenario with our present circumstance and your guess will be as good as mine. Secondly, prior to the 1995 Abacha’s constitutional conference, the Babangida constitution increased derivation from 3% to 13%. Derivation was a thorny issue at the conference. After negotiations that brought the S/East, S/South Part of North Central and part of the far North to an agreement, a block vote from the S/West was needed to increase derivation to 25%. Considering the credentials of the zone as the bastion of human and administrative rights agitation, the rest of the pro 25% derivation increment were disappointed when the S/West delegates voted it down. Thirdly, the Southern regions have been more vociferous than the North in the push for true federalism, yet the strongest opposition to Sharia came from the south, notwithstanding that it strengthened the quest for true federalism. Fourthly, one of the sins of Ironsi in the eyes of those who killed him was the introduction of unitary system of governance contrary to the existing federal system. Yet all the post-Ironsi military governments practiced Unitarianism without exception. Is selective amnesia the driving force in our psyche when it comes to canvassing our preferred mode of governance?
The above examples simply illustrated the fact that we have lied to ourselves for so long. I am a strong believer in true federalism which empowers all the federating units to develop at their own pace in all aspects of human endeavour. I will subscribe to a true federalism that is anchored on the following:
*Minimum of 25% derivation and maximum of 33.3%
*VAT that is based on 100% derivation (for non-federal agencies)
*Minimum of 25% and maximum of 33.3% of state derivation to revenue generating Local Government Areas.
*10% of Local Government derivation to revenue generating traditional councils to be administered by the chiefs and community leaders for desired projects.
*100% devolution of powers to Local Governments to disentangle them from state financial control.
*Institutionalization of state police command that answers to the state government.
*Decentralization of generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to allow the states invest in the sector according to their needs.
*Full implementation of Sharia and customary laws by states desirous of such while maintaining the freedom of individuals to abide by their chosen faiths.
*The re-evaluation of the revenue allocation formula to ensure that states with less derivation capacity are not disadvantaged.
*The abolition of the destructive state of origin and its replacement with state of residence.
In advancing reasons for true federalism, a segment of the vocal community is presenting it as a “winners and losers” situation.
Finally, all the above trappings of true federalism are achievable through constitutional amendments without the distractive calls for SNC. The ball is in your court Mr President. Or is anybody afraid of true federalism?
Kelechi wrote in from Abuja
