|
The Sorry Story Of The Nigerian State By Jide Ayobolu There has been a raging controversy as to the nature and character of the seemingly endless and somewhat intractable crisis that envelops the country. One school of thought posits that it is basically a class problem, usually associated with all capitalist economies, no matter its variations, whether of the advanced capitalist economies or dependent, peripheral capitalist enclaves. While the other school of thought contends that it has to do with tribal particularism and primordial cleavages normally associated with not only societies at the pristine level of social formation, but societies that are usually highly pluralistic and diversely variegated. The first school argues very trenchantly that, the domestic “bastard” bourgeoisie that controls the means of production, distribution and exchange cut across all ethnic groups, they belong undisputedly to the class of the haves and are united in the looting of the national treasury as well as selfish and ferocious balkanization of the national cake. The various crises that manifest in varying forms, namely, religious, political and economic, are but the antics and tactics of this insensitive and parasitic class to engender their misanthropic economic misadverturism, regardless of whose ox is gored. Therefore, the masses are no more than a pawn on the sly diplomatic chessboard of these very well organized and closely knitted kleptocrats. This school also notes that the plight of the have-nots are the same nation-wide, which is deprivation, marginalization, socio-economic oppression, political manipulation, poverty, disease, squalor etc. The above school which is also called the structuralist paradigm tallies with the position of the elitist school of comparative politics. It starts by observing that, there is indeed a circulating elite in Nigeria, and they can be found in all sectors of the national economy, from government, business, military to the ivory towers and what have you. These elite groups are united in their desperate bid to feather their nests through the instrumentality of state resources to the detriment of the needs of the common man on the street. The other school of thought sees issues rather differently; it postulated that the problem with Nigeria is basically that of ethnicity or tribalism as the case may be. The school goes on to argue that prior to Nigeria’s independence in 1960, there was a grand plan to dominate the political economy of the country by a particular ethnic nationality that believes that political leadership is their birthright. They erroneously believe, they are born to rule, that each ethnic nationality is endowed with its own natural gift and the headship of the country is theirs. This is moreso since they are not as endowed as other parts of the country in the area of education, commerce and industry. The school also debunked the earlier position highlighted above as frivolous, meretricious, trivial and run-of-the-mill. This is because a Marxist analysis of the Nigerian society is inherently cumbersome because of the nature of the Nigerian societies, hence, a qualitative and quantitative analysis will be hindered by methodological, epistemological and interpretational constraints. However, irrespective of whatever positions anybody takes the signpost to disaster and a glaring ominous apprehension looms large for anyone who cares to observe. Nothing seems to be working; there is apparent institutional and infrastructural decay. Unemployment and poverty are all over the place. Government is confused about what to do, it has failed to provide people with the basic amenities and essential necessities of life, and governance has now become a disappearing phenomenon. Government spends N26billion to import sugar yearly and N899billion to import rice annually. N135billion to print the national currency outside the country and bring it back to the country every 365 days. Nigeria is no doubt a beggar-nation that cannot produce anything but depends heavily on foreign items for consumption and survival. Yet, we delude ourselves as the giant of Africa. Yes, on paper, but in reality, this is a tantalizing mirage. And, corruption has been used by the group-elite in Nigeria to foster the systematic development of underdevelopment. Furthermore, the various government parastatals, agencies and corporations, through which the dividends of democracy should get to the electorates, are dominated by and larger, by the blood-sucking group elite parasites, who know next to nothing about management, but merely interested in swelling their private pockets and opening off-shore bank accounts in the meanest display of illusion of success and delusion of grandeur; no wonder they pay homage to favouritism and nepotism. Thereby running erstwhile vibrant and virile companies parastatals some other people struggled hard to build over years. These self-seekers have cronies, acolytes, stooges and surrogates. All over the place, those who have sold their birthright for mere vainglory. But, why does the situation in Nigeria continue to degenerate unabated? Most things are really move from bad to worse. Are we a cursed people? What is really the problem with Nigeria and how can it be resolved? Must we continue to gloss over our predicament or must we take preventive and curative measures to nip it in the bud? Presently, Nigeria operates a lopsided and terribly skewed federal system of government, and that is the crux of the problem with Nigeria. And as Diamond put it, “while the British established over Nigeria a common political authority, transportation grid and monetary system, they did not rule it as a single nation. Rather, the infamous British colonial project of divide and rule operate to deepen division, suspicion and recrimination among the diverse ethnic nationalities that had been capriciously consolidated into a single, culturally artificial state”. Any country that predicates key issues of national importance on falsehood is bound to witness monumental crises as well as stunted development. The country will not be able to grow as a holistic entity rather the various component parts will pursue variegated agenda which is at cross-purposes with the ideals of the Nigerian dream. Nigeria must pass through the crucibles for it to be a great nation; it must pass the litmus test for it to be reinvented. Nigeria will be great again but it must pay its due, albeit not with falsehood and deceit. Therefore, in a country like Nigeria with its diverse peoples and their corresponding diverse political, cultural and economic endowments, true federalism must reflect a genuine attempt to vigilante relationship among the groups, as well as reflection of these identifiable divergences within a framework of national unity. The particular complexion which a country’s federal system takes reflects its diversities, historical experiences and the disposition of its people at a particular point in time, and each federating unit within a true federal system should have its powers and functions demarcated and guaranteed in such a way as to strike a compromise between local particularisms and national integration. We in Nigeria must evolve our own power sharing and resource allocation formula, take our decision and develop our own institutions anchored on our historical experiences, since the problems of power sharing and measure control been responsible for much of the tension, emotions, conflicts, stresses and stains in the country. However, whatever we do must be predicated on justice, equity and fairplay, the absence of which could have grave consequence for the continuous existence of Nigeria as a country. The best way to enhance and ensure that the different ethnic groups in Nigeria continue to co-exist harmoniously and in peace is to do the right thing. Cases of deprivation, marginalization, neglect and undue political manipulation will only help to bring about political pandemonium, which can lead to the breakdown of law and order. Nigeria truly deserve a true federal structure where there will be equal opportunity for all and in which anybody from anywhere can become whatever he or she wants to become, once it is lawful, without let or hindrance. Albeit, Nigeria claims to operate a federal system of government, it is purely a unitary system of government disguised as federal structure, and that is what is basically responsible for Nigeria’s many woes.
By
Jide Ayobolu Abuja-Nigeria
|