In this interview by KUNLE ODEREMI with Chief Niyi Aborisade, the lawyer, human rights activist and historian, talks about the memoranda submitted to the House of Representatives for the creation of additional 31 states and other related issues.
PROMOTERS of more states have submitted memoranda for the creation of 31 additional states in the country. Should be of utmost priority over restructuring?
The population of Nigeria is about 200 million people with 36 states, excluding the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. Some states are, of course, bigger in terms of population. Lagos tops the list of the densely populated states with over 16 million people, followed by Kano State with over 15 million people. In terms of distribution, we can safely say to every 100 million people in Nigeria, there are 18 states catering for them. The United States of America has about 340 million people with 50 states and California is the most populous state with 39 million people. So, to every 100 million, there are 15 states in the average that cater for them. The US is far richer and highly developed than Nigeria, yet they cannot maintain 18 states for 100 million people. What actually should be the reason behind state creation other than for political reasons without any reasonable economic ground?. Does Nigeria need more states now? That is one but in the meantime, let us consider restructuring.
Restructuring is to organise differently from the existing structure. To restructure is to appreciate that the existing structure needs a fundamental change. In Nigeria, the political observer believes that too much power is concentrated at the centre, which is inimical to progress and development at the local level. The dysfunctional federal structure and the obnoxious federal system is what must be addressed at this time. What about the agitation for restructuring? Are there lessons for Nigeria to learn from other climes?
When we talk of restructuring, part of it is devolution of power to the six geo political zone in Nigeria. Despite the self-acclaimed unitary system of Government practised in the United Kingdom, by necessity the Westminster power has been greatly reduced by devolution of power. The power is delegated by the parliament of course. There are therefore separate legislature and executive in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The devolution of power in the UK is delivering results and it is not in any way threatening the Union. In 1997, voters chose to create a Scottish parliament and National Assembly for Wales. For Belfast, there was a Key (Good Friday Agreement), which was supported by a referendum. So, there are four different legislatures and executives, each with different range of powers. In 2014, by reason of devolution of power, Scotland conducted the Scottish Independence referendum as to whether to remain as part of the UK or not. Those who want to remain won by about 55 percent with about 85 percent turnout for the referendum. In the USA, there is administrative decentralisation of power. The USA has state Police Spain is a decentralised country and has devolved more power to the nationalities and regions of which the Kingdom of Spain is composed of. Nigeria, in a way, has been divided into six geopolitical zones and more power should be given to the zones such as zonal or State Police. When talking of restructuring in Nigeria, many agencies come to mind, the Police are controlled by the Federal Government, and the Inspector General of Police is directly responsible to the President of the Federation. Thus, he takes his order from the President and Commander-In-Chief. In theory, the state governor is the Chief Security of the state and to each state is a commissioner of Police under the governor. However, he is an appointee of the Inspector General of Police and takes his order from the IG. Thus, the president can issue an order to the IG to withdraw even the security of the governor from him. Until recently, the Value Added Tax are directly taken by the Federal government and it spends it the way it likes in that there is no structure as to how it should be distributed among the states.
Are there practical examples to indicate that the authorities in Nigeria have deemed it necessary to restructure in the bid to reposition the Nigerian state? How?
Well, there was a time around 2021, a former governor of River States, Mr Nyesom Wike, took the Federal Government to court over the issue of VAT and that it should be collected by the state. Many examples abound. For example, in some parts of the Northern region of Nigeria, alcohol is forbidden and any attempt to bring alcohol there will be met with stiff resistance. However, in the South, alcoholic drinks are allowed and are being sold well with VAT, which is being taken by Federal Government and also shared by the Northern states that forbid the sale and consumption of alcohol. Many people see it as unfair and in the recent proposal of the Federal Government, a new tax regime is made to address this anomaly but it is meeting with stiff resistance in the North. The approach of Federal Government in this area is a form of restructuring. Recently, the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu decentralised the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and split the campuses into the six geopolitical zones. This is also an example of restructuring which is aimed at delivering good result. In summary, Nigeria at this state of economic downturn in Nigeria, when the Internal Generated Revenue of many States are so poor and unsustainable with over reliance on the Federal government monthly allocation and loans, Creation of more states is wasteful and meaningless. The approach and proposal 31 new States by the House of Representative shows lack of deep insight to the real issues affecting Nigerian people. There should be no further attempt to create more states in Nigeria now but the government should rather concentrate his efforts in restructuring Nigeria and devolve more power. Such as State Police, allowing the states to have major shares on the VAT collected by that States. The states to be able to supply her own electricity to its states etc.
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