1. The UNITARIST GROUP: This group believes that the existing Nigeria’s unitary system (centralized) at the center is sustainable. Although, the Nigeria current constitution (1999 constitution) was never written by the members of the National Assembly but by the military whose chain of command is unitary in nature, but those that belong to Unitarist ideology group believe that the Unitary Centralized System should be sustained a a unitary republic instead of the federal republic.
Those that belong to this group want the Nation to continue operating a unitary system of government using the existing over-centralisation of power irrespective of how it affects states, local council governance and grassroots development.
2. The TRUE FEDERALIST GROUP: This group believes that True Federalism (Fiscal and Political Restructuring and Resource Control In Nigeria is the only Catalyst For National Peace and development. Those that belong to this group believe that desired development would continue to elude Nigeria unless Nigeria is restructured politically and economically to reflect true federalism. True federal system as globally pract should allow federating states to manage their affairs and resources. Those that belong to this ideology group believe that Nigerians deceive themselves when people say the system is fashioned after the USA..
The independence and autonomy of SubNational government were destroyed by the military government in 1966. In fact, Nigeria is the only federal republic in this world without a functioning state police system. The local government system in Nigeria was a “bastardisation” of federalism. Those that belong to this ideology group have concluded that based on the diverse challenges that Nigeria is currently battling with, a true federal structure – and not decentralised unitary system – is the only way forward from present challenges undermining the country’s internal political and economic stability.
They believe that true federalism is now urgently required as the way forward. States should have control of their funds.Nigeria and Nigerians must be ready to be loosed from the shackles of suffocating unitary federalism and revert to true political and fiscal federalism. Restructuring will compel governors to be productive, live on their own resources while contributing towards the running of the federal government. The restructuring will lead to healthy competitions among federating units for the development, peace, justice and welfare of the country. Present federalism had strengthened the culture of greed and laziness.
3. The SECESSIONIST GROUP: This group believes that Secession out of Nigeria is the answer to the charges of marginalisation. Those in this ideology group believes that Nigeria is not a nation, but that it is a mere geographical expression.
Which Ideology Group Do You Belong To???
Mayowa Michael Adeleye, writes from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
The opinions contained in this article are solely those of the author and not of Aledeh
