blackpanda:
You seem to be placing the blame on federal govt alone, but federalism is not the problem. Rather its greed, corruption and sheer madness. For example look at bayelsa, one of the smallest states and receives one of the highest allocation. But what do we have? Seriaki Dickson is owing workers more than 12months salary. No infrastructure, zero development, zero investments. Will u still blame federal govt?

The truth is that states can not cope with true federalism. Apart from lagos, no other state can exist without allocation. They dont have the capacity or will to create opportunity for themselves except fg intervenes

attackgat:


You are echoing the sentiments of the OP without knowing it. Don't you know that with true federalism/regionalism/confederation, their will be no 'seriake Dickson' or even 'Bayelsa state' to owe money to? When the regions take form, premiers will be directly in control of their resources and as such, will be held directly accountable to people. Not this stupid unitary system where everyone is waiting for money from Abuja and is accountable to nobody

blackpanda:


I dont think u got my point. Federalism is good on paper, but impractical in reality (at least in the short run). Federalism is something we work towards not to wake up one morning and tell everybody there is no more allocation. Apart from the economic concerns, there is also the issue of security. Imagine if we were operating strict federalism now, NDA would have overpowered the state govt and taken over. Also remember that in federalism all the states are responsible for their own security. Now tell me, can delta state match the fire power of NDA? Federalism has extensive ramifications that we are not ready for

Omudia:
Bullshit!!! people know the truth but will never say it. The O.P is right. What the ND does with the allocations snt the problem here. The problem is that with or without the allocations, we are running an archaic and medieval system of government that has long neglected the region that has fed this entire country for decades.

Every state, governor, LGA chairman in Nigeria is corrupt so before you ask us what our governors have done, [b]you should also ask what your leaders have done with all the free money they have gotten in past decades. The injustice that has been meted on Niger Deltans must end. And tho in don't support pipeline vandalism, I advocate for equity and justice. Imagine if the SW or North was feeding the entire country and it's region devastated. Y'all should leave sentiments aside and speak the truth.

Justice must be served to the people of the Niger Delta. [/b]

blackpanda:


I dont think u got my point. Federalism is good on paper, but impractical in reality (at least in the short run). Federalism is something we work towards not to wake up one morning and tell everybody there is no more allocation. Apart from the economic concerns, there is also the issue of security. Imagine if we were operating strict federalism now, NDA would have overpowered the state govt and taken over. Also remember that in federalism all the states are responsible for their own security. Now tell me, can delta state match the fire power of NDA? Federalism has extensive ramifications that we are not ready for

attackgat:


With federalism will come the dissolution of the states and the creation or regions. In the context of Nigeria, the states cannot be the federating units

blackpanda:


You shld probably read up the meaning of federalism...it has nothing to do with regions or how the country is divided. Rather how it is run. Nigeria has come a long way from regional government. It will be almost impossible to go back!

attackgat:


You are right that federalism is not necessarily about regions. America has federalism but has no regions. However, Nigeria is not America. While America is a nation of immigrants, Nigeria is a nation of ethnic nationalities with different norms and customs. The states cannot be the federating unit because they only encourage 'divide and rule'. We must revert back to the regional form of Government. We Igbos will agree to be divided into 'states'. The southern minorities can have their own region(s) if that what the want. The federating units must be amongs the ethnic nationalities who share common norms and value system and not states created by military men.

989900:


You are right about corruption being a nationwide illness, but what is the attitude of the locals to corrupt politicians?

What would be justice for you?

At the emboldened, look at Akwa Ibom:
https://www.nairaland.com/1150784/pictures-developments-akwa-ibom-state

https://www.nairaland.com/2638737/beauty-akwa-ibom-photos

Omudia:
per the bolded, Good question..

why do other states get to control and take full responsibility of the solid materials and resources in their various states but the Niger Delta can't? it isn't injustice yh?
Justice would be true federalism. This cannot be over emphasized. If this isn't done, the government should expect more sabotage and vandalisms.

Apart from the fact that this is glaringly the only way forward, I'm also advocating for true federalism because of the parasitic north. They populate and fill every nook and cranny with almajiri beggars, sick and disabled people. They add little or nothing to our treasury, are against western civilisation and know nothing except their Qur'an. The Niger Delta cannot continue to feed people whose only goal in life is to overppopulate Nigeria.