[b]Nairalanders i must commend all for their comments .

My view on this topic is yes there are variants of federalism just like nigeria is a model.

however the current model has lead us no where rather we are working more towards disintegration that we are so much scared of that that desired. Implies its not working.

Why because as Ekweremadu will call it feeding bottle federation . It encourages complacency and laziness. Every state goes cap at hand to beg for money of funds.

My suggestion would be in the form of a federation say possibly between 4 to max 6 states or region.

Each to generate its funds and retain agreed percentage to the central. It engenders a health rivalry rather than the current scenario that encourages complacency.

Local Govt should be left to each region no to a restrictive LGA system that is equally non functional. They only pay salaries and nothing.

Summary each region or state should have a greater level of autonomy to determine certain aspect of its region e.g. transportation, mining, exploration etc

While all branches of Govt should have her police unit that is the LGA, The State and the federal Govt with clearly defined jurisdiction.

Two popular practitioners we could learn from are USA and UAE.

Take Dubai that Nigerians are madly in love with; it is one of 7 emirates or States that make up UAE. Yet Dubai is more popular that Abu Dabi the capital and next popular emirate. Besides these 2 there are other 5 Emirates that Nigerians hardly hear or talk about..dubai has her airline same for Abu dabi.


Similarly in the early independent Nigeria and the 1st republic. There was heathy rivalry between the regions. West had Ife and the east Nsukka, not wanting to be left behind ABU was established, same for the TV, Radio, Stadium etc
[/b]

mikolo80:
no my patriotic but ignorant brother, laziness bred laziness. it has nothing to do with system of govt. how is it systems fault that ppl refuse to hold their councillor to task.

Immunity clause in the constitution says you cannot sue, prosecute or charge a serving political office holder or his appointees to cour Until their tenure is over.

So if a governor like, he can eat 50billion... Nobody can touch him ... And after his tenure, he contest for House of rep or senate... And goes scott free with his loot.

It is the system ' s fault

For those of you against restructuring, lets keep sharing the pocket money every mnth.
.
20yrs frm nw, we'll still be clamoring for good roads and portable water.

oweniwe:


You are wrong sir...

There are some things called "Federal Exclusive " list....

Power, Rail, Police, Ports and othrr critical infrastructure are at the exclusive prerogative of the federal government....

States has no right to undertake FG exclusive projects. This is why states hardly repair federal roads... its same reasons why all ports are owned by FG...

Delta and Akwa Ibom tried to build their own sea ports and were frustrated.

Look at your power grid... You can't generate power without federal license and the power u generate will be shared people u don't know while your state is in darkness. Delta state has 3 power plants and yet power is erratic in Asaba... If you were the governor, will u build another power plant? That is why we have epileptic power in Nigeria.

So states can't just build anything they like. Whatever they want to build, they have to ship it to lagos and haul by trucks to their respective states....

All these useless laws limits and restrict investments. That is why it is better for Nigeria to revert to regionalism... Let people build whatever they want and keep it instead of chasing federal approval and then sharing their sweat with people they dont know

They are not useless laws so to say, lets call on our legislature to effect the needed changes. The executive that we curse and insult all the time, cant and will not do it. Only the legislature can make changes to that list.

Btw, Lagos repairs Federal roads all the time. Let's not be sentimental, do you know the reason the ports in other parts of the country cannot be compared or used on the same scale as that of lagos? Pls. google why Port in Felixstowe, UK is does more cargoes that than of Southhampton, same UK.

lionshare:
From this thread the problem of this country can be ascertained...

But do you think our leaders can actually heed to our cry for true federalism without a total revolution or confrontation?
What do you think Sir?

lionshare:


For the umpteenth time, Federalism does not support or advocate regionalism. In Federalism the center remains stronger and more powerful....regionalism cannot work in Nigeria only federalism can. Its imperative that some people understand that what we have now is FEDERALISM.

Mr man, in a federal system of government structure, the states or units making up the government are called regions and where the overall head of government is called the central also where absolute powers are resided.
The central government cannot remain overall powerfull in true federalism cause it's absolute powers enshrined in exclusive list of the constitution which it legislate alone are also being performed by the regional governments. Therefore, the central government has no absolute power over the states.The central is left with absolute powers in terms of foreign affairs and defence.
I am a political scientist, this is my field.

oweniwe:


Immunity clause in the constitution says you cannot sue, prosecute or charge a serving political office holder or his appointees to cour Until their tenure is over.

So if a governor like, he can eat 50billion... Nobody can touch him ... And after his tenure, he contest for House of rep or senate... And goes scott free with his loot.

It is the system ' s fault

That erroneous. It says you cannot pursue but it does not say you cannot stop, control or discourage corruption.

I would like to start a topic on the root cause and solution to corruption...

Do you have problem with urslf? Cos i see no sense in wht u have bin saying here all this while.

mikolo80:
one question.
no critical thinking involved.
who built this American system you gush about.?
it fell from heaven ba.?
think or at least do extensive research bfor you insult ppl you don't know on subjects you are I'll informed to comment on.

I challenge you to mention the part of the ''system '' that stops a governor from developing his state.
fashola was opposed by obj/pdp when he achievped most of his achievements in Lagos o.

ozimec:



Dear thanks for raising this important matter. Our leaders both past and present know this obvious fact that true fiscal federalism is the only way we can remain a country but, greed and hunger for power to enrich themselves never let them do the needful. we are just deceiving ourselves here because, there has never been peace and unity in this country because of this feeding bottle system of government we are currently practicing. Disunity is a symptom. We just live in a denial here and keep massaging the truth. The solution to all these agitations lies in ending this feeding bottle structure that we practice which encourages neocolonialism, the amalgamation of North and South is a big fraud. There is so much injustice, inequity, subjugation, winner-takes-it-all. There can't be peace under this structure, and if there is no peace there can't be unity or progress. Everyone must be made to feel involved, protected and represented for there to be first, a sense of patriotism, then unity. In this present structure where you have too strong center, one people use the instrument of the state to oppress and marginalize others. And when they protest they get killed. And we are talking about peace and unity. Let's be sincere, where in the world would security operatives open fire on unarmed civilian doing peaceful protest? Let's stop massaging the truthThis feeding bottle system of government we are running in this nation is the cause of all these problems. We need to end this structure. I am in total support of true fiscal federalism where every zones contribute a token to the centre and take their future and pace of growth in their own hands, and express their cultures and religion freely, and practice their vocations unhindered. I strongly believed that this is the only way to end this injustice. People must agitate for self determination and for resource control when they feel marginalized and abandoned.
So, let every well meaning Nigerians begin to support the proposed fiscal federalism instead of engaging in all these tribal sentiments and insult because, it will only bring hatred and more agitations.
Everyone must be made to feel involved, protected and represented for there to be first, a sense of patriotism, then unity.

I agree with u solemnly on everything save for the issue of neo-colonialism(colonialism through other means)..which according to Nkrumah is the last and most dangerous stage of imperialism. One major instrument of neocolonialism is Balkanization..the creation of non-viable states who become dependent on foreign aid..That one reason I'll stand against confederacy,because it will lead to "Somalianalisation" and ultimately slide into secession..Thereby create states of irregular sizes and viability. Francophone ex colonies in west Africa still rely heavily on France.;'weak states'

DEAFandDUMB:


But do you think our leaders can actually heed to our cry for true federalism without a total revolution or confrontation?
What do you think Sir?

If the social media can force the Senate to down on #CCB and others...they force them to look at the exclusive list. Take electricity from the exclusive list and you have power supply in Lagos in months. Its commonsense...why would you as an investor want to put money where you cannot dictate your terms: profit, employee, vision e.t.c,

Dminister:
Mr man, in a federal system of government structure, the states or units making up the government are called regions and where the overall head of government is called the central also where absolute powers are resided.
The central government cannot remain overall powerfull in true federalism cause it's absolute powers enshrined in exclusive list of the constitution which it legislate alone are also being performed by the regional governments. Therefore, the central government has no absolute power over the states.The central is left with absolute powers in terms of foreign affairs and defence.
I am a political scientist, this is my field.

To corroborate you, Alex Ekwueme was at a function in Enugu where he too clamoured for True Fiscal Federalism as way out of our mess

Why then is someone coming up with another warped definition of federalism?

Naija, hmmmm!

DEAFandDUMB:


But do you think our leaders can actually heed to our cry for true federalism without a total revolution or confrontation?
What do you think Sir?

Change (Not APC change ooo) is a process; lets force the law makers to consider the thoughts. I wish there were a platform deliberations(noteworthy one's) could be pass to the house to deliberate....Honestly I have learnt more on here than I have in any class or any course.

erusen:
advantages of federalism
1.people feel more involved
2.separation of power to help create checks and balance that are in play rather than let all one body hold all the power
3.a better understand,each states or region have different needs and care,for example the feeding of school children is more critical in some region than others,why such money is needed to build or repair schools,feeding school kids is not ridiculous to some regions,in an all out unitary government understanding the basic needs of some states is very.disadvantages will be over patriotism to a region over the entire country I guess.

Follow the hash tag on Twitter #giveNigeriatruefederalism

engrhorla:


You are welcome, Ma! Pls do! I trust you won't want doctors to do that for you!
6hours sleep in a day is good for the body - a quarter of d day!

By the way, I will join hands with you in making this thread staying up and alive!

Wow... Thanks a lot Sir.. Am really developing my brains here with great knowledge.. I love it when intelligent minds engage eachother for discourse in a very constructive way..
Thanks onces more Sir.. I appreciate..

lionshare:


For the umpteenth time, Federalism does not support or advocate regionalism. In Federalism the center remains stronger and more powerful....regionalism cannot work in Nigeria only federalism can. Its imperative that some people understand that what we have now is FEDERALISM.

Define Federalism in relation to Resource Control.

Nigeria will ever remain stagnant or even worse unless we get rid of our current leaders, federalism or not. I'm all for 100% resource control, local govt. autonomy, part-time legislators, state police etc. But it will never work unless we develop a system to check the inevitable systemic abuses that will follow. My humble opinion though, nice job @ op.

DEAFandDUMB:
Greatings my noble compatriots, I've taken time to study and observe to polity which is already hitted up along political/ethnic lines. I realised that both party A and party B all clamour and yawn for a better Nigeria irrespective of their party idealogy but the route or method of approach in remoulding this great Nation back to what it use to be seems not to be working..
Having said that, I would want the great minds in these forum to come together as one and engage eachother in a great constructive discourse on the aforementioned topic above and see if we can at least set sail from
there..
What do you understand about True Federalism?

Do you think what Nigeria needs now at this critical moment of unrest both at the northern and southern axis is True fiscal federational government?

If you are against true federalism and total restructuring of the system, please can we have your reason and what are the other possible ways of cultivating an evalasting peace and oneness in this country...


Thanks as we await your intelligent inputs...

1) Advantage is Biafra.
2) Disadvantage is still Biafra.
3) 1&2.

Dminister:
Mr man, in a federal system of government structure, the states or units making up the government are called regions and where the overall head of government is called the central also where absolute powers are resided.
The central government cannot remain overall powerfull in true federalism cause it's absolute powers enshrined in exclusive list of the constitution which it legislate alone are also being performed by the regional governments. Therefore, the central government has no absolute power over the states.The central is left with absolute powers in terms of foreign affairs and defence.
I am a political scientist, this is my field.

Honestly if you are political scientist...please return your certificate. What do you call what USA is practicing? OH or you think NY is more powerful than the FG? why then do you think the rich sponsor politicians to Washington...If may ask who dictates the economic direction? why do you think the greenback has been on bullish lately?

I am ready to learn....i mean i would always bow to superior argument backed with facts and figures...

erusen:
the present administration will fight against it,because they are greedy bunch of foo.ls who want more power at the top rather than admitting Nigeria's obvious solution.

erusen:
am a big fan of federalism,people that fight against all either stupid northeners or core buharist,is only in Nigeria where we fail to take the right decision because of greed and party affiliation

If only they knew what federalism even means.

CyerSeries:
If it will favor the north as you want us to believe, why then are they always against it whenever the issue is brought up? .. Case study is that last national conference.

federalism will divide Nigeria and Nigeria must not divide. The pioneers of Nigeria will always stand against. lets just forget federalism and embrace power at the center. God knows why he made Nigeria. we all need each other to survive. one blessed nation. all we need do is know the fact that death will come to us all one day and no man is immortal. with that at the back of our mind, fairness and equity, peace and progress will lead. we have what it takes to make Nigeria great but greed and corruption has eaten so deep into each and everyone one of us.

DEAFandDUMB:


But do you think our leaders can actually heed to our cry for true federalism without a total revolution or confrontation?
What do you think Sir?

Our elected leaders can
And they will!

It is highly disastrous for us to let things continue as it is!

Let it be known that achieving true fiscal Federalism entails that we will do away with the present constitution that 'jails a man who steals a goat' but 'sets free a man who steals billions'

The centre can no longer hold!

Hence, we have to somehow devise a way of making these leaders dance to our tune.

The truth of the matter is they won't want to give in easily

methodyk:
Define Federalism in relation to Resource Control.

I know your endgame....but If i may ask who ends up richer?

Eluwilussit:


1) Advantage is Biafra.
2) Disadvantage is still Biafra.
3) 1&2.

Please can we concentrate more on the topic of discourse and not let tribe reasoning get involved in it.. If your point butters on secession, you can then state while you think Biafra is the advantage and disadvantage of true federalism... Let's hear from you Sir... The mic is in your hands now..

engrhorla:


To corroborate you, Alex Ekwueme was at a function in Enugu where he too clamoured for True Fiscal Federalism as way out of our mess

Why then is someone coming up with another warped definition of federalism?

Naija, hmmmm!

May be you should school me on this topic. Why wouldn't Alex Ekwueme advocated for true federalism when he knew it is the only way biafra could be achieved. if you think true federalism doesn't lead to regionalism then I see no reason why I should continue schooling one who is far from the language of political science.

porozhniy:
Nigeria will ever remain stagnant or even worse unless we get rid of our current leaders, federalism or not. I'm all for 100% resource control, local govt. autonomy, part-time legislators, state police etc. But it will never work unless we develop a system to check the inevitable systemic abuses that will follow. My humble opinion though, nice job @ op.

Thanks Dear... We are learning from eachother here.. Please can you throw more lights on the bolded from your submission..

DEAFandDUMB:


Wow... Thanks a lot Sir.. Am really developing my brains here with great knowledge.. I love it when intelligent minds engage eachother for discourse in a very constructive way..
Thanks onces more Sir.. I appreciate..

I am honoured Madmoiselle!

It's really good honestly!

We have talents here, I mean on this platform

Funny thing is a thought struck me today..that why is it that Nigerians on the streets appear to have solution to certain issues bedevilling the country than our elected leaders!

Stumbling on this thread furthermore proves me right to a certain extent!

Nigeria can be great!

Oildichotomy:
Anybody telling us about a particular region pulling out because of Fiscal federalism is just showing insecurity and crass laziness.

I know for sure the Niger Delta ain't pulling out for no reason if federalism is practised to the latter.

The current system feeds the current drive of succession and truth be told we cannot continue like this or we will continue in this vicious cycle of ethnic divisions, nepotism and corruption.

#FederalismIsNigeriasFuture
#NoToFeedingBottleFederalism

As much I would love to support this but I think you should understand that even if we allow SS keep 90% of proceeds from oil it will remain the same way as it is today.

ogwuche4u:

federalism will divide Nigeria and Nigeria must not divide. The pioneers of Nigeria will always stand against. lets just forget federalism and embrace power at the center. God knows why he made Nigeria. we all need each other to survive. one blessed nation. all we need do is know the fact that death will come to us all one day and no man is immortal. with that at the back of our mind, fairness and equity, peace and progress will lead. we have what it takes to make Nigeria great but greed and corruption has eaten so deep into each and everyone one of us.

The purpose of this thread,I believe,is for us to learn an sharpen our hitherto understanding..That's d reason I took out time to explain both concepts(federalism and confederacy/"true federalism).
Federalism,if practised appropriately will unite and allay ethnic sentiments(due to a central government).on the other hand,confederacy will only highlight ethnic differences. We will become conscious of our echelon. Thereby,further polarising the country. Also,federalism,if anemic,will also heighten ethnic consciousness..the marginalised group will react and call for separation.
The truth does not change,only our knowledge of it does..Confederacy is tantamount to giving up our unity and oneness.

mukhcech:




If only they knew what federalism even means.

So funny my dear.. But you might be right oooo.. I will make hard copies of all the comments on this thread and forward it to the national assembly for them to study and act on it..

chimex4u2:
Do you have problem with urslf? Cos i see no sense in wht u have bin saying here all this while.

if na waec na una go de talk say dem fail una instead make una talk true say una no fit answer simple question. de blame poor witches for village wen nor get una time.
who sabi sef maybe na insult una insult invigilators sef

WILLIAMS10:

The purpose of this thread,I believe,is for us to learn an sharpen our hitherto understanding..That's d reason I took out time to explain both concepts(federalism and confederacy/"true federalism).
Federalism,if practised appropriately will unite and allay ethnic sentiments(due to a central government).on the other hand,confederacy will only highlight ethnic differences. We will become conscious of our echelon. Thereby,further polarising the country. Also,federalism,if anemic,will also heighten ethnic consciousness..the marginalised group will react and call for separation.
The truth does not change,only our knowledge of it does..Confederacy is tantamount to giving up our unity and oneness.

Well said!!!