NASS Adopts Confab Report For Constitution Review. Photo: Google Images
"No one has clear view of the future, yet politics feel trapped in the past frustratingly partisan and often ignoring evidence"- Ian Birrell.
Quite often our ignorance to these issues stops people asking the important questions about our fragile democracy- the abnormality, the imperfection of the system especially in the twenty-first century.
We all know that the system is not working. The country inherited a political system designed for a ' colonial empire that no longer exists'. The result is an over -centralised, elitist political structure that serves the interest of few people and the people that helped them win elections.
No doubt, there is decline in public confidence in the system that results in constant social protest and agitation for separation. There is growing distrust of the national government and the legislature, made worst in this dispensation with its dysfunctional politics of totalitarianism.
The country has failed to forge a new national identity, inclusiveness and resisting democratic reforms. The country as presently constituted is a political system built to serve 'vested interests' with no hope for ordinary people. There is widening inequality, great disconnect.
Now is the time to reform this obsolete system. We must not blame the BIAFRA Agitators who want to leave as there is limited prospects for social, cultural and economic advancement in this political arrangement.
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Regional Autonomy is overdue in Nigeria. It's the only way to reform this obsolete political system to address inclusiveness.
There is conclusive evidence about the benefits of Regional Autonomy as the regions stand to benefit more if they're allowed to take their destiny in their own hands for better governance, greater economic development, cultural, moral and social upliftment.
Regional Autonomy is about the 'rebalancing of political and economic relationships' within Nigeria in order to meet the challenges of the 21st- century- a common President, common currency, free trade, etc. The regions will have 'their own parliament and domestic tax arrangements' and inclusive democracy that guarantees greater citizen engagement.
Regional Autonomy is about political and economic freedom, breaking the monopoly of ABUJA over the socio-economic and politics of the rest of the nation giving 'direct voice' to the people.
Regional Autonomy is about new ways of living and governing for the twenty-first century which has proved very successful in most societies.
Naturally, there must be resistance especially from the people that benefit from the status-quo.
The idea of Ibo business investments in other parts of the country has nothing to do with the new political arrangement as those businesses will still thrive, paying due taxes to their host territories.
There is absolutely no need for the Project Fear engineered by the politicians, as Regional Autonomy is simply 'a new mode of distinctive development' in the new era. We are now in the age of internet anyone can run businesses from from anywhere.
The current agitation for independence is a result of continued marginalisation and doubtfulness of the Nigerian Project. The politicians and their agents- the sycophants must stop peddling the project fear and work with the National Assembly to usher in change.
This is twenty-first century where there is new ways of living and governing to ensure human flourishing, human security and human freedom. Ignoring the hard evidence is pointless.
The Acting President; Professor Osibanjo knows better than I do and should use his new position to build a new Nigeria on a shared value and shared identity to lift ordinary people out of poverty.
Professor Osibanjo must seize this moment to show his love for Nigeria by working with the National Assembly to bring a new era that will help the 'rebalancing of political and economic relationships within the Nigeria nation. This could be his legacy.
Now is the time to let his party, APC and the rest of the country know that he deserves our trust to lead a new Nigeria. Again, APC manifesto promised us restructuring , now is the time to hold APC party to account..
Regional Autonomy is the only way to end Nigeria's unending crisis, divisions, 'tedious tribalism', sycophancy, corruption, nepotism, autocracy, etc, which has raised so many questions about the future of Nigeria.
There is absolutely no reason for violence. We must unite for justice, fairness, freedom and peace and collectively defend freedom that comes with democracy.
Uche Okeke is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation
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