Restructuring is one sure way to guarantee security and prosperity of citizens in Nigeria.

"A dysfunctional political system for luxury and adorenment, exploitation and domination must be overhauled to guarantee citizen security and prosperity in ethnic diverse society like Nigeria. The current political system is flawed, expensive, exploitative, wasteful, oppressive, dictatorial, people deserve more than that"-Uche Okeke

I have argued very strongly that politics in Nigeria is dominated by self-interests, narrow demands of the cabals who weild power; ruthless cabals with a 'distinct lack of conscience'. The country has been shaped more by political decisions of the centre ; unitary-centralised political system characterised by exploitation, ruthless pursuit of self-interests which affects economic development , trust, governance and growth. It needs adjustment/restructuring to guarantee autonomous states/regions, independence of the political decisions of the centre, i.e, greater devolution of responsibilities and resources. There is abundant evidence of successful economies that do not have the benefits of oil. They have thrived on efficient tax system, technology, entrepreneurship, Agriculture, manufacturing,  trade, greater citizen engagement, inclusiveness, knowledge economy, empowering women, pioneering investment and innovation, modernisation, prudent management and better governance, the myth of diaspora, NGOs, global partnerships etc. Independent states with more economic and financial resources present great opportunity not risks for development. Restructuring is the solution to the current political system/structure which 'obstructs development and consolidation of democracy' in Nigeria. Homogeneous society is a great advantage to democratization, this is not far from moving economic and political power down to identity. Restructuring is about alternative policy responses to stagnation, persistence poverty and instability .Restructuring Nigeria is one sure way to address the 'inter-connectedness of trust, governance and growth'. Employing a political economy approach, Independent States/Autonomy will avoid centralised leadership, promote decentralized leadership for more effective governance, prevent dominant coalition, make it 'easier to obtain consensus, develop and propagate its own agenda , build separated and strong institutions-investigative and judicial arm and promote its own ideology and diplomacy, cultural and historical factors, greater citizen engagement-accountability and transparency, embrace partnership as part of its own development strategy. Unlike the current structure characterised by self-interests, formation of dominant coalition, lack of transparency and accountability, weak institutions and mechanisms to hold leaders to account for their promises. Restructuring Nigeria is one sure way to harness or manage our diversity, make the union strong and leverage global partnership to effect development and growth. Restructuring is neither disintegration nor seccession, as the politicians want ignorant people to believe, so ordinary people need to be properly informed. Without restructuring anything else is distraction. Electoral democracy, i.e. election every four years does not bring development especially in a political climate/environment characterised by pitch invasion-'gutter' politicians in charge. Some of us still see the world through the map phenomenon or 'map' narrative; distorted views that tend to  make us celebrate and fight for the status-quo, the same reason for persistence of poverty, mass-unemployment, stagnation and political instability. Thinking needs to change. We must learn to look at the solution to our problem from the global best practices, not the distorted/narrow views of the power grabs; self proclaimed statesmen influenced by prejudice, outdated knowledge and self-interests. Homogeneity increases trust, good governance and leads to economic progress. No doubt, Restructuring is one sure way to guarantee security and prosperity of citizens in Nigeria.The current system promotes abuse of power by people who still envisioned a world dominated by one human group that violently subdues all others. Restructuring is not an option rather a development intervention whose time has come. Restructuring Nigeria is long overdue.

Uche Okeke is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation. He has participated in ; Political Economy of Institutions and Development , Universiteit Leiden. He lives in London.