For the second time since the fuel subsidy crisis started in the last one week, former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida has a statement condemning President Goodluck Jonathan's approach to the imbroglio even as he demanded in clear words today, a total restructuring of the nation.
His statement entitled "PRESIDENT JONATHAN; SEIZE THE MOMENT", reads:
"In my retirement home here in Minna, Niger State, North Central of Nigeria, I have been watching with responsible interest the unfolding scenario about our dear nation and the reactions which trailed government’s removal of subsidy on oil. The maturity exhibited by the protesters coupled with their orderly conduct has since become an innovation in Nigeria with respect to protestations and demonstrations. As a former Military President who survived eleven of such public anger, I should be in a better position to appreciate the maturity of the one under reference. I also feel a sense of pride seeing our muslim and Christian brothers and sisters express such uncommon love and solidarity during the protest. It is a demonstration of the fact that Nigerians appreciate the mutuality of our collegiate existence irrespective of their religious inclinations and beliefs. This has further convinced me about the unity of Nigeria and the communalism of our collective sufferance as one nation under God.
Mr. President, I have also sat back to do some sober reflections on the challenges which this strike action has thrown up with particular reference to the structure of the Federation. If my opinion will not be misconstrued again by government spin-doctors and naysayers, I would rather call on President Goodluck Jonathan to seize the moment by legitimately embarking on complete restructuring of the country in order to put into practice the real principles of a Federation. Under our present arrangement, our skewed federalist status has brought about series of role conflicts between the Federal Government and the federating units. There is too much power concentration at the center, thus weakening the comparative abilities of the federating units at generating wealth for their constituents. History will be kind on Mr. President if he takes this bold step at ensuring the practice of true federalism.
My very honest advice is that President Goodluck Jonathan should commence the process of devolving powers from the center to the federating units; States and Local Governments; in order to gain sufficient time and concentration on several other developmental issues that would help move the nation forward. I have studied government’s blueprint on how it intends to utilize the “gains” of subsidy removal, but I have reservations for the deep level of involvement of the Federal Government at implementing the blueprint as opposed to the States and Local Governments. Under a true federation and with the inherent attractions of an all-inclusive democracy, the three tiers of government are supposed to be complementary in terms of pursuing national goals and objectives. The Legislative Houses at the States and Local Governments are supposed to be vested with the responsibility of making laws for the smooth running of their respective constituencies. That way, certain powers would be devolved from the center and they would now be more responsive to the needs of their people both at the States and Local Governments levels. Under a true Federation, for example, the Federal Government has no business in providing primary healthcare services or renovation of Primary Schools when that ought to be in the purview of the States and Local Governments. Brazil suffered this structural imbalance some two decades ago, but its ability to confront the challenge, has placed Brazil on the threshold as one of the World’s performing economy.
Let me reiterate the strong need for Mr. President to commence the process of practicing fiscal federalism in the area of power devolution, anti-corruption crusade, attitudinal re-orientation, bureaucratic reforms, slim government, unicameral Legislature and transparency in governance. Under this new arrangement Mr. President, the Federal Government will be vested with powers to undertake responsibilities in the area of charting the economic roadmap for the nation, defense and protection of territorial integrity of the nation, as well as Foreign Policy. These portfolios would provide the Federal Government the opportunity to generally oversee the affairs of the country, without meddling into the affairs and responsibilities of the federating units.
As a part of this restructuring, the Federal Government must commence the process of cutting down on cost of running government by ensuring that a slim and tidy bureaucracy is put in place. The weaknesses in the present arrangement have since been exposed and have to be discarded to accommodate new thinking in global managerial dynamics. Even though Presidential system is expensive to run, there is nothing wrong if we devise models that will suit our local peculiarities in view of our present financial predicament. The nation cannot afford the luxury of sustaining a 72 per cent recurrent expenditure portfolio as against 28 per cent capital expenditure with our weak or near-absence infrastructural foundation. We can also begin the process of tinkering with our Constitution to provide for a unicameral legislature since the cost of running a bicameral Legislature has since become apparently unaffordable.
Government’s anti-corruption crusade must be given teeth in such a transparent and accountable manner devoid of political witch hunt, favouritism and executive interference. Our anti-corruption crusade must have identifiable set goals with measured impact assessment so that the citizenry will buy into the program without let or hindrance. Once the crusade on anti-corruption is set on the right footing, it will go a long way to mitigate incidences of corruption and corrupt practices in both public and private sectors of our economy.
I feel strongly that this new thinking should occupy the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan in his transformation agenda in his determination to make an impression in governance with a marked departure from old practices. Nigerians would have appreciated him better on the basis of this restructuring intervention than just taking the single item of subsidy removal that has further disconnected the people from their leaders. Mr. President must begin to rethink these developmental challenges in our renewed vigour to building trust and confidence in the polity once again. Once the dust of strike action settles, government must take bold steps to commence these recommendations for their far-reaching impact on the growth and development of the nation.
May the Almighty Allah continue to give us the way and the will to do that which is right in the eyes of Allah and of the people. Amin."
Signed for and on behalf of General Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR.
PRINCE KASSIM AFEGBUA
MEDIA SPOKESMAN.
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