How many Nigerians, both leaders and the led, understand the concept of “dual sovereignty?” In the piece written by the Steven G. Bradbury, a Distinguished Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, titled: “California’s Radical Effort To Transform America’s Auto Industry: Not Your Forefathers’ Idea of Federalism,” published by the Foundation, he writes: “In the American system of dual sovereignty known as federalism, citizens deal with their state governments on matters of state and local concern and with the federal government on matters of national interest. The Founders recognised that issues uniquely or most directly affecting the residents of one state are best handled at the state or local level – not just for efficiency’s sake, but more importantly because the exercise of self-government over local affairs promotes the virtue and recognizes the dignity of the people, and therefore nurtures the strength of our republic.”
This is what Nigeria got mixed up. In its attempt at operating federalism, there is nothing like “dual sovereignty” where every resident has to look at his or her state government for matters bothering on existential well being.
Bradbury goes further: “A core principle of federalism is that all states – whether large or small, densely or sparsely populated – are equal in dignity and in sovereignty. Each state’s leadership (or representatives) are free to experiment with different policy approaches within their own local markets: Some state legislatures may choose to prohibit or restrict certain types of behaviour, while other states may allow the same conduct to go on with little or no regulation. In this way, through the so-called ‘laboratories of democracy’, one state’s innovative policies can inspire more effective government solutions for other states or the federal government while still permitting the residents of each state to retain the right of governing themselves in matters of local interest.”
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The idea described above was what was in operation in the 50s and early 60s in Nigeria before the military struck and dismantled the working economic system. The question for every Nigerian to ask is: Where did Nigeria find its type of federalism that failed to recognise the individual differences of the nations brought together to form the country?
The next question is: For how long will it still take over 200 million Nigerians to know that the failure to operate true federalism, the dual sovereignty, is why the economy has collapsed and all attempts to repair the system are failing?
According to the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Nigeria “should be a global player in the world, in terms of manufacturing, agriculture, education, trade and competitiveness”. This statement is an extract from the piece titled: “People Losing Faith In Nigeria’s Economy,” and published by The PUNCH. In the interview, Adesina went further to assert that the Netherlands, about a year or two ago, were earning over $90 billion a year from agricultural exports despite very limited land space the country has, while South Korea was earning about $230 billion from exporting machinery and other electronics.
He added: “If Nigeria is to develop fast and grow in double digits, it must solve its power problem. But, more than solving it, it must accelerate it in a quantum way to allow Nigerians to have low-cost power. I cannot emphasise enough that if we don’t have electricity, the economy cannot grow. First and foremost, we need to have some things that should not be acceptable. We should not be accepting that Nigeria is a poor country or has no electricity. We should not accept that Nigeria cannot feed itself.”
But the challenges confronting Nigeria, as presently constituted, make it look like there is no hope for the country’s economy. The country, as it is, seemed bedevilled with myriad disputes to an extent that it seems nothing can work again, notwithstanding the energies deployed and policies introduced. There are too many interests scattered in regional corners that makes the whole entity look like one that has passed its usefulness.
In a statement credited to the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line, one of its critical infrastructures, was vandalised a few days ago. It was another of such critical infrastructure vandalisation within a space of 60 days between February and March this year, that has kept the country in perpetual darkness. Can one really distance the power line sabotage from the banditry activities that have made the country ungovernable and a proof that Nigeria’s economy is suffering from a unitary system of governance? What about the increasing spate of smuggling of foodstuffs at a period the country is witnessing food shortages?
Since 1999, the federal government has been experiencing budget padding every year with insertion of projects by the national assembly. What started as an addition of a few billions has been left unchecked and has become a trillion phenomenon, going by the 2024 budget. Why the clandestine insertions? Can we say it is an attempt to corner resources from the centre for a section since the country is not operating truly-federal, dual sovereignty?
Nigeria must, as a matter of urgency, return to true fiscal federalism and each of the federating units can perform at its pace and elicit healthy competition among the thirty-six states. There is no sign of hope of quick revival and good time for the citizens in this current centrally-administered system of governance.
. Emmanuel is a business planning consultant and founder of Leacent Incorporated Trustees, a network of entrepreneurs and group of cooperatives. He works with a team of international consultants to conceptualise and plan agribusiness and housing projects. As a certified trainer authorised to use the International Labour Organisation’s enterprise development modules, he trains entrepreneurs and organises workshops and seminars for potential and practising entrepreneurs as well as business managers and cooperatives. He also speaks and facilitates at leadership and management workshops on invitation. His book, Business Planning Made Easy: Step by Step Guide On How To Turn Your Idea To Profitable Business’ is the latest of the books authored by him. Tel.: +234(0)9068602954 (call and sms), +234(0)8023257707 (WhatsApp only).
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