True Federalism in Nigeria: The Slogan is not the answer

I have been seeing too many posts on Federalism recently that honestly, I cannot keep up anymore. The funny part is they are all saying the same thing; How Nigeria needs to practice it and it being the way forward. It is hilarious you know. There has been serious agitation for true Federalism which became essential for the birth of this post. Before I forget, let me explain what Federalism is to everyone. 

“Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between the Central (The Federal government) and the Federating Units (Regional or States Government).”

Let us take a look at the United States of America who is always cited as an example of true Federalism. The American states came together to create the Federal government whereas in Nigeria, the Federal Government created the states.The reason why Federalism is more successful in the United States would be that the state possesses power as the federal government even though the Federal Government became strong through the imaginative application of interstate regulations. In the case of Nigeria, We need to stop chanting the true Federalism anthem because naturally the creator is more powerful than the created.
Unlike the United States where the states are the creators, the Federal Government is the creator in Nigeria.

The United States whom we are emulating are courageous and ready to face and meet their problems and domesticate older models like in Europe to suit their environment. Whereas Nigerians are intellectually lazy and always eager to copy hook, line and sinker without understanding that America did not copy Europe this way. And without even taking into consideration her environment, what is beneficial to her and what works for her.

That is why we are not even able to take account of our historical situation. Knowing how well Governors have misused the power in their states, are still agitating for state police. They should have the courage to rigorously examine or analyze and fashion policies that will take account of the actual Nigeria conditions and remedy the observed defects. Example, Immunity for state Governors gives them the audacity to loot for 8 years before they can be called to order if at all because they cannot be sued. Where does true Federalism come into play here? How does Federalism solve this problem? With the limited power the state possesses they have this such immunity, how be it when we fully implement True Federalism. Also, have you ever watched news clips of the national assembly plenary? By and large, they are almost always two third empty. Can’t we see that most of the members are only there for the money they can make and not the services they can render? Can’t they formulate concrete policies to address the observed defects in the Legislature? This is why we always know our problems, the causes and the solution but then nothing changes. We cannot implement any system of Government in Nigeria if we do not restructure the politicians. Knowing the name of what we want is not enough. The jingles are not the answers. It takes more than raising placards, roaming the streets and posting ideas on social media.

So before you continue dancing with your True Federalism slogan, stop and ask yourself

 “What exactly is True Federalism?”