- There should be a Physical (Structural) and Fiscal (Financial-Revenue-Derivational Sharing Formular) Restructuring of the Nigerian Federation.
- Physically Restructuring of the country into Eight (8) Regions: Four (4) in the North (North West: Hausa/Fulani in majority, North East: Kanuri in majority, Middle Belt: warehousing/encompassing the minorities of middle-north, Adamawa Province (comprising parts of the Northern Cameroon that came into Nigeria through the pre-independence plebiscite) or named as North East Central: warehousing/encompassing the minorities of the east central north); and Four (4) in the South (South West: Yorubas in the majority, South East: Igbos in the majority, Mid-West: warehousing/encompassing the minorities of West Niger, and Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers or named as South-South: warehousing/encompassing the minorities of East Niger). All these envisaged (suggested) regions should have equal number of states—maximum of eight (8) states (which will serve as the third level of Government in Nigeria). Indeed, there should be five (5) levels of Government in Nigeria thenceforth, thus: Federal Level (to be led by a Rotational-Collegiate-Presidential System with a President whose tenure is rotated); 8 Regions (to be led by Premiers who will also serve in the Presidential Collegiate Presidential System); States (in regions) to be led by Governors; Local Government Areas (LGAs–in states) to be led by Chairmen; and Neighbourhood Communities (NCs–in Local Government Areas to be led by Leaders). This five levels (Five Finger levels) arrangement in Governance of Nigeria will make Nigeria a unique Federation of its own. Also, the inclusion of states will sustain the Historical imperative of state creation in Nigeria and their ability to bring further development to the hinterland; it also gives the power of creation/creativity to regions, as states have the same power of creation/creativity in Local Governments, as Local Governments have the same power of creation/creativity in Neighbourhood Communities (which will capture the data of everyone residing in them as everybody lives in near or distant neighbourhoods in the country). To say the least, this arrangement will surely bring the much desired everlasting political stability, peace and progress to the country. Economically, this structure will make the different levels of government to focus and attain their capabilities; and also to work strenuously on areas they have comparative advantages.
Thereafter, it is hereby suggested that Nigeria should be known, referred and called: United Regions of Nigeria (URN).
- Surely, the emplacement of “Rotational-Collegiate-Presidential System” will surely and positively totalize the desired quest for peace, progress and prosperity of the Nigerian Nation-State. In its practice, the Presidency will be rotated among the regions (North and South—one after the other) for one term of 4 or 5 years each (and inclusive of all without sidetracking any). And all the Premiers of the regions will seat always in collegiate style (executive council) to decide on policies of national importance (indeed in all Executive policies of the Federal Government–in formulation and implementation, and are to be in their oversight functions, which is by all the Premiers of the Federation).
- Emplacement of a Unicameral National Assembly with five (5) Senators from each state (third level of Government) will curtail wastage and quicken legislative duties for the good of the nation. State Legislators and all Court Judges (who will interpret laws passed) in Nigeria will form the “Congress of the People” quarterly (meeting electronically in State House of Assemblies), to pass or reject (by simple or two-third majority) bills passed by the Senate. Regions will not have Legislative Houses (State Legislative Houses and Legislatures will converge quarterly at regional Capitals to make Regional Laws). State Governors in Regions are to converge monthly to formulate and implement Regional laws and infrastructural master plans (their designs, implementation, supervision and maintenance). Premiers can be appointed from amongst the State Governors or elected through a general election.
- The existence of only two (2) major political parties (Conservatives and Liberals/Progressives/Welfarists), will surely foster peace, unity and progress in Nigeria. Choice of Party and individuals to be voted for, in elections by the electorates will then be made easy and will surely end in qualitative/reasonable choices.
- Fostering and the Enthronement of the culture of selfless and servant-leadership style at all the strata of the Nigerian body-politic, will surely make the nation to rapidly attain her desired developmental levels.
- Emplacement of “Patriotic-Utilitarian-Capitalism” (Greatest Good for All; Work for All, with a one day in a week compulsory Civic-Duty-For-All-Citizens) to transform the socio-economic sector of the nation. One day in a week also should be left as work free day for all citizens as their “worship day”; and one day in a week also as “family day”. This then means that four days will be left in a week and must be utilized as work days with entrenched work time from 8am to 5pm (extra hours after this time should be considered as extra duty hours and must be paid for as “over time”); except for those working on shift duties and on essential duties; but whereby their work hours exceeds eight hours per day, they should be paid extra duty allowance (also known as overtime).
- Constitutional Entrenchment and Enthronement of “Participatory Democracy and Leadership style” at all levels of Government and in all Governmental practices.
- Emplacement and legally sanctioned practice of a three (3) year Compulsory Military Service to be done by all youths, to inculcate early, the “Spirit of Patriotism, Nationalism, Humility and Selfless Service to the Nation and to Humanity”. These three (3) years are to be expended thus: One (1) year for teaching, One (1) year for Agriculture and Community Services, and one (1) year for full military Services. They should be paid their equivalent salaries and allowances while undertaking this national service.
- Fiscal (Financial and Revenue Derivational) Formular that makes “Resource Control” by all levels of Government to be “practically-operative”. In essence, it is hereby suggested that 50% of whatever revenue is derived from resources and other financial-derivatives from regions, states and local governments, should be retained by them, and then pay the remaining 50% to their higher levels of Governance. Indeed, the component parts of the federation should be made to pay royalties to the federal government from revenues derived from resources within their areas. In addition, the federal government should only concern itself with the defense of the nation (policing should be left to the regions and states but federal bureaus of investigations and other investigative and intelligence agencies could be established and managed by the federal government), currency, external relations, federal regulations and other items as made manifest in its constitutional exclusive list.
In conclusion, methinks that if these ten (10) measures as suggested here are implemented in our country, The Nigerian Nation-State will surely witness peace, progress and prosperity in its body-polity. Indeed, there will be immediate and phenomenal positive developmental strides in her socio-economic and political facets. Let us give it a trial! Others as suggested by other well-meaning citizens should also be welcomed and made operative too.
Written by Ejike Kingsley Osuji.
