The advocate for a non-centralized federal system and power devolution in the Nigerian constitution review is Professor Emmanuel Ojo, a Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
He made the call while delivering the 291st Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ilorin on Friday.
Details of the Advocated System
Professor Ojo described the current 1999 Constitution as “defective and an imposition by the military oligarchy,” which has resulted in “federal immobilism” (stagnation). He proposed a radical overhaul of the federal structure based on the following principles:
- Non-Centralized Federal System: A structure where state governments are:
- Politically vibrant
- Legislatively strong
- Financially resilient
- Self-confident and self-assertive centres of respect that command the political loyalty of their citizens.
- Power Devolution: Power must be significantly devolved from the Federal Government to both the states and local governments for the system to be efficient. He emphasized the need to “reanimate” local governments.
- Constitutional Reform: He advocated for the drafting of a brand-new Federal Constitution through a democratic process such as a Referendum, Constitutional Convention, or Constituent Assembly whose membership should be democratically elected.
- Repeal of the Land Use Act: This would allow resource-bearing communities (states) to benefit maximally from their natural endowments and receive royalties, rather than the current system that centralizes ownership under the Federal Government.
- Revenue Formula Review: The highly contentious revenue allocation formula must be “tinkered with” to complement the devolution of powers to lower tiers of government.
- Federal Spirit: He urged Nigerians to collectively imbibe the “federal spirit” in all national spheres to promote justice and equity and reduce ethnic tensions.
