By Adisa Adeleye

If there is one thing on which many Nigerians and the friends of Nigeria agree upon without any reservation, it is that the country‘s economic and political achievements since 1960 are below expectation.  The naturally endowed nation which should be the undisputed ‘giant of Africa‘ is however, unfortunately, has become a pitiable crawler in the race for development.

The politicians of the first republic (1960-1966) tried, howbeit, not with desired effect to practice the inherited democracy through the British type of parliamentary system.  The economy, based on the cultivation and export of agricultural products, was driven by a simple policy of import substitution.  Ordinarily, import taxes and export taxes on commodities supplemented internal personal and corporate taxes to ensure modest revenue to nurture and drive governmental activities.   Everything appeared smooth until the rise of political cynism leading to anarchism – the prelude to the first military coup of 1966.

The mood of sceptism followed the attempt of the military leaders to promote understanding after the regrettable massacres of many Ibos, especially in the Northern part of the country.  The apparently justified cynicism of the leaders of Eastern Nigeria, especially after the failure to implement Aburi Accord (a form of confederation), led to the costly civil war (1967-1970).  It was believed in certain quarters that civilian politicians would have prevented, at the last moment, the rush to a disastrous conflict.

The astute political move of the military government of the 1970s was the creation of states to give the minorities the say and rights in a plural society.  Nigeria is now a country of thirty-six states with Abuja (a semi-state) as the capital.  Though the motive of state creation might be altruistic, the deficient structure of those states created serious doubts in the minds of some Nigerians (19 states in the North; 17 states in the South) on the question of equity.

Since the return of democracy in 1999, the question of political stability of the country has been in focus.  Perhaps the lack of expected quality performance of the ruling party (PDP) has been responsible for the return of cynicism, sceptism and utter confusion in national politics.  In many parts of the North, lives and properties of people of Southern origin were wantonly destroyed.  In spite of setting-up and reports of many committees set up by several governments, living in some parts of the North has become a dangerous experiment, even as the Constitution of the country guarantees the peaceful living of all Nigerians in any part of the country.  It is a pity that the Boko Haram insurgency (North-East) has already worsened a very bad case of difficult co-existence. Many observers believe, and rightly so, that the resurgence of the political instability and economic uncertainties in the country could be attributed to the inefficiency and lack of focus of the present PDP administration under the present leadership.

Although the problems of Nigeria are many, some stand out clearly – corruption, ethnic and religious cleavages, unemployment leading to deepening poverty, violence and insecurity.  Some see the resolutions of the problems in the formation of a virile opposition and the restructuring of the political structure of the country.  Under the prevailing mood of cynicism and sceptism, a formidable opposition has emerged in the All Progressives Congress (APC).  The hostility the formation of the party encountered in certain ethnic quarters could hardly be imagined.  However, it should quickly be realized that it is only in a re-structured society that a virile opposition could thrive.

It is believed by many Nigerians that it is in the spirit of re-structuring of the polity (supported by many eminent Nigerians) that President Goodluck Jonathan (probably after genuine conviction) has called for, and set in motion, the desired National Conference.  Now, the celebrated cynics and formidable skeptics are having their field day of confusing issues.  What is wrong with President Jonathan as a politician finding a way out to consolidate his position through a popular step?  It is the duty of a responsible opposition to see that the people are not taken for a ride by being vigilant.  It is like committing political suicide for APC to see the declaration of a National Dialogue or Conversation as a diversion from national issues.

If the APC (mostly representing South-West and North-West political interests) allows itself to be led into an inglorious boy-cot of the National Conference, it would find itself in the miserable position of UPGA in 1964 by refusing to participate in the 1964 elections on the mere suspicion of a fraudulent election.  What would be gained if the PDP (under Jonathan) could not be defeated under the existing electoral arrangement in 2015?  Now is the time to discuss a workable arrangement for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria where no section would complain of MARGINALISATION (as people of South-West do now)

THE ECONOMY
Following the late disbursement of monthly allocations by the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to the States, some governors, especially those of Delta and Edo have doubted the stability of the Nigerian economy (which at present) has been given pass mark by IMF and other bodies.

The concept of monthly allocation itself negates the principle of true federalism.  Our own type of federalism is queer where the states are dependent on the centre for survival and the President, as the grandmaster of a charity organization.

In September, an allocation of N1.196 trillion was made to the States.  If that amount had been devoted to economic ventures and infrastructural developments, there would have been no need for such remark by a spokesman of the governors.  He said that: “we strongly disagree…..that the Nigerian economy has created the kind of jobs and attained the level of stability claimed when most qualified Nigerians are roaming the streets in search of non-existing jobs”.  If it might be politely asked, what do the governors do with their monthly allocations? We need to talk to re-fix Nigeria urgently before 2015, a romantic date for the gluttonous politicians.