Law as a Vehicle for Good Governance and National Integration in Nigeria (Part 10)

Introduction

In the last episode, we made the following recommendations for realising the goal of applying the law to achieve good governance and national integration, vis: a new people-driven Constitution; a shift in our ideological orientation; creating socio-economic opportunities: enthroning equality, justice and fairness for all; and propaganda of national loyalty anchored on firm statehood. In today’s (the final) installment, we shall continue our outline of suggested recommendations, including the following: zero dominance of one or more ethnic group by another or others; institutionalisation of true federalism; establishing regional security outfits and, finally, eschewing tribal politics. Enjoy

Recommendations (Continues)

Zero Domination

Domination of a particular ethnic group or constituents over others cannot serve the overall purpose of nationhood. Without prejudice to history, the integrative mechanisms put forth to blur the margins have failed, and domineering has become the watch out of elites from different backgrounds. In Nigeria, the domination by the North in affairs of the government for decades has resulted to disapproval by other citizens. This enigma must be looked into in order to foster the struggle for good governance and national integration.

True Federalism

The federal nature of the government ought to be the biggest advantage for Nigeria’s coexistence. As earlier noted, the system was introduced to blur the diversity existing amongst the people. However, it is regrettable that the other side of the coin is what Nigeria has experienced from this beautiful concept due to ill practice. If true federalism is practised, it would cure the lacunas existing within the various ethnicity.

Regional Security Outfits

Nigeria has been a death zone, especially since the emergence of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North.

The Fulani herdsmen emerged, maimed, killed, destroyed and burnt. Fear of them informed the establishment of security outfits by other regions. For instance, the operation Amotekun for the South West; while the Eastern Security Network (ESN), emerged for the Eastern region. These various security outfits have gone a long way to disintegrate the security trust and confidence the people have in the armed forces. How can the people be integrated when they don’t feel secure within their farmlands, borders and homes?. How can they develop a sense of oneness and unity when the security challenges are region-centric?. The recent emergence of the unknown gun men in the East have further worsened the whole issue as the roads are no longer safe for navigation. The proliferation of all this security outfit is not healthy for a democratic constitutional government. It breeds distrust as a result of bad governance leading to National Disintegration.

Tribal Politics

Tribal politics had been recorded in the history of Nigeria prior to independence in 1960 and even after. Nweke records that in 1951, the three political parties that were formed to contest elected positions as provided by the MacPherson Constitution were tribalised.

The National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC) which was formed by Sir Herbert Macauley [later Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe], was dominated by the Igbos; the Action Group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo was for the Yorubas; while the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) led by Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was controlled by the Hausas/Fulanis. He further posits that sentiments and tribalism were inculcated into the Nigeria’s political structure which resulted in crisis. The political crisis generated by tribalism in Nigeria’s political life made the Colonial Secretary, Oliver Lyttleton, call for a new constitution which would grant each region more autonomy and prepare a way for its independence. In 1953 when Sir Oliver Littleton’s Constitution was written, the Constitution provided that:

1. The regions that wanted self government could have it in 1956, leaving the North to decide when it was ready and that,

2. Lagos would become a federal territory.For these provisions to be entrenched in the Constitution, it implied that tribalism is glaring in the nation’s polity. It is a bane to national integration and good governance.

Today in Nigeria, the ruling All Progressive Congress APC is believed to be Northern-centric; while the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, is believed to be Southern-centric. On the other hand, the Labour Party is believed to be affiliated to the East. This has risen ethnic and religious tension,+ in the polity. Therefore, tribal based-politics should be discouraged.      

Conclusion 

For any Nation to move ahead, integration of the boy, soul and minds is a sine qua non. This is because, unity is not just theoretical, but practically runs through the mind, act and inaction of the people. Nigeria is a great nation with rich practices; but, the misgovernance and zero integration which have in turn caused national disintegration has caused so much socio-political and economic derision, delusion and obloquy. Ethnic and religious cleavages have made the principles of federalism – shambolic and distasteful. Class war, corruption and economic sabotage have made the whole essence of nationhood a nightmare. The ethnic views of the people differ gravely – with various perceptions on leadership. So many constitutional mechanisms have been put in place to address issues of national concern, but all failed. Therefore, if this political El dorado of a nation does want to continue it’s existence in progress for the common good of the people, mammoth effort must be put together in the spirit of oneness and solidarity to motherland to achieve an agreeable path for the nation’s future.

The persistence of the twin challenges of good governance and national integration, despite the existence of the foregoing legal and Constitutional prescriptions, owes more to the attitude as a people than any structural or inherent ineffectiveness or inadequacies. As is often said, a system is only as good as its operator. In other words, only a bad workman complains about his (or her tools).

We can however, forge ahead and not throw up our hands in despair, in the knowledge that the quest for the perfect system is always a work in progress. It is a journey and not destination, as no system is ever perfect. What matters as the absolute irreducible minimum, is the quality of leadership (at all levels) who possess the vision matched by the requisite patriotic zeal and will to make the difference in the great leap forward to enable us to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams. What we all desire, is Nigeria that lives up to our expectations and aspirations- both collectively and as individual citizens. That is where credible elections come in. Their importance cannot be over-emphasised as the ideal leadership – recruitment process and mechanism. Our votes must be counted and also allowed, and no effort should be spared in this regard. We must therefore de-emphasise the persisting resort to the courts (or Tribunals), to determine the people’s choice. That trend is an aberration and not the ideal – rule of law or not.  I have since labelled it ‘’Judocracy’’. (The end)

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK

“The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.” (John Locke)

“The law should be clear, concise, and easy to understand.” (Thomas Jefferson)