Nigeria is a federal republic in the sense that there is both a national government and governments of its 36 states and it utilizes the form of government in which the people hold power, but elect representatives to exercise and utilize that power with the executive power exercised by the president.
According to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ‘‘Federal character is essentially affirmative to create a balance…it should be based on merit’’ such that ‘‘if we are to reserve an office for a particular zone, that zone should be able to produce the best candidate.’’
The best candidates must be ones that can stand on their own and can deliver on assigned mandate . The candidates need not be a member of any registered political party . Recent comments by the president elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu points to the same fact . However our experience so far is in abeyance of this common sense and reality in our polity.
The federal character in government has turned into an instrument for compensating political cronies and supporters across the 6 geo political zones in the country. The skepticism on the manipulation of the federal character requirements has made many watchers of public policy to push for a realistic review that would enhance the federal character initiative.
Former Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi had asked, obviously in indignation, why federal character had always been pursued at the expense of merit and competence. HRM Sanusi has wondered why the development indicators of the north have not improved considering the amount of northern leaders that governed the country since independence. His point is very simple, development indicators do not improve by the amount of people that are in power from your region rather it would be measured by the amount of better schools, better housing, better hospital, better social infrastructure and gross domestic product of the country.
According to a recent editorial in the Guardian Newspaper , The principle of federal character is enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria for such laudable reasons as inclusion, representation, sense of belonging and balance in the polity. Above all, it serves a uniting purpose in this multi-ethnic, multi -religious country of many nations. Indeed, these reasons are expressed in Section 14(3) of the extant constitution thus: ‘‘The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and to promote national unity and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or any of its agencies.’’ Section 14(4) restates this principle for the states and the local councils.
Most recently, President Muhammadu Buhari submitted names to the Senate for approval as commissioners in the Federal Character Commission. The chairman is Muheeba F. Dankaka from the northern state of Kwara. The sitting secretary is Mohammed Bello Tukur Esq. With her appointment, the top five positions in the commission are firmly occupied by northerners.
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A development that prompted Osita Chidoka, former minister of aviation to cite this as one of the ‘‘seeds of national discord that has been systematically sowed over the past few years by the out going government…’’ he says if the FCC itself is thus compromised, how effective it can implement its mandate is anybody’s guess. This is why we are all waiting for the cabinet and non cabinet appointments by the president elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Government of National Competence
According to Tinubu his government would focus on Competence. In his words neither religion nor ethnicity and other such considerations would determine appointments, in my government but promised to ensure a full integration of youths and women. Should we believe the president elect?
His winning ticket at the 2023 presidential elections was a Muslim – Muslim ticket . Is the Muslim on that ticket chosen because of Competence or because of votes? Are we matured for government of national Competence? The leaders of the governments of Britain, Ireland and Scotland are all of Indo-Asian descent, just like major CEO of some Wall Street and silicon valley companies are of Indo – Asian descent. This recruitment posture points at the importance of Competence over ethnic and religious consideration.
According to the editorial board of the Guardian Diversity in a polity can be a strength, or a weakness, depending on how it is managed by those entrusted with the affairs of state. Armed with a constitutional provision, there can be no reason for any government to fail to act for inclusiveness, balance and stability in the political and administrative setup of this country of complex diversity. If the FCC Act is transparently implemented, it will foster equity and a sense of belonging among the constituent groups of Nigeria. This will improve trust, cooperation and development. On the other hand, stability, peace and development eludes a country that is controlled by a provincial-minded leadership.
The pledge by the incoming President
Tinubu has promised the electorate that “As your incoming president, I accept the task before me. There has been talk of a government of national unity. My aim is higher than that. I seek a government of national competence.
“In selecting my government, I shall not be weighed down by considerations extraneous to ability and performance. The day for political gamesmanship is long gone. The 2023 Presidential polls are over . I shall assemble competent men and women and young people from across Nigeria to build a safer, more prosperous and just Nigeria. “There shall be young people. Women shall be prominent. Whether your faith leads you to pray in a church or mosque will not determine your place in government. Character and competence will.
“To secure our nation and to make it prosperous must be our top priorities. We cannot sacrifice these goals to political expediencies. The whims of politics must take a backseat to the imperatives of governance. The elections and campaigns are over.
“We have bridges and roads to build not just for commerce and travel but to connect people of different faiths, parties and different outlooks in harmonious dialogue and common purpose. We have families to feed not just to eliminate hunger but to nurture enlightenment, civic responsibility and compassion.
“We have jobs to create not merely to put people to work but to afford all a better standard of living by which families and communities are improved and democracy deepened. We have water to replenish not just to quench physical thirst but to ignite a thirst for creative and better solutions to society’s challenges.
“We have a nation to protect such that we eliminate danger and even the fear of danger. May all of our people be able to live their lives in the light of peace and the glow of broadening prosperity”. According to him, an important step towards restoring economic normalcy has been taken by the Supreme Court’s decision on the parity of old and new notes.
He said: “This restores both the rule of law and economic decency. But this is not the end of the story. It is merely the beginning of a more comprehensive solution to our economic challenges.”
We are watching and waiting for you Mr. President – elect.
Michael Umogun is a chartered marketer with interest in public policy
