Nigeria, Criticize Tinubu’s Plan
A bill proposing a return to the regional system of government in Nigeria has sparked significant backlash from northern media influencers and social media personalities, particularly from the Arewa community on Twitter. The proposed bill, which aims to replace the current constitution derived from Decree 24 of 1999, has been met with vehement opposition, with critics alleging that it is part of a broader plan to dismantle the North.
Background and Content of the Bill
The controversial draft bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Substitute the Annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a New Governance Model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” is circulating on social media. It seeks to introduce a federal/regional system of governance, giving ethnic blocs within states the autonomy to govern their affairs. This bill, once passed, would replace the 1999 Constitution with a new governance model, pending a referendum by the Nigerian people.
The bill’s advocates argue that the current constitution is not “autochthonous” since it was imposed by the military without the explicit consent of the Nigerian people. They claim that a revised constitution reflecting the desires of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationalities is necessary for true federalism.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Federation Structure: Nigeria would be restructured into regional territories with a Federal Capital Territory.
- Self-Determination Rights: Every ethnic nationality in Nigeria would have the right to self-determination and the establishment of government institutions within their territories.
- Referendum Requirement: Any constitutional amendments would require approval through a national referendum.
Northern Opposition
Prominent northern figures and influencers have expressed their disapproval of the bill. They argue that the North, already disadvantaged in terms of political, economic, and educational development, would suffer further under a regional system. They also accuse the current administration, led by President Bola Tinubu, of trying to dismantle the North’s influence.
Comrade Abiyo Roni from Jigawa State stated, “As a Northerner, I will never support Regional Government. For the past 64 years of Independence, what does the North gain in terms of political, economic, and educational development? In every aspect, the North has been left behind. Our North region is the most retrogressive region in the country, so let’s build the North before any regional government.”
Another northern voice, Sarki, emphasized the timing issue: “Simply put, I’m not against a regional system of government, but this is not the right time for it because the North is at a disadvantage. Get rid of insecurity and return our region to us as you found it, and then we can consider reverting to that system of government.”
Public analyst and political strategist Hamma Hayatu suggested that President Tinubu, influenced by his National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) background, is pushing for restructuring without prior campaign promises: “Tinubu did not promise restructuring Nigeria during the campaigns, but the NADECO spirit in him will definitely tow toward that. An unverified kite of a bill about regional government is being flown now.”
Social Media Reactions
The sentiment on social media, particularly among Arewa Twitter, is largely critical of the proposed bill. Many users accuse the government of attempting to weaken the North under the guise of restructuring. An Arewa Twitter user wrote, “This (Yoruba) government wants to dismantle the North logically. These people know exactly what they are doing. Our northern leaders, elders, and youth are hungry people. They collected APC spaghetti and Tinubu’s money, so they can’t say anything.”
The proposal to revert to a regional system of government in Nigeria has ignited a fierce debate, particularly in the North, where there is a strong perception of political and economic marginalization. As the bill progresses through the National Assembly, it is expected to face continued resistance from northern stakeholders who view it as a threat to their regional interests and development.
Regional Government meaning.
The term “regional government” refers to a form of governance in which a country is divided into various regions, each with its own local government that has specific powers and responsibilities. These regional governments operate under the broader national government but have significant autonomy to manage their internal affairs. This system allows for more localized and efficient administration, reflecting the specific needs and preferences of different regions.
In the context of Nigeria, a return to a regional government system would mean re-establishing a structure similar to what existed before the current federal system, where regions had more control over their resources, policies, and governance, as opposed to the more centralized federal system in place now. This structure is often proposed to better accommodate the country’s diverse ethnic and cultural groups, promoting self-determination and regional development.
