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Author: Joseph Shopade
Posted to the web: 1/4/2006 9:11:11 AM

PUTTING THE NATION ON A NEW POLITICAL PATH:

The Nigerian DREAM Perspectives

 

PREAMBLE:

 

At an emergency meeting of the Nigerian Democratic REform & Advancement Movement (Nigerian DREAM) to review the inauguration of the National Political Reform Conference (National Confab) on Monday, February 21, 2005 in Abuja, members observed as follows:

•That it is a democratic practice for national legislature to be saddled with an important task of political and systemic reform;
•That we recognize the Nigerian state is still in transition, and that the country is yet to evolve political institutions that could faithfully discharge the duties of acceptable democratic consolidation; and,
•That we therefore endorse an arrangement to put Nigeria on a new political path.
 

As a forum for young Nigerians, the mission of the Nigerian DREAM is to evolve democratic values and practices for a better Nigeria. In discharging our social responsibilities and fulfilling our vision, strategic objectives and mission statement, the Nigerian DREAM will put on record our position on the entire National Confab process and attempt to recommend a political agenda for a better Nigeria.

 

PRESIDENT OBANSANJO’S SPEECH:

 

After a careful review of the national confab inauguration speech of President Obasanjo, we concur that “our historical experience at constitution making and political reform shows that we may have some structural defects that require adjustment…..”. We also agree that Nigeria has missed great opportunities, and is still confronted with enormous challenges of constitutionalism and constitutional reforms. Furthermore, Mr. President is justified in his expectation that the goal of the national confab is to strengthen the oneness and unity of Nigeria, and to discuss and reach consensus on any aspect of governance arrangement for re-enforcing the unity, cohesion, stability, security, progress, development and performance of the Nigerian federation.

 

However, the Nigerian DREAM shares the concern of many Nigerians on the absence of legal framework and an enabling law to back the formation, establishment, and composition of the national confab. We take particular exception to the selection procedure adopted, rather than a democratic practice of election. We totally object to the politics of gerontocracy and deliberate marginalization of generation-next and Nigerians of tomorrow. We affirm that the potentials of developed nations worldwide are better mobilized under young, virile, and dynamic citizens that have benefited from a conscious process of abridged generational gaps in leadership.

 

Secondly, it seems to us a paradox, Mr. President’s blunt and valid assertion that “the decay and dislocation of the past require tough choices……”, and his seeming delineation of “acceptable minimum issues that must be regarded as given”. While the Nigerian DREAM believes strongly in the oneness of Nigeria, we consider it a democratic practice to clearly articulate the strength and opportunities inherent in such unity at the confab. For all the other classified “acceptable minimum issues”, the Nigerian DREAM expects a purposeful National Confab to outline, discuss, negotiate and resolve in the interest of Nigeria today and tomorrow.

 

OUR POSITION:

 

With all sense of modesty, and on behalf of Nigerians of tomorrow, the Nigerian DREAM presents the following political agenda for consideration by the National Confab.

 

a)      Federalism and federal system

The Nigerian DREAM proposes a four-tier federal system of administration in Nigeria. The first and central structure to be called Federal Government, and the second level will be a-six Regional governments of Nigeria in line with the six geo-political zones of the federation. The third level will be the State Governments, while the fourth tier is the Local Government.

 

We propose that the exclusive powers be shared between Federal and Regional Governments, and residual power reserved for State Governments. We suggest a tripartite arrangement for exercising concurrent powers among Federal, Regional, and State Governments. We also advocate for the retention of bicameral legislature for Federal Government, while all other levels operate unicameral legislature. We recommend a drastic reduction in cost of governance. It is our candid opinion that popular representation into the upper legislative house should not exceed 36 (based on the principle of equal representation of Regions), while that of the lower house should not be more than 108 (based on proportional representation of Regions).

 

We propose that Regional legislature should not exceed 30 elected representatives, while State legislature should be streamlined to maximum of 20. Local Councils should have a maximum elected representatives of 12. We also propose a streamlining of political appointees at all levels of governance. We suggest that political appointee should be a ratio of elected representatives in the legislature. We advise that this ratio should be 1:5 at both the Federal and Regional Government levels; and 1:2 at both the State and Local Government levels.

 

The Nigerian DREAM proposes the emergence of true federalism and federal system of government. Within this context, we are of the opinion that there should be clear autonomy of all levels of government. We propose fiscal federalism and an equitable review of resource allocation criteria that reflect social justice, derivations, fairness, equitable development, and equal opportunity. We suggest a shift in locus of development from the center to communities in local government councils. We demand truly decentralized and bottom-up development initiatives. We ask for a review of the exclusive, residual, and concurrent powers of government.

 

b)      Presi-Parliamentary system of government:

In view of the experience of the Nigerian state under both Presidential and Parliamentary systems of government, as well as the demands for a four-tier system of government, the Nigerian DREAM proposes a Presi-Parliamentary system of government for Nigeria. We suggest that the Federal and Regional Governments adopt Parliamentary system, while the State and Local Governments retain a Presidential system. It is our concerted opinion that the position of a Federal Prime Minister and Regional Premier will reduce both electoral cost and propensity for political and election related violence.

 

c)      Policing and security system:

The Nigerian DREAM observes that the Nigerian military has faithfully discharged its responsibilities in protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria and successfully maintained peace in West African sub-region. We have observed that the unity of Nigeria is not threatened by the military. But, we have also noted that the military as a political institution is a destabilizing force of democratic consolidation in Nigeria. We hereby propose that the Nigerian military should be professionalized; be subjected to democratic authority; and be retained under the exclusive list of Federal Government. We suggest that the confab should however treat agitations on the structure and character of Nigerian military with fairness.

 

The Nigerian DREAM also observed that internal policing and safety of lives and properties by the Nigerian Police have fallen short of public expectations. High crime rates have limited the growth potentials of Nigerian state, and adversely affected foreign and national investments. We hereby propose that policing should be transferred to the exclusive power of Regional Governments, while control of National Guards be part of exclusive powers of Federal Government. We advise the establishment of 6 Regional Police Commands, and strict adherence to the tenets of community policing. We suggest that recruitments, posting, transfer, discipline, remuneration, motivations, and even dismissal of police personnel should be handled by regional commands for purely zonal demands.

 

It is our opinion that crime and corruption of security officials will decline and commitment to professionalism will increase when police officers serve strictly under regional command structure.

 

d)      Electoral and party system:

The Nigerian DREAM observes that 2003 was a year of electoral breakthrough for Nigeria. We noted with admiration the commitment of Nigerians to breaking an electoral jinx. But we stand to be corrected that the 2003 elections went beyond mere commitment of a populace that was weary of military intervention. The Nigerian DREAM hereby proposes a review of both the electoral and party politics in Nigeria. We propose a truly independent electoral body, established in line with the structure of independent judicial system.

 

We suggest a restructuring of INEC into two levels – national and regional. While INEC handles federal and regional elections, IREC (Independent Regional Electoral Commission) handles both state and local elections. But membership of both INEC and IREC should reflect international best practices and acceptable norms of selection.

 

The Nigerian DREAM also observes with consternation the negative roles of Nigerian political parties and party system. We make bold to assert that party politics is one of the bane of democratic consolidation in Nigeria. We noted with ignominy the dangerous political violence that characterizes party system in Nigeria. We hereby demand that party politics should conform with acceptable norms of party system. We propose political parties that are internally democratic, and not disconnected from Nigerian communities. We support multi-party system, and argue that political parties could be even registered to contest for only Local Government elections. We unequivocally condemn the overt or covert attempt at turning Nigeria into either a defacto or dejure one-party state.

 

We suggest a legal framework for achieving a level playing field for political actors, and call for punitive measures for political elites that break the rules of political conduct. We ask for a legal framework for political mentoring to bridge generational gaps in leadership. We propose that Nigerian youth should be consciously integrated into the political system as key players, not as mere instruments of politics.

 

We advocate for a constitutional framework for achieving transparent political party primaries at all levels of governance. We propose strong punitive measures for electoral and political violence in Nigeria

 

e)      Rule of law:

Members of the Nigerian DREAM observed the absence of people-oriented Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We make bold to state that the subsisting 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is an imposed document that contains several contradictions, anomalies, and fundamental gaps in the conduct of human affairs. We propose that initiating a legal framework for Nigerians cannot be the exclusive preserve of selected delegates. We suggest that the national confab should initiate a process of people-oriented constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and make far sweeping recommendations on constitutional amendment. We advise that such recommendations should be subjected to carefully organized plebiscite at community, local, state, and regional levels for ratification. 

 

We propose the introduction of Regional laws, and that the provisions of Federal constitution subsist and are superior to that of the Regions in case of conflicts.

 

f)       Destabilizing issues:

The Nigerian DREAM observes that corruption and internal violence are two of the strongest destabilizing issues of democratic consolidation in Nigeria. We note with dismay that these two issues are major impediments to economic reforms in Nigeria. We posit that foreign and domestic investments will continue to stagnate without addressing the consequences of these destabilizing issues.

 

We hereby propose that a constitutional framework be established for addressing these twin-destabilizing issues. We suggest an institutional merger of all anti-corruption agencies (EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau), with legal framework for arrest and prosecution of offenders. We suggest that such national anti-corruption structure should operate at all levels of governance. We suggest a strong relationship between such agency and other watchdogs such as civil society organizations.

 

The Nigerian DREAM also proposes a clear socio-economic legal frameworks of rights, priviledges, duties and obligations of ethnic and religious groupings, farmers and grazers associations, and indigenous and settler communities across the country. We suggest a framework for inter-group relationship and peace practice. We call for confidence building amongst diverse groupings and propose a meaningful poverty eradication policy that reduces vulnerability to violence in Nigeria.

 

 

CONCLUSION:

 

While joining President Obasanjo on “Project Nigeria”, the Nigerian DREAM also hope that the product of the National Political Reform Conference will engender a renewed commitment to tolerance, inclusion, and unity that would make our dear country stronger. We look forward to a new political path in Nigeria that is inclusive and not exclusive, participatory and not apathetic. Finally, we look forward to abridged generational gaps in the NEW POLITICAL PATH IN NIGERIA.

 

 

 

Signed:

 

Joseph SHOPADE

National Protem Chair