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Our systems and people have failed in the simple task of collecting revenue and providing basic amenities.
And instead of seeking to fix this, we want to apply the same faulty processes to the more complex task of restructuring?
So I ask the following:
And instead of seeking to fix this, we want to apply the same faulty processes to the more complex task of restructuring?
So I ask the following:
Is it the same leaders that will restructure or we plan to parachute a new set of ‘untainted’ people to do this job?
If we plan to bring in ‘good people’, by what means shall they be selected?
Should we use the same electoral process or we have another another one in mind?
If we plan to bring in ‘good people’, by what means shall they be selected?
Should we use the same electoral process or we have another another one in mind?
Assuming we intend the process of determining our representatives at the restructuring Indaba to be democratic, are we going to fix our electoral system or we plan to hold another election under the current terms?
Why do we think our current process will yield better results?
Why do we think our current process will yield better results?
If we believe that electoral reform is a prerequisite for electing the kind of leaders that are competent, matured and ethical enough to handle restructuring, how exactly do we plan to improve the electoral system?
Isn’t it the National Assembly that is empowered do this?
Isn’t it the National Assembly that is empowered do this?
And as for those who imagine a non democratic route to selecting the leaders to restructure Nigeria, surely, you have read about our last experiment with non democratic rule.
Where power is to the few, dictatorship is at the table.
Power to the many is always messy.
Where power is to the few, dictatorship is at the table.
Power to the many is always messy.
If we are to assume that we have a workable process for restructuring democratically, it is safe to say that it requires consensus, a majority will need to support this.
How exactly does rough language & curses aid consensus building?
How exactly does rough language & curses aid consensus building?
As for solutions, let‘a be clear, restructuring as a destination is a farce, there’s no such place. It is a process that starts with little things that lead to significant structural changes, including the constitution.
Not all structural changes are constitutional, let’s start
Not all structural changes are constitutional, let’s start
Our failure is we fail to start, to take our small wins, push the envelop a little so that more people can see that it works, become convinced that a strong center is harmful, stronger states more effective. There are changes that can be implemented by the NA today, let’s start.
And until we start to pick battles we can win quickly, the ‘restructurers’ will remain a minority, a tough place from which to lead change in a democracy.
There are many low hanging fruits that can win the argument for restructuring but non include attacking this post.
There are many low hanging fruits that can win the argument for restructuring but non include attacking this post.
There are no shortcut for restructuring, no way to bypass our elected officials, the electoral processes or consensus building.
If we apply ourselves to improving our systems while we make gradual changes to our federating units, we may yet succeed in the big things.
If we apply ourselves to improving our systems while we make gradual changes to our federating units, we may yet succeed in the big things.
Or we can scream restructuring, lace it with veiled threats of a break up, make enemies of others because they disagree and achieve absolutely nothing. Nigeria needs reforms but it has to be democratic, it has to be via consensus.
About time we stop cursing and start consulting
About time we stop cursing and start consulting
