The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II has shared his insights on Nigeria’s political landscape, casting doubt on the feasibility of regionalism as a solution to the country’s challenges.
Sanusi, in an exclusive interview published by Vanguard,
questioned the necessity of a bicameral legislature and the rationale behind
appointing ministers from every state, even when not required.
Sanusi began by questioning the necessity of maintaining a
bicameral legislature and the practice of appointing a minister from every
state, regardless of need. He argued that such practices contribute to
bureaucratic inefficiencies and do not necessarily serve the best interests of
the nation.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s historical and political context,
Sanusi criticized federal government interference in state matters,
particularly regarding traditional and chieftaincy affairs. He stressed the
importance of upholding constitutional principles and maintaining a clear
separation of powers to ensure accountable governance.
The Emir, drawing from his experiences, highlighted the
imperfect yet preferable nature of democracy compared to past authoritarian
regimes. He emphasized the need for political leaders to honor constitutional
agreements and foster a unified approach to governance, rather than exploiting
regional or ethnic identities for personal or political gain.
Addressing the concept of regionalism, Sanusi questioned its
practicality in a country marked by diverse ethnicities and historical
divisions. He pointed out ongoing conflicts and asserted that further
subdividing Nigeria into regions might exacerbate rather than resolve existing
tensions. Instead, he called for a more cohesive national identity and
governance structure that promotes unity and accountability.
His words, “I think there are several things we can do to
address those structures because at the end of the day, if you allow the state
governors to run, the thing with devolution is we have 36 states, if only half
of the governors are good, at least half of Nigeria has a good government.
There is too much power at the centre, too much of the resources. The centre
does not do primary education or primary healthcare, and that is where the vast
majority of Nigerians are. Shouldn’t those resources come to the state? Instead
of everybody going to Abuja, what is happening in Abuja? There are several
issues that we need to look at. And also simple constitutionalism and
federalism, just even the respect of separation of separation of power. If you
take the example of what is happening in Kano today, chieftaincy matter is 100
per cent a state matter.
“…We had a parliamentary system in the First Republic. What
happened? At the end of the day, it is the humans that operate the system.
People talk about regions. Initially, the regions we had in this country were
North, East, and West, and then it became NorthEast and MidWest. Where did the
creation called six geo-political zones come from historically? We can keep
dividing and subdividing this country and thinking of ourselves, but are we
really honest? Are these regions?
“If you go to the Niger Delta, since when did the Itsekiri
stop fighting wars against the Ijaw? Since when did we become homogeneous?
“It was the Sokoto Jihad that brought us together. From the
Sokoto caliphate, we became Northerners, from Northerners, we became
Nigerians.When I was in King’s College, I grew up under Yakubu Gowon in a
country where Nigerians were thinking like Nigerians. What happened? Political
leadership is the one that exploits regional and ethnic identities as part of
the struggle for political office.
“When they get there, they all sit together. If you look at
the president’s cabinet, what do you have? You have everybody from every state.
You have Christians, you have Muslims, you have Northerners and Southerners.
Why are they not fighting one another in there? The elites are irresponsible.
“Don’t think that pandering to these elites by saying the
solution is going to a regional system of government. How do we go regional? In
Yorubaland, there are Ijebu, Ekiti, Ijesha, Owo, and Egba since when did they
become one? Right there between Ife and Modakeke, they were killing each other.
It is not about that. It is not a solution. How many parts are you going to
slice this country to get a homogenous country? How? With all the
intermarriages and education, I am not sure that is a solution, and I think
people have this dream that can only be sold by blocking out history.
“We had a regional system in the First Republic. How did it
end? We had a parliamentary system in the First Republic. How did it end? I am
not talking about the coup; I am talking about the crisis that led to the coup.
Before Nzeogu, forget Ironsi. How was the system before they came? Is there any
documentary evidence that that system was fundamentally better than what we
have?
“We can’t shift responsibilities away from human beings, the
people who are responsible for operating the system. If you go to the Senate
and the House of Representatives, and you are there for 16 years and you have
never passed a bill, you don’t even know that your job is to be a lawmaker.”