ADEKUNLE AJASIN UNIVERSITY

AKUNGBA, AKOKO. ONDO STATE

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

NAME: AYERIN NATHANIEL OPEYEMI

DEPARTMENT: POLITICAL SCIENCE
MATRIC NO: 220503144
LEVEL: 200L
COURSE: POS 203(NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS)

LECTURER IN CHARGE: DR. KOLA OGUNBOYODE

QUESTION: The current socio political economy quagmire and necessitated and resuscitated the
advocacy for Nigerian political system to be restructured. Assuming the president, senator Bola
Hammed Tinubu has succumbed to pressure to restructure the current political arrangement. If you
are previledged to be a delegate of your ethnic group. Write in details the area to be restructured
that will bring a panacea and recipe for good governance.
As a privileged delegate representing the Yoruba ethnic group, tasked with

proposing areas for restructuring the Nigerian political system under the

leadership of President Bola Hammed Tinubu, I recognize the gravity of

the socio-political and economic challenges facing the country. It is

imperative that any restructuring efforts are comprehensive,

forward-thinking, and inclusive, with a focus on fostering good

governance and addressing the root causes of our current quagmire. The

Yoruba people have a rich history and a strong tradition of governance,

and their perspectives on restructuring should reflect their values,

aspirations, and vision for a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria.

Below are detailed proposals for restructuring the political arrangement,

focusing on areas that will promote good governance and address the

socio-economic quagmire. the following key areas should be restructured

to pave the way for good governance in Nigeria:

Decentralization and Devolution of Powers:

Proposal: Advocate for the devolution of powers from the central

government to the states and local governments. This will empower

subnational entities to address local needs and priorities more effectively.

Rationale: Devolution of powers will promote decentralization,

enhance local governance, and foster greater accountability and

responsiveness to the needs of citizens. It will also encourage innovation

and diversity in governance approaches across different regions.

Fiscal Federalism:

Proposal: Call for a restructuring of the fiscal framework to ensure

greater fiscal autonomy for states and regions. This should include

revisiting revenue allocation formulas and allowing states to control a

larger share of resources generated within their territories.

Rationale: Fiscal federalism will enable states to harness their

resources more efficiently, leading to greater economic development and

prosperity. It will reduce over-reliance on federal allocations and promote

fiscal discipline and accountability at the subnational level.

True Federalism:

Proposal: Advocate for the adoption of true federalism, where states

have more autonomy in decision-making and resource management. This

should include revisiting the exclusive and concurrent legislative lists to

clarify the responsibilities of the federal and state governments.

Rationale: True federalism will foster healthy competition among

states, encourage innovation, and promote efficiency in service delivery. It

will also address the imbalance of power and resources between the
federal government and the states, leading to a more equitable distribution

of development opportunities.

Electoral Reform:

Proposal: Push for comprehensive electoral reform to enhance the

integrity, transparency, and inclusivity of the electoral process. This

should include measures to strengthen electoral institutions, ensure the

independence of electoral bodies, and curb electoral malpractices.

Rationale: Electoral reform is crucial for restoring confidence in the

democratic process and promoting genuine representation. It will

empower citizens to hold elected officials accountable and ensure that

leaders emerge through free, fair, and credible elections.

Resource Control:

Proposal: Advocate for the review of resource control laws to grant

states greater control over natural resources within their territories. This

should include exploring options for revenue sharing that reflect the

principles of equity and fairness.

Rationale: Resource control will empower states to harness their

natural endowments for the benefit of their citizens. It will promote

sustainable development, environmental protection, and social inclusion,

particularly in resource-rich regions.

 Ethnic and Regional Balance:

Proposal: Emphasize the importance of ethnic and regional balance

in governance structures and appointments at all levels of government.

This should include measures to promote inclusivity, diversity, and

representation in decision-making processes.

Rationale: Ethnic and regional balance will foster national cohesion,

reduce ethnic tensions, and promote a sense of belonging among all

Nigerians. It will ensure that governance reflects the diversity of the

country and addresses the unique needs and perspectives of different

ethnic groups and regions.

Constitutional Review

Proposal: Call for a comprehensive review of the Nigerian

Constitution to address constitutional lacunas and ambiguities that have

hindered effective governance and nation-building. This should involve a

participatory process that engages citizens, civil society organizations, and

other stakeholders.

Rationale: Constitutional review is essential for modernizing

governance structures, strengthening democratic institutions, and

promoting the rule of law. It will provide an opportunity to address

historical injustices, accommodate evolving societal dynamics, and lay the

foundation for a more inclusive and progressive Nigeria.

Anti-Corruption Measures

Proposal: Strengthen anti-corruption institutions and enact stringent

measures to combat corruption at all levels of government. This should

include enhancing the independence and effectiveness of anti-corruption

agencies, implementing transparent procurement processes, and holding

corrupt officials accountable.

Rationale: Corruption is a major impediment to good governance

and economic development in Nigeria. By rooting out corruption, we can

promote transparency, accountability, and the efficient use of public

resources, thereby creating an enabling environment for sustainable

development and prosperity.

Security Sector Reform

Proposal: Undertake comprehensive reform of the security sector to

enhance professionalism, accountability, and effectiveness. This should

involve strengthening law enforcement agencies, improving intelligence

gathering and sharing, and investing in training and equipment.

Rationale: Security is paramount for stability, development, and the

protection of citizens' rights. By reforming the security sector, we can

better address security challenges such as insurgency, banditry, and

communal violence, thereby creating a safe and secure environment for all

Nigerians.

Youth Empowerment and Employment

Proposal: Implement policies and programs aimed at empowering

youth through education, skills development, and job creation. This

should include expanding access to quality education, promoting

entrepreneurship and innovation, and providing vocational training

opportunities.

Rationale: Youth unemployment and underemployment pose

significant challenges to social cohesion and economic development in

Nigeria. By investing in youth empowerment, we can harness the potential

of our young population to drive innovation, economic growth, and social

progress.

Infrastructure Development

Proposal: Prioritize infrastructure development across the country,

with a focus on transportation, energy, water, and telecommunications.

This should involve mobilizing domestic and international resources,

improving project planning and implementation, and fostering

public-private partnerships.

Rationale: Infrastructure is critical for economic growth,

productivity, and quality of life. By investing in infrastructure, we can

enhance connectivity, reduce transportation costs, and attract investment,

thereby stimulating economic activity and improving living standards for

all Nigerians.

Civil Service Reform

Proposal: Undertake comprehensive reform of the civil service to

improve efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency. This should include

modernizing recruitment and promotion processes, strengthening

performance management systems, and promoting merit-based

appointments.

Rationale: The civil service plays a crucial role in implementing

government policies and delivering services to citizens. By reforming the

civil service, we can enhance its capacity to deliver results, promote

professionalism, and ensure accountability in the public sector.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, restructuring the Nigerian political system is imperative for

addressing the current socio-political and economic challenges facing the

country. As a delegate representing the Yoruba ethnic group, the proposed

areas for restructuring outlined above prioritize decentralization, fiscal

autonomy, true federalism, electoral integrity, resource control, ethnic and

regional balance, and constitutional reform. These measures are aimed at

promoting good governance, enhancing accountability, fostering national

unity, and unlocking the full potential of Nigeria as a diverse and dynamic

nation. It is my sincere hope that these proposals will contribute to the

ongoing dialogue on restructuring and pave the way for a more prosperous

and equitable future for all Nigerians.

REFERENCES

1. "The Third Wave: Democratization in the Late Twentieth Century" by

Samuel P. Huntington

2. "The End of History and the Last Man" by Francis Fukuyama

3. "The Politics of Resentment: Rural Consciousness in Wisconsin and the

Rise of Scott Walker" by Katherine J. Cramer

4. "The Art of Political Manipulation" by William H. Riker

5. "Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty" by

Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson.