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“The present arrangement in Nigeria concedes dangerous powers in the hands of individuals in central institutions.”........ {L-R}Lt-Colonel Hassan Katsina, Lt-Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, Lt-Colonel Chukwuemeka Ojukwu & Lt-Colonel David Ejoor....
Premium Times
Abeokuta June 4, 2014
The Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, on Wednesday traced Nigeria’s problems to the 1966 military coup which he said derailed federalism and replaced it with unitarism that has continued to create all sorts of problems for the country.
Mr. Amaechi stated this in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, while delivering a lecture on the topic ‘Nigeria; The Leadership Question’ at the 3rd Annual Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Correspondents Chapel lecture held at Iwe-Iroyin Press Centre. The Governor, represented by his Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari, said only true federalism can save Nigeria in her quest to surmount her numerous challenges and be a true leader in Africa.
“When we had true federalism in Nigeria, everybody rejoiced. The three regions developed at their own pace and that created healthy rivalry in terms of bringing development. “The federal government back then only functioned in the context of that regional autonomy. But then all that changed with the advent of coups and counter coups that followed,” Mr. Amaechi said.
The governor said then it did not matter where Nigerians lived. He said nobody feared or suspected anybody of domination because the federal arrangement had already eliminated such possibilities. He condemned what he called ‘tyranny’ where someone in Abuja decides what goes into individual states from the federation account. He also frowned at the arrangement that cedes the bulk of the national wealth to the federal government while states and local governments grapple with funding inadequacies and huge commitments. He said the lopsided nature of sharing the Nigerian funds has made state governors unable to perform effectively as chief security officers of their states.
He lamented that state commissioners of police take their orders directly from Abuja and there is nothing the governors can do about it. “The present arrangement in Nigeria concedes dangerous powers in the hands of individuals in central institutions. The commissioner of police does not answer to the governor who is supposed to be the chief security officer of the state,” he said. Mr. Amaechi described what is playing out in the Rivers judiciary as “tyranny”. He said it was illegal for the National Judicial Council, NJC, to meddle in the affairs of states in appointment of judges.
“What the NJC is doing in Rivers state is outright tyranny. The power to appoint the chief judge according to the constitution resides with the state governor; but in Rivers the NJC is changing that. “In a clearly defined federalism, the states are not serfs, neither is the federal government any lord,” he said.
Responding to questions from the audience, Mr. Amaechi urged Nigerians to participate in the 2015 elections. “My admonition is for all of us to get involved and elect the good leaders that we crave for. Staying on the fence or apathy to electoral processes cannot help anybody. We should get involved and deliver ourselves from the yoke of bad leadership,” he urged.
In his remark, the Commissioner for information in Ogun State, Yusuph Olaniyonu, commended the NUJ for the lecture. He asked journalists to stick to the ethics of their profession. “It is important for us as journalists, as gatekeepers, to ensure we don’t allow unethical interests to affect our professional judgement. We should not allow bad people to get to power,” Mr. Olaniyonu said.
Topsylucas at 5-06-2014 05:38 PM (10 years ago) (f)
True federalism is true leadership.If our politicians can practise true federalism, the nation will prosper,develop & evry tribe will unite. Unitarism is what's killing Nigeria. Evry1 is claiming his/her tribe is superior over others. Nobody want one Nigeria. 2ndly, If all the decisions of running the country comes 4rm the federal government, then do we wonder why nothing is working?
Posted: at 5-06-2014 05:38 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Let's say Amaechi is ignorant of Nigerian history. There was no peace in Yoruba land before the first military coup (Awolowo and Akintola power tussle), while in the eastern region, Dennis Osadebe was pushing for regional recognition, while the Northerners where accusing the Igbo for dominating every aspect of Nigerian political and economic life , even though they achieved that through hard work and education. Let's call a spade a spade....the British installed a puppet government in Nigeria which primarily offset expectations and balance of power in our country . Awolowo wasn't happy with the development given that his colleagues from pan-african movement such as Nkruma of Ghana, Bandi of malawi and Kenyetta of Kenya where already presidents in their respective countries. Let's not forget that Awolowo attempted treason and failed, that is what landed him in prison until he was released prior to the civil war. The Igbo's under Zik wanted one Nigeria but Kaduna Nzeogwu had other ideas....That's why Zik and Akanu Ibiam, in a BBC interview, clearly stated that they will refused to work for Aguiyi Ironsi given the manner power was usurped by the rugged Nzeogwu.
The problem of Nigeria is explained by these quotes: "This New Nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather, Uthman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the North as willing tools, and the South, as conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us, and never allow them to have control over their future.” ---Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto in THE PARROT of October 12, 1960. I guess boko haram are doing a good job.
Then in 1966 Adewale Ademoyega (one the coup plotters), he wrote "Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places, that seek bribes and demand 10%; those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as ministers or VIPs."
Drawing from these two statements, it is clear that the coup plotters were after the corrupt politicians. Even Felasang it in his song "the same old politicians wey spoil Nigeria before Obasanjo carry them they their now" suggesting that politicians from the first republic were thieves.
Posted: at 5-06-2014 07:20 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming
shannon034 at 5-06-2014 07:29 PM (10 years ago) (f)
This Traitor governor again, If he finds his way to that Aso rock, he will me more worst than the other past leaders.....because he is arrogant, lack respect, dont have manners, he is greedy, selfish fighting to give away the presidency that is in the South South now just for him to seat as vice president....But he must surly fail and will be Treated as a Traitor he is after his tenor as Governor....
Posted: at 5-06-2014 07:29 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming
Let's say Amaechi is ignorant of Nigerian history. There was no peace in Yoruba land before the first military coup (Awolowo and Akintola power tussle), while in the eastern region, Dennis Osadebe was pushing for regional recognition, while the Northerners where accusing the Igbo for dominating every aspect of Nigerian political and economic life , even though they achieved that through hard work and education. Let's call a spade a spade....the British installed a puppet government in Nigeria which primarily offset expectations and balance of power in our country . Awolowo wasn't happy with the development given that his colleagues from pan-african movement such as Nkruma of Ghana, Bandi of malawi and Kenyetta of Kenya where already presidents in their respective countries. Let's not forget that Awolowo attempted treason and failed, that is what landed him in prison until he was released prior to the civil war. The Igbo's under Zik wanted one Nigeria but Kaduna Nzeogwu had other ideas....That's why Zik and Akanu Ibiam, in a BBC interview, clearly stated that they will refused to work for Aguiyi Ironsi given the manner power was usurped by the rugged Nzeogwu.
The problem of Nigeria is explained by these quotes: "This New Nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather, Uthman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the North as willing tools, and the South, as conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us, and never allow them to have control over their future.” ---Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto in THE PARROT of October 12, 1960. I guess boko haram are doing a good job.
Then in 1966 Adewale Ademoyega (one the coup plotters), he wrote "Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places, that seek bribes and demand 10%; those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as ministers or VIPs."
Drawing from these two statements, it is clear that the coup plotters were after the corrupt politicians. Even Felasang it in his song "the same old politicians wey spoil Nigeria before Obasanjo carry them they their now" suggesting that politicians from the first republic were thieves.
bro, keep it up.
Posted: at 5-06-2014 09:20 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming
Let's say Amaechi is ignorant of Nigerian history. There was no peace in Yoruba land before the first military coup (Awolowo and Akintola power tussle), while in the eastern region, Dennis Osadebe was pushing for regional recognition, while the Northerners where accusing the Igbo for dominating every aspect of Nigerian political and economic life , even though they achieved that through hard work and education. Let's call a spade a spade....the British installed a puppet government in Nigeria which primarily offset expectations and balance of power in our country . Awolowo wasn't happy with the development given that his colleagues from pan-african movement such as Nkruma of Ghana, Bandi of malawi and Kenyetta of Kenya where already presidents in their respective countries. Let's not forget that Awolowo attempted treason and failed, that is what landed him in prison until he was released prior to the civil war. The Igbo's under Zik wanted one Nigeria but Kaduna Nzeogwu had other ideas....That's why Zik and Akanu Ibiam, in a BBC interview, clearly stated that they will refused to work for Aguiyi Ironsi given the manner power was usurped by the rugged Nzeogwu.
The problem of Nigeria is explained by these quotes: "This New Nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather, Uthman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the North as willing tools, and the South, as conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us, and never allow them to have control over their future.” ---Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto in THE PARROT of October 12, 1960. I guess boko haram are doing a good job.
Then in 1966 Adewale Ademoyega (one the coup plotters), he wrote "Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places, that seek bribes and demand 10%; those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as ministers or VIPs."
Drawing from these two statements, it is clear that the coup plotters were after the corrupt politicians. Even Felasang it in his song "the same old politicians wey spoil Nigeria before Obasanjo carry them they their now" suggesting that politicians from the first republic were thieves.
Rotimi Amaechi is not ignorant one bit that's why he had the courage to say it loud. He has also benefited from this set-up.
Your comments are not factual in the sense that you are trying to justify this senseless coup (Jan-15-1966) like any other coup in Nigeria. You are not only being selective but deceptive in your chosen words. Your posted quotes are after the facts.
There was no need for any coup in Nigeria at any given time. We can talk and resolve our differences. No one has the right to kill anybody except in self-defence (in my opinion)
By the way Dennis Osadebe was the premier of Mid-Western Region and not Eastern Region. Can you even compare the corruption in the first republic to the current corrupt government? Every society is corrupt but the current state of corruption in Nigeria is psychotic.
Given your analogy it seems we have a long way to go in this country.
Posted: at 6-06-2014 04:44 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac
AM LOOKING AT YOU PEOPLE 
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