More than ever, recent events in Nigeria’s sociopolitical settings have highlighted the fact that our country simply pays lip service to the idea of federalism as a nation.
The most recent incident occurred on January 4, 2022, when the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, exchanged words with a police officer at Magodo Phase II, in what can only be described as a thorough denigration of the governor’s office, as he is supposed to be the state’s chief security official.
A Chief Superintendent of Police publicly disobeyed the governor’s directive to depart Magodo Estate.
While many Nigerians have come up to denounce this heinous conduct, we must applaud the governor’s coolness and nobility during the tumultuous episode. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu once again demonstrated his intrinsic highly cultured nature of serenity and stillness, even in the face of provocation and moral assault.
The governor’s hesitation and obvious restrictions demonstrate that he is a fit and proper person in character and behavior to hold the high office of chief executive of the metropolitan and civilised megacity of Lagos.
While some have exalted the merits of others who in this situation may have acted aggressively to establish their mark of office and authority, we recognize and appreciate the dignified rectitude and equanimity b the governor displayed on this occasion.
Colin Powell, the late former US Secretary of State, famously observed, “One of the most alluring aspects of power is having it while exercising great restraint in not using it.”
Unfortunately, this recent ignominious episode has demonstrated that there is a significant and urgent need for the nation to rally, rescue, and re-establish the federalist system if we want government for this country.
Beyond a reasonable doubt, the CSP’s reaction to the governor demonstrated the impracticability of our current federalist system.
It is a system that compels an elected governor of a state with the mandate of his people to be subjected to and seek clarification from other bodies or authorities on security matters in his own territory.
We must reflect on the anarchy caused during the #EndSARS incident, as well as the actions of the cop on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation, which now conclusively and unmistakably prove Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s innocence and non-culpability in the Lekki incident.
The existing arrangement, branded as federalism, renders our governors ceremonial chief security officers.
If the purported chief security officer of the states of a federation requires clearance from the office of the IG on matters within their areas of jurisdiction, we must readjust our reasoning faculties to ask the necessary questions about who truly is in charge of the state’s security architecture.
This occurrence has raised questions about the legitimacy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are not running a federation since the command structure of the police and other security agencies demonstrates that we are operating under a unitary form of government imposed by the military.
The reason the country is not developing is due to centralisation, which primarily helps the wealthy. When a state governor elected by more than 20 million people is impotent on security problems, it demonstrates an anomaly in our system. It demonstrates that even his own personal security information can be revoked at any time, and that only a third party can ensure his personal safety.
This incident renders everything useless and should be investigated by the National Assembly. The Nigeria Police Force is part of the federation, not the federal government. It is incorrect and a violation of the constitution for the police to view themselves as exclusive to the Federal Government.
With these multiple irregularities in our country, it is clear that we are not practicing true federalism. It emphasizes the importance of establishing a state police force, which would allow a sitting governor to carry out his obligations as the state’s chief security officer.
This is a call for action, not just because of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, but also for the dignity of all other governors in the federation and their ability to perform their constitutional roles to enable them to safeguard their people whose mandate they enjoy. They must be adequately empowered and protected. The federalism which we claim to practise does not ensure that. We as a people must rise to the occasion and do all that is needful and lawful to restore sanity and make a commitment to make our constitution practicable and workable.
