As Nigeria continues its quest for a more stable and prosperous future, a prominent assembly of elder statesmen and intellectuals—known as The Patriots—has once again issued an urgent appeal for fundamental political restructuring. Led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, the group voiced its concerns at a crucial juncture, pointing to worsening poverty, insecurity, and the country’s uncertain political direction. Their message is clear: only genuine federalism can salvage Nigeria’s fragile union.

Mounting Challenges Undermine Progress

Over the last 26 years, Nigeria’s institutional framework has deteriorated significantly. Poverty has soared, with the country surpassing India in 2018 to become the global epicenter of extreme poverty—home to 86.7 million people struggling to survive. Violence, fueled by Islamic extremists, armed bandits, kidnappers, militants, and separatist movements, continues to engulf large swathes of the country, contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis.

Nigeria’s security apparatus remains grossly ineffective. The current system primarily serves the elite, leaving ordinary citizens vulnerable. Despite its status as a federation, the country operates a single centralized police force that lacks sufficient manpower. Even more troubling, about two-thirds of police personnel are deployed to protect politicians and VIPs. In response, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun recently proposed the formation of a special elite unit to exclusively protect high-profile individuals. However, critics argue that this approach reinforces the existing inequities and ignores the core responsibility of securing all citizens equally.

Security conditions remain dire. Under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure (2015–2023), over 55,000 Nigerians lost their lives to violence. Unfortunately, the current administration has not significantly altered this trajectory.

Democratic Decline and Public Disillusionment

The democratic process has become increasingly dysfunctional. Elections, once a symbol of hope, now deepen societal divisions. The judiciary has drawn criticism for its role in upholding questionable electoral outcomes, often favoring unpopular candidates based on narrow technicalities. Voter turnout reflects growing apathy and mistrust, with only 27% of eligible voters participating in the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections—down from 52.3% in 1999, at the dawn of the Fourth Republic.

Meanwhile, essential public services are failing. Nigeria’s universities have failed to secure a place among the world’s top 1,000 institutions, underscoring the neglect of the education sector. The nation’s healthcare system paints an equally bleak picture. Former President Buhari died on July 13 in a London hospital after years of seeking medical treatment abroad. His predecessor, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, also died in a foreign hospital in 2010. With no credible public health infrastructure, Nigerians reportedly spent $3.6 billion annually on medical tourism during Buhari’s administration.

Flawed Federal Structure at the Core

The Patriots argue that the central root of Nigeria’s dysfunction lies in its flawed federal structure. Each month, states must line up to collect allocations from a centrally-controlled revenue pool—a system that stifles innovation, discourages productivity, and breeds dependency and corruption. The federal government takes a staggering 52.68% of national revenue, while the 36 states split just 26.72%. Local governments receive 20.60%, with a small 13% set aside for oil-producing states. Such a formula disincentivizes self-sufficiency and undermines true federalism.

The group insists that without restructuring Nigeria’s political system to devolve real power and responsibility to the states, no economic reforms will succeed. Their latest campaign was revitalized at a July 15–17 summit in Abuja, jointly organized with the Nigerian Political Summit Group. This event reignited the debate on whether Nigeria, with over 250 ethnic groups and a pseudo-federal constitution, can truly function as a united nation.

Blueprint for True Federalism

The Patriots once again outlined their vision for a restructured Nigeria:

• Fiscal federalism and resource control to allow states manage their own resources.

• Reduction of central government powers and promotion of dual sovereignty.

• State and community policing to improve security at the grassroots.

• A slimmer federal cabinet for efficiency.

• Electronic transmission of election results to ensure transparency.

The summit, themed “Actualising a Constitutional Democracy That Works for All in Nigeria,” also proposed deeper democratic reforms, including:

• A ban on political defections during the election cycle.

• One-day general elections.

• Enshrining secularism in the constitution.

• Adoption of a unicameral legislature.

• Allowing diaspora voting.

1999 Constitution Unfit for Purpose

The existing 1999 Constitution is widely regarded as a relic of military rule. Hastily adopted at the end of military dictatorship, it enshrines a centralized governance model rather than a federal one. Contrary to its claim of being “a document of the people,” it was imposed without broad public consent. As a result, constitutional amendments have proven ineffective. The 10th National Assembly, like its predecessors, is currently engaged in another round of constitutional amendments—an effort many consider a futile exercise in patching an already worn-out document.

Federalism, by design, requires dual sovereignty. For example, Canada’s 10 provinces are fully autonomous, while its three territories are federally administered. Other federal nations like Australia, Germany, and Switzerland follow similar principles. Nigeria’s case is unique in that it constitutionally mandates the existence of 774 local government areas, removing state-level control over these institutions.

The Patriots call for these local governments to be removed from the constitution, allowing states to determine their creation and structure independently.

A New Constitution, Not Amendments

The call is for a new constitution altogether—not endless revisions. The U.S. Constitution, for instance, has undergone only 27 amendments since its adoption in 1789. Its foundational clarity and balance of power have stood the test of time.

The Patriots reiterated this message directly to President Bola Tinubu in August 2024. However, his response was lukewarm. Tinubu emphasized economic reforms while skirting around political restructuring. This reluctance mirrors a pattern: past Nigerian leaders, including Olusegun Obasanjo, often opposed restructuring while in office but voiced support after leaving power.

Obasanjo recently claimed that leadership, not the constitution, is Nigeria’s main problem. But this perspective overlooks how the constitution enables poor governance, weak accountability, and systemic inefficiencies.

Tinubu’s own approach has been paradoxical. While he fought for local autonomy as Lagos governor—creating 37 local development councils and clashing with the federal government—he now reportedly withholds LG allocations in Osun State. His recent judicial push for financial autonomy of LGs may sound progressive but fails to address the structural flaws in Nigeria’s federal setup.

Time Running Out for Reform

The clock is ticking. The 10th Assembly and Tinubu administration have less than two years before the political class shifts focus to the 2027 elections. If restructuring does not begin immediately, the opportunity may be lost yet again.

The Patriots urge Tinubu to initiate a constituent assembly tasked with drafting a truly federal constitution. This document should then be subjected to a national referendum, allowing Nigerians to decide their future.

Ultimately, Nigeria’s challenges—economic stagnation, insecurity, failing institutions—are symptoms of a deeper political dysfunction. Until the nation realigns its structure through true federalism, meaningful progress will remain elusive. The Patriots’ vision offers a credible path forward. It is now up to the country’s leadership to heed their call.