Tunde Adeleye, former Archbishop of Calabar Anglican Diocese, emphasized the urgent need for true federalism in Nigeria to address the country’s sociopolitical challenges. Speaking at the 2nd Birthday Colloquium organized in his honor, Adeleye stressed the necessity of granting full autonomy to sub-national regions, allowing them to function independently from the central government.
During the event, which featured a lecture by Rt. Rev. Godfrey Ifeanyichukwu Ekpenisi on “Recovering Nigeria Through Transformal Leadership,” Adeleye criticized Nigeria’s current federal system and advocated for a more genuine form of federalism. He proposed that each federating unit should have its own police force, independent parliament, legal system, school system, and control over its resources.
Adeleye highlighted the impracticality of enforcing uniformity in crucial aspects such as education and law enforcement across diverse regions. He underscored the importance of local familiarity and autonomy in addressing the country’s challenges, stating, “Without proper federalism, we are deceiving ourselves.”
Echoing Adeleye’s sentiments, Ekpenisi called for a reawakening of Nigerian youth to uphold core values and prioritize sustaining established legacies. He emphasized the necessity of cultivating transformational leadership to propel the nation forward.
The speakers’ remarks reflected a shared concern for the need to overhaul Nigeria’s governance structure and leadership approach. The call for true federalism resonates as a potential solution to the country’s enduring sociopolitical predicaments.
