Nasir El‑Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, criticised Nigerian politicians for abandoning federalist principles after attaining power, despite having campaigned on that very concept. Speaking at an interactive session in Owerri, Imo State, he reminded the audience that Nigeria was founded as a federation. He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s political career has revolved around “restructuring” and “true federalism,” and that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) pledged to restructure the country and restore genuine federalism.
El‑Rufai lamented that successive governments have adopted a centralized approach, which he believes undermines national development. He argued that federalism has historically fostered inter‑ethnic unity, democratic stability and socio‑economic progress, citing the First Republic as an example, while the shift toward centralisation in the 1970s eroded those gains. According to him, the federal government now holds too many powers and resources but fails to use them effectively, and he advocated devolving more responsibilities to the states, including policing.
He welcomed the 2023 constitutional amendment that moved electricity and railways to the concurrent list, allowing states to own and regulate entities in these sectors. El‑Rufai also called for further reforms based on the 2018 recommendations of the APC Committee on True Federalism, which he chaired. The committee’s report stressed the need for a more decentralised system with greater autonomy for states.
El‑Rufai’s comments underscore the ongoing debate over Nigeria’s governmental structure and the necessity for reform. The country’s federal system has been criticised for being overly centralised, prompting many to call for greater devolution of powers to the states. As Nigeria continues to grapple with development challenges, the push for true federalism is likely to remain a key issue, and his remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of adhering to federalist principles and moving toward a more decentralised system.
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