Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has stated that Nigeria is on the wrong path to development and needs to amend this by taking a step forward.
Governor Diri made this known during his lecture at the 64th Founders’ Day of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, titled “Rethinking Our Future: The Need for True Federalism and Economic Renaissance.” He urged states to exercise their constitutional rights to create and legislate on local governments, rather than allowing only the federal government to do so.
He reaffirmed his belief in the unity of Nigeria, which he said can only be sustained on the basis of equity, justice, and fairness. He noted that true federalism has become a term that resonates across Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, highlighting the defective nature of the current governance structure, which has led to constant agitations.
He asserted that the current governance structure cannot deliver the future the vast majority of Nigerians desire and deserve. Nigeria has reached a pivotal point, a crossroads that demands wise decision-making to determine its destiny and secure a prosperous future, stressing that Nigerians must engage in frank conversations about creating a more perfect union that embraces diversity while pursuing common goals.
He further disclosed that Nigeria’s current federalism was designed to serve the interests of colonial masters, rather than reflecting an ideal federation where states willingly come together as a nation, as seen in the United States of America. He recalled how a son of the Niger Delta and the Ijaw nation, Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, pioneered minority rights activism in the country, beginning his revolutionary journey during his presidency of the Students’ Union Government at the University of Nigeria in the 1964/65 session. He also stated that every state in Nigeria is blessed with natural resources and peculiar needs, and should be allowed to harness these resources, manage them, and develop at their own pace while contributing a percentage to the federal government.
He emphasized the need for state police, citing recent developments in Rivers State during the local government election and the situation in Bassambiri community during the 2023 governorship election, where police were used against the people. He argued that states must have the power to take charge of their security.
“We are all aware of the ongoing conversation around the issue of autonomy for local governments. My concern over this sensitive subject extends beyond autonomy to the rationale for their creation. The current system, which allocates funds based on the number of local governments, puts some states, especially Bayelsa with just eight, at a disadvantage. This disparity arises because states with more local governments receive a larger share of resources, regardless of their specific needs or financial strength. Since the Constitution exclusively recognizes states and the federal government as federating units, the federal government’s creation of local governments constitutes an aberration, undermining the principles of federalism and state autonomy. I encourage state autonomy to create local government areas tailored to their unique needs and financial capacities,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I wholeheartedly support the Nigerian state and its continuous unity and existence. However, I recognize that, like any nation, we strive for a more perfect union—one where diversity is celebrated, equity is ensured, and opportunities are accessible to all. Let’s rethink our future and build a political culture.”
Adding his voice, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Polycarp Chigbu of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said the event is to celebrate the founding fathers of the institution, led by the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
