The Executive Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, said Nigeria’s presidential federalism, which bestowed too much powers and revenues in the centre is not helpful to the nation’s socio-economic development.
This was stated at a public lecture which he delivered at the London School of Economics entitled ‘Enugu State, Nigeria: New political leadership; bold economic vision – Spotlight on the health and education strategies’.
He opined that while discussions on further delegation of power continues, leaders at all levels could make a difference by applying political will, people-centred and exalted leadership.
His speech is coming a month after 60 members of the House of Representatives on February 14, 2024, sponsored three bills proposing changes to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) to transit from the current presidential system to the previously practiced parliamentary system of government by 2031.
Speaking, Mbah said, “The choice of a presidential system might have been well-informed, shaped by the inherent benefits of federalism in other countries with population as vast and diverse as ours. But our presidential federalism has bred a system where revenue is excessively domiciled at the centre rather than in the states or regions.
“Our federal system evokes an imagery akin to someone with 36 children, but who allows just about five to constantly till the family’s farmland until those few eventually became frail from age and unable to farm the land anymore.
“Is it then surprising that the family has fallen into hard times? Shouldn’t that have been an opportunity for the family to overhaul its production strategy given the opportunities that could be borne out of crises sometimes?
“At the heart of our socio-economic challenge is the issue of leadership deficit. This has always been the bane of our development. Despite widespread clamour and yearning for leaders with transcendental values, leadership failure remains a recurring decimal.”