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A prominent leader of the National Democratic Coalition during the military regime and a chieftain of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Dr Amos Akingba, speaks with Ismaeel Uthman about the interference of Western powers in Nigeria’s internal affairs, the challenges of federalism, and other national issues
How well has Nigeria managed its affairs in self-governance 64 years after independence?
The country’s affairs have been managed very poorly. The first set of political leaders, when we gained independence in October 1960, did their best. However, perhaps due to our inexperience in self-governance, things became fractious, leading to military intervention.
This brought a host of problems that have only magnified over time, setting us back. The military, meant to safeguard our security, instead took on governance, which has done us no good. Their involvement has brought nothing but sorrow.
What do you think Nigeria has got right since independence, and where have we faltered?
We haven’t got anything right; we’re moving backwards, not forwards. Despite having abundant human and material resources, those in charge have misused them because they don’t understand democratic governance. We’ve been autocratic, not democratic. The military’s influence has left us in a worse state. Our education system, healthcare services, infrastructure, and electricity are all in decline. Governance, from Tinubu to those before him, has been shameful; none of them seem to care.
Do you believe that Nigeria’s current structure still reflects the ideals of independence, or has the country deviated from those principles?
It’s not a matter of belief; I know that our political leaders have deviated from the ideals and principles of independence. We need to return to our original structure of democratic governance through a regional federation. Let us remain within ethnically manageable boundaries. Currently, we have a loose federation. For example, the Federal Government still controls matters from the centre down to the states. That system cannot and is not working. Everything in the country has been centralised. True federalism no longer exists. The states have no real power over what happens within them. They simply carry out federal directives, and face trouble if they don’t comply. We are not governing ourselves as we should in a democracy, especially within a multi-ethnic society. Our constitution was overthrown by the military, and we need to return to that, making the necessary amendments. Until we do so, we will keep regressing until we hit a breaking point, and then everyone will finally do the right thing.
Despite independence, do you still believe the Western world cannot be exonerated from Nigeria’s challenges?
When Western powers place people in leadership who are incapable of leading, they will inevitably interfere with the country’s internal affairs. It’s as simple as that. Western powers are manipulating Nigerian leaders, and Nigerians themselves are manipulated into electing leaders who are not fit for the role. We need to understand that no one will love us more than we love ourselves, although we can be foolish and fail to do the right thing. The people ruling us are not capable.
You recently said, “We (Nigeria) have a democracy, but that doesn’t mean we have a democracy.” What do you mean by that statement? What is your assessment of the state of democracy in Nigeria?
We don’t have a democracy. We just claim that we do—that’s all I’m saying. How can you have democracy when local governments are not independent in any sense? That is not democratic. Even the states are not independent enough to do what they need to do. Everything comes from the Federal Government, which issues directives. If you comply, you get money; if you don’t, you get nothing. What we have is “militarocracy,” not democracy. The military has ruled Nigeria longer than civilians since independence. They did what they knew—ruled with iron fists and militarised everywhere, and they passed this on to civilian governments.
What do you think are the main challenges facing our democracy?
We need to restructure. We must return to how we governed ourselves before the military’s interference. We held a national conference during former President Jonathan’s era, but it was dismissed. Without taking that step, we are in serious trouble.
Do you think Nigeria’s federalism is working effectively, or do you believe it has been compromised?
From everything I’ve said, it’s clear that Nigeria’s so-called federalism has been compromised, thanks to the military. Federalism isn’t working, and it never has. We are heading toward a crisis that will eventually lead to an implosion, where everyone goes their separate ways.
In one of your interviews, you mentioned that Nigeria cannot be run successfully as a unitary country. Do you believe decentralisation can improve governance in Nigeria?
Yes, decentralisation, particularly into the various mono-ethnic groups and those that can unite, like in the Middle Belt, would help improve governance. The Igbo have identifiable units, as do the Yoruba and the North. The Middle Belt is more complex, but they can also come together. We’ve done this before; the framework exists, but it’s not being followed.
Many have advocated restructuring Nigeria back to a regional government, similar to the pre-1966 era. What are your thoughts on this, and do you believe it would solve some of the country’s issues?
We need to make necessary amendments to address contemporary issues, but the foundation is critical. We must establish a constitution of our own and have a functioning federal system with regional governments. We can amend the constitution to reflect modern realities.
President Tinubu was a strong pillar of NADECO. What is your assessment of the President’s stance on federalism since he came to power?
I’m unsure about the arrangement Tinubu has with those who allowed him to become president. The people who put him there are watching him. However, I know he’s not a foolish man—he knows what needs to be done if given the opportunity. I have reservations about some of his approaches, but it cannot remain an exclusive Fulani agenda. If anyone undermines him undemocratically, they will hasten Nigeria’s demise.
Who are the people that allowed Tinubu into power?
It’s the Fulanis—the military and Fulani elites allowed him to become president. Nigerians know who they are. Do you think Southerners are in charge of Nigeria by accident? It’s a joke. Look at how they are treating the Biafran people; they don’t even know what they want. If they want to leave, who will stop them? If they want to stay, is this how to stay and succeed? We are all jokers. Nigerians no longer command respect globally because we are not respectable.
NADECO was founded to highlight Nigeria’s sociopolitical problems, including military rule and the perversion of justice. Are you convinced NADECO has achieved its aims 30 years later?
NADECO hasn’t achieved its purpose; it remains a work in progress. Religion isn’t helping us; it’s only making some people rich. Our economy, education, health, and politics aren’t functioning. None of our institutions are working for the people’s benefit. A small elite class is taking advantage of everything, and when they gain power, they become too arrogant to respond to the people.
As a NADECO veteran, what do you make of the current political landscape in Nigeria? Have the struggles for democracy and human rights yielded the desired results?
We’re in a serious crisis. I’ve told some friends not to expect stability because it’s not happening, and it won’t. There’s poverty, disease, and all sorts of problems. We lack political wisdom, religious wisdom, and sincerity to the principles of life and living. We’re not truthful, and that’s why we’re unstable.
What is your assessment of the current administration’s policies on the economy, security, and governance? Do you think they are steering the country in the right direction?
I don’t see anything different in the policies—they’re the same as before, just different faces. Whether it’s APC, Labour, or PDP, they all follow the same pattern. Things aren’t improving. We need to return to the constitution that existed before the military’s intervention and amend it to reflect the modern world. We must abandon the imposed constitution. Jonathan’s confab was a good concept; it should be reviewed. I represented the Yorubas at the time, and I know the issues we faced and the recommendations we made. Unfortunately, our efforts were discarded. We need to review all constitutions from 1962 to the present, gather representatives from the various ethnic groups to evaluate them, and submit recommendations to the Nigerian people. If we don’t do this, circumstances will force us to.
The southern and northern senators are divided on the call for the return to regional government. Can restructuring be achieved without the support of the National Assembly?
Having one parliament is best for us, but sadly, our two houses— the Senate and the House of Representatives—aren’t performing because they operate under a flawed constitution. If they are divided on issues that benefit Nigerians, they should vote to resolve the matter.
The Supreme Court recently granted autonomy to local governments in Nigeria. Do you believe that aligns with the spirit of federalism?
Yes, but what does it mean in practice? Local governments should have control over their jurisdictions, but key areas like diplomacy and defence should remain with the Federal Government. Local government autonomy cannot be treated in isolation. It must be viewed in relation to the states and the division of responsibilities to ensure true democracy and independence for the federating units. It all depends on having a functional constitution.
I wish the government well, but wishful thinking alone won’t solve the problem. If you’re not doing the right thing, you won’t get the right results. You can’t expect a Volkswagen Beetle to carry a log of wood and run fast—it won’t work. We have the education and capacity in this country to do the right thing, but greed and mismanagement continue to hinder our progress.
