By Nath Omame Jnr
In the advent of Nigeria’s political independence, in 1960, and then, as a Republic in 1963, there were three geo- political regions in Nigeria: North, West and East. Thereafter, a fourth region, Midwest, was created through a plebiscite.
After the sad unfortunate Civil War, from 1967 to 1970, that cost Nigeria over two million lives in a thoughtless progrom, General Yakubu Gowon, who was catapulted from a Colonel to General, after General Aguyi Ironsi was, sadly, killed, created twelve states to replace the regions.
Gowon, however maintained the sharing formula for agricultural produce. What does it mean? Each state got 50% of whatever it produced. It was changed by the ensuing military regime of Generals Murtala Muhammad, and Obasanjo, the same former Head-of-State, that is now criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing economic reforms.
What did Obasanjo do to rectify the anomaly in the system? Nothing. Gowon created 12 units from four geo- political areas called states, including the Midwest Region, which was was governed by Major-General David Ejoor. The military dictatorship capitalized on their military fiat and built an overpowering fountain of monumental oppression against the South.
Now, President Tinubu is in charge; a man of conscience, who, conscientiously, wants to empower all 36 States of Nigeria, based on the principle of derivation. He is been unnecessarily vilified. Tinubu is trying very hard to liberalise the country by my reckoning .
After the 50% sharing formula, the government came up with 13% Derivation. Did Obasanjo say anything in defense of the South?. No! Now that Tinubu is putting national economic structures on ground for the expansive diversity of all 36 States in Nigeria, leaders who were there before him, that did not do anything, are criticism him.
Before God and man, is this right? Wetin self? President Tinubu is transforming Nigeria and from what can be observed, will do great things beyond 2027. And he will remain politically relevant after then.
When the oligarchs did by denying Chief Obafemi Awolowo the rulership of Nigeria, it seemed there was no more hope for the South. President Tinubu has come to accomplish that same goal of giving the states financial independence as espoused by the late sage.
Tinubu, to my mind, is not even aware of what is playing out now on the political scene. But no man, born of man and woman, can stop him from fulfilling his destiny. He is a great man determined to transform Nigeria and correct the entrenched deprivation of Southern Nigeria.
The President took the right step forward by introducing the new tax reform bills. Nigerians will collectively applaud him in the end, in spite of seeming opposition to the proposed law. And it will come to pass.
Some persons in the North, now mouthing inciting obscenities against the president’s policies, geared towards the redistribution of the economic cake, so that each state and geo- political region can benefit, will later grovel and beg Tinubu.
This is because there is no doubt that President Tinubu will transform Nigeria. And that is why, unknowingly, even his enemies and critics will applaud him in the end.
Tinubu’s pedigree as Chief Financier of NADECO shows him clearly as a patriot. His tenure as a senator also bears eloquent testimony of his passion for a better Nigeria. Likewise the tenure as Governor of Lagos State. In all, he came out triumphant. He should be encouraged to proceed on the path of progress.
The No 1 citizen of Nigeria wants to move the country forward. From his mien, policies and statements, it is obvious he wants the best for Nigeria. In less than two years in office, Port Harcourt Refinery and Warri Petrochemical Refinery, WPRC, are working.
Though Turn Around Maintenance, (TAM) contracts were awarded to revamp the refineries during the regimes of Gowon, Obasanjo, Shagari, Jonathan and Buhari’s administrations, none of the four refineries in Nigeria worked. No petroleum product was refined or produced. Nigeria’s money was salted away recklessly with arrogant impunity and disdain for the masses. The same people who failed Nigerian masses are now ganging up, forming diverse political cabals and diverse economic outreaches to diminish and denigrate Tinubu’s government. But they will fail.
For Nigeria to move forward, and for each of the six geo- political regions and 36 states to come up economically, each state needs to be financially viable. Then, contribute some royalty to the federal government to enable it run the country. What President Tinubu is gradually transferring analogue Nigeria.
Now, all 36 states are part of the MAIN. Each of the 774 local governments, as a result of autonomy, will have to contribute to the National Kitty. The President wants to put a stop to the ingrained wasteful and expansively fiendish corruption that ruined Nigeria’s economy since political independence.
Those who are against his economic reforms are those, including their paymasters that have been milking Nigeria’s wealth with deep-seated applause encased in a well- defined regional agenda. President Tinubu is simply saying let’s revive our Cocoa, farms; Palm Oil Plantations; and the Groundnut Pyramids which propelled Nigeria’s economy in the ’60’s. So, what is wrong about that?
