Restoring the Federation in the Federal Republic of Nigeria

In a recent statement, Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State and former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, emphasized the urgent need to reclaim the federal character of Nigeria.

El-Rufai, who chaired the APC Committee on True Federalism, highlighted the importance of devolving powers and responsibilities to the subnational level in order to unleash the country’s productive potential and promote better governance.

El-Rufai commended recent efforts towards decentralization, citing constitutional amendments passed by the 9th National Assembly in January 2023 that shifted important responsibilities like electricity, railways, and prisons to the concurrent list. He also praised President Buhari and President Tinubu for their support of decentralization initiatives, such as the Electricity Act 2023 that empowers state governments to regulate electricity markets within their boundaries.

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The former governor stressed the need for additional decentralization in the internal security structure, particularly policing, to enhance government efforts to secure the people and their property. He called for subnational policing structures empowered with necessary resources to deter and prevent crime.

El-Rufai also highlighted the need to clarify the status of local government councils, recommending that states should have the authority to decide on, legislate for, and fund local government systems that best suit them. He suggested that funding for local government councils should come directly from state governments, rather than the Federation Account.

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Furthermore, El-Rufai proposed limitations on the powers of the National Judicial Council to federal courts, with state judiciaries vested in State Judicial Councils. He also called for consensus on fiscal federalism and the control of mineral resources, advocating for the extension of state ownership and control of minerals below the land.

In conclusion, El-Rufai emphasized the importance of restoring a federal structure that challenges and rewards creative efforts by the states to build up their economies and governance capacity. He called upon the federal and state governments, as well as the 10th National Assembly, to accelerate the evolution of a better functioning federation within the next 12 months.