The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has renewed calls for true federalism in Nigeria, warning that the country’s current governance structure has drifted far from its original foundation and is fueling insecurity and underdevelopment.
Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle FM, Adams argued that Nigeria now operates a highly centralised system rather than a genuine federation, with excessive power concentrated at the federal level.
He traced the roots of the imbalance to the post-independence era, particularly the aftermath of the 1966 Nigerian coup d’état, which he said dismantled the regional autonomy agreed upon at independence in 1960.
According to him, that earlier system allowed regions to develop independently and competitively.
Adams maintained that military rule introduced a unitary-style structure that has persisted, weakening state institutions and limiting their capacity to respond effectively to local challenges.
He criticised the steady expansion of the exclusive legislative list—from 45 items at independence to 68—arguing that it has stripped states and local governments of critical powers.
He also highlighted contradictions within Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that while governors are designated as chief security officers, they lack control over policing.
This, he said, undermines their ability to address insecurity, as federal authorities retain ultimate command over security agencies.
Drawing comparisons with the United States, Adams pointed to its multi-layered policing system—federal, state, and local—as a more effective model for managing security in a large and diverse population. In contrast, he described Nigeria’s centralised policing system as overstretched and inadequate.
Addressing concerns about potential abuse of state police, Adams argued that centralisation has not prevented misuse of federal security forces, insisting that the solution lies in establishing proper checks and balances rather than maintaining the current structure.
Beyond security, he linked Nigeria’s governance model to economic stagnation, stating that overdependence on federal allocations has discouraged initiative and productivity at the state level.
He cited the achievements of past regional leaders like Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Ladoke Akintola as evidence of what autonomy can deliver.
According to Adams, the Western Region under their leadership witnessed major developmental strides, including free education policies, scholarship programmes, and the establishment of key institutions and investments.
He referenced landmarks such as Cocoa House as symbols of the economic strength made possible by regional governance.
He lamented that such achievements have not been replicated in the current era, where many states rely heavily on federal allocations and struggle to sustain development.
Adams also warned that continued failure to restructure Nigeria could intensify separatist agitations.
Citing global precedents such as the breakup of Sudan and the Bangladesh Liberation War, he noted that unresolved political and structural tensions often lead to fragmentation.
He stressed that Nigeria must urgently address its governance challenges to avoid a similar fate, warning that rising frustration among citizens could threaten national unity.
In conclusion, Adams insisted that returning to true federalism is no longer optional but essential for Nigeria’s stability, development, and long-term survival.
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