US Experience and Federalism in Nigeria

Nigerian constitution is said to be fashioned after the US document, its principles and institutions but in my years of observing the two nations closely I have found more disparity than similarity in the two nations. First, Americans refer to their system as republican system of government, a democracy in which the people have ultimate say. In Nigeria, the President and his leading elite of ministers and hangers on hold ulitmate power.
Not only does the President control security forces, he also controls the finances of the nation. This is not so in the US where internal security authority is vested in the states which provide police and finances are controlled by whomever generates it. The US has no federation account that allocates money to states and local governments on a regular basis. There is no revenue allocation formula which continues to be contentious in Nigeria. Each State generates its own funds and only receives aid from the Federal government in specific areas dictated by national needs such as education and homeland security in this era of terrorism.
The US Congress determines which area of national interest such as defence, health, education, foreign relations etc gets what in the budget and, in most instances, even provides guidance on the details of how the funds so given are spent. States do not wait for these funds to operate because nothing is given to the state as its share of federal money. The money is allocated to federal projects and programs managed by federal agencies. States do not depend on these funds for survival. Each has an internal system of taxes that provides its needed funds. Worthy of note is that government owns virtually nothing in the US. Private entities own all the businesses, mines, refineries et al.. Only recently has the govenment taken temporary stakes in some major corporations; General Motors,Citibank and a few corporations to prevent their collapse in the current crisis.
If Nigeria wants to copy, it should at least be good at it. The US is a capitalist experiment that has worked for over 200 years and its population is as diverse as Nigeria's defeating any argument of homogeneity as a precursor of success.

The Lesson in Obama's Africa Trip

I am sure Nigeria's leaders are still smattering on with face saving excuses for the cold shoulders shown the 'giant of Africa' by the US President when he flew past Nigeria to visit Ghana recently. Afterall, some would say, he also shunned his father's country but Kenya has never claimed the leadership role Nigeria ascribes to itself.
It is a shame that Ghana, without Nigeria's resources, continues to outshine Nigeria in international arena. Ghana came out top of the class with its recent transition of power in an election which the incumbent leadership could easily have rigged, as is usually the case in Nigeria. It is a shame that Nigeria seems to bury its head in the sand of self delusion, a handicap imposed on the country by its corrupt leadership.
I wonder how Yar'Adua's leutenants explained it to him; one would expect that a US President would rather come to Nigeria , the most populous black nation in the world and potentially the biggest consumer nation for international goods. The US definitely would want a piece of that market. One would also expect even more since Nigeria has been a democracy since 1999. It seems, however, that it really does not matter what form of government Nigeria has. It really does not matter whether it is an Alhaji or a General in power the mannerism ramains the same and the country remains backward in world affairs.
With Nigeria's wealth, population and intellectual resources it should be a leader in the emerging markets. Nigeria has the population, the fertile minds to plant any development idea and the fiscal resources to explore and accomplish any development goal but simple things such as electricity still elude our cities. Simple things such as portable water supply remain elusive to the people. Simple things such as the conduct of free elections still pose the kind of challenge Ghanan seems to have overcome. Nigeria is still a nation where corruption permeates the fabric of society, a nation that deludes itself about its status in the comity of nations. A common fact is, there is little respect for the country outside nor for the leadership inside, from federal to local. That respect has to be earned and to begin, it has to be earned within first. The leadership has to serve its people selflessly and international respect will follow.

Ghana's Example, A Lesson for Nigeria

Nigerians, no doubt, watched neighboring Ghana's smooth hand over of power this week and many of us could not help but wonder if our beloved country will ever experience such order.

The significance of the Ghana elections is essentially in its conduct and the fact that the ruling party lost in the end.  Could anyone imagine a ruling party losing in Nigeria?  In 2007 and earlier, the ruling party had  come off with "landslide"  victories in Nigeria's elections.  NPN did it in 1983, Obasanjo's PDP did it in both 2003 and 2007.  It is anathema in Nigeria.  Being an opposition party is an execration, you are condemned to lose.  Evidently, Ghana sees things from a different perspective.

While not saying that Ghana's polls were completely free, it is doubly remarkable that despite Akufo-Addo's lead in the first poll, and the loss in the run-off he, as reports indicate, attended the presidential inauguration and watched as  Atta Mills was sworn in.  This act alone indicates a commendable level of statesmanship.   Nigerian politicians should learn from that.