THE recent call by the governors of the seven states created out of the old Western Region for more devolution of powers to the states is desirable not only to promote evenly distributed national development, but also to discontinue the unwholesome reliance by the states on the Federal Government. In practical terms, the case for stronger and better funded state and local governments is self-evident not the least for the reason that these units are closer to the electorate and, in a properly administered federal system operated by well-intentioned democrats, are better positioned to meet the needs of the people. The governors' statement echoes the long-running demand by many sections of the Nigerian federation for true, effective federalism ' in political and fiscal terms. Although the case for devolution emanates from a section of the federation, there is no doubt that the benefits would apply to governments of the other states. A federal system divides powers between the two separate authorities namely national and state authorities each deriving legal validity from the constitution as enacted by 'We, the People'. In effect, and unlike in a unitary system, the national government does not derive its powers from the states nor the states from the national authorities. Besides, the states, as the basic units of the federal structure, need be strong to sustain the centre. Stronger states therefore guarantee a more stable federation. This is the constitutional path that Nigerians desire and for good reason. A system of government that disperses centres of power within and among governments protects against the dangers of absolutism and its inevitable abuses. Those who govern have a duty, as sworn to in their oaths of office, to keep faith with the desire of the governed and the spirit of their enabling constitution. For too long, this Federal Republic of Nigeria has been administered more as a unitary government than as appropriately named, a federation of states in line with Chapter 1 Part 1 (2) (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. 'The Federal Government', said the governors at their Abeokuta meeting, 'is holding on to too much responsibilities and powers that are supposed to be within the purview of the federating states.' This is the bare truth. Since the incursion of the military into Nigerian politics, every constitution has loaded the Federal Government with more powers, responsibilities and resources than it should reasonably have with the result that government has operated at the best, as centralised federalism, and at the worst, as a unitary system. The government at the centre keeps an unfairly disproportionate share of the public revenue. It is often argued that the Federal Government needs so much money in order to meet its responsibilities. But truth be told, the exercise of powers on a total of 98 constitutional items (68 items in the Exclusive List and 30 items on the Concurrent List) is biting too much to properly chew. And with each passing year, the Federal Government, either under a military administration or a civil rule, not only fails to live up to its responsibilities in its self-imposed aspects of the constitution, but has also offered little for the huge resources it allocates to itself. On the other hand, the states and the local governments have to make do with very little that, sadly too, is either misappropriated or misapplied. The call by the governors has its merits, but the question must be asked: how well have state authorities managed the powers and resources already available to them' The glaring answer is that most of them have grossly misused both. Before our very eyes, theft of public funds is rife, and what is not stolen is expended on needless projects and personnel that add no value to governance. Public officers engage in arrogant display of appurtenances of power and personal aggrandisement. Most states are in desperate want of creative governance for the simple reason that the chief executives are limited in vision and lacking in leadership qualities. State governments can do far more for their respective constituencies with the powers and resources they control at present. While the need for devolution of more powers to the federating states remains impeccable, the state governors should begin now to show Nigerians, in words and in deeds, that they will use the additional powers to serve only the common good. The governors need be reminded too that more powers will come with more responsibilities. While this will not translate to an equal pace of development, it may trigger a healthy inter-state competition as witnessed among the regions in the First Republic. With more powers, and more funds, every state authority will be challenged to think harder and to develop a more problem-solving mind-set in such areas as internally generated revenue, instead of waiting every time for 'manna' from the Federal Government. Regional integration is a sound means to hasten economic development. The cooperative mindset of the seven governors that gathered at Abeokuta should be emulated by other governors. Rather than pursue separate development agenda, states would do well to explore the benefits that economy of scale and comparative advantage in economic production of goods and services can yield.
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