...Says centralisation fuels insecurity, weakens states
…Warns failure may trigger secessionist agitations
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has called for an urgent return to true federalism in Nigeria, declaring that the country is no longer operating a genuine federal system but a highly centralised structure that stifles development and worsens insecurity.
Adams made the assertion on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.
According to him, Nigeria’s current governance model has deviated significantly from the federal arrangement agreed upon at independence in 1960, which was anchored on regional autonomy and allowed each region to develop at its own pace.
He traced the shift away from true federalism to the 1966 Nigerian coup d’état, noting that military intervention introduced a unitary system that concentrated excessive powers at the centre.
Adams argued that this centralisation has since weakened subnational governments and undermined their capacity to respond effectively to local challenges.
“I subscribe to true federalism,” he said. “What we are practising today is not federalism but statism. The system we operate now is closer to a unitary structure than a federation.”
He further lamented the expansion of the exclusive legislative list, which he said has grown from 45 items at independence to 68, thereby stripping states and local governments of critical responsibilities.
According to him, the imbalance has rendered state governments largely ineffective, particularly in the area of security, where governors are constitutionally designated as chief security officers but lack actual control over law enforcement agencies.
Adams noted that directives issued by governors are often overridden by federal authorities, a situation he described as counterproductive to effective governance.
He advocated for decentralised policing, including the establishment of state and community police structures, to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
Drawing comparisons with the United States, Adams highlighted the effectiveness of multi-layered policing systems, which include federal, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies.
He argued that such a model allows for more responsive and efficient security management, especially in a populous country.
The Yoruba leader dismissed concerns that state police could be abused by governors, insisting that centralised policing has not prevented misuse of power at the federal level.
Instead, he called for the introduction of strong institutional checks and balances to prevent abuse across all tiers of government.
Beyond security, Adams linked Nigeria’s governance structure to economic stagnation, noting that overdependence on federal allocations has discouraged innovation and productivity among states.
He cited the achievements of past regional leaders such as Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Ladoke Akintola, who, he said, leveraged regional autonomy to drive development.
According to him, the Western Region under their leadership witnessed significant progress, including the introduction of free education, establishment of key institutions, and investment in multiple enterprises.
He referenced landmark projects such as Cocoa House as evidence of what true federalism can achieve when subnational governments are empowered.
Adams lamented that such
developmental strides have not been replicated under the current system, where many states rely heavily on federal allocations rather than internally generated revenue.
He warned that continued failure to restructure Nigeria could intensify agitation for secession, citing global examples of countries that fragmented due to unresolved political and structural challenges.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo stressed that proactive reforms are necessary to preserve national unity and prevent further divisions.
He concluded that restructuring Nigeria along the lines of true federalism is no longer optional but essential for sustainable development, effective governance, and long-term stability.
