By Suleiman Ibrahim
Vice President Kashim Shettima has asserted that Nigeria’s federal system is fundamentally sound but has been hampered by widespread mismanagement of resources and a lack of accountability across all tiers of government.
Speaking at the 7th edition of the Leadership Conference and Awards in Abuja on Tuesday, Shettima, represented by his Special Adviser on General Duties, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, stated that the challenges facing the nation are primarily due to a “deficit of collective fiscal responsibility” rather than inherent flaws in its constitutional framework.
According to a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President emphasized that the “problems attributed to the current federal system often stem from the poor management of resources rather than from any inherent flaw in the country’s constitutional architecture.”
Dr. Modibbo conveyed Shettima’s belief that a well-functioning federal system hinges on responsible governance at all levels. “If we at the national level deliver on our promises, if our governors manage their allocations with prudence, if our local governments are truly autonomous and accountable if every kobo is deployed with the people’s interest in mind, then the structure will serve us well,” he stated.
Shettima cautioned against blindly adopting foreign federal models, advocating for a system tailored to Nigeria’s unique “social, ethnic, and demographic complexities.” He stressed the need for a federal structure that reflects Nigerian values, ensures accountability, and fosters development nationwide, achieved through “sincere dialogue.”
The Vice President highlighted the Tinubu administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the federal structure, citing the push for local government autonomy and recent Supreme Court pronouncements on the matter as key examples of reform. He also pointed to policy decisions like fuel subsidy removal and tax reforms as measures intended to promote fiscal responsibility and empower states economically.
