Anthony Sani is the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the spokesman of the Northern delegates in
the 2014
National Conference. In this interview, he says that despite the calls
for restructuring, it would not be the way out of Nigeria’s problems. He also
speaks on other issues.
Do you advocate for
states to have more control of their natural resources as is being suggested
by those who are pro-restructuring?
When people talk of
restructuring and for states to control their resources, one begins to wonder
if such agitators feign ignorance of the reasons which informed the founding
fathers’ decision to put natural resources into the exclusive list in all our
constitutions from 1950 to 1999.The reason is to promote national unity and
social justice through balanced development.
The central
government should be strong enough to hold the nation united under one roof,
but not too strong as to tilt the country towards a unitary system.
At present, the
revenue sharing formula gives the federal govt 52 percent and the other two
tiers 48 percent. I do not see how that is disproportionate in favour of the
centre, but, if Nigerians feel the sharing formula should be reviewed, so be
it. Already, oil producing communities are hankering that their own share of
derivation be given to them directly in order to avoid situations where state
governments collect the money for derivation and build five-star hotels and
airports in state capitals at the expense of host communities.
So when you talk of
resource control or resource ownership, one wonders how far down it will be
applicable.
We should not forget
that Nigeria has tried confederal arrangement with regions as confederal units
and a weak centre during the First Republic. General Ironsi abolished it and
replaced it with unitary system which had stronger centre. This did not go down
well with the North and the West, hence the introduction of federalism by
creation of 12 states as the federating units. This system was a compromise
between confederation and unitary system.
This explains why
some of us do not put the problems of Nigeria at the door mats of the structure
of the country or form of government. We believe the problems are due to
collapse of national ideals and moral values -we all share-as a result of
failure of leadership.
Once Nigerians get
their values and leadership right and change their ways of doing things, good
things will follow.
Why do you think
that this government is opposed to considering the outcome of the 2014 national
conference?
I am not aware that
this administration is staunchly opposed to it, but what can be done is for
political parties to study the recommendations and pick those agreeable to them
and include in their manifestos for purpose of seeking electoral mandate needed
for implementations. Also, the reports can serve as resources for NASS as they
seek to amend the constitution.
The President has
said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not leave anything to be
inherited by his administration from 1999 till date. Is there any truth in
this?
I believe when this
administration says it inherited an empty treasury when it took over, it is
because it met a situation where the government borrowed to pay salaries of
workers and some state government owed salaries for up to twelve months.
Is Nigeria better or
worse off than the All Progressives Congress met it?
Nigeria could not
possibly be worse off, considering the progress this administration has made in
the fight against terrorism and corruption based on the President’s campaign
promises.
Since the promises
cannot be executed concurrently because no economy can thrive under atmosphere
of insecurity and corruption, it is reasonable to face insecurity and
corruption as first priority, after which economy can follow.
Would you say in
good conscience that the government has not done creditably well in its fight
against Boko Haram which was almost overrunning the North before this regime?
Is the release of 21
Chibok girls not a good effort? Is atmosphere of fear in the North the same?
I believe there have
been efforts at the economic front. For example, the removal of oil subsidy and
deregulation of the downstream sector can attract private refineries in order
to do away with importation of oil and save forex when they become operational.
The introduction of flexible forex is expected to do away with sharp practices.
The restriction of
imports, especially of Agric produce, is capable of attracting people to farms
which will result in increase in produce. This will not only save forex but
lower the prices through fair competition.
I think the problems
of Nigerians have been that they have been used to consumption without a
productive base, and now that the sources of funds which have provided such
facile success is no more, they are finding it hard to adjust to the reality.
But if animals can hibernate in order to survive through winter, and if plants
can defoliate in order to survive drought, Nigerians should be able to adjust
in order to survive adversity by letting go part of their comfort of today for
the good of tomorrow. This is very necessary because diversification of the
economy away from dependence on oil wealth, which is not a result of hard work,
cannot be a day’s job. We better come to terms with reality and learn to be
distant runners.
How would you
evaluate the anti corruption fight?
The anti corruption
campaign is on course except that the government seems to be biting more than
it can chew, given the tendency of corruption to fight back ferociously. When
people accuse the President of selective fight, I begin to wonder if they want
quota system to be applied in the fight against corruption. I believe those
arraigned for corruption should defend themselves instead of saying they are
not the only ones who are corrupt. The campaign against corruption is a
continuous process and should outlive the regime.
The previous
administration has been criticized for being wasteful, would you say that this
administration has shown prudence in the management of its resources?
I do not have the
facts, so, I cannot give informed comments. If you take me to confidence on
which areas the govt is wasteful, then I may be able to comment.
Do you
support the ban on the Shiite group by the Plateau State government?
I hear the Islamic
Movement of Nigeria (IMN) which the Shiites uses is not registered with the
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and I also hear that the movement
constitutes security problems. Since the government has the responsibility to
secure the state, it has to take necessary actions, but if the movement thinks
otherwise, it can go to court and seek redress.
On the issue
of recession, do you think the president’s economic team should be sacked, as
is being proposed in some quarters?
When some people
suggest that the economic team be sacked, I begin to wonder the wisdom in it.
Economics is not a rocket science beyond the understanding of majority of
Nigerians and only few can understand it. We all know the recession showed sign
before this administration. We also know oil price which used to support healthy
economy for the past 40 years has slumped, and as a result, there is no more
sufficient foreign reserve to support importation to satisfy our insatiable
appetite. Since diversification of the economy cannot be a day’s job, I wonder
what they expect the economic team to do. When some people advocated reflation
of the economy by massive spending on infrastructure and the need for increase
in forex, I wonder where the sources of funds would come from amid low oil
price and weak productive base.
I believe the
problem of those who call for sack of the economic team is lack of realistic
appreciation of the situation and lack of patience on the part of some
Nigerians.
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