Akin Fapohunda, serving as the Secretary for the Steering Committee of the Eminent Elders Forum, has advocated for the decentralisation of Nigeria, asserting that the nation does not exhibit the characteristics of genuine nationhood and unity.
During an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Fapohunda discussed a formal letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other key government figures, including Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, urging a reform of the country’s governance structure towards decentralisation.
This letter was composed by a coalition of influential leaders within the country and promotes structural changes designed to transfer authority from the federal government down to regional bodies.
Fapohunda stated, "The mantra is that each region needs to be managed in a modular manner. We are not a nation. A true nation should be unified through a common culture and language. We suffer from a lack of a shared language, a singular culture, and even differences in our climate and vegetation."
He emphasized that Nigeria should not be seen as a homogenous nation but rather as a collection of distinct nations that cannot be effectively governed by a highly centralised administrative framework.
“There is widespread agreement among the various regions that managing everything from a central point in Abuja is not sustainable. While the President is making efforts, it is impractical for one individual to oversee 50 ministries,” he maintained.
Fapohunda proposed a gradual decentralisation plan aimed at lessening the concentration of presidential power while enhancing governance.
"Restructuring isn’t like flipping a switch. It’s an ongoing process. If we initiate it now—like we’re currently discussing the establishment of state police—credit goes to the President for that. We need to set it in motion,” he asserted.
He noted that their decentralisation and restructuring proposals have been formally presented to all three branches of the Nigerian government—the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
"That’s why we penned the letter. We didn’t just address it to him; we sent it to the executive, legislature, and judiciary. These are the components of the Nigerian state. We aim for them to collaborate and reach a consensus on this matter,” he explained.
Fapohunda shared that he and his group expect a response within 45 days, insisting that the current governance model under the 1999 Constitution is unsustainable for Nigeria’s future.
“In the letter, we requested feedback within 45 days. We are ready to act. It is imperative that we no longer operate under the centralised system outlined in the 1999 Constitution as it stands,” he emphasized.
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