Shettima Under Fire: Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Reject VP’s Take On Nigeria’s Federalism

These groups, including the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and Niger Delta Self-Determination Movement (NDSM) convener Ann Kio Briggs, have provided varied responses to Shettima’s position.

At the 17th edition of the Leadership Annual Conference and Award, Shettima argued that corruption, not federalism, was the primary issue in Nigeria. He criticized those who claimed that Nigeria’s federal system was ineffective, emphasizing that no federal system worldwide is flawless. Shettima also pointed to the mismanagement of resources as a central problem in Nigeria’s ongoing struggles.

He stated, “The problems we attribute to our federal system often stem from poor management of what is already within our grasp, not from any inherent flaw in our constitutional architecture.” He added that the current administration is committed to reforming Nigeria’s federal system, particularly through measures like pursuing local government autonomy. Shettima called for a dialogue-driven approach to develop a federal system that aligns with Nigeria’s diverse social, cultural, and demographic realities.

However, key political and ethnic groups have disagreed with the Vice President’s statements.

Middle Belt Forum: Federalism Fuels Corruption
The Middle Belt Forum, led by President Bitrus Pogu, rejected Shettima’s position, arguing that Nigeria’s federal system is itself a major cause of corruption. Pogu explained that Nigeria’s federalism is not genuine, and regional disconnection from the state fosters corruption. He called for the restructuring of Nigeria’s federal system as the solution to both corruption and the nation’s governance issues.

“I am sorry to disagree with the Vice President because the federalism we practice gave birth to the corruption he is talking about,” Pogu said. “If the system is not correct, it breeds corruption. The federalism we practice is not true federalism, and as a result, many Nigerians feel disconnected from the nation.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo: Federalism is the Core Issue
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a key Igbo socio-cultural organization, also rejected Shettima’s claims. The organization’s National Publicity Secretary, Ezechi Chukwu, argued that restructuring Nigeria’s political institutions would address corruption more effectively. He pointed out that the current federal system doesn’t grant sufficient power to the federating units, which leads to inefficiency and corruption.

“It is not true that Nigeria’s problem is corruption rather than federalism,” Chukwu said. “The current structure incubates corruption in our polity.”