Richard Joseph: too late for Nigeria to break up

Professor Rrichard Joseph of Political Science at Northwestern University, Illinois, United States has said that despite many problems facing Nigeria, it is too late for it to break up. He made this comment while delivering a public lecture at the University of Lagos on Friday.

The lecture was organised by the Public Affairs Section of the United States Consulate General, Lagos in collaboration with the University of Lagos. Speaking on the theme “Are Changes in the Federal Structure of Nigeria Required for Better Governance?”, the don pointed out that lots of sacrifice had been made by Nigerians, which should not be allowed to be in vain.

“Nigeria has had by far a modest constitutional government. The democratic governance has lasted three times longer than any of its predecessors. This is a very important achievement.

“Struggles have been made over the years. Many people have put in lots of efforts to make Nigeria work. The country is going through a period of many challenges. But despite all the issues confronting the country, we have got to reduce the temperature, we have got to avoid sensationalism.

“There are problems in every democracy everywhere, including the United States of America. Nigeria has the potential to succeed. So, we should not allow the challenges of today to deter us from surviving.”

He stressed further that there were different types of federalism, Joseph said the country should decide which one it wanted to adopt that would make things work. “There have been lots of conversation on having true federalism in Nigeria, but what is true or false federalism? What I know is there are variants of federalism and the type that is suitable for Nigeria will be different from what is suitable for Kenya.

“This country represents so much, not only in Africa, but on the global scene. Nigeria’s federal democracy is too important, too vital, too essential to fail. All hands should row towards the same destination: an inclusive, prosperous, and democratic nation,” he said.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Rahman Bello, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, warned Nigerians against making comments that could heat up polity. “We must know that Nigeria represents not only the interest of Africa, but others. Many countries are looking up to us. Therefore, we must not fail,” he said.