Nigeria Risks Disintegration Without Urgent Restructuring – Nwodo Warns

By Luminous Jannamike | Abuja

Chief John Nnia Nwodo, former Minister of Information and past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has issued a stark warning that Nigeria could face potential disintegration before the 2027 general elections unless critical political reforms are implemented.

Speaking in Abuja during a keynote lecture titled “How Did We Get Here?” at the launch of two books authored by seasoned journalist Ike Abonyi, Nwodo criticized the current governance system, labeling it a deceptive form of federalism cloaked in unitary control. He argued that this structure has hindered progress and failed to reflect the nation’s diverse realities.

The event took place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre and was attended by high-profile figures such as Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; PDP stalwart Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by PDP Governors’ Forum DG, Emmanuel Agbo.

Nwodo called for the urgent restructuring of Nigeria’s political system. His recommendations include the transfer of significant powers to regional governments, allowing them control over local resources, while still contributing taxes to the federal government for services like defense and foreign affairs.

He cautioned that failure to implement such changes might lead to some regions rejecting future elections or their outcomes, which could escalate into a full-blown constitutional crisis.

“If we fail to restructure, we may be forced to go our separate ways,” he warned.

Highlighting Nigeria’s growing economic and social challenges, Nwodo pointed to alarming statistics such as the nation’s life expectancy—currently the lowest globally at 54.8 years, according to the UN—and an annual loss of over $1 billion due to poor road infrastructure, as cited by the World Bank.

Also speaking at the event, former PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of overseeing what he termed the "slow collapse" of both Nigeria’s democracy and its economy. He lamented the absence of true democratic values, suggesting that elections in the country have become superficial contests devoid of ideological substance.

Secondus drew comparisons with South Africa's African National Congress (ANC), praising its ideological consistency while criticizing Nigerian political parties for lacking direction.

The event also featured veteran journalist Martins Oloja, who reviewed Abonyi’s newly released books: The Bubbles of Nigeria’s Democracy and Wadata Wonders. Oloja applauded Abonyi’s candid approach as a partisan journalist, noting that the inclusion of diverse perspectives is crucial for a functioning democracy.

While Peter Obi’s presence at the event fueled discussions around potential political shifts ahead of the 2027 elections, he remained silent throughout the program.