In a recent interview, UK-based Nigerian lawyer and social commentator, Dr. Dele Ogun, has made bold claims about the historical decisions that led to the loss of regional autonomy in Nigeria. He argues that the real architect behind the scrapping of regional government was former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon and not Nigeria’s first military ruler, General Aguiyi Ironsi, as commonly believed.
After gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria adopted a federal system that allowed significant autonomy to its regions. This structure was designed to accommodate the country’s diverse ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. However, the political instability following independence led to military coups, which fundamentally altered the governance structure.
General Ironsi, who ruled for a brief period after the first coup in 1966, introduced Decree 34, which sought to centralize power and abolish regional governments. Many hold Ironsi accountable for this shift. However, Ogun argues this view is misguided.
In his interview with Rudolf Okonkwo of 90MinutesAfrica, Ogun stated, “It’s completely misplaced to say Aguiyi Ironsi’s Decree 34 was what abolished the regional system in Nigeria.” He emphasized that military rule, by its nature, is unitary. Therefore, the unitary system in Nigeria arose from the coup itself, not solely from Ironsi’s decree.
Ogun believes that while Decree 34 was indeed significant, it was Gowon’s creation of 12 states in 1967 that formally ended the regional system. This move replaced the regional governments with a new state structure, further centralizing power.
Ogun asserts that Decree 34 was merely an excuse used to justify the 1966 pogrom, where thousands of Igbo people were killed in violence across the country. “The decree was a cover for the atrocities that took place during that time,” he said.
He believes the focus on Ironsi detracts from the real historical injustices and shifts responsibility away from Gowon. “Gowon’s actions solidified the unitary state,” he noted, “and that has had lasting impacts on Nigeria’s governance.”
Despite acknowledging the historical context, Ogun warns against advocating for a return to a regional system of government. He described this approach as the “Berlin strategy,” referring to the arbitrary borders drawn during the Berlin Conference in 1884, which disregarded existing ethnic and cultural boundaries.
“It is unwise for anyone to advocate for a return to the regional system,” Ogun stated. He believes that instead of reverting to old structures, Nigeria must focus on creating a system that respects and acknowledges the country’s ethnic diversity.
To address Nigeria’s ongoing challenges, Ogun suggests that a restructuring based on ethnic units—what he calls the Orange Union—is necessary. He argues that this would provide a more natural governance system that reflects the existing cultural and territorial realities of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
“The territories are there, and everybody knows the area of their ethnic groups,” he explained. By allowing self-governance based on ethnic boundaries, Ogun believes many of Nigeria’s internal conflicts could be resolved.
He also acknowledged the need for transitional support among the ethnic units. “There would have to be some support networks, at least during a transitional period,” he noted. This would help stabilize the new governance structures and promote development.
While Ogun’s proposals may resonate with some, the challenges of re-establishing regional autonomy or creating a new governance structure are significant. Historical grievances, ethnic tensions, and political interests make any transition complex.
Furthermore, Nigeria’s current resource distribution is uneven, leading to disparities in development across different regions. Ogun pointed out that “the resources are not evenly distributed among the various ethnic groups,” suggesting that mutual support networks would be crucial for any new system to function effectively.
Dr. Ogun’s views contribute to the ongoing conversation about Nigeria’s governance and identity. His insistence on reevaluating historical narratives surrounding regional autonomy sheds light on the need for a more comprehensive understanding of Nigeria’s past.
“Building the nation based on ethnic units would resolve many of the internal contradictions challenging Nigeria today,” he concluded. His vision for an Orange Union reflects a desire for unity while respecting Nigeria’s rich diversity.