THE IMBALANCE OF THE NIGERIAN FEDERALISM SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

The present struggle of southern states to starts generating thier own funds has generated a lot of mixed reactions. There are tons of reasons why states should be allowed to fend for itself. 

While some HISBAH group is fighting against alcoholic consumptions and destroying alcohol business in Kano, the same states is been enjoying direct dividends from alcoholic consumptions from other states. While some also want to allow open grazing, some southern states is placing an embargo on the practices.

States like; Oyo, Delta, Kaduna and Anambra State are staunchly standing behind Lagos and Rivers in the VAT fight as the rational and the progressive thing to do.

In June of 2021, VAT of N44b was collected in Lagos. Rivers N15b, Kano N2.8b. Those who want to sell alcohol and raise VAT from doing so should enjoy the revenue they generate for doing so and those who want to eat religion should also do so. 

No one should parasitically leach off the other. More than 60% of the VAT from Lagos is taken from Lagos and given to states like Kano and others. Nigeria’s current federalism is a parasitic relationship. Yet, the north rejects the Southern open grazing ban, reject alcohol, but want to impose killer herdsmen on other states.

The federal system needed to be addressed so states could sit tight and bring the best for their state to the table instead of parasitically sucking out other states going extra mile to keep the nation's purse half full while they suck it dry.