Pic: L-R: Obi and Anyaoku
By Ndife David, Obosi
The President-General of the Obosi Development Union (ODU) Worldwide, Barr. Chimezie Obi, has thrown his weight behind the long-standing campaign by former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, for Nigeria to return to a regional system of government.
He described it as the most realistic pathway to national stability, economic recovery and true federalism.
Speaking with journalists in Obosi on Saturday, Obi said Anyaoku’s unwavering advocacy over the past 14 years demonstrates a deep commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress.
He noted that the country’s worsening security, economic and governance challenges have made comprehensive constitutional restructuring an urgent national priority.
According to him, the current structure of 36 states operating under a highly centralised federal system has become financially unsustainable, with huge public resources consumed by the cost of governance instead of being invested in infrastructure, education, healthcare and productive sectors.
Obi argued that Anyaoku’s proposal for six federating regions, based on the existing geopolitical zones, would significantly reduce the cost of governance, strengthen accountability and foster healthy competition among the regions.
He recalled that Nigeria’s regional system before 1966 drove remarkable achievements in agriculture, education, commerce and industrialisation, insisting that a return to that model would restore innovation, productivity, efficient resource management and balanced national development.
The ODU President-General further maintained that devolving greater constitutional powers to the regions would improve security, enhance resource management and strengthen service delivery by bringing governance closer to the people and addressing local realities more effectively.
He observed that the current constitutional framework concentrates excessive powers at the centre, contrary to the principles of true federalism, and called for reforms that would grant greater autonomy and responsibilities to the federating units.
Obi identified constitutional amendment through the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly as a practical pathway to achieving regional governance, while also supporting broader national consultations aimed at producing enduring constitutional reforms.
He urged traditional rulers, town unions, professional bodies and civil society organisations to intensify public advocacy, civic education and constructive engagement with policymakers to build nationwide support for restructuring.
Emphasising that regionalism should not be misconstrued as a call for disunity or secession, Obi described it as a constitutional framework capable of promoting efficient governance, national cohesion and sustainable development.
Commending Anyaoku’s consistent position since 2012, he described the elder statesman as one of Nigeria’s foremost voices on constitutional reform, whose advocacy has remained focused on preserving national unity through a stronger, fairer and more balanced federation.
Obi therefore called on the President, the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders to immediately commence an inclusive constitutional reform process, expressing confidence that embracing regional government would reposition Nigeria for lasting peace, sustainable development and shared prosperity.
Tags: #RegionalGovernment #ConstitutionalReform #EmekaAnyaoku #Nigeria #Obosi
