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Economic Confidential,
May, 2009
FEATURES
Abolish Quota System or Quota System will Abolish Nigeria
BY Chinedu Vincent Akuta
The Federal Character principle which gave rise to quota system in
Nigeria was established to solve the problems of inequality and
marginalization as expressed by certain parts of Nigeria. Among
other reasons for introducing the quota system were because of
differences in the socio-economic development of different parts of
Nigeria. Secondly there were disparities in the levels of
educational developments in different parts of the country. Some
sections of the country (North) were alleged to be educationally
disadvantaged, while some regions (South) of the country were
acclaimed to be educationally advantaged. Therefore the past
leadership of Nigeria thought it wise to introduce quota system so
as to bridge the gap.
The federal character principle was adopted during the 1977
Constitutional Drafting Committee. It became part of 1979
constitution of Nigeria. From this point in our nation’s history,
the questions of merit or competitiveness among Nigerians were set
aside in place of quota system. This system has hindered development
and it defiles all logic. How can a nation make progress when their
best cannot occupy their due positions because we are practising
quota? We cannot move forward as a nation by putting round pegs in
square holes.
From the time of incorporating the quota system into the Nigerian
law books till date, the federal government has used it as a policy
instrument in recruiting people to all federal government
establishments like the armed forces, police, ministries, federal
government owned universities etc. Because it’s in our statute book,
the various state governments and all local governments’ use the
quota system in their various appointments etc. Merit, experience
and hard work do not matter if quota system is in use especially
when it comes to appointments. Its contrary to what Max Weber
(1864-1920) said, that employees should be hired and promoted based
on merit and expertise. We choose mediocre in place of merit. The
use of quota system has brought about intense lobbying each time
there is vacancy to be filled.
Thisday newspapers of 25th April 2009 online version reported that
President Yar’Adua has become “sick and tired” of high level
lobbying from all corners for the replacement of Inspector General
of Police who is due for retirement soon. This is the result of
quota system, were merit can be set aside in filling a vacant
position.
Quota system means injustice as far as am concerned. Apologies to
its beneficiaries. The mere existence of this charter in our law
books means that the country has been established on the paths of
injustice. This concept of quota system will certainly prevent the
best from emerging in all circumstances. America was established on
freedom, equality, human rights and democracy. They live by it and
they also export it to the whole world. Quoting the former President
of United States, late John F. Kennedy, “Let every nation know,
whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear
any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to
assure the survival and success of liberty”. Because America is a
free a society, the emergence of Barack Obama as the United States
President became possible.
In the United Kingdom, there is the equal opportunities act. Based
on this act, United Kingdom employers makes appointment on merit by
a fair and open process. Employers treat applicants equally
regardless of your ethnic background, origin, religious belief,
gender, sexual orientation, disability etc. Since Nigeria started
the federal character/quota system the country has retrogressed.
I want to be proven wrong, but I believe that the spirit of federal
character/quota system gave rise to the zoning formula adopted by
most political parties, example PDP. This same zoning formula
contributed immensely to the emergence of the former president
Obasanjo. I will leave Nigerians to make their judgement on the
administration of Obasanjo. My own assessment on them is that they
performed very poor especially with conducting elections, power
supply, road maintenance, health system, fighting corruption etc.
The same zoning formula which is a brain child of federal
character/quota system gave rise to the emergence of President Musa
Yar'Adua.
It will be better for Nigeria to have credible leaders who will
discharge their duties effectively from one section of the country,
than what we are having today. Nigerians will benefit more if
leaders who will deliver on dividends of democracy emerge from a
particular state or region. Choosing leadership based on zoning is
completely wrong. This concept of quota system has done more harm
than good. Therefore this is the time to abolish quota system or
quota system will abolish Nigeria.
Quota system laid down the quest for the scramble and looting of our
nations resources. People, groups, politicians, contractors etc
lobby for positions all because quota system has replaced merit.
When people, politicians, regions or states do not get positions
they start shouting of marginalization. When they succeed, they loot
because they feel it’s their turn. Patriotism and national interest
do no longer exits in Nigeria due to this policy. Quota system
encourages tribalism and division. This twin evil makes peace and
love to be difficult in a country like Nigeria
Just recently, it was on the headlines that Nigerian Senate was
boiling over the distribution of 60 billion naira voted for
constituency projects. Aggrieved Senators accused the Senate
appropriation committee leadership of being discriminatory in the
sharing of projects among the senatorial districts. This accusation
of being discriminatory in sharing projects can also be attributed
to quota system or federal character. This is despite the personal
interest of our senators.
Quota system is like an evil which was left unchecked. This evil
(quota) was tolerated and encouraged by the Nigerian leadership.
Quoting Late Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India, “Evil
unchecked grows; evil tolerated poisons the whole system”. Quota
system has poisoned the entire Nigerian system.
The aim of introducing quota system should have been achieved by now
which is well over 30 years. Therefore I strongly advocate for its
abolition. I use this medium to call on the President to start the
process of abolishing this system. It has done more harm than good.
Since we are clamoring for constitutional review, let’s remind
ourselves on the need to remove this from the books. Greater part of
our problems can be traced to this system. Hoping that the Nigerian
authorities have taken note. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/ |
