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Abolish Quota System or Quota System will Abolish Nigeria
By Chinedu 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 was 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 is an
activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
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