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Abolish Quota System or Quota System will Abolish Nigeria.
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
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
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________