Post by FRANK OFILI (@frank-timeless9)

Remembering Chief Anthony Enahoro and the Unfinished Business of Restructuring Nigeria

In the heyday of Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime (1985–1993), a foremost nationalist, Anthony Enahoro—the man who moved the historic motion for Nigeria’s independence—stood firmly for a reimagined federation.

Through the Movement for National Reformation (MNR), Enahoro championed a bold vision: restructuring Nigeria into six geopolitical zones—North West, North East, North Central, South West, South East, and South South—with true devolution of powers.

His argument was clear and compelling: a strong federation must rest on strong regions, not an overburdened centre. The central government, he insisted, should focus only on common national responsibilities like foreign affairs, defence, immigration, and customs.

In 1987, when the Babangida administration convened the Political Bureau under J. S. Cookey, Enahoro took this restructuring campaign to the national stage. His ideas were captured in the Bureau’s final report.

But history took a troubling turn.

When Newswatch Magazine, led by courageous journalists—Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Mohammed, and Dan Agbese—published details of the report, the regime responded with repression. The magazine was proscribed, and its editors detained, for making public what was discussed openly.

The report itself was ultimately buried.
Then came the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election—widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest—won by M. K. O. Abiola. That decision ignited a pro-democracy struggle that forced Babangida from power.

Nearly four decades later, Nigeria is still grappling with the same question Enahoro raised with urgency and clarity: How should our federation be structured to truly work for all?
Ironically, in 2017, Babangida himself publicly endorsed a restructuring model similar to Enahoro’s vision.

There is an African proverb: What an elder sees while sitting, a child cannot see even while standing on a tree.

Chief Anthony Enahoro saw far ahead of his time.

Today, I remember him—not just as a nationalist, but as a visionary whose ideas remain as relevant as ever.

May his soul rest in peace.

0 likes · 0 comments · 0 shares