The Complicity of States in False Governance and Gratuitous Politicking
When a former governor from a South-West state recently declared at a regional conference that governors enjoy perverse liberty to administer as they please, he merely echoed a sentiment long held by many observers. The key difference was that his statement, coming from a sitting governor, gained immediate and widespread attention. This highlights a fundamental issue in Nigerian politics: the latitude granted to politically selected leaders at all levels—local, state, and federal—to act on whims rather than ethical imperatives.
The Optional Nature of Ethical Governance
In Nigeria, proper and ethical governance by state governors remains optional, as demonstrated by the tokenistic efforts often overhyped with celebrations and propaganda. This trend has become a fixed, albeit annoying, feature within the political power matrix, particularly in the southwestern geo-zone. In an environment where genuine commitment to improving living standards is rare, due to executive nonchalance often supported by constitutional loopholes, those who choose to break from the greedy herd deserve recognition.
Exemplary Leaders Making a Difference
One such leader is Superintendent Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, who has tirelessly worked to stabilize the region amidst insurgent devastations. As an educator and engineer elected in 2019, Zulum has delivered over 2,000 impactful projects across education, infrastructure, housing, health, roads, bridges, and electrification in all 27 councils of Borno. Similarly, Mohammed Umar Bago has transformed Niger State with mind-blowing road reversals in Minna and across 25 local government areas, alongside achievements in health, education, social infrastructure, and agriculture, including purchasing over 1,000 heavy-duty farming equipment.
Governor Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke of Osun State has performed unprecedented wonders through large-scale interventions in infrastructure, healthcare, community development, and grassroots empowerment. In Abia State, Alex Otti is revolutionizing power supply with the Geometric Power Plant in Aba, benefiting nine local government areas. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is advancing the legacy N195.3 billion Port Harcourt Ring Road project, set to pass through six districts, while Peter Mbah is implementing superlative projects across Enugu State. Abba Kabir Yusuf in Kano and Monday Okpebholo in Edo have also been admirably revolutionary in their stewardships.
The Disappointing Role of States
Despite accounting for about 40% of gross accruals from the federation account, states have largely been a disappointment, often refusing to disburse funds to local councils and complementing the federal arm in fostering retrogression. This makes any departure from the norm immediately noticeable. While the federal government, with over half of the country's resources, seems best positioned to reverse fortunes, it has focused on monuments for the elite rather than initiatives for genuine growth or comfort for the neglected poor.
Nigeria, with nearly 240 million people, is home to almost 200 million suffering from multidimensional poverty. States, as the closest and significantly empowered tier to the people, should fill this development void. Unfortunately, most are managed by leaders with outdated conceptions of governance, prioritizing cosmetic shows over actual needs.
The Din of Politics and Public Awareness
Amidst this lamentable aberration, politics dominates—left, right, center, up, and down. Having leaders who refuse to play politics with people's lives is a moral miracle. Yet, those who reduced lives to pawns in performing states are now engaging in funny games, opposing what they call self-succession. They argue that figures like Adeleke and Fubara must not return for another term. However, the common people, whose votes will decide mandates, are increasingly aware of their adversaries and seem readier than ever for the upcoming electoral game.
In summary, until constitutional adjustments enforce minimum performance standards for executives, Nigerians must endure false governance that reduces public administration to a charade. The electorate's growing awareness offers hope for change in the face of gratuitous politicking.
