Politics
Nigeria: Leadership By Example?
These days as we approach 2011, the tempo of activities both political and anti-Nigeria by our Nigerian leaders seem to be on the rise. As if that was not bad enough, our now super chickens formerly Super Eagles fumbled out of the World Cup for which Kaitas, Aiyegbenis, Kanus, NFF and Lagerback of this world can explain.
How much of Nigeria’s money went into our two weeks participation in the fiesta, no one will ever know, especially with several scores of legislators, their girlfriends and concubines all part of the party in our traditional squandermania style.
Despite a veiled denial by Steward Dora and what at best I see as an attempt at accusing a dead man, we still don’t know how much will go into a one day event in the name of marking our golden jubilee. As it stands, it is still N10billion for the ‘owambe’ party in a nation that hardship walks in the broad daylight.
Come to think of it, the lower chamber of the National Assembly was in a show of shame last week. The House of Representatives resorted to karate on the same day the super chickens in South Africa were being dealt with by the Koreans to delightful kungfu football.
While everyone has condemned their actions, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has even called them and the progressives as they called themselves suspended. The fact remains that with the millions and billions of naira at stake for doing nothing, words such as shame, embarrassment, public odium, and ridicule are strange. The nation will continue to be at war with herself.
My colleague and one-time fellow editor at Leadership Newspapers, now with Thisday Emmanuel Bello, sent this to me “Obama earns about $400,000 per annum and then Mark gets some N1.2million per annum as principal that does nothing”. Any doubts regarding why we are doomed? I don’t believe we are doomed, I only see reasons why I must serve my nation and by fire, by force.
Courtesy of my friend and brother, Baba Adam…”Current Nigerian senator’s benefits or allowances is N48 million per quarter X 4 quarters = N192 million per year (US$1.28 million per year). That is currently a Nigerian Senator earns 7.36 times their U.S. counterparts!
The Nigerian Senators want their allowances to be increased to N95 million per quarter X 4 quarters = N380 million per year [US$2.53 million per year]. That is US$10.13 million in 4 years! Hhhhmmm…for the 90% of Nigerians, no clean drinking water, stable electric power, basic education, dependable health-care, productive employment, social security for the elderly, public security, good roads, etc..
In 2008, Nigeria allocated N60 billion ($400,000,000- – four hundred million US dollars) for Senator’s and House of Representative members spend N60bn.
Below is a Nigerian Senator’s minimum wage… you can call this the high cost of bad governance
1. Basic Salary 2,484,242.50
2. Furniture Allowance @ 300% 7,452,727.50
3. Newspaper @ 50% 1,242,121.25
4. Wardrobe @ 25% 621,060.63
5. Recess @ 10% 248,424.25
6. Accommodation @ 200% 4,968,485.00
7. Utilities @ 30% 270,024.55
8. Domestic Staff @ 75% 1,863,181.88
9. Entertainment @ 30% 745,272.75
10. Hardship Allowance @ 50% 1,242,121.25
11. Consistency Allowance @ 200% 4,968,485.00
12. PA @ 25% 621,060.63
Total: 26,727,207.17
By the way, last year the Nigerian Senators’ passed ‘WHOPPING’ 13 bills.
Currently, Nigeria have messed up priorities. In 2008, the Nigerian government allocated N8.3 billion ($55,333,333 — fifty five million dollars) for research at all the tertiary institutions.
Note in 2005, USA universities spent $45.8 billion. Thus USA institutions spend 828 times on research! India and China also spend billions on research.
“The House received N11 billion for 2008 and 2009 and expended N9billion. A majority of House members have no clue on details of the expenditure purportedly made from this colossal sum. The Speaker authorised a spurious, vexatious and reckless expenditure profile at a time when there is so much economic hardship, massive unemployment and neglected infrastructure in the country.”
“On May 28, 2008, the Speaker and the Body of Principal Officers approved the purchase of four units of Range Rover (V8) Jeeps, three units of Mercedes Benz S-600 cars for the use of the Speaker and his Deputy costing N335, 500, 000.” And you say it is not sweet to serve Nigeria?
Members of the lower House bought for themselves LCD 40 Samsung LNS 341 at N525,000 per unit. Multiply that by the 360 members and you tell me that we are still not suffering ‘gowonoria’ a disease that started during the Gowon era…too much money, problem of how to spend it.
Dressed in their blue and white uniforms, some 75 students of the City Royal Secondary School (CRSS), Nyanya in Abuja watched in silence as representatives fought themselves, often rising from their seats, and at other times craning their necks to witness the rowdy session.
They were wide-eyed, stared at themselves, and dumbstruck all through. They watched as their leaders fought not because of providing good roads, not because of improving the health infrastructure, not as a result of a collapsing educational system but because the loot did not go round. One of the kids reportedly asked a Journalist “Sir, how much is 9Billion Naira”? One can only imagine what was in the child’s mind.
We live in dangerous times in Nigeria, but very few people really care, In Ogun State its 30billion, In Plateau State, some N6billion frozen by EFCC secretly, in Lagos, two years after it was built a portion of the over N5 billion LASU-Iba road built by the Lagos State Government collapsed. In Kano, the governor’s anointed was recently guest of EFCC. Everywhere you turn in the entire nation its stealing and thieving galore, you begin to ask, so what is EFCC really doing?
As an observing guest, Jonathan is in Canada with some 140 aides, even 50, is it not crazy? My answer is no, infact he should have gone with the 36 governors their deputies, all the Ministers and the entire National Assembly, after all to serve Nigeria is by FORCE!
To serve Nigeria is by force, it is lucrative, you steal without a single shot fired, and you can be rest assured after some noise everyone forgets.
Like the Sanusi Tsunami, now forgotten, all the Ibrus, Erastus of this world somewhere chopping their monies. The UK is more determined at getting Ibori than we are. IBB, making all sorts of noise, the north preaching morality, Jonathan, hiding under the garment of sensitivity of the polity, we just make noise and gradually we shut up—an easily excitable people!
With over 50 political parties, everyday, everywhere it is PDP against PDP. After 11 years of democracy, it’s been motion without movement. We have been covered by an umbrella that best depicts everything that is wrong with our society.
I have desisted a long time to speak plenty grammar when discussing the Nigerian malaise, not because I don’t know how to go isms, and zun, tun zi, but because I believe that our problems are not the worst and we can surmount it if we want to, but sadly a small minority and thieving class is bent on frustrating change. Monkey no fine but im mama like, no place like naija. We shall overcome one way or the other, Insha Allah!
Dickson is the Editor, burningpot.com
Prince Charles Dickson
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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