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Crisis Of Good Governance In Africa Frustrates Sustainable Dev -Wike …Insists Promotion Of Social, Political Justice’ll Reduce Inequality, Insecurity

Published

4 years ago

October 1, 2021

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has re-emphasised the need for Nigeria and other African countries to break away from centralised and personalised system of governance in order to achieve enduring development in the continent.
Such sustainable development, he said, would foster economic inclusiveness, offer ethically sound and socially equitable services to every citizenry.
Wike made the assertion while delivering a lecture to the participants of the Executive Intelligence Course Fourteen (EIMC-14), of the National Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, last Wednesday.
The governor spoke on the lecture title: “Governance, Security and Sustainable Development in Africa: Nexus, Challenges and Prospects – the Rivers State Experience.”
The participants were drawn from 24 agencies in Nigeria as well as from countries in West Africa such as Gambia, Ghana and Liberia.
Course participants are officers from the military intelligence, security, para-military, law enforcement, regulatory and other Federal Government strategic agencies.
Wike said if the government system in Nigeria and the rest of Africa was not right, it would be difficult to achieve human security.
Such government, he stated, would continue to struggle under costly civil conflicts that threaten the wellbeing of citizens and the very existence of most Africa countries from within.
The governor wondered why a continent with enormous mineral deposits, large arable land, and favourable climatic conditions has its 1.3billion human population living below poverty line.
Wike said unemployment, especially among the youth, has remained troubling while per capital income, life expectancy, access to healthcare, education, water, housing and social security was abysmally low.
“No African state was able to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), while the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) may equally continue to be shifting targets.
“From a practical point of view, governance is the ability to exercise authority, political or otherwise, within a defined social jurisdiction to manage public resources to advance public interest and meet public needs.
“African states cannot continue to rely on over centralized and personalized forms of government lacking in true democracy, responsiveness, accountability, the rule of law and judicial independence, equity, social justice, and inclusivity and expect to achieve sustainable development.”
According to Wike, sustainable development is a veritable link between development and the environment since it offers an alternative development strategy to improve the living conditions of human population without degrading the environment.
Wike, however, noted that the development path in African has largely been more of disappointments because the majority of the continent’s population was unable to enjoy sustainable access to improved and equitable economic, social, cultural and political conditions.
“This being so, governance is about management and performance; the ability to make and implement decisions and policies to advance social progress and because the expected outcome of governance is to improve human conditions, governance is often seen as the foundation of development.
“However, governance by itself does not guarantee human progress. What does is good governance, which among other things, reflects participation, inclusiveness, responsiveness, effectiveness, accountability, equity, rule of law and respect for human rights.”
Speaking about the governance situation in Nigeria, Wike decried the centralization of power and the lack of fiscal decentralization in the country.
These, he said, have poorly affected the functioning of the sub-national states and local government areas.
“(These have) resulted in poorly functional sub-national states and local government areas, which are largely detracted by resource-dependency, chronic budget shortfalls and institutional limitations to deliver on their responsibilities for economic growth and provision of infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment generation and food security and improve the wellbeing of the citizens.”
Wike pointed out that when he assumed office in 2015, Rivers State was on the verge of bankruptcy, because the government was owing workers’ salaries and contractors for upwards of eight months.
According to him, there was also the lack of effective governance because the state House of Assembly and the courts have been shut for nearly two years.
What that potent, he said, was disregard for the consequences on the rule of law, peace and security including the growth of the state’s economy.
Wike pointed out that his administration has pursued well-defined, people-centred and comprehensive approach that fostered good governance in Rivers State.
Six years into governance, Wike said, his administration has delivered and built a new Rivers State, and addressed the thematic issues of good governance, security and sustainable development to the best of its capability.
“We were perhaps the first state to ensure the practical independence of the Judiciary at the subnational level under the present democratic dispensation.
“We also intervened in providing the necessary conducive environment for both arms (of government) to operate in dignity with modern and comfortable courts to improve access to justice in the state. We also attended to the wellbeing of judicial officers by providing them with official vehicles and life-long accommodation as a matter of legal right.
“Arguably, no government in history has invested as much as our government to rebuild, strengthen and reposition the institutions of governance without which the rule of law, access to justice, protection of human rights and effective governance and delivery of sustainable development cannot be achieved.”
The governor maintained that the Rivers’ economy was stimulated to grow having pragmatically implemented various reforms of economic policies, which have created and opened up the state to trade and investments.
According to him, the debt burden was reduced, a transparent and payer-friendly tax system introduced, and strengthened legal right to property, that included the prompt issuance of certificates of occupancy.
“We also ensured the massive provision of socio-economic infrastructures, including roads and markets to stimulate combination, trade and exchange of goods and services in the state.
“As a result of our efforts, our economy continues to enjoy stronger growth, attracting new investments while the small and medium-sized businesses are on the upsurge creating employment for our people, reducing poverty and generating revenue for the government with which government is funding physical and human capital development to advance sustainable development.”
Wike stated that as a government, his administration has worked to strengthen the transformational power of education that is made available to Rivers youths.
Accordingly, he said, the youths have continued to access knowledge, build skills and values that they need to be imaginative, creative, and be productively competitive and be self-reliant.
Wike said good governance anchored on the rule of law has placed the state ahead of other states in all sectors including making Rivers safer for all residents.
The Deputy Commandant, National Institute for Security Studies, Mr. Dedacos Egbeji, commended Wike for the insightful lecture.
He insisted that for Africa to overcome her security challenges in order to achieve sustainable development, it was imperative for her to embrace good governance in all ramification.

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Fubara Dissolves Rivers Executive Council

Published

1 week ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council.

The governor announced the cabinet dissolution yesterday in a statement titled ‘Government Special Announcement’, signed by his new Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi.

Governor Fubara directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.

He thanked the outgoing members of the State Executive Council for their service and wished them the best in their future endeavours.

The three-paragraph special announcement read, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the State Executive Council.

“His Excellency, the Governor, has therefore directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.

“His Excellency further expresses his deepest appreciation to the outgoing members of the Executive Council wishing them the best in their future endeavours.”

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INEC Proposes N873.78bn For 2027 Elections, N171bn For 2026 Operations

Published

1 week ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday told the National Assembly that it requires N873.78bn to conduct the 2027 general elections, even as it seeks N171bn to fund its operations in the 2026 fiscal year.

INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, made the disclosure while presenting the commission’s 2026 budget proposal and the projected cost for the 2027 general elections before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja.

According to Amupitan, the N873.78bn election budget covers the full conduct of national polls in 2027.

An additional N171bn is needed to support INEC’s routine activities in 2026, including bye-elections and off-season elections, the commission stated.

The INEC boss said the proposed election budget does not include a fresh request from the National Youth Service Corps seeking increased allowances for corps members engaged as ad-hoc staff during elections.

He explained that, although the details of specific line items were not exhaustively presented, the almost N1tn election budget is structured across five major components.

“N379.75bn is for operational costs, N92.32bn for administrative costs, N209.21bn for technological costs, N154.91bn for election capital costs and N42.61bn for miscellaneous expenses,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chief noted that the budget was prepared “in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the Commission to prepare its election budget at least one year before the general election.”

On the 2026 fiscal year, Amupitan disclosed that the Ministry of Finance provided an envelope of N140bn, stressing, however, that “INEC is proposing a total expenditure of N171bn.”

The breakdown includes N109bn for personnel costs, N18.7bn for overheads, N42.63bn for election-related activities and N1.4bn for capital expenditure.

He argued that the envelope budgeting system is not suitable for the Commission’s operations, noting that INEC’s activities often require urgent and flexible funding.

Amupitan also identified the lack of a dedicated communications network as a major operational challenge, adding that if the commission develops its own network infrastructure, Nigerians would be in a better position to hold it accountable for any technical glitches.

Speaking at the session, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said external agencies should not dictate the budgeting framework for INEC, given the unique and sensitive nature of its mandate.

He advocated that the envelope budgeting model should be set aside.

He urged the National Assembly to work with INEC’s financial proposal to avoid future instances of possible underfunding.

In the same vein, a member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, Billy Osawaru, called for INEC’s budget to be placed on first-line charge as provided in the Constitution, with funds released in full and on time to enable the Commission to plan early enough for the 2027 general election.

The Joint Committee approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Commission’s annual budget.

The committee also said it would consider the NYSC’s request for about N32bn to increase allowances for corps members to N125,000 each when engaged for election duties.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Along, assured that the National Assembly would work closely with the Commission to ensure it receives the necessary support for the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, also pledged legislative support, warning INEC to be careful about promises it might be unable to keep.

He recalled that during the 2023 general election, INEC made strong assurances about uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing portal, creating the impression that results could be monitored in real time.

“iREV was not even in the Electoral Act; it was only in INEC regulations. So, be careful how you make promises,” Balogun warned.

The N873.78bn proposed by INEC for next year’s general election is a significant increase from the N313.4bn released to the Commission by the Federal Government for the conduct of the 2023 general election.

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Tinubu Mourns Literary Icon, Biodun Jeyifo

Published

1 week ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday expressed grief over the death of a former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities and one of Africa’s foremost literary scholars, Professor Emeritus Biodun Jeyifo.

Jeyifo passed away on Wednesday, drawing tributes from across Nigeria and the global academic community.

In a condolence message to the family, friends, and associates of the late scholar, Tinubu in a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, described Jeyifo as a towering intellectual whose contributions to African literature, postcolonial studies, and cultural theory left an enduring legacy.

He noted that the late professor would be sorely missed for his incisive criticism and masterful interpretations of the works of Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

The President also recalled Jeyifo’s leadership of ASUU, praising the temperance, foresight, and wisdom he brought to the union over the years.

Tinubu said Jeyifo played a key role in shaping negotiation frameworks with the government aimed at improving working conditions for university staff and enhancing the learning environment in Nigerian universities.

According to the President, Professor Jeyifo’s longstanding advocacy for academic freedom and social justice will continue to inspire generations.

He added that the late scholar’s influence extended beyond academia into political and cultural journalism, where he served as a mentor to numerous scholars, writers, and activists.

Tinubu condoled with ASUU, the Nigerian Academy of Letters, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Oberlin University, Cornell University, and Harvard University—institutions where Jeyifo studied, taught, or made significant scholarly contributions.

“Nigeria and the global academic community have lost a towering figure and outstanding global citizen,” the President said.

“Professor Biodun Jeyifo was an intellectual giant who dedicated his entire life to knowledge production and the promotion of human dignity. I share a strong personal relationship with him. His contributions to literary and cultural advancement and to society at large will be missed.”

Jeyifo was widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential literary critics and public intellectuals. Among several honours, he received the prestigious W.E.B. Du Bois Medal in 2019.