Opinion
Governors And Their Senatorial Ambitions
Arnold Alalibo
The ambition of some state governors to retire to the senate at the expiration of their tenures in 2015 is causing political tension in the affected states. At the last count, over 10 of such governors are currently scheming to pick their parties’ senatorial tickets in their districts, a development that has pitched the present occupants and some aspirants, who have sworn to frustrate such moves hence heightening the political tension in their domains.
In the South, for instance, the alleged senatorial ambitions of Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom , Liyel Imoke of Cross River,Theodore Orji of Abia and Sullivan Chime of Enugu States are causing uproar. Others in the North include Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Ibrahim Shema of Katsina, Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto, Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Sule Lamido of Jigawa and Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano States.
Why has the Senate become the beautiful bride of state governors? Since the inception of democracy in 1999, the upper chamber of the National Assembly has carved a reputation for attracting highly respected Nigerians like retired military administrators, ministers, retired governors and politicians. But what is worrisome is why second term governors who seek relevance now use the senate to preserve their political career and keep it alive.
Wherever parliamentary democracy is practised, the senate is held in high regard. It is not a place for those who lack dignity or ambience. It is also not a place for mediocrities. Unfortunately, here in Nigeria it has become a haven for all manner of corrupt politicians whose records are tainted with corrupt practices and those who have questions to answer before anti-graft agencies in the country.
For instance, former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye,was arrested in London in 2004 for money laundering. He allegedly jumped bail and returned to the country to continue his gubernatorial functions. Today, he is a senator. There are many other ex-governors-turned Senators who have cases to clear with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC). Till date, none of their cases has been concluded. Rather they use their positions as senators to obstruct investigations.
It is indeed sad that retired governors who lack credentials of performance have invaded the upper chamber. Some of them, out of desperation, go dangerously far to dump their political parties upon which platforms they were elected governors for other parties to clinch their senatorial tickets. Because of the influence the governors wield, they are given the ticket unopposed.
The massive influx of retiring governors to the National Assembly is an indication that they seek the position not for the development they will attract to their people or the quality representation they will make on their behalf but for personal aggrandisement. Exiting governors that do not contest for senatorial position either have strong opposition back home or are not in the good books of the higher powers that be.
Already, it has been confirmed that 11 former governors are in the current senate. This number is expected to increase in the coming political dispensation. Some of them have gone there thinking that they can wield their despotic powers on the house and influence the affairs of things. The disturbing aspect is that many of them remain as onlookers and bench warmers in the senate while only few of them understand the reason they are there.
The upper chamber has been desecrated. It has become an all-comers affair. The incursion of corrupt governors to the senate calls for genuine concern. I am not suggesting that it is wrong for governors to seek out for higher positions after their tenures, particularly if they performed well while serving as governors, but they must subject themselves to the stipulated process of nomination devoid of undue influence and intimidation. Such ambition must be borne out of a genuine desire to serve the people of their senatorial district.
However, there is no guarantee that a governor, who successfully served his tenure must perform well as senator. Some of them are imperceptible and simply pass into oblivion when they realise that they no longer call the shots, but are part of a wider body whose members are equal. Soon it becomes clear that their presence in the National Assembly is for selfish reasons.
If ex-governors, who controlled ‘unlimited’ resources in their states, could not make any meaningful impact while they were governors, why should we expect miracles from them when they are senators?
It is to end the ugly trend where virtually every second term governor wants to end up in the senate that the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, sometime in February this year, attempted to scuttle the ambition of second term governors elected on its platform from picking the tickets in their districts. Though the move was not realised, it was an indication that the development had assumed unacceptable proportion.
If the National Assembly, especially the senate, must remain sacrosanct and continue to symbolise democracy in the country, this ugly scenario must be checked. If a good number of retired governors go into the senate as they have always wanted, they may form Nigerian Ex-governors Forum there. This will rob the senate of its vibrancy and the needed legislative bite to check the excesses of the executive.
Opinion
The Rantings Of Rivers ALGON
For the first time in the last eight years , one can observe a moribund and toothless, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter trying to lull the people of Rivers State in believing that it exists, that it is versed and abreast with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), knowledgeable about subsisting judicial pronouncements on the Local government administration matters by courts of competent jurisdiction, and it has workers and. the people’s welfare at heart.
These wrong impressions can be deduced from the text of the Press Conference delivered by the Association last week.
Despite the window dressing and cosmetic posture that the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Rivers Sttate chapter wants to impress on the people and residents of Rivers State, it is crystal clear that workers at the Third Tier of Government have not fared well in the last eight years of the repressive and workers unfriendly immediate past administration in the State.
While workers at the State were fortunate to have a controversial minimum wage paid to them, local Government workers did not benefit from the N30,000 Minimum Wage which became a legal instrument about six years until March 2024, following a directive by the Executive Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to Local Government chairmen in the State to immediately implement the minimum wage, wage award and promote workers.
Where was.the Legal Adviser of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, whose statutory responsibility it was to advise the former Rivers State. Governor that it is an affront on the sensibilities of workers and fragrant.breach of extant law to not pay minimum wage to workers at.the 23 Local Government councils.
Civil servants at the State and Local Government councils were not promoted and did not benefit from the annual incremental credit for about ten years. The incremental credit is a paltry and very insignificant amount compared to the inputs of workers to drive implementation of government policies and programmes and what elective office holders take home within the comparable period.
I had expected a “concerned and workers-friendly ‘ Association of Local Government in the State to midwife the promotion of workers, implementation of Minimum wage and fulfill their statutory obligations to the workers and the people at the local government areas whose resources they hold in trust and on whose behest they are in power.
It therefore beats my imagination that Local Government Chairmen of ALGON, who are products of the ballot and not appointees of the former governor lost their “Executive” status and played the second fiddle role. Even when there was unconfirmed tampering of local government funds, they could not protest or raise an eye brow.
How the people who were cowardly and timid before the former administration in the State suddenly cultivated and imbibed the effrontry and temerity to hold a Press Conference attempting to disparage the performing and conscientious Sir Siminalayi Fubara-led administration leaves much to be desired and a bad taste in the mouth of all patriotic and truthful Rivers people.
I expected the self serving chairmen under the aegis of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria to brace up to the challenges of seeming derecognition and denial of their right of expression as elected chairmen by the former administration in the State.
While the ALGON has the legitimacy to contest violation of, or infringement on their interests, such protest should not be seen as selective. Between 1999 and 2003, the Association of Local Government of.Nigeria in Rivers State was vociferous and so alive to its onus that they rejected allocations that did not reflect the true figures of what the local government councils deserved from the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC). That was when ALGON was keen and committed to the essence of its formation. That was a real workers-friendly ALGON.
However, with the advent of crude and uncivilised godfatherism that circumvented real democratic processes for manipulative and coercive selection that ultimately produced unpopular candidates of the godfather, chairmen were reduced to puppets, playing subservient roles for their benefactors instead of protecting the interest and welfare of workers and the people of their local government areas, who they ought to represent.
Having therefore failed to speak up for workers and defend the welfare of the people of their local government areas, at a time they were oppressed, the association in my candid opinion does not have the moral justification to cry fowl against the present administration in Rivers State whose policies and programmes so far, reveal that the governor understands that the legitimacy of his administration is derived from the people, so he is accountable to them by putting in place infrastructure that will give fresh breath to a people who are recuperating from the suffocation of repressive and coercive governance.
Sir Siminalayi Fubara is today a messiah to workers in Rivers State. Local government. workers are .being paid minimum wage, promoted and duly placed at their appropriate levels after 10 years of no promotion.
Civil servants in the State are sure of receiving their pensions immediately after retirement from service which was a marked. departure from previous administration.
Rather than vilifying or demonising the present administration in the State, the Association of Local Government of.Nigeria, Rivers State should thank the Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for doing in less than one year what their grand master could not do for them and workers in eight years.
Remember, everyone will stand in the court of history and posterity to account for their actions and inactions in office.
Igbiki Benibo
Opinion
Kidnapping: Need For Govt To Address The Monster
Kidnapping, a heinous crime, cannot be condoned in any circumstances. The situation in Nigeria, characterised by various security challenges, including the presence of militant groups and criminal organisations, requires a multifaceted approach to address its root causes.
A report by the Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, a security risk management and intelligence company based in Abuja, stated that at least 2,583 people were killed and 2,164 kidnapped in the first quarter of this year.
The record carries the number of killings and abductions across the country from January to March, indicating that 80 percent of the killings and 94 percent of the abductions occurred in the Northern part of Nigeria.
This report, however, varied with the position by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who said that the casualty figures were going down, the consulting firm’s report showed that an average of 28 persons were killed and 24 kidnapped.
The Nigerian government, through the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, during the maiden edition of the annual lecture series organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja, said the security situation was under control.
The casualty figures in zones, according to the data from the Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, revealed that out of the people killed during the period, 793 were from the North-West, 681 from the North-East and 596 from the North-Central. The casualties were recorded from bandits’ attacks, farmers/herders’ conflicts and communal clashes.
The South-West recorded 194 killings, the South-South, 161 people; and South-East, 158. The five states with the highest number of killings were Borno, 517; Benue, 313; Katsina, 252; Zamfara, 212 and Kaduna, 206. The data showed that out of the 2,164 persons abducted within the period, 1,297 were kidnapped in the North-West, 421 in the North-East, 330 in the North-Central, 30 in the South-West, 66 in the South-South and 20 in the South-East.
Kaduna State recorded the highest number of abductees with 546; Zamfara, 447; Borno, 340; Katsina, 252 and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 102. Experts hope that the present government under President Bola Tinubu will do the needful.
Firstly, addressing the socioeconomic factors that contribute to kidnapping is crucial. High unemployment rates, poverty, and lack of economic opportunities push individuals towards criminal activities. Investing in education, job creation programmes, and infrastructure development can help alleviate these issues and provide alternatives to crime.
Secondly, strengthening law enforcement and judicial systems is essential. Improving police training, equipping them with necessary resources, and enhancing collaboration between security agencies can help in apprehending criminals and ensuring justice for victims. Additionally, enhancing the efficiency of the judicial process and holding perpetrators accountable through swift and fair trials can deter future criminal activities.
Furthermore, enhancing intelligence gathering and surveillance capabilities can help in preempting kidnapping attempts and dismantling criminal networks. Cooperation between government agencies, intelligence services, and international partners can facilitate information sharing and coordination in combating organised crime.
Moreover, addressing corruption within the government and security forces is imperative. Corruption undermines efforts to combat crime by facilitating criminal activities and eroding public trust in institutions. Implementing anti-corruption measures, promoting transparency, and holding corrupt officials accountable can help in restoring trust and integrity within the system.
Community engagement and empowerment play a vital role in preventing kidnapping and other crimes. Building strong community relationships, fostering trust between residents and law enforcement agencies, and promoting community-based initiatives can help in identifying and addressing security threats at the grassroots level.
Finally, kidnapping in Nigeria is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. Addressing socioeconomic factors, strengthening law enforcement and judicial systems, enhancing intelligence capabilities, combating corruption, engaging communities, and promoting international cooperation are all crucial components in combating kidnapping and improving security in the country. However, it is important to remember that any strategy must prioritise human rights, the rule of law, and the protection of innocent lives.
Badamasi Junaidu
Junaidu writes from Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi.
Opinion
Local Government As Agent Of Nation Building
Development is regarded as sequential changes or growths that occur in a society or country over time. It remains a product of good governance, which mostly lies in the hands of those at the helm of affairs at a particular time and process that led to the emergence of such leaders.
The local government is universally found in contemporary societies, both in the developed and developing countries. It is a vital political institution, such that modern politics and administration revolves around it. Today, most countries across the globe have adopted democratic system of government, being the government of the people, by the people and for the people. In these countries, governance is centered on three tiers with constitutional backing to aid rapid development. A country like Nigeria has three tiers of government, Federal, State and Local Governments. Each tier has constitutional roles, aimed at complementing each other. The mother of them, that is, the Federal Government, plays significant roles in nation building, and this is one of the reasons why citizens always look unto the presidency and participate actively during presidential elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It is an established fact that citizens also perform their civic responsibilities as expected during the governorship elections, while there is a lot of apathy during the chairmanship and councillorship elections, forgetting that without a solid foundation, the longevity of structure or building is in doubt.
Citizens’ nonchalant attitude to the process that produces public administrators at the grassroots is quite alarming, and this usually results into having the wrong peg in the right hole.
Findings revealed that voter apathy associated with local government council elections was due to non-performance of some previous elected administrators, lack of security of lives or property and lack of trust in States Independent Electoral Commission (SIECs). Others include introduction of caretaker committees to man the affairs of the councils, do-or-die approach of political soldiers to the council’s polls, interest of the incumbent governors, choice of political godfathers, influence of respected monarchs and many more. The local government is a tier of government that provides essential services to the public, such as health and safety, transportation, sanitation, environmental, and utilities.
Also, it is the tier of government that ensures grading of rural roads, management of basic schools, local markets, among others. Public administrators play a crucial role in the delivery of these services and the management of local government organisations. Some time ago, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, at the swearing-in ceremony of chairmen and vice chairmen of Nsit Ibom and Urue–Offong / Oruka Local Governments, compelled chairmen of the local government councils in the state to reside within their areas of jurisdiction for effective delivery on their mandate and development of rural areas.
Also, the ongoing campaign or demand for financial autonomy for local government by relevant stakeholders in the country further attests to how important this tier of government is in building a prosperous and self-sustained nation.
This development led to the conduct of local government council election in the 33 local government council areas of the state in 2021 by the current leadership of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), headed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju. About 30 percent of registered voters took part in the election, a result that further attest to the long-time nonchalant attitude of citizens and residents to local government council elections. According to records, the feat attained by the commission in terms of voter turnout was the highest in recent times.
No doubt, democracy provides opportunity for people to choose their leaders and enables citizens to make their opinions known to those in power, enjoy good governance and interface with the authorities, especially those at the grassroots.
Adegoke writes in from Ibadan, Oyo State.
By: Adedamola Adegoke
-
News3 days ago
Nigeria, China Sign MoU On Economic Growth
-
Business2 days ago
CBN Boss Assures On Inflation Decrease
-
News2 days ago
Tinubu Bows To Pressure, Suspends Cyber Security Levy
-
Oil & Energy3 days ago
TotalEnergies Targets 100 Startups In 2024
-
Ict/Telecom2 days ago
Banks Cut Borrowing From CBN By 44%
-
Features2 days ago
Malaria Burden And Public Health In Nigeria
-
News4 days ago
Troops Rescue Abducted Kogi Varsity Students, Others
-
Opinion3 days ago
On The Forgotten Road To East -West Road