GOVERNANCE ISSUES IN NIGERIA
I will continue to advocate for solutions to the issue of bad governance in Nigeria. Nigeria operates under an executive system of government with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial arms. These branches are supposed to be independent, but that is not always the case in Nigeria.
We also have states and local governments. Recently, local governments gained autonomy, and their resources are now directed to them directly. In the administration of a state like Nigeria, there is an exclusive legislative list that includes matters that can only be handled by the federal government. These include printing currency, defense, maintaining a military, managing the police force, and handling external affairs, among others.
However, there is also a concurrent legislative list where both the federal and state governments, and sometimes even local governments, are expected to play their respective roles. For example, education involves federal universities and state universities, while health care includes federal teaching hospitals, federal medical centers, state hospitals, and local government health centers. Agriculture is managed at different levels as well, with ministries at the federal level, state ministries, and local council departments.
It would be unfair and narrow-minded to focus protests solely on President Tinubu and the current federal government, as some governors in office today were in power before he assumed office. Many of these governors receive significant funds from federal allocations. For instance, some states received up to 40 billion naira in the June allocation. What has been done with these funds, particularly in oil-producing states? Some governors receive close to 2 billion naira monthly as security votes, which are often unaccounted for.
Insecurity in some states can sometimes be traced back to how these funds are managed. Governors often spend money recklessly, award contracts that are not executed, and undertake road projects that do not last. Why can’t state governors invest in massive agricultural projects within their states? For instance, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture mentioned a 5 trillion naira cow business, while my own estimate was around 3 trillion naira. Additionally, animal husbandry, poultry, pig farming, and fisheries could significantly contribute to reducing food prices.
In Madagascar, rice is grown around nearly every stream. I have personally grown onions, watermelon, cucumbers, and potatoes. This year, I will make significant sales from garri (cassava flour). So, why can’t state governors engage in large-scale agriculture? Why can’t state governments run businesses that provide employment? Ebom Air used to employ people, and I previously supplied fish meal to state feed production companies.
In Akwa Ibom State, there is no protest because the people are benefitting from their governor’s initiatives. We should not concentrate protests solely on the federal government or President Tinubu. It’s time for our youths, who are tech-savvy, to start organizing monitoring bodies. They should oversee how allocations to state governors are distributed, verify the costs of contracts awarded, and ensure that budget proposals align with the actual work done.
We need to start holding our state governors, local government chairpersons, House of Assembly members, and Senators accountable for the funds that pass through their hands. Otherwise, protesting against bad governance without addressing these issues will be a futile effort.
Stay engaged, I remain your friend. Dr. Charles Apoki
