Category: Letters

By Peter Ovie Akus

SIR: BudgIT, a civic organisation which promotes transparency and accountability in public finances, have raised an alarm that Nigerian lawmakers divert N100 billion annually from the country’s budget through constituency projects. This is worrisome and should not be swept under the carpet.

To begin with, it is an aberration for lawmakers to carry out constituency projects as the primary duty of a lawmaker is to make laws for the benefit of the people that he/she represents. The constitution also grants them the power of appropriation, investigation and confirmation or rejection of nominees to occupy appointive offices. But the peculiar nature of Nigerian politics and the desire by the Obasanjo administration to spread development to all the nooks and crannies of the nation after 29 years of infrastructural decay under military rulers with locust tendencies led to the birth of constituency projects for lawmakers.

I am not against constituency projects nor am I against the gargantuan sums voted in its favour. However, I believe that if the monies allocated for it every year in the annual budget are properly utilised rather than embezzled, misappropriated or diverted, Nigeria would have made meaningful progress in terms of infrastructural development.

Today, it is fashionable to see lawmakers sharing transistor radios, okadas, wheelbarrows, hoes and cutlasses, sewing machines and all what-not to their constituents in the name of empowerment. While a few lawmakers have engaged in capital projects, it is either uncompleted at the expiration of their tenure or it is done with shoddy materials which makes it decay after a few years.

It must be said that the attitude of some of the citizens doesn’t help matters. Some communities were reported to have rejected capital projects in favour of distribution of cash, perishable items like foodstuffs and inanities like burial ceremonies and cultural festivals.

It is time we all wake up and demand accountability from our lawmakers as regards the implementation of constituency projects. Let us demand that the monies be used for capital projects like construction of schools, primary healthcare centres, public toilets, roads, street lights, repair of classrooms, etc.

The metrics used to determine who is a beneficiary of constituency projects should be expanded to include all constituents rather than only party loyalists as is the norm.

Not all lawmakers have diverted funds meant for constituency projects or engaged in tokenism. Some have used theirs to carry out capital projects which have greatly benefited their constituents and will outlive their tenure of office. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila and Senator Aisha Binani are examples of lawmakers who have acted in such regard and deserve commendation. Gbajabiamila has constructed and renovated roads, street lights, school buildings, primary healthcare centres, among many others in Surulere, Lagos. Senator Aisha Binani, who is the only female senator from the north in the current National Assembly, and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Adamawa State has commissioned several boreholes, transformers and street lights in her Adamawa Central Senatorial district. Pundits have speculated that this could account for her massive popularity among the talakawas in the state.

If every lawmaker in Nigeria, both at the state and federal level should emulate both lawmakers, I dare say that Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit would be greatly reduced and the country would be set on the path of progress and prosperity.

• Peter Ovie Akus, New Jersey, USA.

By Chiedu Uche Okoye

SIR: Is the thematic concern of countless literary classics written by renowned writers not love? The legendary love relationships, which historical figures had, were the inspirations that impelled dramatists, poets, and novelists to produce works that centre on love. For example, William Shakespeare, the greatest dramatist of all times, wrote a play called “Romeo and Juliet”, a dramatic literary classic, the chief theme of which is love. 

Little wonder that on every February 14, peoples from diverse racial backgrounds mark the St. Valentine’s Day. It is characterized by exchange of gifts among people.

However, there are myths woven around St. Valentine. Some people feel that the story of St. Valentine is a mythologized tale that has literary conceits about the importance of love. But there are convincing proofs that St. Valentine was a historical person, who actually lived in the time past, and performed acts of love for other people. In fact, he embodied the virtue of love in his person.

But does love still exist in our today’s world, especially in Nigeria? This is a rhetorical question given the frequency of the perpetration of evil deeds by evil-minded people on a daily basis in Nigeria. So nobody can gainsay or controvert the fact that we are living in a season and milieu of loveless-ness. 

For example, now, in Nigeria, we have hard-hearted and unscrupulous politicians, who corner our collective financial resources to satisfy their vanities, thereby subjecting the masses to avoidable but excruciating economic hardship. At the three tiers of government, we have political leaders, who are adepts at committing financial larceny and looting of our collective money. Are those thieving politicians actuated by feelings of love?

Again, daily, in Nigeria, we are regaled with gory and mind- boggling tales of homicidal deeds, which are executed by self-professed zealots. In the north, for example, the Boko Haram insurgents, herdsmen, and terrorists take a great delight in killing other people so as to achieve their theocratic and selfish goals. And cult killings and the menace of the gunmen are ravaging the southeast, now. Kidnapping people for ransom has become a thriving business in the area, too. But do murderers and kidnappers possess the virtue of love? 

More so, religious leaders, who should be effecting moral regeneration among us, have morphed to religious mountebanks. They beguile vulnerable women and gullible men into parting with their money. They hide behind the veneer of fake spirituality and chastity to perform such atrocious and abominable deeds. So it is obvious that those purveyors of spiritual charlatanism do not possess the virtue of love.

More so, in many homes in Nigeria, husbands and wives squabble over diverse issues, which cause the spike in divorce and separation rate in Nigeria. And domestic violence, which is prevalent among spouses in Nigeria, has caused the deaths of countless Nigerians. A man, who is filled with the virtue of love, cannot abuse his wife, physically, not to talk of him murdering her.  And can a woman, who genuinely loves her husband, cuckold him? 

We have become egotists, narcissists, and self-centred people, who are indifferent to the feelings of other people. Gone are the days when a man was his brother’s keeper. Our insatiable cravings for material possessions and pursuit of money have made us become unfeeling and wicked human beings. 

Our non-possession of the virtue of love is intrinsically linked to the problems militating against the political stability of Nigeria and her economic and technological development. A man who is possessed of the virtue of love will not kill other people for religious and political reasons. A political leader, who embodies love in his person, will not steal public money entrusted in his care for the development of his country. 

There is no doubt that we live in a season and milieu of loveless-ness. So as we mark the St. Valentine’s Day, which is symbolic of love, let us advert our minds to the teachings of our various religions, whose doctrinal foundations are based on the teachings of love. 

• Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State.

SIR: Since the start of political campaigns for the general elections, many of had been wishing that the month of February arrives and ends speedily so that the pernicious air enveloping our country would disperse with conclusion of the presidential poll. For, the tension in our land is rooted in the pending polls and it is believed that once the presidential election (the most anticipated one is over), some semblance of normality would return to our country and that we would be able to begin to breathe some fresh air from March.

Alas, the combustible nature, rage and toxicity of February, has continued to evince itself with the passing of each day of the month. It is threatening to boil over. Indications are that the high wire politicking by our political class, characterised by unmitigated intrigues, blackmail, betrayals, high handedness, etc., would continue well after the general elections until the new government takes over in May. The back biting, intrigues in high places are becoming bare faced and those behind them are no longer masking their intentions. The battle line is drawn, positions are hardening. It is a battle to finish with each side of the political divide literally vowing not to retreat nor surrender.

 While the ordinary folks are watching helplessly, those who are in a position to do something, take action to dispel the raging storm somehow, are seemingly unconcerned, watching hands akimbo. The nation is now deeply divided down the middle politically. Unlike before when Nigerians are generally indifferent to elections, far more Nigerians than ever before are interested in outcome of especially the presidential poll, each Nigerian of voting age believes he/she has a stake in it.

‘Elder statesman’, Chief Ago Adebanjo is urging us to prepare for war, adding that a particular presidential candidate “must win”, otherwise we should “forget about Nigeria”. The political parties, especially the two big ones are engaged in insidious accusations and counter accusations against each other. And the Nigeria Broadcast Commission (NBC) has fined some television stations for re-echoing what it termed “hate speeches” in the course of the campaign.

In fact campaigns for the 2023 political race ranks as the most toxic since birth of this fourth republic in 1999. It is a fall out from the cantankerous, bitter primaries.

The ruling APC now has powerful elements within the seat of power who, we are told, are opposed to its presidential candidate and are constructing stumbling blocks for him. Ditto the main opposition PDP presidential candidate. There are some former high ranking officials of the party as well as some sitting governors that have literally vowed that their party’s presidential flag bearer would be president over their dead bodies. You can then picture the combustible nature of our current political terrain and what we are witnessing. Peter Obi parted ways with his former party, PDP in a rather acrimonious manner to go pitch his tent with Labour Party; snatched its presidential ticket by prodding its already emerged candidate to step down for him. Although he is considered to be mild in character and has generally not engaged in any foul language as such, his supporters are just as toxic online, literally bullying and insulting anyone that disagrees or says anything disagreeable about their candidate online. They are kings of the cyberspace so to speak.

Peacemakers are needed to wade in and help douse the tension in our land. Let it not be said that men and women of goodwill fiddled while our country boils. The ardent longing and prayer of all genuine peace lovers is first for a peaceful poll and peaceful transition thereafter.

•Victoria Ngozi Ikeano,

victoriangozii@gmail.com

SIR:  Last week, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in a press release stated that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the establishment of a Presidential Transition Council, for facilitating and managing the 2023 transition programme, and also signed Executive Order No. 14, 2023

A key feature of the Presidential Executive Order No. 14 of 2023 is the institutionalization of a legal framework that would enable a seamless transition of power from one presidential administration to another – which is part of President Buhari’s legacy.

With the setting up with the transition committee, barring any unforeseen developments, President Buhari will leave office come May 29 and another cycle will begin.

As Buhari prepares his final departure, his kitchen cabinet would also be preparing for the next step. Let me add quickly that politicians are not really so bad, it’s just that 99% of all politicians make the rest look bad. And I am sure for the next four years that will be the case for the next president.

Because from the onset, the song may be – now we have power, what are we gonna do with it, and early permutations show that despite the hope going into the general elections, we may start with a “combination of contradictions”.

Whoever wins, someone somewhere will suggest and demand, or the party hierarchy will nominate, for whatever position; the incoming contraption is faced with a conglomerate of jobless politicians, jobbers and ex-this and that, who require settlement of one form or the other.

Can they be damned?

How will we create balance with intellect, hard work and patriotism in the zoning thing that has led us nowhere and sadly one of the banes of the outgoing administration? What can thrill Nigerians is becoming hard every day.

 For example, the questions to be answered will be what will the Ministry of Water Resources do differently, as many Nigerians would want to see water run from a tap courtesy of their effort? Beyond politics, doctors and health workers strike, what will the new health minister do? Will we see another Olikoye Ransome Kuti?

 Apart from the Civil Defence, Immigration and SSS, really the interior ministry’s visible task has been to announce public holidays and prison breaks! Without bias, will the new group facilitate a collection of the best brains without recourse to godfather, mother and uncle, without recourse to politics of convenience?

Ministers who failed as governors, governors who failed, legislators who contributed nothing and persons who lost elections and others whose father and mother were ‘former-this’ and ‘former-that’ will return.

 After a tightly contested election, Nigerians want ministers, advisers, and aides, legislators that are born again. For a nation that suffers expectation fatigue, and has a very low expectation ratio, for sure we are ‘not’ asking for the impossible from the next man, considering the rot he has to contend with.

 As Buhari prepares to leave, politicians are not really trying to solve our problems. They are trying to solve their own problems – of which getting elected and re-elected are number one and number two. Whatever is number three is far behind!

•Prince Charles Dickson, PhD,

 <pcdbooks@gmail.com>

SIR: Nigeria is bleeding yet solution is not forthcoming. We are bleeding emotionally, physically, mentally, socially, psychologically and financially. The government has abandoned its citizens to the cold hands of economic oppression and depression.

Can we talk about the lingering fuel scarcity which has persisted for a while now? Going out is now luxury as commercial motorists can only fuel their vehicles via black market and this has affected the cost of transportation. Ironically, the masses channel all their pent up angers and aggression on hapless commercial drivers and their conductors thereby leaving out the main culprits.

Banks which are meant to keep our funds safe are now the masses nightmares. Our hard earned income at the banks cannot be retrieved to meet our needs. We can only access a stipend of whatever the banks are able to part with. And now some banking apps no longer function effectively and most POS operators are also having a field day with outrageous charges on each transaction made. And the new lingo in town is no longer “how much is the exchange rate for dollar to naira?” but “what is the exchange rate of naira to naira?” Nigeria, which way?

Just imagine; hundreds of people standing under the scorching sun in other to retrieve what they worked for! This has led some citizens to act insane as some have reportedly stripped naked in the banking halls; lamenting and demanding for their hard earn money to be returned to them.

While the masses struggle to understand the concept of this cashless policy, the banking platforms have failed to live up to their expectations with most buyers spending more hours at the market than expected as they have to wait for their electronic transactions to go through. Families no longer smile at each other because there is no money in the pocket and no food on the table.

Must the masses pay for the alleged crimes of greedy politicians? This is unfathomable; how long are we going to keep acting like all is well?

Suffering and smiling will not solve our present predicaments. How long shall we continue to bleed without help coming our way? We are in a dilemma. The only way out is to vote for the right candidate. Let us get it right this time to redeem our reputation and be proud of our beloved country once again.

•Adebola, S. Mosunmola,

 Lagos State University, Ojo.

SIR: Senator Bukola Saraki is everywhere asking Kwarans to forgive his excesses in the past, vote for Atiku Abubakar, and return him to power in Kwara through Alhaji Yaman Abdullahi’s candidature. The Yaman ticket is Saraki’s desperate effort to recapture and put Kwara perpetually in his pocket. Deputized by a Saraki’s sidekick Hon. Makanjuola, Yaman will not be his own man.

In the unlikely event of his victory, Yaman will be another Fatai Ahmed whose decisions as governor were wholly dictated by Bukola Saraki. If Yaman ever attempts to be his own man, as some of his campaigners are secretly saying and citing his true feelings about Saraki in a 2018 O to ge video in which he poured out his mind about who he thought Saraki is, his reign will be marred by violence and strife because Saraki will have none of that. History bears witness to this. Kwara does not need that.

In other words, Saraki is simply asking Kwarans to make him the emperor who would dictate the destiny of the state once again. The lean public resources will again go into servicing him (as we saw with Ahmed awarding him double pension packages, contrary to the pension law) and oiling Saraki’s political machine which thrives on ridiculous and dehumanising patronage system. Public good will be the last consideration. We will have a governor who will answer to Saraki rather than defer to the public. We saw it before.

Bukola Saraki has been making promises of bringing a lot of big projects to Kwara if the people vote for Atiku Abubakar. This sounds good until you look at the realities of power, his tension-soaked relationship with Atiku, and Saraki’s history as a former Senate President.

Saraki is not trusted within the Atiku camp. Atiku has a huge dossier on Saraki, perhaps dating back to 2003 when he reportedly helped the Sarakis to topple former Governor Mohammed Lawal using federal might. How did Saraki pay him back? There is so much distrust for Saraki in Atiku’s corners so much that the former senate president’s bid to be nominated the DG of Atiku’s campaign was frustrated. Governor Aminu Tambuwal was picked instead. The narrative is that the Atiku camp cannot forget their experience the last time Saraki was the DG of his campaign in 2019. Once bitten, twice shy?

As Senate President, a seat he got through the backdoor, how much did Kwara benefit? As the Senate President, what were the landmark projects he influenced to Kwara despite practically holding the key to the national expenditure? Even first-timer like Senator Ibrahim Yahya Oloriegbe now has legacy projects to his name in the national psychiatric hospital, which serves the entire north central. Even the Speaker of the House of Assembly Yakubu Danladi Salihu can now speak about influencing the first Federal College of Education to Kwara North.

Where is that major legacy project that Saraki brought as Senate President? If he couldn’t influence a major project to the state as Senate President, why should anyone trust him to bring anything meaningful to the state when all he could get if Atiku ever wins is a ministerial position, one that Atiku will ensure does not confer any meaningful power on the power-drunken Saraki?

I hope the people of Kwara North particularly note this. It would only be worth the wait to have a leader who will foster real growth and development, not one who would not be able to lift a finger to fight for them or the entire people of the state. This, Saraki knows, is best for only him. So, the whole effort is about Saraki and Saraki alone, not about the state and its people. His clandestine campaigns across the state are targeted at just one thing: second domination of Kwara and its people. This should not happen again. We are not his inheritance as his henchmen like to think and behave we are.

• Ibraheem Abdullateef,

Ilorin, Kwara State.

SIR: It is common knowledge that when a person is shot and rushed to the hospital for treatment, the medical personnel will refuse to administer treatment until they have gone to the police station to get a police report approving treatment. This is by all means very wrong and this act has caused many Nigerians their lives untimely when it could have been avoided.

Like in most low-income countries, Nigerian emergency departments are run by providers with little to no dedicated specialty training in emergency care. It is estimated that, of the 1.6 million deaths recorded annually in Nigeria, 10%–15% occur in emergency departments.

As stated in the Treatment and Care victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 Section 2 (1): every person including medical agents shall render every possible assistance to any person with gunshot wounds and ensure that the person is taken to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment. Section 2 (2) says; A person with gunshot wound shall be received for immediate and adequate treatment in Nigeria with or without initial money deposit.

Also, in accordance with Section 20 (1) of the National Health Act, it is stated that “(1) A health care provider, health worker or health establishment shall not refuse a person emergency medical treatment for any reason. These provisions of the law have so far been observed in the breach as people have lost their lives carelessly, when this death could have been avoided. A person comes into the hospital very sick, or an accident victim and the medical workers say that they cannot administer treatment till a deposit is made and in most cases accidents victims are asked to get a police report first before they are attended to. Why not administer the treatment first at least to save the victims life then in the process other documentations can be done?

We understand that some of the medical personnel are underpaid and also overworked but is this enough reason to take it out on their patients who they are meant to administer health care to?

Another provision of the Act is that “A person who contravenes this section (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N100, 000.00 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both.” This also is not followed.

The medical sector is responsible for the health of people and we are all advised against self-medications and taught the dangers associated with it. For people not to get discouraged from going to the hospital, players in the medical sector need to be checked to ensure that they are following all the due processes relating to the saving of human lives.

•Claire Nwachukwu,

 Centre for Social Justices, Abuja.