Almost all the states of the federation have been boiling for some months over the inability of governors to meet the most basic of their responsibilities- payment of wages of their workers. For as many as eight and nine months, some workers have been going hungry with their families. It is, indeed, a shame. And. last week, the governors, in their cleavages, met to decide on the way forward. Unanimously, they resolved to approach the federal government to bail them out of a situation that has depicted them as unfeeling and incompetent.
The truth be told, the governors cannot be exonerated from the mess. Managers are expected to think of the day adverse situations may arise, paint scenarios and plan ahead. In Nigeria, governors in particular, are mostly interested in the grandeur of office. Not many would adopt the Peter Obi style- frugal and Spartan. Not many spared thoughts for the future in case the storm arose. Their planlessness has now caught up with them and they are seeking the help of the Big Brother at the centre to bail them out by covering their nakedness.
How did we arrive at the pass? First, we need to look at the recruitment procedure for leaders. Anyone who indicates interest in any exalted office, is expected to have access to tones of cash and thus procure the support of the powers-that-be in the political parties as well as critical institutions of state. They are consequently handsomely rewarded. In office, they seek to pluck all the ripe fruits at once. Friends and cronies are brought together and offered “juicy” appointments and contracts. Competence, cognate experience, moral fibre count for nothing. This is the time for the voters to rethink their roles in the electoral process. The civil society groups, the few that have not been bitten by the same bug that is, should partner the people in this.
As was the case at the centre, the governors were profligate. They frittered the resources as if the day of reckoning would never come. It is here now. But we need to chase away the fox before we could rebuke the fowl. The evil day represented by hunger and hard days that have descended on the workers must be upturned first before we consider medium and long-term measures.
Do the states deserve bailout by the central government? I do not think so. Any self respecting person would not easily pick up the begging bowl at the arrival of adversity. As some of them have suggested, the more dignifying first step is to ask the federal government to refund money expended on federal projects in the states with the approval of the appropriate authorities. The quality and cost being verified, payment should be made forthwith. A second step is to have a quick audit of what was due the states and what was remitted from the Federation Account; what the NNPC, in particular, ought to have remitted into the federal coffers and what it did. The shortfall should be immediately raked in and disbursed.
Third, the governors, both those returned and those who have just mounted the saddle. should put on the thinking cap. Unsustainable emoluments for political officers should be drastically reduced. Perhaps, this would help in curbing the appetite of those seeking public office at all cost. Frivolous travels by executive and legislative officials should be banned for this emergency period, while jets and other such gadgets should be put out for sale. No state needs it to survive.
When these are done within the next four weeks and substantial progress is not made with payment of salaries, the big bother wo had cornered a disproportionate portion of the national wealth could then be approached for the bailout.
In the medium and long term, there must be a campaign within the next six months for a review of the structure of the federation. The powers ceded to the federal government is too huge and, consequently, the allocation is unacceptable. It makes no sense that a tier of government corners 52 per cent of the federally collected revenue, while the 36 states ahare a meager 26 per cent. This must change. The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission should set at work immediately. A formula that grants the states less than 50 per cent of accruals into the Federation Account would be unjust.
The civil society groups, too, should be more active in leading the assessment of the candidates during electioneering. Those of us in the media owe a duty to the society to probe the antecedents and explore the suitability of the candidates, discuss application of the democratic principle in the political parties and rescue our ainking states.
It is surprising that anyone could be suggesting now that new states be created. This is a capital political offence. Many of the states are in dire straits because they were ab initio unviable. Unfortunately, it is impolitic to suggest mergers now.
This is a time for all to put on the thinking cap. President Buhari must lead the way.
