IT was not the first time the Kogi State Governor,Captain Idris Wada’s convoy would be involved in an accident. In the first one, which occurred last year, he suffered a broken leg and lost his Aide-De-Camp (ADC ), Idris Mohammed. With that, the public thought the governor’s convoy would be more careful on the road. No, it didn’t. Last week, the convoy was involved in an accident in which frontline university teacher Prof. Festus Iyayi died. The accident occurred at Banda Village on the Lokoja-Abuja Road, while the late Iyayi and others were heading to Kano for a meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The late Iyayi was ASUU president between 1986 and 1988.
Driving in a convoy is an age-long practice worldwide. It is a perquisite of public officer since many leaders because of their schedules need to attend functions with support staff, sometimes, at short notice.
But, that privilege, comes with a sense of responsibility in other climes, has been consistently abused by many Nigerian leaders. Today, many convoy users have become a nuisance to their compatriots as they endanger the lives of others through over-speeding and violating traffic rules.
It is always a horrific experience whenever a convoy of any high profile personality is encountered on the road, particularly in a traffic jam. The security men attached would jump down from their vehicles, intimidating other road users with horse whips to pave the way for their bosses, while the vehicles blare deafening sirens.
In the last few years, convoys of government functionaries have been involved in accidents, which have left observers wondering the calibre of the country’s rulers. Although some of the accidents are caused by the bad road,the overzealousness of the officials aides is a contributory factor.
According to Prof. Mike Ikhariale, from the local government councils to the state governments, through to the Federal Government, the story is the same: multiple ghastly car accidents involving top government officials. Many of the crashes resulted in fatalities.
Unfortunately, it is only the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws (LRTL), 2012, that provides for the prohibition of sirens and to check conducts of persons driving, propelling or in-charge of a vehicle on the highways.
Section 1(1)(d) provides for the prohibition or restriction of the use of sirens, and the sounding of horns or other similar appliances either in general or during specified hours or in respect of specified area.
Although the National Road Safety Law, Cap 141, 2004, made no mention of the use of convoys or sirens, it provides for the prosecution of traffic offenders who exceed the approved speed limit of 100km per hour.
However, most of the public officers and their drivers have not been apprehended nor prosecuted by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for traffic offences, neither have the police arrested them for manslaughter or reckless driving under the Road Traffic Laws, 2004.
Accidents involving public officials’convoys
On April 19, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha was involved in an accident with a Mercedez Benz car in Orlu; the convoy of the late Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, on Novemeber 12, last yera, while on top speed, killed a young orange seller. Similarly, on January 2, the police escort vehicle of the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Momoh Lawal, collided with a truck at Okene killing the Speaker’s escort, Constable Akeem Lamidi. Still in 2012, the convoy of the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, was involved in an accident, leading to the deaths of three journalists, while that of his Nasarawa counterpart, Tanko Al-Makura claimed the lives of three of his aides with many others sustaining various degrees of injury.
There was also that of Senator Danjuma Goje in December last year, which, allegedly, ran over one Haruna Maigari and injured two others, in addition to his convoy accident of 2008 while he was governor of Gombe State. Three persons died in the said accident. In early 2011, five people, including Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema’s ADC, Aminu Ibrahim, died in an accident involving the governor’s convoy.
The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, David Albashi, died in a hospital in Germany, on November 3, 2011, following injuries he sustained in an accident in August of the same year. The convoy of Senator Ajayi Boroffice of Ondo State was, likewise, involved in an accident in which a 58-year-old woman reportedly died. There was also that of Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, at Ibusa.
In 2005, the convoy of former Governor of Ogun State Gbenga Daniel was involved in an accident in which five journalists died, while in 2007, six aides of the then Niger State Governor, Abdulkadir Kure, died in another convoy accident.
Nine others, including eight journalists, lost their lives in a similar accident that involved the convoy of former Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye. The list is endless.
Former Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan(SAN) observed that there have been too many needless deaths caused by reckless government VIP convoys for those concerned to sit down, take a deep breath and sensibly review their own conduct and responsibility as they relate to it. First, the whole thing has deviated from security concerns for VIPs to just costly ego trips. The longer, rougher and more reckless the convoy, the more reflective of the personage. Everyone from governors, federal and state legislators to ministers and local government councillors are guilty of this phenomenon and they go about it with raucous abandon to the detriment of other road users.
“I don’t know any law that justifies the crazy speeds, the hair-raising overtaking or passing at dangerous bends, bridges and slopes. One needs to see the scary sight of a 30 vehicles-long convoy speeding without care, overtaking on pothole-ridden highways to experience a kind of fear that would churn the pit of one’s stomach. The question one often asks is: why don’t the concerned VIPs see the need for them to bring their convoy drivers to obey traffic laws? Another would be: why so many vehicles in their convoys?
“It isn’t hard to see that the FRSC are too puny and helpless to take on a ravaging state governor’s convoy. So, I don’t believe the FRSC can do anything about this menace on the highways,“ he said.
He pointed out that Iyayi’s death just as those of many that have died from convoy accidents was avoidable and the irreparable loss to his family, colleagues and the country ought to be an epiphany to all that power drunkenness should not be a feature on our highways.
What has been done?
Disturbed by the frequent accidents involving convoys of public officials, the FRSC had, in the last two years, organised special trainings for the drivers. According to FRSC’s boss, Osita Chidoka, about 300 of the 700 drivers who participated in the training were not licensed.
The report issued after the trainings indicated that 241 drivers suffered from high blood pressure while some had various sight problems – astigmatism, myopia, hypermetropia and other eye-related issues. The commission also disclosed that most of the state governors did not allow their drivers to participate in the exercise, including Captain Wada, who has reportedly ordered the training of the state’s drivers following last week’s accident.
The FRSC further claimed it has developed a category of driver’s licence for convoy drivers to ensure that every convoy driver must be trained for this special assignment, though there is no law backing such a policy.
The way out
Observers believe it is time the Federal and state governments toed the steps of Lagos by enacting viable laws that will regulate the use of convoys. Some have insisted that it was a waste of taxpayers’ fund which should be abolished.
Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) expressed deep concern over the arbitrary use of sirens by convoys of public office-holders. He described the practice as an abuse of office.
It is wrong for public officials to constitute themselves into a nuisance with their movements. It amounts to terrorising the people who elected them, said Fashola.
“Let us get rid of all these sirens. We use this thing around all the time as if we are in a perpetual state of emergency. From the day I became governor, I have not used sirens and I do not intend to use it because I detest noise. I have told my (state) commissioners that they will be sacked if they do it. People elect us as their leaders to manage public transport on their behalf and we (now) choose to escape from it with the arbitrary use of sirens. I think the practice is an abdication of duty,” said Fashola at a function last week. Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, argued that the recklessness has persisted because Nigerians have not challenged these officials.
“A leader is first and foremost a citizen and no law permits any citizen to go against traffic or drive recklessly. It is about attitudinal change and leadership.
“Nigerians need to keep challenging them. If they try to intimidate people in traffic, people should resist it. Stay put and if they hurt or damage anyone’s vehicle, drag them to court.
“Only police vans and ambulance are permitted to drive against traffic. So, people should fight the lawlessness out,” he said.
To Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), convoys for governors are not a bad thing but the lengths are bad and wasteful.
He said a three to four vehicle convoy should be sufficient.
“Also convoys should be orderly and must only be used on the strict condition that it would obey the road traffic laws. The laws that apply to other road users – maintaining speed limits, maintaining certain distances between vehicles, overtaking, driving on the right side of the road, respecting other road users’ right of way, etc must apply to public officials’ convoys.
“I have been at a traffic light with a British prime minister’s two vehicle convoy once in London. They were totally unobstrustive. Our leaders must not use convoys as a tool of oppression.
“Much depends on the user of the convoy. The fact that unsavoury incidents are recurring with the convoy of the same set of people speak volumes about those people’s perception of their position and the rights of other road users,” Belgore said.
Education Rights Campaign (ERC), in a statement to mourn Prof. Iyayi, called for the abolition of convoys.
It said Iyayi’s death would have been avoided if roads are safe for travelling and governors and other elected officials stop their habitual recklessness and disrespect for the rights of other road users. ‘‘According to a report by the Federal Road Safety Corps, an average of 11 people were killed daily in road accident across Nigeria in 2012. The deaths occurred in 6,269 road traffic crashes.
‘‘Combined with this is the “big-man” elitist mentality of corrupt government officials like Governors, lawmakers and Ministers who once they assume the mantle of leadership immediately become uncomfortable with their old humble means of transportation and now junket about in convoys of ten cars or more, blaring sirens wildly and deliberately driving recklessly along roads thus terrorising ordinary Nigerians who supposedly voted them into office.
‘‘The Kogi State Governor’s convoy was responsible for this accident. According to records this is one accident too many by the Kogi State Governors’ convoy. We demand appropriate disciplinary sanctions within the ambit of law for the driver in the convoy who was responsible for this accident. ‘‘However, while the driver is a small fry, the capitalist ruling elite comprising Governor Wada and all other governors and government officials who have penchant for long convoys are the main culprit.
‘‘The ERC demands abolition of convoys. It is an unconscionable waste of public funds. In a rational society where there is socio-economic justice, efficient and comfortable means of mass transportation and security of lives is guaranteed and there will be no reason for an individual to move around in convoy of several vehicles.
‘‘The only reason public office holders have to go around in convoys is to screen and protect themselves from possible backlash from the hopelessness and mass misery in the midst of abundance which their neo-liberal capitalist economic policies have created in society. Over 100 million Nigerians are poor in a population of 170 million. Logically, the one per cent who have created this unjust condition can only move about successfully with “adequate” security which long convoys provide. This to us stresses all over again the need for a revolutionary transformation of society.
But Executive Director, Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative Fidelis Nnadi said the law enforcement agencies must make regulations that will eliminate poor quality drivers from the steering.
He said speed checkpoints should be established by the FRSC and its counterparts on major highways and roads to apprehend and prosecute violators.
‘‘There is urgent need that penalties for road safety violators should be reviewed to include a life ban for any driver guilty of fatal accident that involves life. The administration of motor vehicle in states should be vigorously implemented,’’ Nnadi said.
Human rights lawyer Bamidele Aturu said the one too many accidents was enough reason for a clamour to put an end to convoy use.
‘‘It is a matter that can create basis for Nigerians to demand a stoppage of convoy use but I am sceptical those people at the National Assembly, may not be willing to pass such law because they are culpable.
‘‘The convoy craze is an empty pomposity and madness caused by the undue privatisation of the country by the elites. They feel they own Nigeria and everything in it and so, let everyone else fly into the bush when they are passing.
‘‘People must insist it is no longer acceptable. I will be at the fore front of those calling for a law to sanitise and restrict the use of convoys. If one officer is going about in fleet of cars, it contributes to environmental degradation and depletion of the ozone layer, adding to the high cost of maintaining such luxury.
‘‘So, I suggest that no public official should go about in a convoy of more than three cars- an ambulance, the official vehicle and a bus to convey all other personnel in his fleet.
A Lagos lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa said they should be allowed additional vehicles not exceeding two when on official journeys.
‘‘A code of conduct must be established, for the running and maintenance of such convoy. They must, for instance, comply with all road traffic regulations, so that they do not constitute any threat to other road users.
‘‘Such convoy, must not engage in the molestation of other motorists, or otherwise conduct themselves, in manner that may be inconsistent with the dignity and honour, expected of the office of the governor, or other head of the convoy.
‘‘Furthermore, the FRSC should, as a matter of urgency, draw out rules and regulations to guide the movement of convoys. Being an exception to the usual traffic regime, there must be an official template, to judge thugs and such other criminal elements, who violate and abuse extant traffic regulations, in the name of convoy. It is not enough for FRSC officials to just sit in their offices and be apportioning blames. It should drive the process of sanitizing the movement and deployment of convoys by public officers.
In this instant case, it is important for the governor of Kogi State, to examine himself, to purge his fleet of reckless and lawless drivers and security operatives, who accompany him. Surely, His Excellency could not be drunken with the allure of power, to be putting his life and other law abiding road users, in danger of their lives, two times in a tenure. And going by the unguarded reactions of the governor’s spokesperson, there must have been other occurrences, of fatal accidents, attending His Excellency’s very frequent trips that have not been reported.
Another lawyer Tope Alabi said nothing is wrong with the use of convoy, but the problem lies with the users.
‘‘The manner should be checked. In the first place, driving convoy requires specified expertise and demonstrable competence. How expert is the driver? Is the driver not under any influence of alcohol? Is the driver well informed on the rules guiding the operation/driving of convoy? Is the driver aware of the legal implication of reckless driving of the convoy?
‘‘All these questions and observations are to be answered and noted. The Governor of Lagos State should be emulated because he uses his convoy in a civilised manner and does not pose danger to the members of the public neither does he use/blow siren.
‘‘He always plies the road like a common man. When there is hold up, he stays and endures same like a common man. The other governors can follow his examples in the use of convoy. If this is done, then, safety is sure.
Lagos lawyer Akanwa Theopilus lamented that it is most unfortunate that most of our leaders have failed to lead by example. “In fact, they have exemplified lawlessness much more than the led and I consider this highly insensitive. Use of siren and long convoy of cars by a public officer is not necessarily a matter of law, but of choice. The governor of Lagos State has limited number of cars in his convey and does not go on siren. He patiently stays in traffic like every other Nigerian. But when our president visits a place like Lagos, the route he is to ply must not be used by common citizens until he comes and goes. No body is above the law even the Kogi State governor. He does not have the licence to kill a citizen and nobody has such powers except as provided for by the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria”, he said. He advised that the security agencies should gear up to commence a criminal charge of reckless driving and murder against him when he leaves office. This once again affirms the need to urgently abrogate section 308 of the constitution to make way for accountability and good governance.
National President Arewa Youth Consultative Forum Yerima Shettima called for a law to limit the speed of public officers, especially while driving in the municipality. According to him, the trend is rather ugly and uncivilised. “A bill should be sponsored at the National Assembly to limit the number of convoy that usually accompany public officials,” he said.
