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Worries as govs turn senate into ‘retirement home’

Published

9 years ago

March 24, 2018

Some governors have indicated interest in the 2019 senatorial election after their tenure. Currently, there are 15 ex-governors in the Senate, and political pundits are of the opinion that some of the governors only go to the upper legislative chamber to “rest,” describing it as a situation which has gross implications for the future of the country, JESUSEGUN ALAGBE writes

While he is rounding off his eight-year two-term tenure as the governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has declared his ambition to run for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2019 general elections.

The governor made known his intention last month, even though he had earlier stated that he would not run for any elective position in 2019, but would only be interested in who would succeed him after leaving office.

On why he changed his mind so quickly, Okorocha — widely regarded as one of the controversial governors in the country — had said it would be a “disservice” to the nation if he failed to contest for the senatorial position, considering the “wealth of experience” he had garnered as a governor for eight years.

“I have decided to run for the Imo West Senatorial District because if I don’t, bad people will take the position. If my name appears on the ballot paper as contesting for the Senate, it will boost the All Progressives Congress’ chances in the state. And many from my zone have said they will not contest if I am interested,” the 55-year-old governor said.

Okorocha, who is deeply rooting for his son-in-law and chief of staff, Uche Nwosu, to succeed him as the governor of Imo State, also told his deputy, Mr. Eze Madumere, to contest in next year’s senatorial election.

Madumere had, however, said he was only interested in running for the governorship of the state, vowing to pursue his ambition to a logical conclusion.

Okorocha isn’t the only governor nursing the ambition of contesting in the 2019 general elections as a senator; his counterpart in Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, who is also rounding off his eight-year tenure next year, had stated that he would contest for the Oyo South Senatorial District in 2019 after completing his tenure as governor.

Ajimobi had earlier represented his senatorial district between 2003 and 2007 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy, and just like Okorocha, the Oyo State governor had also previously stated that he would not contest in any political position after his governorship tenure.

But last month, he said he had changed his mind because he was being encouraged to return to the Red Chamber by his party stakeholders.

When his eight-year two-term tenure ends in November 2018, there are insinuations that the Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, might also contest for the Lagos West Senatorial District in the 2019 general elections.

Although they have the fundamental rights to contest for any elective position in the country, political pundits and social commentators, however, frowned at a situation whereby governors, upon the completion of their tenure, turn the Senate into a “retirement home.”

“This phenomenon is not good for our democracy. Some of the governors already spent eight years in their states, so what’s the point of going to the National Assembly again?” asked the Executive Director of Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre, Prof. (Mrs.) Patricia Donli.

Donli, who is also a board member of ActionAid International and a former board chairperson, West Africa Network for Peace-building, said it was not surprising that the country was not developing because some of the governors only think of resting at the Senate after their tenure.

She said, “That’s why our democracy is not growing. Most of these governors, just like most of our political leaders, always think of themselves, not of the people.

“Some of them didn’t do well as governors, so how can we expect such people to deliver for the nation at the National Assembly? If you couldn’t develop your state as a governor, how would you develop the nation?

“Some of the governors just go to the National Assembly to rest. Some of them have never sponsored any progressive bill. When the camera is on them, you’ll see them sleeping while deliberations are going on. They have turned it to a place of retirement.

“I pray these people would just retire quietly in their luxurious mansions, which they have used public funds to build if they have any conscience at all.”

The don suggested that it was time the youths took charge of the political situation of the country and got rid of “recycled” leaders.

“We need fresh blood in the National Assembly, those who are versatile and knowledgeable; such should contest for the National Assembly elections,” she said.

There are 15 former governors in the Senate, including the Senate President and a former Kwara State governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki; former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso; former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio; former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang; former Zamfara State governor, Ahmed Yerima; and a former Kebbi State governor, Adamu Aliero.

There are also a number of former deputy governors in the Red Chamber, including Mrs Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti) and Enyinaya Abaribe (Abia).

Some of them have gone on to spend more than the period they spent as governors and deputy governors in their states.

Abaribe, for instance, has been representing the Abia South Senatorial District of Abia State since April 2007.

A professor at the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, Akinboye Oladele, said lack of political sensitisation and education was mostly responsible for the recycling of leaders in the country.

He also agreed with Donli, saying if more youths were politically conscious and engaged, they would be able to get rid of recycled leaders found in every political sphere of the country.

However, he said it might not be easy, considering the monetisation of politics in the country.

He said, “Ideally, anyone has the fundamental rights to contest for any elective position, but the people have the right of choice. The people determine who should represent them. What I have seen is that most of these governors would usually have amassed great wealth at their offices so that they could have enough money to throw around to fulfil their next ambitions.

“And this is so because politics in this part of the world is plagued by money, hence, even if the people do not want them to represent them at the Senate, due to the instrumentality of money and financial resource, they manoeuvre their way there. And this has not augured well for our country.

“People, especially the youths, should become more politically aware to know what’s required from someone who will represent them at the National Assembly. If we want to get rid or reduce the phenomenon of recycling leaders or those turning the National Assembly into a retirement home, we need enough political sensitisation and education. Unfortunately, this is not happening.”

Nevertheless, Oladele was of the opinion that politicians who had performed well as governors might be able to carry their wealth of experience to the National Assembly and, therefore, be able to contribute meaningfully to national development.

A Port Harcourt-based political scientist, Dr. Charles Ayibadiwori, said governors would keep turning the National Assembly into a place of rest “as long as they see it as a place to make unquestionable amount of money as allowances.”

Recently, the senator representing Kaduna Central District, Mr. Shehu Sani, disclosed that he and his colleagues collect N13.5m monthly as running cost allowance, aside from others such as hardship allowance, constituency allowance, furniture allowance and wardrobe allowance, all running into millions of naira.

Ayibadiwori said, “So, tell me how a governor wouldn’t want to go and enjoy his life after his tenure? They talk less there, but they collect big money. Like I have always said; it is high time we made the National Assembly less appealing to the politicians.

“There are young, innovative people in this country who can do the job effectively and would be comfortable with just a salary that would take care of their expenses. Some of these guys have businesses that they have built.

“They have something else they are doing with their lives. They are not the regular politicians who wouldn’t have any source of income when they leave elective or selective positions.

“The problem I have is such people too don’t come out and show interest in politics. They need to come out and wrest power from the recycled leaders.”

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Yusuf Ali, said if governors who want to go to the Senate would only do so to add value to the lives of the people, their action wouldn’t be criticised, especially as they could use their experience while at the helm of affairs of their states to contribute to nation-building.

He said, “You cannot deny them their rights to vie for the office. I want to look at this issue in two ways: first, when you have people like that in the National Assembly, they make the legislative arm of the government to be more independent.

“This is because they cannot be pushed around by the executive. Having governed states before, they would have garnered lots of experience.

“However, they can only use their experience for the public good if they are selfless; if they see it as a service to the people, and not as an opportunity to add more wealth to their purse.”

On ending the phenomenon of recycling leaders in the country, Ali said, “If our politics were not monetised, it would help a lot in avoiding recycled leaders or governors turning the National Assembly into a retirement home.”

In her opinion, Lagos-based public affairs analyst, Ms Pearl Ozulanba, said the phenomenon whereby governors see the National Assembly as their next “abode” was due to the political structure in the country.

She noted that the structure had allowed some politicians to arrogate so much power to themselves to the extent that some of them, including governors, take decisions on their successors without caring about who and what the people want.

She said, “If you look at the problems we have in this country, these are problems that have been there for 10, 20 years, and they keep multiplying basically due to the problem of recycled leaders. The same person who has run a state poorly would still want to contest for the National Assembly. How can our nation then grow?

“Truth is, a lot of people in the National Assembly are just representing themselves, not the people they claim to be representing. Those vying to be in the National Assembly should see it as a means of serving the people, and not as a means of enriching themselves.”

https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/tinubu-is-to-bring-peace-between-arab-and-israeli-in-apc-shehu-sani/

Related Topics:‘retirement home’Govs Senate Worries

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6 days ago

October 22, 2026

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Swegop to Politicians: Stop Mudslinging, Fix Roads

The South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) has urged politicians to stop mudslinging and focus on issues affecting Nigerians, while calling on the Federal Government and state governments to declare a state of emergency on roads ravaged by rainfall.

The guild said political campaigns should be centred on policies, development plans and practical solutions to the people’s problems, rather than false information, unsubstantiated allegations and personal attacks.

The position was contained in a statement signed by the guild’s Acting Chairman, Chief Tunde Busari, and Publicity Secretary, Mr Remi Oladoye.

SWEGOP warned that spreading misinformation during political campaigns could erode public confidence in the democratic process, urging politicians to tell the electorate what they intend to do and how they plan to deliver on their promises.

It called on political actors to embrace responsible communication and constructive engagement, stressing that campaigns should provide voters with clear choices on policies and programmes capable of improving their lives.

In a related development, the guild called on the Federal Government and state governments to urgently address the worsening condition of roads following damage caused by rainfall in several areas.

It expressed concern that some roads had been washed away or rendered impassable, making movement difficult for motorists and other road users.

The guild urged the relevant authorities to prioritise the rehabilitation of damaged roads, improve drainage systems and implement lasting solutions to prevent recurring damage, particularly during the rainy season.

It warned that the deteriorating road network posed risks to road users and could disrupt the movement of people and goods, with consequences for commercial activities and the wider economy.

SWEGOP stressed that emergency repairs must be backed by proper drainage, effective maintenance and coordinated action by the different levels of government to prevent the problem from recurring.

The guild maintained that responsible political campaigns and urgent action on failing infrastructure were both necessary to address public concerns and improve the lives of Nigerians.

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2027: Alli, Oseni Tour Ibarapa, Seek Support for APC Candidacies

Published

6 days ago

October 22, 2026

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Governorship, Oyo South senatorial candidates meet traditional rulers, religious leaders and community groups

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, and the party’s Oyo South senatorial candidate, Hon. Remi Oseni, have toured Ibarapa North, Central and East Local Government Areas to seek stakeholders’ support for their 2027 candidacies and other APC candidates across the ballot.

The two-day tour, which took place on Monday and Tuesday, covered Igangan, Tapa, Ayete, Idere, Igbo-Ora and Eruwa, where the candidates met traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups and other stakeholders to discuss the area’s development challenges and solicit their backing ahead of the 2027 general elections.

During the engagements, Alli outlined his priorities for Oyo State, promising to prioritise the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Ibarapa road, extending to Igangan, improve the education sector, revive public water supply and strengthen local government administration if elected governor.

The delegation visited the palaces of the Asigangan of Iganganland, Oba Rafiu Adeniyi; the Asawo of Ayete, Oba Emanuel Ewuola Okeniyi; the Elempe of Tapa, Oba Sunday Oyekanmi Titiloye (Abioje I); the Olu of Igbo-Ora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye (Asoroolu Ayinla V); and the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola (Ajobo Olurin I). The team was also hosted by Dr. Olusola Ayandele Eruobodo at his residence on Monday evening.

Speaking during the meetings, Alli identified effective local government administration as critical to grassroots development, noting that local councils must be empowered to deliver meaningful improvements to their communities. He pledged to work towards a functional local government system that would make development more visible at the grassroots.

On education, the APC governorship candidate expressed concern about the standard of learning in the state and proposed limiting class sizes to a maximum of 30 pupils to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

He also promised to ensure that Oyo State’s financial resources, including federal allocations, translate into tangible improvements in infrastructure and public services. As part of his plans to improve residents’ welfare, he pledged to work towards reviving the state water corporation to ensure a more reliable supply of clean water across the state.

On infrastructure, Alli reiterated his commitment to reconstructing the Ibadan-Ibarapa road, extending to Igangan. He also promised to create greater opportunities for indigenous construction firms in the award of public contracts, while engaging external contractors for projects beyond the capacity of local companies.

The APC candidate also criticised the reported N5.5 billion expenditure on a stadium, questioning whether the facility met international standards and adequately served the needs of the state’s football clubs, particularly Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).

He cited difficulties faced by the club in arranging matches, including playing several away fixtures within a week and receiving a hostile reception at its temporary home ground in Ogun State. He attributed these challenges to the stadium facility’s reported failure to meet the required standards.

Also addressing the gatherings, Oseni, who is seeking election to the Senate to represent Oyo South Senatorial District, highlighted his contributions to the development of communities across Ibarapa and appealed to residents and community leaders to support his senatorial ambition.

He urged stakeholders to support APC candidates across the ballot, arguing that stronger cooperation between the state and the Federal Government could improve Oyo State’s access to federal opportunities, resources and development initiatives.

At a meeting with the League of Imams in Igbo-Ora, Alli acknowledged that disunity within the Muslim community might have affected communication with political leaders. He assured the religious leaders that his administration would not marginalise any religious group and appealed for their support for his aspiration and those of other APC candidates.

The tour was attended by APC leaders and campaign officials, including the Director-General of the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign, Hon. Yemi Aderibigbe; the Director-General of the Remi Oseni Campaign Council, Chief Lowo Obisesan; and the APC Deputy National Auditor, Hon. Gbenga Ariba, alongside other party leaders from across Oyo State.

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Watchdog Alleges Pressure on Oyo LG Chairmen, Warns Against Releasing N2.57bn for election

Published

1 week ago

October 21, 2026

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Group questions budgetary provision, cites pending court cases

The Watchdogs for Good Governance has warned the 33 local government chairmen in Oyo State against releasing council funds for the planned December 29 local government election, questioning the legality and financial implications of a proposed N4.28bn funding arrangement.

The group alleged that the councils were being pressured to contribute N2.57bn towards the exercise despite claims that no provision was made for the expenditure in their 2026 budgets.

Under the proposed arrangement announced by the state government, the local governments are expected to bear 60 per cent of the election cost, amounting to N2,566,800,000, while the state government will contribute the remaining 40 per cent, or N1,711,200,000.

The controversy followed an announcement by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, that the State Executive Council had approved funding for the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct the election scheduled for December 29.

But the Watchdogs for Good Governance, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its convener, Comrade Ahmed Adeyemo, questioned why the councils should commit billions of naira to the election when, according to the group, the expenditure was not captured in their approved budgets.

Adeyemo argued that the proposed spending could further limit the resources available to local governments to address pressing needs in their communities, including bad roads, inadequate infrastructure and poor access to primary healthcare.

“Where is the budgetary provision for OYSIEC? Why resort to milking the councils dry when grassroots communities are grappling with bad roads, lack of basic infrastructure and poor access to quality primary healthcare?” he asked.

The group also raised concerns over pending court cases challenging the conduct of the election, warning that the councils could face financial consequences if the exercise were subsequently nullified.

According to Adeyemo, at least three suits had been filed by members of the Allied Peoples Movement over the election, including grievances relating to the selection of chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the 33 local government areas.

He maintained that proceeding with the election while the cases remained pending raised questions about the prudence of committing such a substantial amount of public money to the exercise.

“Spending billions on an election that is sub judice and may be voided by the courts is the height of administrative irresponsibility and financial recklessness,” Adeyemo said.

The group further alleged that council chairmen were under intense pressure from the state government to release their respective contributions, although it did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate the claim.

It consequently urged the chairmen not to authorise any transfer of council funds for the election without addressing the budgetary and legal concerns it had raised.

Adeyemo warned that any chairman found to have improperly diverted public funds for the exercise should be held accountable, insisting that local government resources should be used to meet the needs of residents.

“The funds belong to the people of Oyo State for development, not for funding an election whose legality is being contested,” he said.

The group called on the relevant authorities to clarify the financial arrangements for the election and address the concerns surrounding the pending litigation.

Efforts to obtain reactions from the affected council chairmen as of press time were unsuccessful.