‘Our Lord Governors’ | By Adebiyi Akeem

The enormity of the power held by an average Nigerian Governor can only be likened to the limitless powers of the early century EMPERORS. They weild so much powers in their respective states to the extent that they are christened ‘Maximum Rulers’.

Their conducts and activities are impacting negatively on the smooth operations of constitutional democracy.

Today, there is no legislative arm of government in Edo state. Governor Obaseki has abolished it for what suits his jaundiced fancies. Yet, the government at the centre including our National Assembly maintains a criminal silence on the matter.

The scenario of miraculous arithmetic that played out in Plateau state is fresh in our memory. In that exercise, Governor Simon Lalong effected the unceremonious  impeachment of the speaker with ordinary six members in the house of twenty four legislators. The embattled speaker was even arrested by the police despite the fact that he had majority on his side.

Nigerian State Governors controls the legislature, judiciary, traditional institutions, civil/public service, financial allocations of the state and local government councils.They aid or block the appointments of the party men/women in to the Federal boards.

They can collectively hold the FG to ransom and compel same to do their wish, most especially on those issues relating to policy formulation and implementation.

They determine who and who are fielded as standard bearers of their parties in all the elections. Hence, they are held high by the senators, ministers and other political functionaries.

The serial efforts of the Federal Government at creating financial autonomy for the local government councils in Nigeria were frustrated by the ‘almighty state Governors’. Therefore, their siege on the local government funds continued and unabated.

The principles of constitutional democracy like separation of powers and rule of law are not in their lexicons. They ride on with culture of impunity, stifling the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria.

This absurd trend must be curtailed . Their latest affront on the authorities of the Federal Government and National Assembly is the stoppage of direct primaries which was adopted as an option for fielding the candidates by political parties in the general elections.

Despite the inherent merits of the choice, they are hell bent at frustrating its being signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

From the ongoing, it is now crystal clear why there is always an unprecedented stampede by our politicians to become Governors of their respective states.

Their mission is to acquire power, wealth and fame. Albeit, few of them are humane and diligent at work and laden with good sense of altruism.

The National Assembly should evolve means to whittle down the powers of our Governors through the instruments of legislature. Otherwise, our constitutional democracy shall remain static.

The Federal Government should exercise certain controls to check the excesses of our ‘Lord Governors’ in Nigeria.

 

Adebiyi Akeem, a political commentator, sent this piece from Ibadan, Oyo state