The good, the bad and the ugly of political numbers

While some numbers give joy, raise hope and enliven, some others raise apprehension, breed rancour and even lead to many destructions. For instance, some numbers involving monies that were looted by leaders cause adrenaline rise and breed cynicism. But huge figures deployed to better the lots of the people, any day, are commended. Let’s look at this potpourri of numbers.

52% of Federation Allocation to FG

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsinna State is one state chief executive officer that is not comfortable with the sing-song by the federal government that state governors must be held responsible for the reported growing poverty and suffering in the country despite increasing allocations to states since 2023. Radda believes that the federal government should be blamed for the pervasive poverty and hunger in the land. You know his reason? The man is pointing at Abuja and saying, “You collect 52 percent of the federal revenue, why blame governors?” So, he is telling Nigerians to open their eyes and locate where their problem is coming from.

 

89 MDAs without anti-corruption units

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recently looked into the faces of 89 federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and said to them, ‘You are just doing things anyhow without checks and balances. No self-censorship. No anti-corruption units in your domain.” Does it mean they are ‘kolobi-ing” public funds without proper accounting? Chai!

 

N54.7bn flyover in Delta

The people of Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State recently burst into a celebratory song: “We can see everything turning around for our favour.” You know the reason? The Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori flagged off a N59.7billion Agbor/Uromi junction flyover project. The governor described the project as a critical intervention aimed at improving road safety, preserving lives and boosting economic activities across the state and beyond. For this, the Ika people are saying to His Excellency, Lakpoma (for his good intentions and job well done).

 

10 years election ban

If the proposal by the Senate of the nation’s bicameral legislature sees the light of day, vote-buying politicians are in for a serious trouble. So, as it is today in the Senate with this proposal, it is not “gun-ablazing” but “ban-ablazing.” The other day, Opeyemi Bamidele, leader of the Senate, spotting his trademark cap, said that any politician that engages in vote-buying after the law must have been passed and signed risked 10-year ban. The person would just be sent to roam in the wilderness for 10 years like King Nebuchadnezzar of the old Babylonian Empire. According to him, the on-going amendment of the Electoral Act would strengthen electoral integrity and institutional independence. He said this before the National assembly resumed from the long Christmas and New year holidays a few days ago. But the Nigerian people are looking at the lawmakers with the tail of their eyes. You know what that means!

 

N870bn IGR target for Enugu MDAs

This is the revenue target the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has asked Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to meet for the current year. Although he did not shout when he was dishing out the order, he meant every single word he spoke. He is not used to shouting as he does not believe in doing so. He just spoke to them like a father does to his children in a language they should understand. Calm but serious. What did he say was the reason for the revenue target? He plainly told them that the impracticability of external revenue sources like the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocation given the prevailing geo-political tension in the world, necessitated the need to begin to look for the black goat while it is still day. He believes that the state must not allow itself to be taken unawares given global developments. But don’t be surprised that so many of his colleagues elsewhere are still ensconced in their jejune thinking that President Bola Tinubu’s “Alawee’ or rather ‘windfall” will and should continue indefinitely.

 

ADC’s 50 ‘wise men’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in coalition, a few days ago, announced the constitution of its 50-member Wise Men, Women Policy and Manifesto Committee, following the approval of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

The committee was approved by the National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, in line with the party’s commitment to building a credible, people-centred, and forward-looking policy framework for national governance.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the Policy and Manifesto Committee brought together a distinguished group of Nigerians drawn from diverse backgrounds.

They included former public office holders, academics, technocrats, policy experts, civil society leaders, and professionals. Collectively, they represent a wealth of experience in governance, economic management, social development, security, and democratic reform.

Although the party has taken a very bold step, the greatest move Nigerians are watching out keenly for is what the party is handling the ambition of some of the arrowheads. The committee may be robust, and members astute, but if a wrong candidate emerges, many supporters’ interest may likely die.

 

$1.73bn spends on foreign education, health

Despite repeated reports about the falling standard of education in Nigeria, which is manifesting in the shrinking number of foreign students in the nation’s institutions of higher leaning and the preference being shown by many Nigerians for foreign schools, the federal government has continued to pay lip service to improvement of education. The annual budget for education has continued to fall below the recommended percentage. The government has also continued to focus more on politics than on revamping the nation’s education. The education sector is not getting the needed attention resulting in increased medical tourism. Reports had it that in six months, Nigerians spend $1.73bn to seek foreign education and treatment.