Strident calls by some governors for Abuja to grant bailout funds to about 18 bankrupt states are ordinarily a non-starter. But three compelling reasons justify their demand.
First, if state governments had executed federal government projects in the interest of residents of their states but the federal government failed to reimburse them, the funds must be paid forthwith.
Second, if there was a disaster such as flood, natural or man-made, war, an influx into some states of citizens caught up in the crossfire between Boko Haram and government troops or victims of ethnic militias.
Third, if the bankrupt states did not receive their monthly allocations.
Otherwise, the brainy governors, their commissioners, and advisers must team up with state lawmakers to return to their treasuries all the money they looted or squandered.
The Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) must intervene without further delay.
All bankrupt states’ lawmakers are co-accused in this show of shame of non-payment of salaries because the lawmakers appropriate funds for governors and oversee the use of funds.
If by collusion, incompetence or default, legislators turn blind eyes when governors loot, divert or misapply funds, they are just as guilty as governors.
The most expensive election in Nigeria’s history, held in March and April this year, has become the worst culprit for the near-empty state treasuries. On top of this is the extravagant lifestyle of some governors.
Whether or not they wasted campaign funds in sponsoring themselves for higher office or their hand-picked favourites for various offices only added costs at the expense of workers’ salaries.
The universal reason dramatised by the governors of bankrupt states is the fall in the price of crude oil. That is a fact. But it affects all states equally. The 18 states seeking bailout and the 19 buoyant states, all bear the brunt of the oil price plunge, like the federal government.
Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, declares proudly that his government has never missed paying workers’ salary. Such a record does not only reflect the government’s efficient planning in a viable state, but also its commitment to meeting the needs of the most valuable of all resources of any state.
Former Governors Peter Obi (Anambra), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Donald Duke (Cross River) are also on the list of those who left the imprint of good governance, some with budget surplus, for their successors.
While someone like Obi would fly Economy Class on Arik Air and Aero Airlines, the wastrels lease or buy private jets on which they fly only rarely. For most of the time, the planes are in their hangars or on the tarmac, incurring parking fees.
Then of course for their families, cronies and acquaintances travel in convoys of 30, 40 or even 50 luxury cars. Their commissioners and advisers also copy their Ogas’ extravagance.
Lawmakers organise an army for courses abroad mainly for estacode allowances in dollars when it would cost a fraction of the amount to invite Nigerian experts abroad or foreigners to deliver courses; that is if there are no experts here.
Why would any governor go to Abuja with a begging bowl to sustain such frivolities? It is obvious that the all-powerful governors have become tin gods. They are dictators holding the entire country to ransom both in times of surfeit of resources and now, again, in times of penury.
What is even the guarantee that they are not asking for more money to steal rather than to pay workers?
They must bear the brunt of their lack of temperance during the windfall years.
Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Chairman of All Progressives Congress Governors Forum, made the request public Tuesday, June 16 after their meeting. It was no intra-party request. The federal government must dole out the largesse to their Peoples Democratic Party counterparts.
Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), followed suite with the demeaning clarion call for bailout funds. Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, is yet to pronounce on it. But the direction of his request is predictable.
No one has yet given any indication where the funds should come from. Each state and federal government collected its share of the federal allocation. Should it be in form of a federal loan, would the governors pay the premium rate on commercial loans at high interest?
A loan not tied to a regenerative project but to recurrent consumption may only be granted by a loan shark. Indeed, the National Assembly has to take note of the states which may not be viable in order to merge them.
