Let us make no mistake about this, the inspiration and title of this opinion piece is not intended to undermine the high office of the governor or to disrespect the personality of the current and past governors of Nasarawa State, it is rather intended to underscore the place, role and importance of the governor’s office.
This is bearing in mind the fact that the office is a constitutional creation vested with powers, authority and influence.
So doing a critical appraisal of the place and role of that office and those who occupy it should not be seen as anything unusual, because as the saying goes, “to whom much is given, much is expected”.
But the obvious if flagrant erosion of these privileges and jettisoning of responsibilities that go along with the office by those who have been privileged to occupy it over the years makes it desirable for a critical look at governance outside their persons, with particular reference to Nasarawa State, in spite of supporters and hirelings who would not relent in what Americans call ‘naming and shaming’ of real and perceived opponents, and anybody who dared to draw any analyses contrary to their benefactors.
How did we get here? In 1976 the present Benue State was created out of the then Benue – Plateau.
Twenty years later in 1996, Nasarawa State was born.
With a land area of 12,000 square kilometers excised from the former Plateau State, in addition to a pleasant favorable climatic condition and virile population of over 2 million people, the future of the state looked bright.
Although the solid mineral state will be attaining the adolescent age of 15 years by October 2011, the jury is already out to ascertain whether or not our past and present leaders have nurtured it well as to have potentiated its promise.
Indeed, whether we have been able to achieve anything in proportion to the available resources since then and whether or not the level of development in terms of access to good healthcare, good road networks, clean and running water, enjoyment of electricity, advancement of equal opportunities and championing of fair conditions amenable to socio – economic mobility and political freedom were proportionate to those expectations.
Although history will finally factually establish whether or not the leaders left the state better than they met it, we owe the people a duty to do appraisals and re-appraisals from time to time for the purposes of posterity. These are the issues and the kernel of the debate.
As Governor Almakura stepped across the threshold of his 100 days in office, the next few weeks would show whether he will break an interesting new dawn or let it become his Achilles’ heels. On the balance, although he holds great promises and deserving a fair fighting chance to turn around the fortunes of the state and its teeming people for the better, he should know that whereas there are no quick fixes to the many challenges in all facets of development, the people are eager to see clear-cut changes right away. For example, the comatose transport company in Lafia needs a lifeline.
The ultra modern market in Lafia which has stretched over two administrations needs to be put into use. His interest in the Karu International Market must begin to bear fruits.
The new housing project along Doma road ought to be completed and occupied.
Major urban roads should be fixed and those in almost all nooks and crannies which are still un-motorable with little if insignificant improvements must be worked on.
General hospitals which suffer the twin misfortune of lack of doctors and drugs should also be attended to.
The mother of all disappointment is the fact that for the 15 years since its creation, there is not a single kilometer of asphalt quality road that has been built by any of the administrations except for the one leading into, and inside government houses.
The list is endless. He must break the jinx because nothing else is an option.
If the chunk of these happens, the bickering in the pages of newspapers along political party lines and personalities would simmer and defer in his favor.
If it does not happen, he should expect hard knocks.
He should however note that there is generally a long standing apathy in the polity about inability of governments to do the right things, and rather oddly, some people’s unnatural fascination with power and those who are supposed to exercise it. But Nasarawa State cannot afford cult figures and continuous seasons of hopelessness.
It is precisely why we must wise up from the mental drudgery of ‘hero’ worship because as President Barack Obama of the United States said, Africa does need strongmen; but strong institutions.
This is true for Nasarawa State. We only need to build a society in which one does not have to be within the corridors of power to be able to pay his children’s school fees, get quality medical attention and pay other bills.
So when we talk about the state, we are talking beyond our governors from Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim to Umaru Tanko Almakura.
This governor must not complain if he comes under constructive lashing out, for only four months ago, the fireworks were flying over the head of his predecessor. Now times have changed and the tide is surging towards him.
This is not by accident; taking public office is akin to biting a bullet. Only performance, not rhetoric and declarations of good intentions, can spare him.
His actions, inactions, mannerisms, body language, utterances and lifestyle will always be subjects of public scrutiny.
The privileges of that high office are associated with such occupational hazards. There is no hiding place. Indeed leadership is the function of opportunity not an opportunity to appropriate privileges and lord over others.
The governor must look beyond the case at the elections tribunal, the waiting filibuster in the House of Assembly over the appointment of commissioners, implementation of the new minimum wage, lack of fairly adequate resources, removing bureaucratic and political landmines, rallying round civil societies and communities, mapping out workable people – oriented strategies, finding appropriate and dignified roles for our traditional rulers and all else, he must perform.
He must shake off distractions arising from appointment related lobbies and pressures in order to face the business of governance head on, because there is nothing like a perfect team.
Governance must move beyond muscle flexing, hiring and firing of aides, signing contracts, extending and or withdrawing patronages, political shadow – boxing and payment of salaries.
Government must be the anchor for providing security and opportunities, must ensure timely and fair dispensation of justice and must be firm in pursuing people – centered projects.
He must work hard to create the conditions for a future of endless possibilities for the greater majority of the people. Not to tie their fates to the apron strings of his personal, party or political convenience.
Zakari sent in this piece from Keffi, Nasarawa State
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