Another View on The Southerner Newspaper
Saturday, August 23, 2025

When Federal Government under the supervision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu resumed office in May 29, 2023, he removed petroleum subsidy with immediate effect and followed up by devaluing our currency.

There was no safety net introduced as it is done in other countries to cushion the effect of such move. As it is, there is so much groaning by the masses because of the difficulties of the policy decision Mr. President took. Everywhere you go in Nigeria, there are sorrowful expressions of the present terrifying economic hardship.

It is so devastating that the rich are also crying because it has impacted negatively on their businesses and spendings. The poor have no succour, no place to seek redemption. The situation defines the popular saying, everyone to himself and God for us all.

The economy is strangled and mangled that you begin to wonder if we will ever come out of it. Essential commodities needed for human existence and good healthy living are out of reach for the ordinary Nigerian to afford.

The subsidy removed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has gone through the back door into the hands of the state governors with humongous amounts of money. This has been so since 2023. A clear departure from the past. The states monthly allocation have increased tremendously.

This government has made it possible for more money to pour into the states’ treasury compared to the past. Despite this jackpot, some states still go for loans.

So, the question is: what are the governors of the states doing with such humongous finances? It’s about time Nigerians begin to ask the state governors questions. We must begin to demand how and what these governors do with the funds available to them.

Let Nigerians tour the states, inspect the projects, demand the opening of the finance records and find out in real terms what these governors have done with our resources.

Poverty and hardship can be reduced in Nigeria if and when these governors begin a holistic approach to good governance. We all look up to the Presidency not recognizing the enormous powers, roles these men in charge of the states are supposed to play.

We blame Mr President for even issues that occur in the Local Government. That is part of the docility and ignorance we as Nigerians suffer. It is time to face our state chief executives for proper accountability. Our governors in the states should be engaged for greater development of the states and improvement of quality of life.

Assuming majority of Nigerians understand and can assert their rights, government functionaries at all levels will sit up.

How have these governors managed state funds since coming to power? Have they managed the state resources with the aim of reducing suffering, hardship, illiteracy, sickness and poverty to the barest minimum?

Almost all the governors play politics with people’s lives. They fund projects that have no direct positive effect on the vast majority of the people.

The governors continue to put large sums of money aside in preparation for elections and to promote their future political and economic interests.

Let us assume the governors as state chief executives prioritize security. There’s no doubt that the unbelievable security vote available to them is enough to fight and defeat insecurity.

If the 36 state governors put enough resources to mobilize forces to secure their states, I’m not sure the hoodlums on our streets would muster so much guts to unleash mayhem on our people. The hoodlums parading our streets have been so emboldened in engaging in kidnapping, maiming and killing because there is no serious threat coming from anywhere.

Some of our governors rather spend billions to ensure maximum security for themselves and their families than protecting the lives of their people. With the huge resources available at their disposal the governors can invest massively in agriculture and there will be less hunger in the land. They ought to approach this sector with maximum commitment.

Nigeria has no reason to cry about high cost of food items. No reason. It is all about interest, focus and organisation. The provision of food items at affordable prices will discourage the crowd usually seen at our hospitals. People no longer eat healthy foods regularly due to their high costs.

How much do states budget for agriculture? How serious do the states attach to agriculture? Where are the farms owned and farmed by the state governments?

It is shocking that the states do not pay priority attention to food production and supply. For instance, children need milk to grow healthy yet, most Nigerian children do not see milk daily to take because it is expensive for their parents to afford.

The health sector that is supposed to be a primary focus of the governors does not meet with the desired attention. The doctors, nurses and other medical support staff always complain of poor welfare packages. Health facilities in the hospitals are obsolete. In some cases they are not available. Patients cannot buy the needed drugs because they are highly expensive.

When a government does not invest in the health of the people, how else are they working for the people? Why are they actually in power?

Why are the state governments not organizing and supporting the private sector to be more productive and helpful in employment and training of our young school leavers? Just why? In some major cities in Nigeria, there are talented youths rusting away for lack of support.

That the country is in dire economic trauma is because our state governors are not judiciously utilizing the resources in their control. What are these men heading our state governments doing with the billions they receive every month?

They are good at building structures but, structures alone do not add value to the lives of the people. When the state governors are not focusing attention on job creation, they are inadvertently enhancing poverty, crime and underdevelopment.

The governors of Nigeria can do the country a whole lot of good by investing in job creation. The money they receive monthly can perform miracles, if they choose to be up and doing.

There are large numbers of unemployed youths roaming the streets aimlessly. It is unhealthy to the society and, a time bomb in waiting.

There are several small and medium scale factories in almost all the states that need little financial aid and facilities to be in operation. But, no government looks at that direction. How then do they intend to create jobs?What is the essence of ministry of industry and labour?

The governors must be told that investing in human development is a sure way to build a greater, safer and secure Nigeria. If they are able to train and engage humans who can develop the country, the better for all. The governors need to add more premiums to people’s lives.

The population of Nigeria, especially its youths is a big advantage. The state governors need to realize that the reason they were voted into power is to promote a better living condition for the people and secure their future.

With the kind of money coming into the states account since June 2023 in the name of monthly allocations, the governors should declare free and compulsory education in our public primary and secondary schools while the tertiary institution students are given supports that will guarantee a conducive study environment.

Education is an important part of development. No country can make any meaningful progress without education. But in Nigeria, governments handle education with levity, with no serious commitment.

With little resources, Alhaji Lateef Jakande of blessed memory then as governor of Lagos state established free education for Lagos pupils and students. There were quality teachers, no tuition, free text and exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers, mathematical sets, furniture, etc made available for pupils and students. Why is it so hard for these modern time governors with all these billions of naira accruing to the states unable to declare and ensure free education for their children?

If our governors are practically doing what they are elected to do, if they are judiciously using the resources available to them, Nigerians, surely will not be going through this economic hardship we are all in.

Most of our governors are not really troubled. They are just comfortable enjoying the perks of office and power around their position. They use the state funds wrongly and as they deem fit. They ignore any serious investment in alleviating poverty and building their states’ economies. They don’t bother about the excruciating pains the people are passing through.

These modern day governors simply display wealth. They waste money on frivolous things. Instead of tackling the real issues they were voted into office to do. They junket round the globe at the slightest opportunity.

All the state governors since 2023 have received higher monthly allocations without disruption. Why are the people still living in abject penury? Why can’t the people go to the hospital when they are sick for better medication? Why are Nigerians not eating healthy food? Why are millions of the people unemployed and underemployed?

Rather than the quality of life of Nigerians to improve, it is speedily reducing to the abyss. But this should not be, considering the wealth in the country.

It is the wrong investment, bad management, and wanton looting of the treasury that has cost the country peace, unity and progress. We have become a caricature of countries of the world.