Blind support has destroyed many political leaders in the past. Sometimes, these support come in the form of ethnic, religious, or political patronage. I Thank God that President Goodluck Jonathan has finally realised this potent fact and decided to listen to the masses by exhibiting the rare courage of a true democrat by shifting grounds with regards the pricing of petrol. Unlike many may think, listening to the voice of reason does not in any way portray weakness. It rather gives beauty and strength to the political culture of democracy.
Right from the beginning when government announced the official withdrawal of fuel subsidy, I had come out to say, those who are appauding the decision do not love President Jonathan. I was convinced that this was not how democratic political leadership should be. There must be a linkage between vision and the people. The reason for my opinion is this: Democracy is centered around the people. Everything must therefore be done to protect the interests of the masses, most of whom cannot afford just one decent meal a day. The bitter truth is that the socio-economic framework of Nigeria is still too weak to sustain a further weakening of the purchasing power of the majority of citizens. The upward adjustment in the pump price of petrol by over 100% unarguably distorted the expenditure calculations of every Nigerian family, leaving the poor among us to hang on to gloom for survival.
According to statistics announced by the CBN governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, over 70% of Nigerians are living below poverty line. It meant that these Nigerians cannnot rely on their legitimate incomes to provide food, shelter, education, transport, and health care for their families. Apart from the problems of poor socio-economic infrastructure, the poverty situation in the country has been made worse by the high unemployment figures which is put at about 25%. Those supporting the withdrawal of fuel subsidy are not bothered about these facts. In most cases, they were simply carried away by government’s promises of what it intends to do with the money saved from the exercise. Others were touched by the opinion that it will help curb corruption. There is nothing wrong in all of these excepting the fact that they all failed to realise the consequences of ignoring the the prescription of the constituition in fighting corruption. Without doubt, the constitution is very clear about how to fight and punish corruption. It was therefore absurd for some persons, including Okonjo-Iweala and Lamido Sanusi to claim that members of the cabal are too powerful and cannot be tamed by the laws of the country. This is a shame. It was based on their wrong conviction that they advised the president to abandon the constitution and use the removal of subsidy to “punish” fuel importers that usually steal our common wealth in the name of fuel subsidy. This writer is glad that President Jonathan has identified this big lie and ordered the EFCC to investigate all fuel subsidy payments. This is the best way to deal with corruption- not using the masses as cannon-fodders.
My other argument was that it is government’s duty to keep our refineries working in order to avoid the importation of petroleoum products. Therefore, if it cannot do that, it should accept the burden of paying the subsidies and stop transferring the burden on the poor Nigerian masses. I had also argued that just as there are many ways to kill a rat, there are equally many ways to remove fuel subsidy. Of all the options, I had suggested that government pick that which will protect the interests of the 70% that are living below poverty line. Unfortunately, the option prescribes by Okonjo-Iweala and Lamido Sanusi was designed in line with the World Bank and IMF dictate. As in most instances with World Bank and IMF-prescribed fiscal policies, the 1st January announcement did not take into consideration the fact that over 100m Nigerians are waist deep inside the mud of poverty. It was for this reason I suggested that government choose a pro-masses option to remove fuel subsidy by ending the importation of fuel. No doubt, we will have no need to import petrol and pay subsidies if our refineries are working at full capacity. Nigerians should ignore the argument in some government quarters that our four existing refineries cannot produce to meet local consumption. This is a lie sponsored by the so-called cabal to mislead both government and the citizens of this country to validate the reason to continue importing and collecting subsidy for fuel imports.
While I hail President Jonathan for the exhibiting the courage of a true democrat, the Labour and civil society is encouraged to accept government’s offer with both hands. For one, those who stole our common wealth in the name of fuel subsidy will be brought to book. On the other hand, government should stop painting the shameful picture that it is incapable of stopping the cabal from looting our national treasury. All those involved in sharp practices, not minding their status in society should be made to face the law. This is one way government can win the confidence of Nigerians. No government; despite the genuine intentions of the leaders would succeed without the support of the people. I do not also want to believe that there are no credible Nigerians to keep the cabals at bay in handling the subsidy scheme while our refineries are being rehabilitated.
To all those who give blind support to political leaders based on ethnic, religious, or political reasons; I want to say the time has come for change. In shifting grounds, the president has practically confirmed the fact that the interests of masses are important to him. His aides and all those who claim to love him should not reason otherwise. In forming our opinions, let us always keep in mind our brothers and sisters that are deep inside the dirty mud of poverty. This is one way we can be our brothers’ keepers.
But above all, I want reiterate that many of President Jonathan’s aides are not of any help to him. Some of them are working to destroy him from inside. Some of these persons have sympathy for Boko Haram. Others simply give advises or prescribe fiscal policies that will pitch the masses against him. This is the reason why he must be careful.
Showing posts with label poverty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poverty. Show all posts
Monday, January 16, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
How Technocrats Destroy Political Leaders
Owing largely to the abysmal failure of democratic political culture to rapidly improve the welfare of man and society especially in Africa, many have come to hate or distrust politicians with passion. A larger part of the African society now frame politicians as unreliable. Citizens now see politicians as a bunch of unpatriotic, selfish, greedy, and corrupt people. It is mainly for this reason that political leaders who are desirous of writing their names in gold invite tested technocrats to help manage critical sectors of state machinery. Unfortunately however, these technocrats have most times ended up performing far worse than politicians do. One general excuse they usually give for their appalling failure is lack of free hands to operate.
To be fair to political leaders that do not give these co-opted technocrats blank cheques to operate; most of them go into government without the slightest understanding of the workings and foundational essence of democratic governance. They forget that political leadership is far different from the conventional leadership culture. While the later is largely influenced by Naira and Kobo (urge to make profit), political leadership seeks to meet the diverse needs of the governed. Sometimes, this fundamental goal of democratic governance is achieved with state accounts in the red. It is in recognition of this fact that the concept of Foreign Reserves and Sovereign Wealth Fund became popular in many advanced democracies. The idea was to ensure that commercial concerns do not in any way deny citizens the good things of life. After all, democracy is all about the people.
It is not enough to flaunt tittles and labels as most of our professionals do. For a country like Nigeria where a greater percentage of her citizens are living below poverty line, common sense should tell us that our economic experts and fiscal policy formulators will need to be very creative to be able to design practicable fiscal templates that can effectively fight poverty. Somehow, the colourful debate that followed the federal government's decision to stop paying subsidy on imported petrol has brought to the fore one very sad fact: Our nation's economic experts and fiscal policy formulators are overpaid. This is because their output is far below what is expected of them. Apart from their being apathetic, they are clearly drained of practicable ideas to stimulate rapid socio-economic growth. What they do is to sit in front of internet-ready computers and copy the fiscal policies of developed countries. In doing this, they fail to realize that a lot variables such as population, technology, culture, literacy level, unemployment rate, and even religion influences the design and mode of deployment of fiscal policies. The truth is that a fiscal policy that is successful in Europe may not necessarily do well in Africa owing to several factors as enumerated above. Every country is therefore expected to study her peculiar situation and circumstances before designing appropriate fiscal policies to match.
The decision by the federal government to withdraw fuel subsidy is one of the fiscal policies erroneously copied from some developed countries. We must however not forget the fact that in those countries, the purchasing powers of citizens are strong enough to take care of their basic needs such as shelter, food, transport, health care, education, and socials. It is also necessary to point out that in the countries where our anti-subsidy apostles are drawing inspiration from, poverty level is clearly within the limits of a single digit. More than that, unemployment figures are tolerable and their public infrastructures are in excellent condition.
One question that readily comes to mind is: how much percentage of Nigerian workers are able to take care of the basic needs of their families from their legitimate income? Going by the statement of the governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, Lamido Sanusi; only about 30% of Nigerians can take care of the basic needs of their families. What then happens to the remaining 70%? Your guess is as good as mine.
Like I have, and will continue to insist, President Goodluck Jonathan means well for Nigeria. Unfortunately, just as George Bush was stampeded by faulty intelligence report to invade Iraq in 2003; overzealous anti-subsidy apostles have cleverly misled President Jonathan to support the removal of fuel subsidy in 2012. I am very confident that my position will be vindicated in the very near future. All over the world, political leaders that are known to be very keen in making a difference were more prone to making errors of judgment. The situation is worse with leaders that are mostly surrounded by people who believe a coin has only one side. Of course, President Jonathan has many of them around him. The earlier he realizes this, the better for him and the Nigerian masses.
Apart from the conspicuous fact that Nigeria's present socio-economic framework is too weak to accommodate the pressure of fuel subsidy removal, my opinion is further strengthened by the shallow logic put forward by the two major anti-subsidy apostles: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the minister of finance and economy and Lamido Sanusi, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. This duo will be quick to remind Nigerians that there is no fuel subsidy in Britain, United States, Germany, Spain Holland, and France. They have however deliberately refused to appreciate the fact that Nigerian workers do not earn as much as their contemporaries do in those named countries. Without doubt, Nigerians will accept to buy a liter of fuel for even N150 if public infrastructures are in excellent conditions and the salaries of public service workers are proportionate with what their contemporaries earn in Europe and America.
In fact, the most worrying aspect of the arguments in support of the removal of fuel subsidy has to do with how it will help curb cross-boarder smuggling of petroleum products and the curbing of corruption in NNPC. It is sad that both Okonjo-Iweala and Sanusi are convinced about the existence of corruption at the nation’s boarder posts and oil sector but not interested in going after those eating fat from it. The best they could do in fighting those stealing our common heritage is to punish the poor masses by increasing the price of petrol through the removal of fuel subsidy. Why are they afraid of the so-called "cabal" and not the masses? The masses are still largely ignorant. All of these must bother President Jonathan. This is because should anything funny happen today, both Okonjo-Iweala and Lamido Sanusi will be on the next flight to the headquarters of World Bank or IMF for immediate engagement. We should not forget our past too quickly.
While speaking at the 5th Annual Microfinance Conference and Entrepreneurship Award in Abuja, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi informed the whole world that a staggering 70% of the Nigerian population is living below poverty line. It was therefore shocking when one heard the same Sanusi turn around to argue that 70% of poor Nigerians who are already living below poverty line could withstand a further weakening of their purchasing power when fuel subsidy is removed. Who is not aware that the removal of fuel subsidy will translate to an increase in the pump prices of petroleum products? In the same vein, the prices of goods and services that has direct or indirect link with petrol will jump. I do not know of any good or service in Nigeria that has no link with petrol.
To make the Nigerians look stupid, the anti-subsidy apostles have been arguing that the poor do not benefit from the fuel subsidy regime. My not having a car does not mean I will trek to the farm, office, market, hospital, school, or church. We all know that transporters fix their fares based on how much they buy petrol. I therefore consider it as an insult for anyone to argue that it is those who own jeeps and SUVs that enjoy the benefit of fuel subsidy. The rich actually enjoys more of the subsidy but the truth must not be sacrificed on the platter of insensitivity. They only want to play to the gallery by attempting to paint the picture that government is against Nigerians living above their income. Let me remind the anti-subsidy apostles that millions of hairdressers, bar owners, restaurateurs, taxi drivers, internet café owners, ferry operators, bakers, and technicians etc spread across the country all benefit from the fuel subsidy regime in their own little way.
With an increase in the pump price of petrol, the prices of goods and services will jump. This will force more Nigerians into poverty as their purchasing power will be weakened. Families that for instance survived on N10,000 monthly will need between N20,000 and N25,000 for same purpose. Those that are already deep inside the mud of poverty will in this circumstance have no better options than to either starve to death or take to crime or prostitution in order to survive. While governments in advanced countries are busy designing policies that will strengthen the purchasing power of their citizens, the direct opposite is the case in Nigeria.
No one is arguing the fact that money saved from the removal of fuel subsidy can be ploughed into creating new jobs. It will however turn out to be a case of one who cares more about quantity and not quality. Of what good is it for government to produce a poor and wretched working class? I am referring to a working class that cannot rely on their legitimate earnings to take care of the basic needs of their families. This is one reason why corruption is gaining ground in Nigeria. Apart from the unemployed, even the working class citizens are so poor that everybody wants to raise extra money to meet the basic demands of life. Corrupt practices are the usually the best bets.
Furthermore, let me remind the anti-subsidy apostles that the new roads, health care facilities, schools, and rail lines that will be built with proceeds saved from the removal of fuel subsidy will not offer free services. Frankly, these projects will make very little or no sense if the citizens are too poor to pay for the services they offer. I am challenging the governor of the Central Bank, Lamido Sanusi to tell Nigerians what it means to live below poverty line. He and his co-travelers believe a coin has only one side. That is the only reason why they can afford to reason the way they do. After all, they do not fuel their official jeeps and generators from their salaries.
Sanusi had last week warned the masses that Nigeria will collapse in two years if fuel subsidy was not removed. To me, this is the greatest lie of the century. The lie was only aimed at instilling fear and stampeding unsuspecting masses to surrender their conscience to a bunch of unfeeling technocrats that have cleverly misled the presidency to accept to remove fuel subsidy. Their real intention is to blindfold and rob poor Nigerian masses to pay a few rich ones like them in the corridors of power. I am convinced that they will not clamour for the removal of fuel subsidy if their salaries were between N18,000 and N50,000 monthly. 70% of Nigerians earn just this much. My only consolation is that the masses are no longer as ignorant as they were ten years ago. President Jonathan must not allow any person, no matter his or her pedigree to put a hedge between him and the electorates.
Without doubt, President remains the most widely accepted Nigerian head of government since independence. For the first time, Nigerians ignored religious, tribal, and party sentiments to vote for a man the electorates believe has answers to the problems of the country. Unfortunately, he has allowed some persons to poison the trust and confidence the masses had for him.
While the west, through the World Bank and the IMF will make us believe that subsidy regime is unhealthy, critical sectors of American and European economies are subsidized to protect their citizens. As you read this piece, the EU is subsidizing agriculture and fisheries. Other developed countries subsidize housing, health care, education, or transport. It is left for each country to choose critical areas to intervene. These interventions, in the form of subsidy are aimed at protecting the purchasing power of citizens.
History will hold the anti-subsidy apostles responsible if Nigerian masses are forced to go out on the streets to protest government’s insensitivity. With the little I know about Okonjo-Iweala and Sanusi; it will be difficult for them to swallow their pride. This is because they have invested the whole of their pride and ego in the subsidy campaign. The truth is that, Nigeria is bigger than every individual. I therefore urge them to make the noble choice by retracing their steps and join minds with the masses.
In the first place, we do not have any good reason to import fuel. The federal government, like is in other OPEC countries should ensure that our refineries are operating at maximum capacities. With this, the pump price of petroleum products will drop. At N65 per liter, there are already credible insinuations that Nigeria’s petrol is overpriced. Among all the OPEC countries, it is said that the pump price of petrol is highest in Nigeria. This has left a huge question mark on the mangers of our oil industry. While insiders will not want the president to give a thought to all of this information, he must not stop asking salient questions such as: why are our refineries not working at optimum capacities? Why is petrol cheaper in other OPEC countries? He can get genuine answers from his lieutenants. There is therefore the urgent need for him to assemble stakeholders from the private sector to proffer solutions to the lingering crisis bedeviling the nation’s oil sector.
In order not to see fuel subsidy removal as a do-or-die thing, government should look for alternative means of raising money to service its budget. It can do this by reducing the number, salaries and allowances of government officials and their over-bloated aides. In addition to strengthening the anti-corruption agencies, a Wealth Verification (WV) legislation should be put in place to compel citizen to disclose their sources of wealth. Whoever that wants to build or buy any property worth N5m and above should first be compelled by legislation to file documents with the anti-graft agencies detailing the sources of the fund. This will make the job of the anti-graft agencies easier.
While in the developed countries, the rich make major contributions to the development of national economy, same cannot be said of Nigeria. All of the nation's transformation agendas have been built on the frail backs of poor Nigerian masses. The time has come for the rich among us to contribute to the transformational agenda of the present administration. From henceforth, a 5% annual national development tax should be placed on every luxury car, water craft, or mansion costing N5m and above. Local and foreign air tickets and accommodation in 3/5 star hotels should also attract a 5% national development tax. Through this way, the wealthy among us can be specifically targeted to contribute to national development. I have no doubt that Nigeria will save more than N1.3 trillion annually if the above suggestions are embraced. Poor and unemployed Nigerian should be spared further hardship that will arise from the planned fuel subsidy removal. Those in government must learn how to appreciate the feelings of the masses.
In advising the president, co-opted technocrats must bear in mind all that were promised the electorates during the campaign season. In case they do not know, the president promised to stand with the masses-not the rich, Okonjo-Iweala, Lamido Sanusi, World Bank, or IMF. This is one simple way most technocrats destroy political leaders. We must not stand by and allow them destroy President Jonathan! If we do, we would end up hurting ourselves.
To be fair to political leaders that do not give these co-opted technocrats blank cheques to operate; most of them go into government without the slightest understanding of the workings and foundational essence of democratic governance. They forget that political leadership is far different from the conventional leadership culture. While the later is largely influenced by Naira and Kobo (urge to make profit), political leadership seeks to meet the diverse needs of the governed. Sometimes, this fundamental goal of democratic governance is achieved with state accounts in the red. It is in recognition of this fact that the concept of Foreign Reserves and Sovereign Wealth Fund became popular in many advanced democracies. The idea was to ensure that commercial concerns do not in any way deny citizens the good things of life. After all, democracy is all about the people.
It is not enough to flaunt tittles and labels as most of our professionals do. For a country like Nigeria where a greater percentage of her citizens are living below poverty line, common sense should tell us that our economic experts and fiscal policy formulators will need to be very creative to be able to design practicable fiscal templates that can effectively fight poverty. Somehow, the colourful debate that followed the federal government's decision to stop paying subsidy on imported petrol has brought to the fore one very sad fact: Our nation's economic experts and fiscal policy formulators are overpaid. This is because their output is far below what is expected of them. Apart from their being apathetic, they are clearly drained of practicable ideas to stimulate rapid socio-economic growth. What they do is to sit in front of internet-ready computers and copy the fiscal policies of developed countries. In doing this, they fail to realize that a lot variables such as population, technology, culture, literacy level, unemployment rate, and even religion influences the design and mode of deployment of fiscal policies. The truth is that a fiscal policy that is successful in Europe may not necessarily do well in Africa owing to several factors as enumerated above. Every country is therefore expected to study her peculiar situation and circumstances before designing appropriate fiscal policies to match.
The decision by the federal government to withdraw fuel subsidy is one of the fiscal policies erroneously copied from some developed countries. We must however not forget the fact that in those countries, the purchasing powers of citizens are strong enough to take care of their basic needs such as shelter, food, transport, health care, education, and socials. It is also necessary to point out that in the countries where our anti-subsidy apostles are drawing inspiration from, poverty level is clearly within the limits of a single digit. More than that, unemployment figures are tolerable and their public infrastructures are in excellent condition.
One question that readily comes to mind is: how much percentage of Nigerian workers are able to take care of the basic needs of their families from their legitimate income? Going by the statement of the governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, Lamido Sanusi; only about 30% of Nigerians can take care of the basic needs of their families. What then happens to the remaining 70%? Your guess is as good as mine.
Like I have, and will continue to insist, President Goodluck Jonathan means well for Nigeria. Unfortunately, just as George Bush was stampeded by faulty intelligence report to invade Iraq in 2003; overzealous anti-subsidy apostles have cleverly misled President Jonathan to support the removal of fuel subsidy in 2012. I am very confident that my position will be vindicated in the very near future. All over the world, political leaders that are known to be very keen in making a difference were more prone to making errors of judgment. The situation is worse with leaders that are mostly surrounded by people who believe a coin has only one side. Of course, President Jonathan has many of them around him. The earlier he realizes this, the better for him and the Nigerian masses.
Apart from the conspicuous fact that Nigeria's present socio-economic framework is too weak to accommodate the pressure of fuel subsidy removal, my opinion is further strengthened by the shallow logic put forward by the two major anti-subsidy apostles: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the minister of finance and economy and Lamido Sanusi, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. This duo will be quick to remind Nigerians that there is no fuel subsidy in Britain, United States, Germany, Spain Holland, and France. They have however deliberately refused to appreciate the fact that Nigerian workers do not earn as much as their contemporaries do in those named countries. Without doubt, Nigerians will accept to buy a liter of fuel for even N150 if public infrastructures are in excellent conditions and the salaries of public service workers are proportionate with what their contemporaries earn in Europe and America.
In fact, the most worrying aspect of the arguments in support of the removal of fuel subsidy has to do with how it will help curb cross-boarder smuggling of petroleum products and the curbing of corruption in NNPC. It is sad that both Okonjo-Iweala and Sanusi are convinced about the existence of corruption at the nation’s boarder posts and oil sector but not interested in going after those eating fat from it. The best they could do in fighting those stealing our common heritage is to punish the poor masses by increasing the price of petrol through the removal of fuel subsidy. Why are they afraid of the so-called "cabal" and not the masses? The masses are still largely ignorant. All of these must bother President Jonathan. This is because should anything funny happen today, both Okonjo-Iweala and Lamido Sanusi will be on the next flight to the headquarters of World Bank or IMF for immediate engagement. We should not forget our past too quickly.
While speaking at the 5th Annual Microfinance Conference and Entrepreneurship Award in Abuja, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi informed the whole world that a staggering 70% of the Nigerian population is living below poverty line. It was therefore shocking when one heard the same Sanusi turn around to argue that 70% of poor Nigerians who are already living below poverty line could withstand a further weakening of their purchasing power when fuel subsidy is removed. Who is not aware that the removal of fuel subsidy will translate to an increase in the pump prices of petroleum products? In the same vein, the prices of goods and services that has direct or indirect link with petrol will jump. I do not know of any good or service in Nigeria that has no link with petrol.
To make the Nigerians look stupid, the anti-subsidy apostles have been arguing that the poor do not benefit from the fuel subsidy regime. My not having a car does not mean I will trek to the farm, office, market, hospital, school, or church. We all know that transporters fix their fares based on how much they buy petrol. I therefore consider it as an insult for anyone to argue that it is those who own jeeps and SUVs that enjoy the benefit of fuel subsidy. The rich actually enjoys more of the subsidy but the truth must not be sacrificed on the platter of insensitivity. They only want to play to the gallery by attempting to paint the picture that government is against Nigerians living above their income. Let me remind the anti-subsidy apostles that millions of hairdressers, bar owners, restaurateurs, taxi drivers, internet café owners, ferry operators, bakers, and technicians etc spread across the country all benefit from the fuel subsidy regime in their own little way.
With an increase in the pump price of petrol, the prices of goods and services will jump. This will force more Nigerians into poverty as their purchasing power will be weakened. Families that for instance survived on N10,000 monthly will need between N20,000 and N25,000 for same purpose. Those that are already deep inside the mud of poverty will in this circumstance have no better options than to either starve to death or take to crime or prostitution in order to survive. While governments in advanced countries are busy designing policies that will strengthen the purchasing power of their citizens, the direct opposite is the case in Nigeria.
No one is arguing the fact that money saved from the removal of fuel subsidy can be ploughed into creating new jobs. It will however turn out to be a case of one who cares more about quantity and not quality. Of what good is it for government to produce a poor and wretched working class? I am referring to a working class that cannot rely on their legitimate earnings to take care of the basic needs of their families. This is one reason why corruption is gaining ground in Nigeria. Apart from the unemployed, even the working class citizens are so poor that everybody wants to raise extra money to meet the basic demands of life. Corrupt practices are the usually the best bets.
Furthermore, let me remind the anti-subsidy apostles that the new roads, health care facilities, schools, and rail lines that will be built with proceeds saved from the removal of fuel subsidy will not offer free services. Frankly, these projects will make very little or no sense if the citizens are too poor to pay for the services they offer. I am challenging the governor of the Central Bank, Lamido Sanusi to tell Nigerians what it means to live below poverty line. He and his co-travelers believe a coin has only one side. That is the only reason why they can afford to reason the way they do. After all, they do not fuel their official jeeps and generators from their salaries.
Sanusi had last week warned the masses that Nigeria will collapse in two years if fuel subsidy was not removed. To me, this is the greatest lie of the century. The lie was only aimed at instilling fear and stampeding unsuspecting masses to surrender their conscience to a bunch of unfeeling technocrats that have cleverly misled the presidency to accept to remove fuel subsidy. Their real intention is to blindfold and rob poor Nigerian masses to pay a few rich ones like them in the corridors of power. I am convinced that they will not clamour for the removal of fuel subsidy if their salaries were between N18,000 and N50,000 monthly. 70% of Nigerians earn just this much. My only consolation is that the masses are no longer as ignorant as they were ten years ago. President Jonathan must not allow any person, no matter his or her pedigree to put a hedge between him and the electorates.
Without doubt, President remains the most widely accepted Nigerian head of government since independence. For the first time, Nigerians ignored religious, tribal, and party sentiments to vote for a man the electorates believe has answers to the problems of the country. Unfortunately, he has allowed some persons to poison the trust and confidence the masses had for him.
While the west, through the World Bank and the IMF will make us believe that subsidy regime is unhealthy, critical sectors of American and European economies are subsidized to protect their citizens. As you read this piece, the EU is subsidizing agriculture and fisheries. Other developed countries subsidize housing, health care, education, or transport. It is left for each country to choose critical areas to intervene. These interventions, in the form of subsidy are aimed at protecting the purchasing power of citizens.
History will hold the anti-subsidy apostles responsible if Nigerian masses are forced to go out on the streets to protest government’s insensitivity. With the little I know about Okonjo-Iweala and Sanusi; it will be difficult for them to swallow their pride. This is because they have invested the whole of their pride and ego in the subsidy campaign. The truth is that, Nigeria is bigger than every individual. I therefore urge them to make the noble choice by retracing their steps and join minds with the masses.
In the first place, we do not have any good reason to import fuel. The federal government, like is in other OPEC countries should ensure that our refineries are operating at maximum capacities. With this, the pump price of petroleum products will drop. At N65 per liter, there are already credible insinuations that Nigeria’s petrol is overpriced. Among all the OPEC countries, it is said that the pump price of petrol is highest in Nigeria. This has left a huge question mark on the mangers of our oil industry. While insiders will not want the president to give a thought to all of this information, he must not stop asking salient questions such as: why are our refineries not working at optimum capacities? Why is petrol cheaper in other OPEC countries? He can get genuine answers from his lieutenants. There is therefore the urgent need for him to assemble stakeholders from the private sector to proffer solutions to the lingering crisis bedeviling the nation’s oil sector.
In order not to see fuel subsidy removal as a do-or-die thing, government should look for alternative means of raising money to service its budget. It can do this by reducing the number, salaries and allowances of government officials and their over-bloated aides. In addition to strengthening the anti-corruption agencies, a Wealth Verification (WV) legislation should be put in place to compel citizen to disclose their sources of wealth. Whoever that wants to build or buy any property worth N5m and above should first be compelled by legislation to file documents with the anti-graft agencies detailing the sources of the fund. This will make the job of the anti-graft agencies easier.
While in the developed countries, the rich make major contributions to the development of national economy, same cannot be said of Nigeria. All of the nation's transformation agendas have been built on the frail backs of poor Nigerian masses. The time has come for the rich among us to contribute to the transformational agenda of the present administration. From henceforth, a 5% annual national development tax should be placed on every luxury car, water craft, or mansion costing N5m and above. Local and foreign air tickets and accommodation in 3/5 star hotels should also attract a 5% national development tax. Through this way, the wealthy among us can be specifically targeted to contribute to national development. I have no doubt that Nigeria will save more than N1.3 trillion annually if the above suggestions are embraced. Poor and unemployed Nigerian should be spared further hardship that will arise from the planned fuel subsidy removal. Those in government must learn how to appreciate the feelings of the masses.
In advising the president, co-opted technocrats must bear in mind all that were promised the electorates during the campaign season. In case they do not know, the president promised to stand with the masses-not the rich, Okonjo-Iweala, Lamido Sanusi, World Bank, or IMF. This is one simple way most technocrats destroy political leaders. We must not stand by and allow them destroy President Jonathan! If we do, we would end up hurting ourselves.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
ELECTORAL REFORM AND PDP's ROTATIONAL PRESIDENCY
ELECTORAL REFORMS AND PDP’s ROTATIONAL PRESIDENCY
There is no doubt surrounding the fact that democracy is the best form of government ever known to man. Even so, many democratic societies and its citizens still suffer gross underdevelopment and abject poverty owing to poor political leadership culture. This sad reality has elicited a whole lot of debate among political scientists, journalists, opinion leaders, and commentators on contemporary issues. The consensus opinion is that the masses have been robbed of their powers by the political class. It has become clear that political power no longer belongs to the people- electorates like it is supposed to be. As a result of this, the loyalty of political leaders is mostly directed at electoral umpires, god fathers, and kingmakers. It is for this simple reason that public office holders can afford to ignore the concerns of the electorates and loot the treasury.
In an effort to return power to the people, the late President Musa Yar’Adua stunned the world when he admitted openly that the election that brought him to power was faulty. He thereafter called for understanding and promised to carry out a holistic electoral reform exercise. Unfortunately, many Nigerians have failed to appreciate the true meaning of electoral reform and have therefore restricted it to mean the recommendations of Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee.
For the avoidance of doubt, let it be noted that the main aim of reforming the nation’s electoral system would be defeated if it is not done holistically. We cannot talk of electoral reforms when there is no internal democracy within the political parties. We cannot talk of electoral reforms when some key players in the nation’s electoral body- INEC are card-carrying members of political parties. In the same vein, Nigerians cannot talk of electoral reforms when political parties are allowed to practice undemocratic traditions such as rotational presidency.
One of the major aims of reforming the electoral system is to promote quality political leadership in the country. For this very important reason, whatever action or practice that would not support this objective should be jettisoned. Rotational presidency is one of them. Apart from promoting tribalism, the culture of seclusion is undemocratic. It creates bitterness among party members and also reduces the chances of sourcing for the best hands.
My opinion is not based on the fact that I and President Goodluck Jonathan come from the same state. After all, he has not said he is going to contest the presidency in 2011. Nevertheless, there would be nothing wrong if majority of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wants him to contest. This is the beauty of democracy. Power belongs to the people- not a party’s National Working Committee or Board of Trustee. This is the time when Nigerians should come together and work towards making every vote count and not wasting valuable time on issues that will divide the nation along tribal lines.
Perhaps, it would be necessary to highlight the reason behind the culture of rotational presidency. It is to a very large extent erroneously believed that one has to share the same tribal lineage with the president in order to secure a key appointment or win a big contract. This anomaly is hugely responsible for why tribal lineage is regarded far above every other factor in Nigerian politics. Frankly, tribal-based politics can only be rife in a country where the government pay mere lip service to the culture of transparency, accountability, justice, and fair play.
Just like I have submitted in previous write-ups, one of Nigeria’s greatest problems is tribalism. It is owing to the deep rooted nature of tribalism in the polity that successive administrations have not been able to effectively fight corruption in the country. There is an unwritten law in Nigeria that forbids citizens from exposing or prosecuting fellow tribesmen for corrupt practices. That is the reason why public servants that earns less than N12m annually will build mansions, acquire fleet of exotic cars, and own investments worth over N200m within four years without being asked to show proof of sources of funds.
Furthermore, tribalism promotes national poverty. It makes citizens to become lazy. In a tribal-infected polity, even people that sow nothing can reap bountifully simply because their tribesperson is in power. This is clearly against natural principle. The more we promote tribal agenda above democratic prescriptions, the closer we get to the source of our disintegration.
I do not know their individual names but most of the people championing calls for electoral reforms are carrying nametags that bear “Hypocrite.” That is exactly what those of them that support the culture of rotational presidency are. The reason for the reform must not be bleached to serve tribal agendas. And for those that are threatening the corporate destiny of Nigeria following speculations that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan may run for the presidency come 2011; I wish them well. They should not play God. Nigerian masses are hungry for good political leadership. Let the people be allowed to decide whom they want. It can be Jonathan or any other person. Let us stop playing God and concentrate on how to make our votes count.
There is no doubt surrounding the fact that democracy is the best form of government ever known to man. Even so, many democratic societies and its citizens still suffer gross underdevelopment and abject poverty owing to poor political leadership culture. This sad reality has elicited a whole lot of debate among political scientists, journalists, opinion leaders, and commentators on contemporary issues. The consensus opinion is that the masses have been robbed of their powers by the political class. It has become clear that political power no longer belongs to the people- electorates like it is supposed to be. As a result of this, the loyalty of political leaders is mostly directed at electoral umpires, god fathers, and kingmakers. It is for this simple reason that public office holders can afford to ignore the concerns of the electorates and loot the treasury.
In an effort to return power to the people, the late President Musa Yar’Adua stunned the world when he admitted openly that the election that brought him to power was faulty. He thereafter called for understanding and promised to carry out a holistic electoral reform exercise. Unfortunately, many Nigerians have failed to appreciate the true meaning of electoral reform and have therefore restricted it to mean the recommendations of Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee.
For the avoidance of doubt, let it be noted that the main aim of reforming the nation’s electoral system would be defeated if it is not done holistically. We cannot talk of electoral reforms when there is no internal democracy within the political parties. We cannot talk of electoral reforms when some key players in the nation’s electoral body- INEC are card-carrying members of political parties. In the same vein, Nigerians cannot talk of electoral reforms when political parties are allowed to practice undemocratic traditions such as rotational presidency.
One of the major aims of reforming the electoral system is to promote quality political leadership in the country. For this very important reason, whatever action or practice that would not support this objective should be jettisoned. Rotational presidency is one of them. Apart from promoting tribalism, the culture of seclusion is undemocratic. It creates bitterness among party members and also reduces the chances of sourcing for the best hands.
My opinion is not based on the fact that I and President Goodluck Jonathan come from the same state. After all, he has not said he is going to contest the presidency in 2011. Nevertheless, there would be nothing wrong if majority of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wants him to contest. This is the beauty of democracy. Power belongs to the people- not a party’s National Working Committee or Board of Trustee. This is the time when Nigerians should come together and work towards making every vote count and not wasting valuable time on issues that will divide the nation along tribal lines.
Perhaps, it would be necessary to highlight the reason behind the culture of rotational presidency. It is to a very large extent erroneously believed that one has to share the same tribal lineage with the president in order to secure a key appointment or win a big contract. This anomaly is hugely responsible for why tribal lineage is regarded far above every other factor in Nigerian politics. Frankly, tribal-based politics can only be rife in a country where the government pay mere lip service to the culture of transparency, accountability, justice, and fair play.
Just like I have submitted in previous write-ups, one of Nigeria’s greatest problems is tribalism. It is owing to the deep rooted nature of tribalism in the polity that successive administrations have not been able to effectively fight corruption in the country. There is an unwritten law in Nigeria that forbids citizens from exposing or prosecuting fellow tribesmen for corrupt practices. That is the reason why public servants that earns less than N12m annually will build mansions, acquire fleet of exotic cars, and own investments worth over N200m within four years without being asked to show proof of sources of funds.
Furthermore, tribalism promotes national poverty. It makes citizens to become lazy. In a tribal-infected polity, even people that sow nothing can reap bountifully simply because their tribesperson is in power. This is clearly against natural principle. The more we promote tribal agenda above democratic prescriptions, the closer we get to the source of our disintegration.
I do not know their individual names but most of the people championing calls for electoral reforms are carrying nametags that bear “Hypocrite.” That is exactly what those of them that support the culture of rotational presidency are. The reason for the reform must not be bleached to serve tribal agendas. And for those that are threatening the corporate destiny of Nigeria following speculations that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan may run for the presidency come 2011; I wish them well. They should not play God. Nigerian masses are hungry for good political leadership. Let the people be allowed to decide whom they want. It can be Jonathan or any other person. Let us stop playing God and concentrate on how to make our votes count.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
NEED TO REJIG NIGERIA'S ANTI-CORRUPTION PROTOCOL
Corruption has been identifies as the mountain standing between Nigeria and her Promised Land. The prevalence of corruption has greatly discouraged the inflow foreign investments into the country. This is indeed a serious problem when viewed against the backdrop of the current economic order. It is necessary for our fiscal policy formulators and advisers to understand that Nigeria can only benefit from the culture of free market economy when the nation is able to win the confidence of the global business community. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s corruption and fraud index are still very high. This has discouraged many foreign corporations and institutions from trusting Nigerian citizens or investing in the country.
The bulk of whatever we still have as foreign investments in the country is tied strictly to the oil industry. Foreign investors still have some confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum sector because of its peculiar nature. In Nigeria, crude oil production and marketing is such that foreign investors have undue advantage over the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mostly because of the nation’s poor technological state. This has afforded the joint venture partners the opportunity to dictate terms and conditions of joint venture activities. It is in this light that the local content policy of the federal government is most welcome. If properly monitored, Nigeria will save billions of dollars spent annually on the fabrication, installation, and maintenance oil industry utilities.
It is for all these reasons that the federal government has channelled huge material and human resources towards fighting corruption especially in the last ten years. Nevertheless, it would not be out of place to argue that not much have been achieved when viewed against the backdrop of the number of high profile corruption cases being unearthed daily by the nation’s anti-graft agencies. This sad development is enough reason for government to rejig the nation’s anti-graft protocol.
To a very large extent, current anti-corruption efforts are focused mainly on investigation, prosecution, and punishment of convicted offenders. Even at that, the logic surrounding punishment of persons convicted for corruption is faulty. There is no justification for giving equal punishment to persons that embezzled different amounts of money. Take the case of two men- one embezzled N10m and the other, N10b but were all sentenced to two years prison term. Apart from prescribing long prison terms (minimum of ten years), every N1m of illegally acquired money should attract additional 1 year prison term. Through this, the weight of punishment can make some meaning. The current system where someone will embezzle up to N10b and serve a mere two year jail term is an insult on the sensibilities of poor Nigerians. If given the opportunity, many poor Nigerians would be too willing to collect N10m and spend three years in prison in order to escape poverty.
Nigeria’s current anti-graft campaign can be likened to pursuing a policy of cure, as against that of prevention. Government should consider legislations that will encourage citizens to live within their income. This should be done putting in place legislation that will compel citizens to disclose sources of income to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before acquiring properties or investing up to N5m and above. Whoever that fails to do so should be punished with a one year jail term and also forfeit the said property or investment to the applicable tier of government where the source of illegal money is traced to. Apart from discouraging corruption, the work of the various security and anti-graft agencies will be made easier and more efficient.
Nevertheless, government must have to tackle the problems of poverty in the country. Ordinarily, Nigeria is too endowed to experience problems of poverty. The inability of government to fight corruption and distribute national wealth evenly is the fundamental causes of poverty in the country. National wealth can be distributed evenly by strengthening of the nation’s socio-economic framework. To achieve this, the organised private sector will have to be energised to stimulate rapid economic growth. This would require stable power, effective transport infrastructure, friendly tax regime, and access to long term credit facilities among others.
Furthermore, government must also diversify the economy by encouraging the agro-allied and solid minerals sectors. Apart from contributing to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings, millions of high-paying jobs will be created. Clearly, unemployment is a major source of poverty, malnutrition, crime, and insecurity in Nigeria.
There is no doubt that over 80% of Nigerian workers in both the public and private sectors cannot rely on their salaries for the feeding, housing, transportation, health care, and educational needs of their families. Like the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), affordable premiums can be set to enable Nigerian workers and their family access quality health care services, quality education to university level, and ability to own houses commensurate with their income. Of what necessity is work if one cannot rely on his income to take care of the basic needs of life?
Nigerians should not allow themselves to be deceived by charges of “political witch-hunting” levelled against the presidency by highly placed citizens facing corruption charges. Are we saying, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) should not investigate and charge to court those sharing different political opinion with the president even when there are enough evidences to do so? This is not the best way to fight corruption. Until they are convicted in a recognised law court, such persons remain innocent. They should therefore submit themselves for trial and sue government for damage if they are eventually acquitted.
My sympathy for these highly placed Nigerians accused of corruption is tied to the proof that they do not have confidence in the judiciary. From all indications, the Nigerian judiciary can be entrusted with the freedom of the innocent and punishment of the guilty. Let us join hands and make corruption unpopular in Nigeria.
The bulk of whatever we still have as foreign investments in the country is tied strictly to the oil industry. Foreign investors still have some confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum sector because of its peculiar nature. In Nigeria, crude oil production and marketing is such that foreign investors have undue advantage over the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mostly because of the nation’s poor technological state. This has afforded the joint venture partners the opportunity to dictate terms and conditions of joint venture activities. It is in this light that the local content policy of the federal government is most welcome. If properly monitored, Nigeria will save billions of dollars spent annually on the fabrication, installation, and maintenance oil industry utilities.
It is for all these reasons that the federal government has channelled huge material and human resources towards fighting corruption especially in the last ten years. Nevertheless, it would not be out of place to argue that not much have been achieved when viewed against the backdrop of the number of high profile corruption cases being unearthed daily by the nation’s anti-graft agencies. This sad development is enough reason for government to rejig the nation’s anti-graft protocol.
To a very large extent, current anti-corruption efforts are focused mainly on investigation, prosecution, and punishment of convicted offenders. Even at that, the logic surrounding punishment of persons convicted for corruption is faulty. There is no justification for giving equal punishment to persons that embezzled different amounts of money. Take the case of two men- one embezzled N10m and the other, N10b but were all sentenced to two years prison term. Apart from prescribing long prison terms (minimum of ten years), every N1m of illegally acquired money should attract additional 1 year prison term. Through this, the weight of punishment can make some meaning. The current system where someone will embezzle up to N10b and serve a mere two year jail term is an insult on the sensibilities of poor Nigerians. If given the opportunity, many poor Nigerians would be too willing to collect N10m and spend three years in prison in order to escape poverty.
Nigeria’s current anti-graft campaign can be likened to pursuing a policy of cure, as against that of prevention. Government should consider legislations that will encourage citizens to live within their income. This should be done putting in place legislation that will compel citizens to disclose sources of income to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before acquiring properties or investing up to N5m and above. Whoever that fails to do so should be punished with a one year jail term and also forfeit the said property or investment to the applicable tier of government where the source of illegal money is traced to. Apart from discouraging corruption, the work of the various security and anti-graft agencies will be made easier and more efficient.
Nevertheless, government must have to tackle the problems of poverty in the country. Ordinarily, Nigeria is too endowed to experience problems of poverty. The inability of government to fight corruption and distribute national wealth evenly is the fundamental causes of poverty in the country. National wealth can be distributed evenly by strengthening of the nation’s socio-economic framework. To achieve this, the organised private sector will have to be energised to stimulate rapid economic growth. This would require stable power, effective transport infrastructure, friendly tax regime, and access to long term credit facilities among others.
Furthermore, government must also diversify the economy by encouraging the agro-allied and solid minerals sectors. Apart from contributing to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings, millions of high-paying jobs will be created. Clearly, unemployment is a major source of poverty, malnutrition, crime, and insecurity in Nigeria.
There is no doubt that over 80% of Nigerian workers in both the public and private sectors cannot rely on their salaries for the feeding, housing, transportation, health care, and educational needs of their families. Like the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), affordable premiums can be set to enable Nigerian workers and their family access quality health care services, quality education to university level, and ability to own houses commensurate with their income. Of what necessity is work if one cannot rely on his income to take care of the basic needs of life?
Nigerians should not allow themselves to be deceived by charges of “political witch-hunting” levelled against the presidency by highly placed citizens facing corruption charges. Are we saying, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) should not investigate and charge to court those sharing different political opinion with the president even when there are enough evidences to do so? This is not the best way to fight corruption. Until they are convicted in a recognised law court, such persons remain innocent. They should therefore submit themselves for trial and sue government for damage if they are eventually acquitted.
My sympathy for these highly placed Nigerians accused of corruption is tied to the proof that they do not have confidence in the judiciary. From all indications, the Nigerian judiciary can be entrusted with the freedom of the innocent and punishment of the guilty. Let us join hands and make corruption unpopular in Nigeria.
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