If You Must Keep Shouting About Tinubu For Every Problem, Ask Your Governors To Sell Their Birth Rights

If You Must Keep Shouting About Tinubu For Every Problem, Ask Your Governors To Sell Their Birth Rights

By Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah

Before embarking on the day’s discourse, let me commence by addressing a matter that may not find widespread favor among my readers. However, it is imperative to speak the unvarnished truth…CONTINUE READING.

The recent MOHBAD case and the nationwide commotion it has stirred serve as a stark reminder that our nation teeters on the precipice of turmoil. What makes this situation particularly ironic is that the impending crisis is not rooted in any significant issue but rather in the pettiness of our actions.

Currently, the entire nation has come to a standstill due to the demise of MOHBAD. This occurs in a country where hospitals routinely turn away patients, leading to tragic outcomes, and where countless individuals embark on commercial journeys only to never reach their intended destinations.

Amidst these pressing concerns, it is striking that many Nigerians have chosen to divert their attention towards clamoring for justice on behalf of a young Nigerian who, according to their own accounts (not mine), was involved in drug cartels and contributed negatively to the corruption of our youth.

They argue that the Marlian cult poses a serious threat to society, yet they vigorously demand justice for one of its alleged drug lords who has reportedly been wronged.

The underlying message here is that Nigerians often fail to confront their challenges head-on. In the midst of the global economic challenges that affect every nation, Nigeria’s response has taken a different, perhaps misguided, course.

Instead of addressing the root issues, there has been a widespread tendency to direct blame and anger solely at the federal government. In reality, it is the state governments, responsible for managing local government affairs and directly caring for their constituents, that may be the true culprits in this regard.

Recently, the National Economic Council (NEC) convened its monthly meeting, and upon careful observation, it became evident that each of the three tiers of government has its unique characteristics.

As the month draws to a close, government representatives have gathered in Abuja to distribute allocated resources, with the state and local governments receiving their designated shares as mandated by law.

Aren’t Nigerians raising questions about how the states and, to a considerable degree, the seemingly ineffective Local Government Areas (LGAs) utilize their allocated funds? Is it the expectation that the federal government should step in to cover the salaries of both states and local governments? Is there an anticipation that the federal government should take on the responsibility of constructing schools and industries within the individual states?

Now, let’s consider this candidly: Is there a single state in the federation where you won’t find at least one or two ongoing federal projects? Whether it’s the construction of roads, schools, hospitals, dams, or various other initiatives, federal projects are actively underway across the nation.

Now, regardless of the state you are from, ask yourself honestly if there are State projects underway in all of your LGAs. It has been demonstrated that if 70% of state governments performed even worse as the WORST Federal Government since 1960, Nigeria would have advanced significantly.

Why then don’t you use the same energy you use to criticise the FG to call out your State Governors and their puppet Local Govt Chairmen, if your state even has any?

If you find it challenging to inquire about how your governors are utilizing their newfound substantial revenue gains or what developmental plans they have in place, then it may be advisable to suggest that they consider selling their birthrights to President Tinubu and his administration .

This way, you could have an unobstructed avenue to question Tinubu about his contributions to your community.

Our traditional leaders receive substantial monthly allowances, often reaching hundreds of millions, to fulfill their roles in overseeing their communities. How frequently have you taken the initiative to inquire about the utilization of these funds from your Emir, Royal Majesty, Your Royal Highness, Sultan, Obi, or Oba?

After all, as Nigerians, none of us can be considered estranged from our communities; we all share a collective stake.

Perhaps there is a misconception that the substantial allowances traditional rulers receive are intended for personal indulgences or to support the acquisition of more wives.

Sometimes, I think our biggest problem in the country is that we don’t focus on the right things. Imagine you have a friend who’s the chairman of a LGA, but they can’t even fix a simple road there. You don’t call them out for their poor performance, but you’re quick to insult the President because you’re hungry.

How many people question their Senators who go to the red chambers to sleep about whatever resources accrue to the nation and how it is distributed throughout the three tiers? Until we recognise our hypocrisy, we will remain instruments in the hands of our leaders.

Take, for example, our current collective concern, which revolves around seeking justice for MOHBAD. While this is important, we must also acknowledge that some of our larger issues involve institutions that have failed us.

Our parents were killed by bad institutions, our loved ones were killed by bad roads, and children were killed by bad government hospitals because they refused to offer timely care to patients. It is critical to address these systemic issues in addition to unique cases like MOHBAD’s.

Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah is the Principal  and CEO of Bush Radio Academy.

Source iReporteronline.