We all love money, but not to the same degree. Some of us have a penchant for amassing large amounts of it, to the extent that it leaves one wondering what such ‘collectors’ intend to do with it. In the end, we die and leave it all to our inheritors, then meet the Creator and explain how such wealth was acquired.
The Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, reportedly claimed that his government rehabilitated five roundabouts in the state capital for a princely sum of N1.2 billion. This followed the recent denial by some Sokoto State officials that the governor had made a slip of the tongue when he publicly announced that his government had repaired 25 boreholes in the state at the cost of N1.2 billion.
The officials claimed that His Excellency meant to say N1.2 billion was spent on the construction of 25 new boreholes, not the repair of the same number. Still, N1.2 billion for the construction of 25 new boreholes seems excessively high.
I have nothing personal against the Sokoto State governor. He doesn’t know me, nor do I know him. Our paths have never crossed. I am only representing the voiceless multitudes of downtrodden citizens, many of whom, like me, are struggling daily to make ends meet.
Some people in the state have also alleged that the erection of the wire fence dividing major streets in the state capital cost N5 billion. It appears the governor has a fondness for spending billions of the ‘green stuff.’
What he plans to do with such amounts of money is unclear, but speculation might be close to the mark. It is possible the governor is amassing funds at the behest of some powerful individuals, or perhaps he is saving it for his re-election campaign. It is certainly not for his retirement; it is too early to speak of retirement.
Some past governors are now in the Senate, serving as members of the National Assembly (NASS), and some are ministers. They all share one thing in common with him—a deep pocket, courtesy of their past and present offices. It’s possible he has plans to join their ranks in the future. Or perhaps even rise above them, as the current number one, number two, number three citizens, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) are all former governors of their respective states.
He may also be preparing to join the ‘donation’ club. Many politicians do. He and the state’s First Lady seem like the type who would be ‘donating’ all the time. The media-created word ‘donations’ is a misnomer, due to the lack of a better word to describe the oddity. It is strange, if not outright wrong, to ‘donate’ to people what rightfully belongs to them, but has been misappropriated by those meant to manage it on their behalf.
Some of these so-called donors were as poor as church mice before they occupied their top offices, but they became incredibly wealthy after leaving office. These same individuals return to ‘donate’ to their constituents or to the state as a whole.
By the way, the Sokoto State governor should reflect on the whereabouts of his more illustrious countryman and former President Alhaji Shehu Shagari and the 19 ‘powerful’ governors of his time. Shagari and all but two of the governors have passed away, and Nigeria continues without their ‘powerful’ presence.
More recently, individuals like Malam Abba Kyari, the influential Chief of Staff to President Buhari; Malam Sama’ila Isa Funtua, an in-law to former President Buhari; Alhaji Wada Maida; former Senator Ifeanyi Ubah; Chief Emmanuel Iwanyanwu, and many others have all returned to their Maker, leaving behind fortunes worth trillions of Naira. These fortunes will be inherited by people, some of whom may have eagerly awaited their benefactors’ demise.
Most leaders in these parts seek or accept appointments to high offices primarily to serve themselves and, at times, their masters, rather than the people they are supposed to represent. As a result, many citizens are impoverished and malnourished in a country blessed by the Creator with abundant mineral resources. If these resources were properly managed for the common good, the widespread suffering due to high fuel costs, erratic electricity supply, and the near absence of clean water would not exist. These are basic services taken for granted in more serious societies.
Still, as the saying goes, one day belongs to the rightful owner. Sooner or later, that ‘one day’ will come for the people of this country, and by the Grace of the Almighty, it certainly will.
Labaran wrote from Katsina.
