Governors, recession and ‘sacrifices’

The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) at a recent meeting in Kaduna resolved to make some sacrifices in view of the current economic recession in the country. Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai listed the sacrifices to include a reduction in their convoys and travels as well as stopping flamboyant dressing.Their deliberate […]

The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) at a recent meeting in Kaduna resolved to make some sacrifices in view of the current economic recession in the country. Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai listed the sacrifices to include a reduction in their convoys and travels as well as stopping flamboyant dressing.Their deliberate decision on these issues, according to El-Rufai, has already affected the operations of private jet business in the country which no longer thrives. 

This is a laudable development in the history of governance in Nigeria. For the first time in recent years, governors are collectively realizing that the excessive high cost of governance is a needless burden that should be cut down. Nigerians are also appreciative of theirmutual resolve to remain united on this matter. However, taking other additional measures to further lessen government expenditure on governors and their aides shall change the wrongand long standing perception of many Nigerians who consider political office holders as liabilities rather than assets, which they ought to be.

The measure toreduce their air travelscould be perfected further if they resolve to use economy class each time they have to travel by air. Indeed, it takes nothing of prestige, power or authority away from governors if they also travel by rail. Besides reducing traveling expenses, the use of train by governors for their journeys equally minimizes some of the risks they are exposed to when they travel by road or air. The budgetary savings that would accrue from these low profile outings of the governors could be deployed to make up for the deficits encountered in other aspects of governance in their respective states. 

Beyond the economic or financial sacrifices announced by the NGF are other sacrifices that could earn the governors a greater deal of respect, sincere love, undivided loyalty and much confidence from the people they lead. For instance, experiences gathered from successful leaderships have shown that it is because there are few leaders who are ready to sacrifice their interests for the common good of all that only few leaders today command the love of their people. 

Non-monetary sacrifices including time are appreciated better by people more than the sacrifices that involve a cut in expenditure. Unlike monetary sacrifice, the sacrifice of time or energy is such that is non-redeemable which is what makes people consider it more evaluable than other sacrifices. This may explain why, inspite of all the ‘other services’ rendered by Governor AbdulAzeezYariofZamfara State, his people were angry with him because of the time he failed to spend in the state with the people he claims tobe governing. Before now, he was accused of spending much of his time travelling outside the country as if Zamfara had become a state outside Nigeria. 

Even Governor AbubakarSani Bello of Niger State who came in to office with anobsession for oversea tripshas equally settled down; signifying that he listens to those who tell him what he should hear and not what he wants to hear. He had to settle down to immobilize his deputy whotookadvantage of hisregular time off to arrogate to himself powers that were not his.In climes where citizens know whatgovernance entails, the time a leader spends in the service of his people is appreciated more than the monetary impacts he makes.Nothing communicates care and support to people than the time a leader sacrifices for them. It illustrates the extent to whicha governor values his people when he makes time for his people. That also shows how he truly cares about their affairs. One of the best ways a governor can build trust is by investing time in in matters that concernhis people.

Other manifestations of the behavioral or attitudinal sacrifices through which governors could make themselves endearing to their people may include altruism and empathy. The giving away of privileges, rights or prerogatives by a leader to empathize with others and advance their cause is an expression of sacrifice.The willingness to give one’s privilege for the comfort of others is aparadigmof sacrifice. The willingness to put others first is a sign of genuine leadership. Our governors should understand that sacrifice is the heart of leadership and good governance. A governor is a leader who should predictably and dutifullylose the right to puthimself or his interests before the welfare of others.

A governor who used bailout funds to pay contractors at the expense of settling the arrears of salaries owed workers and pensioners cannot be said to have made any sacrifices in his choice of paying contractors before workers. Contractors are generally a preferential group to governors when it comes to payment. It would thus be seen as an act of sacrifice when a governor gives away his preference (i.e. payment to contractors) in order to pay workers and pensioners. Let us wait to see how many governors will utilize substantial part of the refunds they recently received for excess deductions from external debt service. President MuhammaduBuhari has urged them to use at least 25 percent of the refund to settle workers’ salaries and entitlements.

The kind of sacrifice a leader gives may differ according to circumstances but the principle, which remains the same, sees sacrifice as a symbol of good leadership.Since governors have expressed concern over recession and its fiscal effect on economy and governance, it would not be out of place for the NGF to extend their belt-tightening measures to issues of ethicsand conscience.Not many would though see such as sacrifices because the scandalous abuse of some privileges,for example, makes their abuse appear as acceptable standards rather thanexclusions. Toreduce the money spent on fuelling and maintaining the vehicles in governors’ convoys, Nigerians will appreciate their resolve as a policy to park all official vehicles by close of work at 4pm every working day. They should also engage their private vehicles for all assignments that are outside official duties.

Governorship is a position of leadership whichentails service. And service, it is believed, naturally comes with sacrifice. There can,therefore, be no leadership without service, just as it would be difficult to render meaningful service without sacrifice. May Allah (SWT) grant our governors and other leaders in positions of responsibility the will to make genuine sacrifices in the service of their people, amin.