Governor Yari of Zamfara State: Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that Some politicians

has commended state governors for deciding to
reduce the number of vehicles in their
motorcades, their aides and other wastages as
part of measures to cut the cost of governance.
The politicians told the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday that the decision was
appropriate in view of the economic recession.

The decision of the governors was disclosed to
newsmen after a six-hour
meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC)
in Abuja last Tuesday.

The meeting was presided over by Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo.
Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, the 2015 Presidential
Candidate of the KOWA Party, told NAN that the
governors’ resolution was welcome.
“Anything that helps to reduce the
unacceptably high cost of governance is
welcome.
“The real problem, however, is: Why were
they wasteful before?
“What made us not to understand that
substantial portions of our resources should
not be used to cater for the non-essential
needs of individuals who occupy public
positions? Sonaiya asked.

She expressed optimism that the governors would truly overhaul
all spendthrift systems.

Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, the National Chairman of
the deregistered African Renaissance Party
(ARP), also hailed the governors’ resolution.
“This is a good development, though it will not solve
the real problem.
“The fundamental problem with our
government or governance is that
political leaders of Nigeria stepped into
the shoes of our colonial masters.
“That is the fundamental problem, and that is
why politically elected officers still see
themselves and are still addressed as Excellency
and so on,’’ he said.
He claimed that a senator or representative earned
hundreds times more than the average taxpaying
citizens.

He said that Nigeria would not
develop under such a situation.

The Deputy Chairman of the Peoples
Democratic Party, Lagos Chapter, Chief Ola
Apena, said that there was nothing to rejoice about
the governors’ decision.
According to him, they governors ought to
have taken such a decision long ago.
“I do not think there is anything to celebrate
about it; they have no choice than to cut down
their excesses and show concern about the
hard economic situation that has crippled lot
of families,’’ Apena said.

(NAN)