Daily Independent (Lagos)
Dan Amor
12 January 2009
column
For a long while, this columnist had tactically resisted the temptation to do any perceptive or complimentary piece on any of Nigeria's 36 State governors.
Given the disturbing magnitude of the Nigerian condition: the widespread hunger and desperation in the land, the glaring absence of social infrastructure, the despondent state of the national economy and the alarming hypocrisy of the thieving governing elite, it would appear misleading and dishonest to circulate a contrary opinion. But it is only an incurable pessimist and time server who would fail to acknowledge the fact that in spite of our obvious shortcomings and in the face of all odds, it is yet a new dawn for Nigeria in some respects. Observers of the polity believe that at inception in May 2007, almost all the new state governors were in high spirit. Currently, among the 36 State governors, a few of them who are forward-looking, have come to the realization that even though liberal democracy can only thrive in a relatively prosperous national economy, the economy itself can only grow in a liberal and accountable atmosphere.
Again, to paraphrase Aristotle, the great philosopher and thinker, a life not examined is a life not worth living. Aside from a few of them who are in their second term in office, and a few others who reclaimed their mandates through court rulings such as Governors Peter Obi, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Adams Oshiomhole, majority of the 36 State governors will clock two years in office come May 29, 2009. Assessing their performances in office poses a very difficult task for the informed commentator or public affairs analyst. But with the benefit of a painstaking investigation, public opinion and random surveys on the governors, twelve of them met the criteria of this column and deserve our commendation in the period under review. Call it self-serving and biased assessment or what you will, it is your opinion and we are entitled to it. Yet, our adjudged twelve best governors are those governors who have not only demonstrated uncommon dynamism in the conduct of government business but also gradually becoming role models in their own right due to their unquestioned competence and commitment in extricating their people from the maze of social conflicts and the bondage of underdevelopment. The fact that at the moment there is an embarrassing inaction and high-profile inanities at the Federal level does not mean that some state governors are not working. Sometimes it is necessary for critics to appreciate and commend those who are doing well not only to encourage them to do more but also to enjoin others to emulate them.
Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan
- Delta State
The medical doctor-turned politician started nursing his governorship ambition soon after he was appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under former Governor James Ibori having distinguished himself as pioneer Commissioner for Health. Here is a man who would never climb the podium to invent rhetoric whose imports he never meant. He would have none of the grandstanding that has made most of our politicians agents of double-speak and deception. The astute technocrat always lays his cards open on the table within the general principle that, to all intents and purposes, honesty is still the best policy. The gospel according to the people is what Uduaghan preaches wherever he goes. Today, Uduaghan, 54, who is publicity shy, self-effacing and with a staunch political savvy, but who radiates charm and trust, is governor for close to two years.
He and a handful of well-meaning Deltans spearheaded the formation of the G3 political association, which he chaired, to harmonise specific interests under a more peaceful and progressive atmosphere. He did the impossible having attracted the minorities of Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko to now aggregate the majority in Delta State. That is the essence of the G3. At the threshold of his ambition in May 2006, he told the press that politics must have integrity and must be geared towards honest services. So that the primacy of honest services and integrity to the people - surely rare commodities in Nigeria - are the cannons by which the Delta State Governor plays his politics. For him, any promise made in the course of political engineering is a bond that must be kept. Thus, he has ensured sustenance of peace and his government is fair and just to all Deltans irrespective of party or ethnic affiliations.
As one who came to power not because he is from a particular ethnic group but because he is qualified and competent, Uduaghan is living up to his promise to end ethnic distrust in the State. He has generated mass employment and provided security in the state. Uduaghan approved 15% pay rise for Delta State workers and has opened Delta waterways thereby bringing development to the riverine areas of the state. Above all, Governor Uduaghan created the Delta State Micro-credit Scheme through which he empowers all artisans and small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the state. He is embarking on a scheme to revive Commodity Boards to strengthen and modernize agriculture in the state.
Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
- Lagos State
He is aptly called " The Unusual Governor". This is because of his uncommon passion and ideas to transform Lagos State beyond the bounds of human imagination. As Chief of Staff to the progressive and radical former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was only an unknown technocrat who worked behind the scene to ensure that Tinubu succeeded. Nobody knew that the lawyer-turned politician was responsible for most of the positive advancements recorded by his boss in Lagos State, except his boss himself. This was why there were uproars and back-stabbing among members of the State branch of Action Congress (AC), when Tinubu endorsed the candidature of Fashola much against the hope of many. Almost two years down the road, Fashola has confounded the bookmakers. Now, it is quite clear that Fashola was anointed as well as elected as one of Nigeria's brightest governors amid the brutal euphoria and skepticism from political opponents from within and outside his party, who dismissed him simply as an inexperienced, political upstart who would not understand the terrain of Lagos politics. But Fashola is presiding over a tenure that will endure as one of the most distinguished in the history of State administration in Nigeria.
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