EDITORIAL: Commendation To African Democratic Congress And The Will

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and THE WILL newspaper are to be commended for blowing the whistle on the misuse of government funds and abuse of access and privilege.

Yesterday’s lead story in a leading Nigerian newspaper, “THISDAY”, stated that, “Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Director-General of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Mustapha Abdullahi, over funds to the tune of N701 billion linked to Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), an association of All Progressives Congress (APC) governors”.

The patriotic outcry by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the expose by THE WILL newspaper has created the atmosphere whereby the arrest will and no doubt more arrests to follow, will not be termed as a witch-hunt.

The irony is not lost that the head of the energy commission of Nigeria is facing allegations, which he must answer that he’s completely unconnected with his brief to be at the command centre of sorting out the dysfunctional electricity system in a country that is starved of energy.

The issues raised go to the heart of Nigeria’s malfunctioning “semi-democracy” to use the words of the London-based Economist Newspaper.

The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) as a body is unknown to the Nigerian constitution. It cannot then be conceivably involved in the disbursement of government funds.

This is a constitutional matter bothering on treasonable felony and must be treated as such.

It brings up the fore issues relating to the legitimacy and as well as the acceptability of the 2027 elections.

With the kind of funds we are now talking about, it is clear that the elections will be a cash-and-carry affair as opposed to a contestation of ideas.

In other words, it is debatable whether it will meet any minimum standard of acceptability. This is looking impossible with the way we are going.

voters apathy will continue to increase and alarmingly will put pressure on the exchange rate Naira as foreign could be purchased in other to have lighter and more difficult to trace currency notes to use in the political process.

The people of this country are battling on all funds. It is now clear that the increased amount of money which should  have gone to the state governments for the upliftment of their people has now been recycled  for  political machinations rather than for their well-being.

This is why in spite of “increased allocation” there has been no trickledown effect to ameliorate the punitive effect of the harsh economic environment on the living standards of the people. This should be seen as akin to a crime against humanity. It also puts a break on the naive quest for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

A key element in attracting FDI is Purchasing Power Parity. The entuthiasim of the potential of the potential of foreign investors is predicated on the critical mass of the amount of purchasing power to buy is good and services.

This also negates the very reason for having democratic governance and those who champion a return to democracy must now roll up their  sleeves and realize that it will be very difficult for a pro-people movement to stand up for democracy and present an enjoying much needed alternative position. As it is Nigeria as of now desperately needs a convincing alternative to present dysfunction and underperformance leading to increasing misery while favouring a mini school pampered elite.