Today's Leaders Forum Praise 2019: NIGERIA DEMOCRACY; MOST EXPENSIVE GOVERNANCE - AbdulAzeez AbdulMaleek

Today's Leaders Forum, 19th online presentation and dialogue on Wednesday 11th December, 2019.

AbdulAzeez AbdulMaleek

In my usual tradition and because it is a staunch reality, I salute the tenacity and minds of getting things done by our principal and excellent convener, a very respected brother and leader, The Great Africa Talking Drum. I am very confident that the best of this forum is ahead of us and together we shall be part of that prosperous vision coming to limelight.

I am usually glad to come forward to share thoughts and ideas with team of this intellectuals and brilliant fellow countrymen and beautiful countryladies. 

This is because the tomorrow of our country rest in our convictions, resolves and sides we take to nation building.

Honorable men and pretty ladies reading this, I have been asked to give some touches on a topic, particular and relevant to cause of having an active and running nation. "NIGERIA DEMOCRACY: MOST EXPENSIVE GOVERNANCE".

How true is this assertion?

I am very informed to understand that you readers and listeners are conversant and very much aware about the realities that revolves round our democracy. As a nation, a people under it and governed by her leaders.

As a countryman, I am personally observant to review the major players and scenes that surround the birth and sustainability of our democracy. Our democratic reforms and moves to make it better.

Very frankly, Nigeria as a sovereign nation is built under jasmines. The multinationalities and variance in Nigeria cultural, ethnic, religious and tribal values are integral players and characteristics to access our progress as a developing nation. Nigeria tends to thrive and blossom under the threats of various diversities and differences.

Nigeria is running a very costly and hugely expensive democracy. When late and former President Umar Musa Yar'adua resumed to office as the President of this country, in one of the briefings he received within three months on assumption to office, he was made to realise that Nigeria spent a over of #1.4trn on political office holders and their activities per annum. 

That was a very shocking revelation but the truth. An institution Mr President have no power or any idea to cut the expenses and review possible ways to bring cost down.

Also, our religious and ethic groups demands posses serious concern in the conscious and unconscious demands from government.

However, we must connect the dots, access the variables and channel the linkages to the vision we expect a working democracy should birth.

Dear all, Nigeria operate a very broad executive council, maybe at federal or state levels. Ministers, Special Assistants and Advisers, both in the office of the President and Vice President. The statistics goes round at state levels too. The truth is, that is how it is all over there world, and they are essential to run an effective government. 

We similarly run a bicameral legislature and each section house numbers of legislators with hefty and bogus figures as take home at the end of the day. The same calculation goes round the judiciary arm. Each year, judges take promotion and elevation(on merit) and the cost of running judicial institutions remains the same or high.

Yet, as we worries about these big costs of governance, we must understand too that it is essential in sustaining our hard-earned democracy. 

While I may not submit to the claim that our democracy is the most expensive in the world, there are more than 600 countries in the world, I am not chance to check-in deeply. 

Obviously, our democracy is expensive, but possibly cannot be the most expensive. 

Nigeria is graciously bestowed with natural resources, human and immaterial endowments. We must sustain all. We must.

Recently, there was a "noise" that circulate around that there was a massive sacking of presidential staffs in the Office of His Excellency, Vice President. Opposition of the present government hyped this and as expected, the media fueled the claim. 

After all, the President at the airport upon his return from a foreign trip cleared the air that those staffs were not actually sacked as claimed but redeployed to the newly created Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. A fresh ministry short of staffs.

The government could have decide to recruit staffs, dish out opportunities for employment notice to Nigerians, and keep those staffs at their previous portfolios. I want to believe, no matter how short or possibly less insignificant that is, it is a move to cut short our governance cost.

A notable headache in this expensive democracy and a factor that seriously contributes to it is corruption. Sincerely, the political office holders makes governance expensive more than it tend to be.

My point majorly is, Nigeria democracy is huge and expensive to manage. As an homogeneous country and posed with challenges. We are recently having situations whereby government is prioritising capital expenditures over recurrent expenditures, that is awesome and laudable.

Our democracy is beautiful and we cherish it, maybe we believe or not, we serve as role model to many neighbors and other supposed advance democracy of the world. We must be alive to that fact.

We invariably run a kind of similar governance system with the United States, however, the cost of running those institutions is lower than what we have in Nigeria.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is not a crime to run an expensive democracy. Yes, it is not a crime. The crime is are we getting results? We definitely must have the end score of what we invest in.

Our executives must continue to serve their constitutional and ethical roles as administrators. Our legislators should remain the true picture and instruments of social engineering. They must make beautiful and life easing laws. Developmental laws, purposeful legislation and initiatives that better the citizens lives. 

Our judiciary should remain the strong institution it is meant to be and harness a ground for excellent judicial adjudication and fair litigations. 

Our democracy must run effectively and work to ensure the expenses on it is justified.

We may possibly not have solutions to cut down the cost, but with fairness and honesty, we can limit it. There was a time President Yar'adua ordered the return of unused funds in a fiscal year to the covers of national treasury. A similar thing happens under the present federal government leadership. 

This is to say with our honest mind to governance and service to the people, we can cut the costs, - in the little ways it appears before us.

Distinguish ladies and handsome gentlemen, may I put it straight that running government is not easy. It is cumbersome, truly costly and huge. In the little capacities we have all served, we understand this fact. 

Nigeria democracy is one of the best in Africa and the world, one of those variables that define it is the investment in maintaining its democratic institutions. However, every government will always wish(as it is essential) to maintain the status quo and project it in more beautiful light.

Our expensive democracy is not a crime, the crime will be not justifying the essence of its expensive-ness. Government and all concern authorities must show absolute patriotism, sincere and submissive hearts to governance, thus, the financial threats and worries will be functional and beneficial. Then, citizens could tame the exotic taste of democracy and enjoy its dividend.

May I thank you all for your warm attention. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and God bless you.

Thanks.