By; YUSUF ISHAKU GOJE
Today being 29th of June, 2023, is the one month anniversary of Senator Uba Sani as Governor of Kaduna State. While many will say that it is too early to assess his performance, nonetheless, in governance everyday counts. Every decision taken so far must be assessed based on its short, medium and long term impact – especially in ensuring that the ongoing appointments are round pegs in round holes.
Speculations are ripe that the visit to the holy land by the Governor and his close associates, including his predecessor and benefactor, is beyond fulfilling the religious rite but to finetune and finalize strategy and key appointments. The Governor now only has just about a month’s window to finish all the consultation and horse-trading that precedes the appointment of his Commissioners and forward the list to the State Assembly.
Many will recall that among the 16 bills signed into law by former President Mohammadu Buhari includes the Fifth Alteration (No.23) of the 1999 Constitution. As a result, the constitution now mandates the President and Governors to submit the names of persons nominated as Ministers or Commissioners within sixty (60) days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly; and for related matters.
This is in fulfillment of chapter 6, part 2, section 192 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which provides for the establishment of the office and appointment of Commissioners by the Governor of a State – in conformity with section 14(4). This is on the condition that the candidate has met the qualification for election as a legislator and confirmation by the State House of Assembly.
The heightened expectations is that on the return of the Governor, the list of the candidates for commissionership will be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for confirmation. It is expected that by now the Governor is inundated with office-seekers and lobbyists reminding him of favors, loyalty and support to be reciprocated. In all of these, the Governor must remember that the worrisome socio-economic development indicators will require the best of hands, not just political consideration, to address.
Beyond the minimum constitutional required qualification, need to recruit sector experts and ongoing political horse-trading to compensate loyalists, supporters and associates – the Governor must be circumspect with the knowledge that his legacy is what is at stake. The success of the Governor’s term in office will rise and fall on the quality of people he appoints, especially the commissioners. The Governor needs people who are not just elite politicians or technocrats but selfless individuals with leadership qualities and compassion to consider and ameliorate the short-term impact of policies and reforms on the people.
This is because with the current unpalatable fiscal situation and disturbing development indices of the State – the Governor will need to take difficult decisions in the short-term, with pain on the people, before the long term benefits manifest. Considering that the Governor campaigned on the mantra of continuity as expressed in the SUSTAIN blueprint, evidently, it is expected that some members of the past administration will be reconsidered. However, the Governor should check their capacity to empathize and connect with the people and civil society in carrying out their mandates – as this is important in shaping the public perception, buy-in and trust in the administration.
To ensure grassroots ownership, Local Government Council chairmen that have performed despite the fiscal constraint and have demonstrated capacity to meet the peculiar needs of people at the grassroots should be considered. This is more important as the Governor promised to focus on rural development.
The Governor should also consider affirmative quotas for women and youths, this will help the administration empathize and connect better with the residents – as women make up almost 50%, while youths below 35 years of age make up about 80% of the population. It will also be nice to see equity and fairness in representation along the three Senatorial zones as well as inclusion of other vulnerable groups such as the persons with disability.
In summary, the Governor should consider men and women of character, competence, capacity, credibility, courage, commitment, collaboration and compassion to serve as commissioners. The candidates must be people that can give governance a human face and who will not turn out to be political entrepreneurs to the detriment of the State and the Governor’s legacies. The praise or condemnation at the end of the term in office will stop on the table of the Governor, not the commissioners or aides.
Lets engage, ask the right questions and hold the government accountable.
Yusuf Ishaku Goje wrote in as an
Active Citizens
