INAUGURATION SPECIAL: ALL EYES ON ME
By Oki Samson and Yomi Oyelami
L-R: Governor, Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde; Governor, Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu and Governor, Abia State, Mr. OKEZIE IKPEAZU
When late US rapper, Tupac Amaru Shakur (1971 – 1996) did the acclaimed ‘All Eyes on me’ rap song, he was perhaps singing for himself or to some fans in the height of the ‘East Coast – West Coast’ feud. The song title has outlived him, though, and it succinctly describe the narrative of the new chief executives in various states across the Nigerian federation… all eyes of Nigerians are fixated on the state governors!
2019 – 2023 is the fifth in the unbroken chain of four-year terms of leaders elected in the fourth republic and is poised to be the most engaging of all.
This is because Nigerians are more aware of their rights and responsibilities, civic engagement and advocacy is on the high, the economic horizon seems clearer now and more youths are taking the gauntlet in politics.
Thanks to digital media, social consciousness is heightened and national discourse is on the front burner regularly. No sooner than a hashtag gains traction than opportunities are offered young Nigerians to ventilate their feelings. The intense conversation via these forums are really ‘shaking the tables’, anyone thereon should descend quickly lest he fall. And the nation is getting better by the knowledge sharing, information gathering and opinion molding that takes place on the social platforms.
More so, a child that was born in 1999 is now 20 years old. He/she has attained suffrage, and has likely had a hand in determining, for the first time in his/her lifetime, the crop of leaders who will pilot the affairs of the country. Plus, the median age for the country is about 18.4 years meaning that the political and economic future of the nation is at stake and her largely youthful population must be take priority on the minds of the elected leaders.
Here are 29 state governors that are taking the oath of office on 29th May, 2019. The roll callcomprises17governors that are getting another 4-year stay in their respective government houses and 12 new ones that are getting a fresh start.
According to the findings by Trek Africa Newspaper, It should be recalled that there are seven sitting governors owing to staggered elections in the states, viz. Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Kogi, Ondo and Osun states. This does not, however, absolve them from the ‘all eyes on me’ stance of the Nigerian citizen. Anyone who fails to heed the warning signs will only have his political relevance sacrificed on the altar of personally-induced ignorance.
Prime on the list for every governor, whether new, returning or sitting is the payment of the approved new minimum wage of N30,000. Any government that cannot abide by this new wage format should get out of the saddle. Working in a country like Nigeria is hard enough, to be paid like a slave is adding insult to the injury!
Yet, capital projects should not suffer because of the payment of salaries! It behooves every governor to take his face off the lean monthly federal allocation, the local government allocation because it will be disbursed directly to their account, and the Paris Club refund because it is over. It is time to look inward for internally-generated revenue. Thankfully, no state in the federation lack resources that can be turned to wealth.
ABIA –OKEZIE IKPEAZU
Governor, Abia State, Mr. OKEZIE IKPEAZU
The incumbent Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu got his reelection by the dint of hard work and sheer luck. The ‘made in Aba’ project and Enyimba Economic City are laudable projects which will generate funds to help the government deliver the dividends to its people. These projects should continue unabated while more avenues are looked into.
ADAMAWA –AHMADU FINTIRI
Governor, Adamawa State, Hon Ahmadu Fintiri.
Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri is not a newbie to governance because he was once the Speaker of the House of Assembly and Acting Governor in Adamawa state. He should have hands-on knowledge that would ensure that he hits the ground running. Agriculture remains a mainstay which Adamawa should focus on to expand its revenue base. Not just production alone, but to ensure that wastage is reduced to the barest minimum.
AKWA-IBOM –UDOM EMMANUEL
Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel.
Among other sectors, tourism is a revenue earner which the government of Akwa Ibom can expand and maximize in the second tenure of Udom Emmanuel. For example, Uyo is gradually becoming the home of the biggest Nigerian sporting brand, the Super Eagles. This is an opportunity that can open up other relatively unknown tourism sites in the state. An added advantage is that the people of Akwa Ibom are well noted for their hospitality to visitors. Education should form central focus also so that the toga of ‘houseboy’ and ‘house girl’ can be detached from the smart, young men and women of the state.
BAUCHI –BALA MOHAMMED
Governor, Bauchi State, Hon Bala Mohammed.
Education is a priority policy for the Bauchi state. It will be one cardinal point on which the new government formed by Senator Bala Mohammed will be evaluated. It may not be easy due to security challenges but it is well worth it for the sake of the next generation.
BENUE – SAMUEL ORTOM
Governor, Benue State, Mr Ortom Samuel.
Benue state remains the food basket of the nation. But the status is threatened by the security challenges in the state, farmers-herders clashes, inter-ethnic feuds are top on the list. Now that Governor Samuel Ortom has been granted a second term by the good people of Benue state, heads must think on how to handle the violence that is threatening the food sustenance of the entire citizenry of the country. Accusations and counter-accusations should seize without further ado so as to wage a concerted effort against criminality.
BORNO – BABAGANA UMARA-ZULUM
Governor, Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara-Zulum.
Governor Kashim Shettima surpassed expectations with his focus on education even in the face of insurgency. The world class education infrastructure the governor invested in will put the children in good stead for a brighter future. Prof. Babagana Umara-Zulum who served in the previous administration as the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement is expected to raise the bar.
Nigerians wants to share the success story emerging from Borno state in spite of Boko Haram, the Professor should do the honours.
CROSS RIVER –BEN AYADE
Governor, Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade.
Governor Ben Ayade, against all odds, has won a second term in office. He needs to ensure that the projects and programmes have direct impact on the people of the state. There are accusation that the Executive Governor has jettisoned projects from previous administrations. It ought not to be. Government is a continuum. More so, these projects were made successful by taxpayers money, they should be maximized. Making the best use of tourism facilities that are already available in the state is also key to revenue generation to bankroll the lofty ideas of the administration.
DELTA – IFEANYI OKOWA
Governor, Delta State, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa.
Ifeanyi Okowa has done a great deal of work in his first term as Governor. This second term should be a term to cement his work on the landscape of Delta. He should ensure that projects commenced are completed for the benefit of the people of Delta state.
EBONYI – DAVID UMAHI
Governor, Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi.
David Umahi has initiated some legacy projects in his first tenure. More work needs to be done. The people are yearning for proper packaging and distribution of ‘Ebonyi rice’. This is a huge task that the Governor should work on to make Ebonyi a state to be reckoned with.
ENUGU – IFEANYI UGWUANYI
Governor, Enugu State, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is blazing the trail for ecotourism in the country. The practice which promotes tourism but also ensure that the sites are left in their pristine condition is one that is worthy of note. The governor should put machineries in place to ensure that the blueprint of this project is not tampered with. In the same vein, mining of resources, especially coal for which the state is known for must be controlled so that it does not give a negative impact to the ecotourism potentials of the state.
GOMBE – MOHAMMED INUWA YAHAYA
Governor, Gombe State, Alh. Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya.
Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya has his first shot in the Government House. He has experience in the activities of Gombe as former Commissioner of Finance under Sen. Danjuma Goje during his eight-year stay as Governor of Gombe state. His hands-on knowledge should come into play.
IMO – EMEKA IHEDIOHA
Governor, Imo State, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha.
Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has won his first term in the Imo Government House. Entrenching socio-economic development is a task for him, projects that have direct impact on the standard of living of the people of Imo should take center stage.
JIGAWA – MOHAMMED BADARU ABUBAKAR
Governor, Jigawa State, Alh. Badaru Abubakar.
Alhaji Badaru Abubakar has won the second term by a landslide victory. The great work that has endeared him to the people should continue even in this new phase so that the people of Jigawa state can rejoice.
KADUNA – NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI
Governor, Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai.
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is the sitting Governor of Kaduna state and has won a second term in office. His achievements in the state has been worthy of note.He should continue this great work.
The violence in parts of Kaduna deserve serious attention. It is the atmosphere of peace that breed development.
KANO – ABDULLAHI UMAR GANDUJE
Governor, Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Governor Umar Ganduje has kep his seat against all odds. But he must make it good. If this second term will be a success story for him, cementing the commercial potentials of Kano state must be a priority for him.
The Governor needs the support of everyone. He does not need the wars of attrition, they will only dissipate his energies.
KATSINA – AMINU BELLO MASARI
Governor, Katsina State, Hon Aminu Bello Masari.
Aminu Bello Masari has won the governorship seat for the second term in the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari.
With insecurity, no meaningful development can occur. Engaging the populace in economic and value-driven programmes can mitigate the security threats.
Gov. Masari’s performance is his success primarily but is also a referendum on the capacity of the President to hold his state in one piece.
KEBBI – ABUBAKAR ATIKU BAGUDU
Governor, Kebbi State, Dr. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
Senator Atiku Bagudu has performed credibly as Governor of Kebbi state. His superlative collaboration with the Lagos State Government to deliver LAKE rice is first in the annals of Nigeria’s history.
Rice importation will greatly diminish by 2023 if this good work continue. Let’s take this partnership a notch higher.
The progressive thinking should continue, even in this second tenure in office.
KWARA – ABDULRAHAMAN ABDULRASAQ
Governor, Kwara State, Mr Abdulrahaman Abdulrasaq.
‘O to gee’, the people has shouted and they have acted with their votes, it is time for the new governor to reciprocate the huge support he enjoyed.
Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulrasaq is a successful businessman, he should set Ilorin, Offa and other parts of the state on the steady path of progress. The Governor has a huge task of economic development and sociocultural advancement before him.
His administration will not just be a success for him personally, it is also a litmus test for the APC as a party.
Will the people say ‘o t’ope’ or shout ‘o to ge’ again? The next four years will tell!
LAGOS – BABAJIDE OLUSOLA SANWO–OLU
Governor, Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
Babajide Sanwo-olu, fondly called Sanwo-Eko among the APC faithfuls in Lagos is taking his first shot at the Lagos House. More than the accolades, it is time to work!
While the predecessors have set a good precedence with landmark achievements, the citizens are hungry for more. Thankfully, he is aware of challenges in environment, traffic management, provision of pipe-borne water, the people do not just want them to be tackled on the superficial level but for the solutions to be sustainable. Lagosians demand sustainable policies. They do not want to sing the same old song in 2023.
Lagos will remain attractive to other Nigerians and foreigners as the commercial capital of West Africa, there is nothing anyone can do about that. What the Governor can do is to ensure that their needs are met and they can adequately pay for it.
Gov. Sanwoolu has his predecessors as his consultants, he should reach out to them. He also has Obafemi Hamzat, a quality performer and prime gentleman as associate, they should work together.
Lagos is ‘state like a country’, the combination of Sanwo-olu and Hamzat is the dream team she is waiting for!
NASARAWA – ABDULLAHI A. SULE
Governor, Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule.
That agriculture is the mainstay for Nasarawa state is not in doubt, however, food security should be next level for the state. The new governor should bring his expertise from the private sector to bear on this note.
Sustainability of the environment is also another task before Engr. Abdullahi Sule. Desertification is a major threat, the Executive Governor should see to this.
NIGER – ABUBAKAR SANI BELLO
Governor, Niger State, Alh. Sani Bello.
Alhaji Sani Bello has won a second term to be in the Government House as serving governor of Niger state. But indiscriminate drug use and addiction is taking a foothold with the youths in Niger state. More than just orders, the Governor must follow through and penetrate the nooks and corners with remedial policies to take out the youths that are neck deep in drug abuse. The programme must also encompass preventive campaigns to salvage those not yet introduced to indiscriminate use of drugs.
OGUN – DAPO ABIODUN
Governor, Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
Next to Lagos in the Southwest, Ogun state is doing great in terms of revenue generation. More needs to be done. There is no problem if the state is also ranking high in terms of social infrastructure and project development.
Several uncomplete projects dot the landscape of Ogun state, Prince Dapo Abiodun should step in to complete them to endear the population to himself.
The bordering communities with Lagos state also require huge attention. The incongruousness in areas like Ota, Agbara, Akute, Ajuwon, Mowe, Ibafo and so on must be looked into. It is to say the least shocking!
The expertise of the Governor is needed, if you will need to partner the government of Lagos state, please do, for the sake of Nigerian citizens under your auspices.
OYO –SEYI MAKINDE
Governor, Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
Seyi Makinde has a lot to do to restore the pride of the ‘pace setter’ of the nation. No excuses, no blame game, no complains, the people of Oyo state require nothing but service delivery from their Executive Governor. Identify great minds all across the length and breadth of the state, not leaving any constituency out, irrespective of party affiliation or religious creed.
Excellency Sir, more work and less talk is what will make you tower above the results of past leaders.
PLATEAU – SIMON BAKO LALONG
Governor, Plateau State, Mr Simon Bako Lalong.
Jos, nay, Plateau state is well known for its peaceful, accommodating and serene environment. Tourism can only thrive in such an environment which Plateau state is noted for.
Insecurity is now a problem. Maiming and killing is common. Governor Lalong should get to the grassroots – tribal chiefs, community leaders, regular citizens – to really find the cause of this unending crisis, so as to be able to deliver this state.
It is been a long time coming. In fact, Plateau state does not seem to have noticed a crisis-free year since 1999. This cannot continue! Governor Lalong should work towards restoring the glory of Plateau state.
RIVERS – NYESOM WIKE
Governor, Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
Youth restiveness is a major problem in Rivers state. It is fuel to security challenges in the creeks and deltas of Rivers state. Combating it is a key performance indicator for Governor Nyesom Wike and every other Governor that will come after him. Policies and programmes that will facilitate gainful employment of youths in the state is of utmost priority.
The governor needs to support the cleanup exercise of Ogoniland has planned by the Federal Government. Let politics take backseat in this noble project. A clean environment is clean for all.
SOKOTO –AMINU TAMBUWAL
Governor, Sokoto State, Rt. Hon Aminu Tambuwal.
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal has tested the waters during the first tenure as Executive Governor of the state. In the driver’s seat, the people of Sokoto deserve nothing more than taking them to economic and social benefits. Again, politics is over, posterity will retell the performance of the Governor. He should invest in quality education, train and retrain teachers, Sokoto is home to great minds like Usman dan Fodio, the state must be a high flyer in education.
TARABA –DARIUS ISHAKU
Governor, Taraba State, Arch Darius Ishaku.
In this second term, Gov. Darius Ishaku has been granted another opportunity to salvage Taraba state from insecurity. Yes, the support of the Federal Government is needed, but the state must be doing something and be seen to be doing something.
The WASH programme in partnership with international organizations is a laudable one. This is a great work!
Nigeria have yet to really consider the damaging consequences of these materials to the climate. May the country not lose her water resources to plastic pollution! If Governor Ishaku can make good his declaration of banning plastics in the state, it will be a first in the country. Get to work, sir.
YOBE – MAI MALA BUNI
Governor, Yobe State, Alh. Mai Mala Buni.
Alhaji Mai Mala Buni is the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress. This is his first time as an Executive of a state. This is more than politics. It is beyond party administration. It requires more than just playing party. It encompasses doing things that will favour party faithfuls and non-faithfuls. The people of Yobe demand a Yobe that will work for indigenes, settlers and foreigners. Build enduring institutions for the people.
ZAMFARA – BELLO MATAWALLE
Governor, Zamfara State, Alh. Bello Matawalle.
Bello Matawalle has his plate full for responsibility. But the biggest cut he has to take is to restore security into Zamfara state. More than what the military can do, projects that can boost productivity must be introduced. Education and skill acquisition must be taken seriously, engaging youths in entrepreneurship is another. The military will not do this, the buck stops on the table of Gov. Bello Matawalle.
The stakes are high. The level of awareness is high. The people want to see performance from the new Governors. It is time to work! All eyes on me, that’s should keep ringing in the mind of the Governors!
