NGF wants indices for evaluating performance of elected officials
The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, and Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, on Saturday called for the setting of some indices to evaluate the performance of elected officials.
Mr. Amaechi, who made the call in Sokoto, while speaking at the second NGF retreat, said this would spur development across the country.
The NGF Chairman also urged Nigerian leaders at various levels to make conscious efforts to address the myriad of challenges facing the country.
“Nigeria is faced with lots of challenges, which can only be overcome if her leaders make conscious efforts to do the right things,” he said. “This retreat is coming at the right time in our national life when we, as leaders, must live up to the expectations of the electorate who voted us into office.”
However, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Mathew Kukah, who was a guest speaker at the retreat, threw the challenge back at the NGF Chairman, asking him to ensure the unity of the forum. Mr. Kukah said it was imperative for the forum to remain united.
“I would be failing in my responsibilities as a priest if I do not say this. Your duties and responsibilities as governors is to give us the confidence that we need. To me, you are 36 governors in this country and you must find a way to make sure that all of you meet in one building. No matter what it takes, you have to have that programme, otherwise, democracy is in danger, the future is in danger and you will all be held accountable,’’ Mr. Kukah said.
He assured the governors of his prayers and support, but urged them to live up to their responsibilities and give Nigerians a reason to love politics and politicians.
Mr. Amaechi said that the retreat would provide a unique opportunity for the governors to undertake an in-depth deliberation on the state of the nation and attempt to redress some of the challenges confronting the states.
He noted that it was also an occasion to renew the vision of the NGF, which was forced to split into factions after its election on May 24 this year. He said the Forum would utilise the wisdom and experiences of invited experts to broaden its horizon on national issues in line with its tradition.
Mr. Amaechi expressed hope that the governors’ resolutions at the retreat would provide lasting solutions to some of the challenges facing the country, adding that this underscored the wisdom in organising the retreat.
The retreat, he added, would enable the governors to collectively reflect on national issues and articulate the way forward for the country. He condemned the level of sycophancy in the country, which he said was inimical to efforts to ensure good governance and development in states.
He cited a situation where sycophants lauded non-performing leaders, saying this was not encouraging to the real performing leaders. He noted that this was somewhat responsible for the bad service delivery of some leaders.
Mr. Amaechi, who thanked the Sokoto State Government for hosting the retreat, also commended the state governor for the laudable development projects in the state. He pointed out that peer learning was the major hallmark in the Forum, adding that there was no doubt that the NGF members would learn a lot from Sokoto State.
The former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu, said that the actions or otherwise of the governors and those in leadership positions affected the way the common man sees democracy.
Mr. Ribadu, who spoke on the role of States in Deepening Democracy and Federalism in the country, said governors had to sit up and take their responsibilities seriously in order to deepen the country`s democracy. He added that corruption should also be avoided by governors if they must make genuine progress.
Mr. Ribadu maintained that good governance did not come by magic, but through strong willed political leaders who were selfless, sincere, committed and cosmopolitan.
The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, said that the syndrome of “godfatherism” in Nigerian politics was the bane of the country`s democracy. He noted that security, judiciary, INEC, the military and money were the tin gods in Nigerian politics that should be fought by politicians and those in government. This, he said, would ensure that the people became responsible for putting governors in office.
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto said that it was the responsibility of all the citizens to propel the country to a greater height. He said that at this time, those with the mandate of the people should bear the full brunt of the country’s challenges and sacrifice to find lasting solutions.
Mr. Wamakko said that the dream of the Nigeria`s founding fathers of having an enduring nation would only be achieved if the country’s current leaders were brave enough to accept future challenges.
Mr. Amaechi, who made the call in Sokoto, while speaking at the second NGF retreat, said this would spur development across the country.
The NGF Chairman also urged Nigerian leaders at various levels to make conscious efforts to address the myriad of challenges facing the country.
“Nigeria is faced with lots of challenges, which can only be overcome if her leaders make conscious efforts to do the right things,” he said. “This retreat is coming at the right time in our national life when we, as leaders, must live up to the expectations of the electorate who voted us into office.”
However, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Mathew Kukah, who was a guest speaker at the retreat, threw the challenge back at the NGF Chairman, asking him to ensure the unity of the forum. Mr. Kukah said it was imperative for the forum to remain united.
“I would be failing in my responsibilities as a priest if I do not say this. Your duties and responsibilities as governors is to give us the confidence that we need. To me, you are 36 governors in this country and you must find a way to make sure that all of you meet in one building. No matter what it takes, you have to have that programme, otherwise, democracy is in danger, the future is in danger and you will all be held accountable,’’ Mr. Kukah said.
He assured the governors of his prayers and support, but urged them to live up to their responsibilities and give Nigerians a reason to love politics and politicians.
Mr. Amaechi said that the retreat would provide a unique opportunity for the governors to undertake an in-depth deliberation on the state of the nation and attempt to redress some of the challenges confronting the states.
He noted that it was also an occasion to renew the vision of the NGF, which was forced to split into factions after its election on May 24 this year. He said the Forum would utilise the wisdom and experiences of invited experts to broaden its horizon on national issues in line with its tradition.
Mr. Amaechi expressed hope that the governors’ resolutions at the retreat would provide lasting solutions to some of the challenges facing the country, adding that this underscored the wisdom in organising the retreat.
The retreat, he added, would enable the governors to collectively reflect on national issues and articulate the way forward for the country. He condemned the level of sycophancy in the country, which he said was inimical to efforts to ensure good governance and development in states.
He cited a situation where sycophants lauded non-performing leaders, saying this was not encouraging to the real performing leaders. He noted that this was somewhat responsible for the bad service delivery of some leaders.
Mr. Amaechi, who thanked the Sokoto State Government for hosting the retreat, also commended the state governor for the laudable development projects in the state. He pointed out that peer learning was the major hallmark in the Forum, adding that there was no doubt that the NGF members would learn a lot from Sokoto State.
The former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu, said that the actions or otherwise of the governors and those in leadership positions affected the way the common man sees democracy.
Mr. Ribadu, who spoke on the role of States in Deepening Democracy and Federalism in the country, said governors had to sit up and take their responsibilities seriously in order to deepen the country`s democracy. He added that corruption should also be avoided by governors if they must make genuine progress.
Mr. Ribadu maintained that good governance did not come by magic, but through strong willed political leaders who were selfless, sincere, committed and cosmopolitan.
The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, said that the syndrome of “godfatherism” in Nigerian politics was the bane of the country`s democracy. He noted that security, judiciary, INEC, the military and money were the tin gods in Nigerian politics that should be fought by politicians and those in government. This, he said, would ensure that the people became responsible for putting governors in office.
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto said that it was the responsibility of all the citizens to propel the country to a greater height. He said that at this time, those with the mandate of the people should bear the full brunt of the country’s challenges and sacrifice to find lasting solutions.
Mr. Wamakko said that the dream of the Nigeria`s founding fathers of having an enduring nation would only be achieved if the country’s current leaders were brave enough to accept future challenges.
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