Why Nigerian Governors Must Forfeit Half Of Their Salaries To Reduce Cost Of Governance

Rabiu Omaku

The open declaration of salary of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Professor Yemi Osibanjo as well the forfeiture of 50 percent of their salary come at a time the masses agitated for the change in Government, the declaration by the president and his Vice was a stringent step to reduce the cost of Governance.

The president will earn N28m in four years as against the N56m approved by law, Again the refusal of the head of Government to approved a whooping N400m for the procurement of bullet jeep to the number one citizen, Barely two months after the president assumed the exalted position he scrapped the controversial office of the first lady, Successive Government used the office as a conduit pipe to drain tax-payer money.

Is now time for other state Governors to replicate the president in all ramifications to save the cost of Governance, This step will go a long in making political office less competitive and less attractive as obtainable other country, Is now time for state Governors  to appoint persons of good character and behavior devoid of political considerations .

Is now time for state Governors to inculcate the current administration by scrapping the office of first lady where budget was allocated to such office which involved in wasteful spending, Is now time for state Governors to declare their monthly salary as well forfeit 50 percent of their salary, Is now time for state Governors to give vivid account of money accrued to state and Local Government, This will erase doubt in the mind of their followers.

Governors should make the reduction of salary of political appointees mandatory, Is now time for state Governors to trim ministries as well number of appointees ,Is now time Governors accord premise to the tenure and financial stand of the third tier of Government, The abolition of state/Local Government Joint account  for optimum, vibrant robust and virile result. Governors should abide by the provision of the nation’s constitution by conducting elections into the offices of chairmen and councilors. The appointment of Transitional Management Committee Chairmen in the third tier of Government negates the nation’s constitution.

However, every person should stand firm behind President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the present regime fulfills her campaign covenant with the people that chanted and paid the ultimate price for real change. We must as a people support total change that will expose gullible top Government functionaries in position of public finance.