When he was commissioning the new Cargo Terminal in Ilorin, Kwara State, President Goodluck Jonathan took a swipe at the current scramble and jockeying for political appointments. He was reported to have observed that the intense lobbying for political appointment detracts from the need for leaders to see their primary responsibility as one of improving the welfare of the Nigerian people. The President further observed that while economic development benefits the people, political appointments merely benefit the political appointees.
The comment of the President, made at a time when the nation is witnessing the usual scramble for political appointments following elections, is welcome. It will also raise the hopes of Nigerians that the President will pay very close attention to the need to appoint only Nigerians who will bring the values of selfless service and unquestioning commitment to the public interest into his administration. It is also important to remind the President that the army of political appointees in the form of Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants and Chairmen and Members of Boards, largely on political considerations, and not on merit which he himself will soon consider, represent an intolerable drain on the nation’s resources.
As the President and Governors get set to commence the execution of the mandates of the Nigerian electorate, the deluge of demands for appointment of political cronies, jobbers and sundry supporters into plum positions will pose serious challenges to them. Majority of these people lobbying or being lobbied for do not merit appointments into key offices of Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers or Chairman of Boards of Parastatals. Their sole qualification will be their political credentials, or whether they have contested elections, and were rejected by their people at the polls. Yet they will be appointed to take vital decisions and implement major policies and programmes for the Federal and State Governments for the next four years.
There is an even more disturbing issue regarding the appointment of persons without proven records of competence, qualification, integrity and exposure. This is the practice of appointing thousands of people as Special Advisers and Assistants by State Governors. These people do absolutely nothing but collect huge amounts from public funds at the end of each month in the name of settling political loyalists. Just about everyone can be appointed a Special Assistant or Senior Special Assistant by a State Governor without reference to any other authority, and without regard for the need to protect public funds. Resources which could be productively channeled into educating children of the poor, or improving health facilities for the rural population; or providing employment opportunities for young Nigerians are simply doled out to buy off political pressure and opposition by Governors. The salaries and allowances of 500 Special Assistants alone can build hospitals each month in many rural areas. Yet no Governor has been able to resist the pressure and to stop appointing them.
The elections of 2011 have thrown up major political problems for the Federal Government and most State Governments. The best solutions to these problems lie in making sure that governments work for the people with competence, transparent honesty and integrity and discipline. The first challenge for good governance is to set the right priorities, and stick to them. All governments must prioritize the creation of employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. Rehabilitation and development of basic infrastructure must also be prioritized. Investment in human capital, particularly in education and health must also be priorities. All governments must commit themselves afresh to the fight against corruption and waste, and Chief Executives, that is Mr. President and Governors must lead by example. The nation will like to see elected officials declare their assets immediately, and although the law does not demand this, they will be well advised to do so publicly. The protection and preservation of public funds is a very important responsibility of the leadership. The practice of doling out millions every month to political cronies who contribute nothing to governance or development must stop.
President Goodluck Jonathan’s government will make, or fail to make, a difference in the manner it chooses those who will make and implement its polices and programmes. Most of the people reported to have been submitted to him for appointment as Ministers or chairmen of Boards do not have the qualities or qualifications to lead this nation out of its current problems and challenges, and into a new era of real development and peace. If he is content to appoint political failures and expired politicians and entrust the nation’s affairs to them, then he should not expect the transformation he is promising Nigerians. On the other hand, he can look deep and hard, and go beyond his political comfort zone to appoint competent and patriotic Nigerians, of whatever coloration to help him achieve a real change in the lives of Nigerians. This is the only way his caution against political jobbers and in favor of real development for Nigerians will make sense.
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