2021: The Final Lap, for Real Governance

By
Abdullahi D Mohammed






2020, the most turbulent year in modern history is gone, and, as most would wish, it's gone with the wind -- carting away pain, sorrow and destruction. The pandemic-plagued year had a disruptive effect on practically all spheres of human endeavors, across the world. It is an end, of an ironically eventful decade, which had all forms of tales -- from Brexit, to heightened and aggressive insurgency across the West African Subregion, to the seemingly end of populism, with the ouster, of President Donald Trump, from the global arena.

2021, like every other year, at its formative stages looks promising, but, that alone doesn't signify "better days" without better planning.
For Nigerian government, there's no better time to plan, restrategize and reprioritize key areas it had been found lagging -- security, economy and unemployment, than now. The exit date of this administration is 2023, but realistically, 2021, December, is all it has to perform, and convince discerning Nigerians it meant well by delivering on key campaign promises. By 2022, political realignments and politicking would have taken center stage, thereby, relegating governance to the back stage.

As it were, fortune had just smiled on this administration, to right the perceived wrong that characterized the style and conduct of leadership in the past years.
The fad, "BUHARRIYYA" which connotes undue sufferings in the land, is one which united Nigerians across the divide. The insecurity, recklessness and impunity in the land, almost had the country lumped alongside countries regarded as failed States.

A major catastrophe, which became the undoing of the administration is, the abdication and dereliction of its pristine role of protecting its territories. Yes, territories, not some urban centers with the presence of government and infrastructure, but, remote and numerous ungoverned territories, sprawled across the country.
These ungoverned territories, which lacks government presence and other infrastructure has become, the fortress of bandits and terrorists. Take for instance, northern Nigeria, especially northwest, Bandits imposed various forms of taxes and fines on communities, which, failure to comply, such communities risk attacks. Inhabitants of such communities are left at the mercy of the ruthless terrorist, who moves freely, unchallenged.

Fundamentally, the structure of a State is defined exclusively by its territories, and, firm control of its borders. Should a State fail to secure its borders, and protect its citizens, it would be fair to label such State, a failed State. The remarks by the President, that, "only God can secure our borders" clearly validates the position of policy scholars that, indeed, Nigeria has numerous ungoverned territories, which has seemingly become a haven for all groups to perpetrate their evil of unleashing mayhem and terror on innocent, defenceless and helpless Nigerians.

In 2021, government must look inward, identify and take firm control of its ungoverned territories and rural communities. Local Government administration of such communities without Federal Government playing supervisory role, is counterproductive. Most high profile criminalities like banditry and kidnappings usually occurred around such localities, simply because, the perpetrators knew the presence of government is non existent. If government is seriously inclined to end insecurity and criminality, which, had obviously not only embarrassed her, but, also disrupted livelihood, then the time to take decisive action is now.

The military, like every known structured organization, has an efficient administrative structures with, succession charts, and promotion. When the most Senior officer leaves, or get promoted, the Junior ones moved up. Every officer's dream is to rise to the topmost position of his chosen career. Such motivations spurred them to spiritedly put in their best, and deliver on any task, no matter how tricky. It is on this premise that, government must revisit the knotty idea, or calls for the sack, of Service Chiefs, whose mandate had elapsed, and their continued stay, hampered or stalled the promotion of younger officers that form the bulk of the fighting Force, both on, and off the fields. Naturally, these abuse of protocol affects the psyche of the younger officers, and the fight against insurgency and other form of criminality. Whatever the President's fears are, his personal motivation for keeping the Service chiefs should not, conflict, or compromise the safety of millions of Nigerians. 2021 had provided government a fresh template -- sack the Service Chiefs, change tactics and restrategize. Do that early enough, and watch how security in the country would improve.

In 2020, the education sector was among the worst hit. From the closure of schools due to Covid-19 pandemic, to the 9 month ASUU strike, students and parents groaned while the strike lasted. Thankfully, ASUU and Federal government had found a common ground, and, the Minister of Labour had vowed never to allow ASUU embark on another strike. Well, that remains to be seen, as government had a penchant for reneging on whatever pledge made. The Minister should keep good his promise and make 2021, and beyond, strike-free.
As the country's population continue to grow, the last wish is, having an uninformed, and uneducated population. According to UNICEF, there are about 10.5million out of school children in the country, and, the North takes the large chunk of the figures. This is coming at a time government declared as free, and compulsory, Primary Education. The Education Ministry must aggressively engage in campaigns, and, partner stakeholders to remodel the Home-Grown School Feeding Program in order to drive school enrollment. But again, the success of the program, especially in the Northeast and Northwest is dependent on the provision of security, which, signalled how critical security is, to the overall development of any country.

Data from the NBS, showed Nigeria's unemployment rate at 27% in Q2 which indicated an expected rise in Q3 and, if nothing drastic is done, the trend will continue well into Q1 of 2021. The unemployed youths formed the bulk of the population, and this portends a grave danger should the trend be allowed. Major startups drive and interventions, aimed at stemming the rise in unemployment, packaged by CBN and other government-owened agencies like SMEDAN, NIRSAL and NDE, have not been effective.
The bureaucratic bottlenecks, and oftentimes corruption had slowed the process. While competent and business-minded applicants had submitted proposal, beneficiaries are often chosen base on political affiliation, and kinship affinities.

The resilience and productivity of the Nigerian youth is not in doubt, If government can provide electricity, most small scale industries could employ thousands, and lift many out of poverty. The power sector is one critical area the government must give priority to, because it has the capacity to create employment while sustaining existing ones.
Failure to tackle the menace of unemployment is akin to shooting one's foot, as together with school dropout, they're by-products of insecurity. Most of those caught in the act, usually confess, using the lame excuse of unemployment as reasons for engaging in criminality. As the year begins, government must focus on aggressive job creation if it wished to end insecurity that almost overwhelmed security operatives.

Good governance is a recipe for a smooth running of any administration. The political class or actors should, at least, allow public officials focus on providing good governance as time is ticking. 2021, is obviously the only time left for any meaningful governance. The electorate and constituents of elected officials owed the country a favor of not returning failed elected officials to power. The blame of ineptitude of this administration should be shared among elected officials or representatives. Most of them seldom contribute at plenary, but, rather sit or sleep during the session. The year should be an assessment one, for electorate to pass vote of confidence on representatives.
Obviously, the malaise, eating deep on our collective existence as a nation is not defined along party lines, as, both parties are culpable. As a people, we live with choices and consequence of decision we make. But, there are moments to redeem such decisions, which, the New Year provides.

2020, had bruised and left a scar, on the nation, and our livelihoods. Politicians, failed to heal the wound. At a time the pandemic was ravaging homes, they had stockpile of food and non food items meant for the most vulnerable at various warehouses. This level of impunity and insensitivity should be registered, in our assessment scorecard, in 2021.

Public officials, especially Presidential aides are ungratifyingly greedy, and should carry most of the blame of happenings in the country. They unwittingly lie, twist narratives and sell to the senile President. Any dissenting voice, or, critic of the administration is branded enemy. But, the action and inactions of the President has exposed him for who he truly is, and, the citizens had passed a judgement. No amount of alternative facts can change what is in the public domain.

The one wish, in the minds of all is -- never to have a replica, or relive the memories of 2020, and what our leaders did to us. That can be achieved when we take action and, hold our officials and representatives accountable in 2021, and beyond.

Happy New year.

Abdullahi D Mohammed is with the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the Ahmadu Bello University-Zaria.
He writes from Kano.
abdullahkidnyce@gmail.com