See how our ruling elite has reduced governance with ignominy. Who cursed us? Who bewitched us? Are Nigerians under a spell?
Because only a bewitched people will clap when a President tells us the “cost of governance has been cut” while the suffering has been multiplied.
Let us be clear. Cutting cost of governance is not reducing your meals to once a day. It is not trekking from home to office. It is not stories for the press.
Cutting cost of governance is reducing the number of 50-man entourages on foreign trips. It is selling 5 of 10 presidential jets. It is merging 400 MDAs that do the same job. It is stopping 100 SUVs for one aide. It is cutting the budget of the presidency by 30%, not increasing it.
But here we are. Inflation at 34%. Food out of reach. Fuel at N1,200. Yet the budget for “welfare packages” and “new vehicles” grows. The number of ministers grew. The number of advisers grew. The convoys grew.
And the answer we get is: “tighten your belt.” “Eat once a day.” “Manage.”
Since when did poverty become a government policy? Since when did sacrifice become one-sided?
Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution says the welfare and security of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Not the other way around.
Leaders lead by example. If truly cost is being cut, Nigerians should see it in the budget lines, not in motivational speeches.
We are not under a spell. We are under bad management. And until those at the top start with themselves, asking Nigerians to suffer in silence is wickedness, not leadership.
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bcradle@ymail.com
