The Wicked Nature of Nigerian Lawmakers and their ‘Understanding Girlfriends’

Call this an outpour of emotions, an expression of frustration of an ordinary Nigerian disappointed by a government that has neglected its duties, or whatever you may. But the truth remains: the Nigerian government under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not consider the daily plight of Nigerians, especially the ones drowning in multidimensional poverty.

The worst among us are in power, and we wonder why the country remains the way it is. It is outrightly insensitive that lawmakers who are seemingly connected to the people of their senatorial districts and constituencies, and who know that there are communities living without electricity, good road networks, and other basic amenities, would agree to buy themselves vehicles worth huge amounts of money, illegally.

Humans or Wolves in Sheep Clothing?

If you ever attended electoral campaigns at your constituency or senatorial district, you would agree with me that your favorite lawmaker made many promises. Some of these promises were to cater to the people, be accountable, and bring to bear the pains of the people, actualize policies and events that will naturally cushion the effect of the current state of the economy.

Reversely, many Nigerian politicians see their presence at any public office as an opportunity to be unfortunate. The Senator representing Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi, was answering questions from journalists a few days ago and blindly justified the purchase of those cars with different inexcusable arguments on National TV.

What was more condescending was the way his red tie perfectly described his lackadaisical body language, even though he knew that millions of angry Nigerians, including the poor and hopeless people of his senatorial district, would be watching him.

57 billion naira vehicles for lawmakers in a nation where the currency has fallen flat to 1,200 naira against the dollar and the inflation rate has skyrocketed to 26.72% as of September 2023 (CBN) looks like political witchcraft.

Karimi said that Nigerian roads all over the federation have lacked attention. In his words, “In fact, the government cannot have enough funds to work on those roads, and a private partnership arrangement was needed to work on the roads.” He felt that the roads were too bad, and lawmakers needed durable vehicles to navigate their constituencies. Hence the need to acquire the Prado SUVs. As soon as he was put under constant grilling by the journalist, he asked, “Is it only Nigerian Senators and House of Reps members that are using…?”

You can only be surprised at these comments if you do not live in Nigeria or if you are not a Nigerian with enough experience to digest the current realities, especially the obvious show of insensitivity exhibited by Nigerian lawmakers.

In any sane society, you would expect the lawmakers to divert the funds to repairing the roads, especially the ones that lead in and out of their senatorial districts and constituencies, or maybe pressure the Ministry of Transport to speedily work on roads across the board. Of course, unmotorable roads are a huge part of the problems faced by Nigerians every day. 

If cars worth 160 million are earmarked for over 360 aimless people, it means that 57.6 billion naira could be pumped into building roads, bridges, and drainages across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Right?

What Does the Law Say?

According to the Nigerian Constitution, the legislators have oversight functions, which include:

1. To improve efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of governmental operations.
2. To detect and prevent poor administration, waste, abuse, arbitrariness, or illegal and unconstitutional conduct.
3. To ensure that executive policies reflect public interest.

Also, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) says in the functional document found on its portal that the government should discontinue provision of houses and vehicles to officers whose allowances are already monetized. Section 84 of the Nigerian Constitution gives the RMAFC the power to determine salaries and allowances for public office holders. 

In the last published document by the body in 2007, it states that “members of the National Assembly are not entitled to operational vehicles; only a loan that should not be more than 400% of their annual basic salaries.” If the National Assembly is buying what it calls “operational vehicles” for its 469 members, then it is violating the revenue package put together for them by the RMAFC.

Foreign Romance over Local Love

The local automobile industry is truly coming up. Brands like Innosun, Nord, and GAC, which assemble and produce cars in Nigeria, are testament to how much we are constantly growing as a producing nation. Alas, our politicians prefer to patronize foreign brands like Toyota. If you swing a magical wand and ask “Why?” three times, Karimi will appear in front of a mirror and ask the journalist if he is using a locally made vehicle. Funny? He will go ahead to say that “Maybe as our local manufacturing plants develop, we would choose to patronize them.”

In every nation of the world where more people are using their brains, you will agree with me that the government motivates local manufacturers and investors to do more by patronizing and using the products and services developed by local entrepreneurs. In November 2022, the automobile company Nord Automobiles collaborated with UNILAG to set up an auto plant to assemble vehicles and drones at the institution. It was a decision to ensure that students gain hands-on knowledge about how the industry works and to spark an industrial revolution, reducing the import of vehicles in Nigeria and promoting the utility and possible export of Nigerian-made vehicles.

Also, three important ministries responsible for ensuring that this initiative works in every part of the country—the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance/Economy, headed by Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, and Mr. Wale Edun, respectively—are presumably aware of this development. If a 100-level student knows that to strengthen the currency, build our industrial stamina, and build entrepreneurial spirit in this generation, we must diversify the economy, then why are all these people silent?

Nigerians would rather keep quiet and strive under very harsh conditions than ask questions. Like two people involved in a romantic relationship, the government is the irresponsible boyfriend and Nigerians play the role of the understanding girlfriend. If you ask a random Nigerian how he feels about this, he will scream, curse, and express regret over voting for the politician. But as soon as the same politician comes to his constituency and gives excuses as to why he can't deliver campaign promises in a reasonable timeframe, the electorate starts to nod his head in agreement and even clap for the politician after the latter drops another round of unforgivable lamba.

Until Nigerians stick to asking their lawmakers and politicians important questions about how much they really care, how they plan to be effective, and what their thought process is before taking certain decisions, nothing will ever change. And should we start talking about legislators who only think that being a lawmaker is about pushing bills? We would get to that. But for now, Nigerians, when will you stop being an understanding girlfriend? WHEN?