By Obinna Oriaku
“The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Apologies to Sen. Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe.
Democracy has taught us that, most times, politicians can go off radar just to win the sympathy of the average voter. They usually appear sincere and innocent in their presentation.
After the current Governor made that speech that he would not touch the security vote while on campaign in Umuahia, I called him to correct the error and misconception about security vote, which has come to hurt four years after.
I also remember scolding a current National Assembly member on why he allowed the then governorship aspirant to go off radar on issues concerning security vote.
Then, the opposition, as symbolised by Alex Otti, believed that security vote was another conduit used by Governors to siphon money from the state. Even if he knew otherwise, this message was targeted at deceiving gullible voters.
I quickly called and refreshed his knowledge about the workings of government: that security vote is statutory and legitimate, though many Governors have abused this sub-head in accounting. He appreciated my intervention. Then, all these current praise singers were in the PDP, supporting their candidate.
The embarrassing discovery was that, within the 3rd QTR of the 2023 SFTAS report, Abia had emerged as the biggest spender under security vote, even higher than war-ravaged Borno State. Our exposure of this unsubstantiated spending made the state reduce what was claimed monthly as security vote, while emphasis moved to Research and Development (R&D), which has gulped about N60 billion from May 2023 till date. (Abia is now a research institute with associated consultancy fees.)
I’m not worried about the N23 billion claimed as security vote; my concern is that, while this government is busy paying themselves handsomely, civil servants and pensioners are left to rot under the excruciating pain of poor welfare.
A year ago, I wrote that my successor as Commissioner of Finance was alleged to be taking home close to N17 million monthly, and the government aides allowed it to slide since they knew how sensitive that topic was.
I wrote about each key media aide controlling about N25 million monthly each; they also did not make any effort to counter these claims.
I can also confirm that the same security vote for the House members, which this government raised objections to during the 2023 campaign as being unnecessary, has been baptised and legitimised.
The Speaker is alleged to pocket close to N50 million monthly, inclusive of the security vote; the Deputy, slightly below N20 million; and members, from N10 million. It means no House member gets less than N10 million as monthly take-home pay, outside other add-ons.
Today, Abia State House of Assembly members smile home monthly with about N10 million, while local government chairmen smile home with about N13 million monthly.
When this government started, the above-mentioned beneficiaries were busy brandishing very poor figures as their take-home pay. They blackmailed the government and the Governor before the public with the small amounts being paid as salaries and allowances.
Unfortunately, when these payments were enhanced, they deliberately failed to notify the same public.
While they are free to enjoy the spoils of office based on their official positions, due to the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, they have kept a blind eye to the welfare of Abia workers and pensioners. Unfortunately, they buy from the same market.
Under their watch, pensioners in Abia are paid 1,500k and 4,000k monthly, even as of last week, while some sections of civil servants are paid N23k, N55k, and N40k, respectively. They are also in agreement that gratuity will be paid instalmentally until 2031. Do we think, in good conscience, that these categories of Abians will vote for continuity or listen to the falcon?
These people campaigned and voted for this administration, hoping for a radical departure from Egypt. Today, the nostalgic memories of Egypt are still fresh among Abians, who may even prefer Egypt.
What is clear is that Otti’s administration does not care for any poor person or less privileged person. This has been proven on many occasions. You must be a Dangote or Air Peace before you can relate and enjoy like the Executive or Legislature in Abia. What about the Judiciary?
Oriaku, Ekwedike, is a former Abia State Commissioner of Finance
