By OBIOTIKA WILFRED TOOCHUKWU

From the book of origins and the philosophical ideas of great thinkers, we have come to understand that government was instituted to fend for the powerless, voiceless and helpless individuals in a given country. Therefore, it is abnormal when citizens begin to fight, discredit the officials of government whose efforts have been to bring finesse and sanity to the institutions and bureaucracies of governance. In our world today, working to win the approval we need or working to convince those around us, friends could sometimes be unconscionable. It may seem as a bait or a tariff that must be exerted from us to fulfill destiny. In that case, it’s only those at the corridors of power who would define opposition, criticism whether they could stand for persecution.

While we may look at the unending feud between former governors and their successors as a clog in the wheel of progress, it doesn’t just end there. The ripple effects of such altercation could be seen in some states like Lagos, Enugu, Kaduna, Anambra, Rivers and Kano. Both in the past administrations and the present ones, some of these governors had to succumb, persevere or abandon politics entirely. Some governors have distinguished themselves through their commitment to infrastructure development, economic reforms, social programs and good governance. These governors are clearly cut above average, paying attention to even small stuffs. It’s simply a matter of deep-seated personal pride and commitment. Nothing less satisfies them and they approach governance the way they would practise medicine, law, do architectural drawings, teach students; giving it a masterpiece of detail. It takes a lot of sweat to stand out just like a grand music, great writing, priceless art or quality construction would do.

Unfortunately, their efforts are often hampered by a myriad of obstacles that serve as thorns in their flesh. Some of them have witnessed adversaries within their party who deploy every available means to frustrate and discredit their hard work. They also face fierce resistance from interest groups, sabotage from corrupt civil servants, contractors and political godfathers who prefer a system that allows them to siphon public funds. In cases where governors seek alternative revenue sources, such as investments and internally generated revenue, due to inadequate funding from the federal allocations; they are as well resisted through protests and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

Oftentimes we get together and talk about things we’d like to change in our country. We blame the government and the institutions of governance yet we do not trust the governors and those leading us. Even though trust has become a deteriorating quality in our world, we must have to trust the instruments used by God to change the face of humanity. Many performing governors are targeted for their efforts in confronting criminal elements. This challenge not only slows down developmental projects but also puts the lives of the governors and their officials at risk. In Anambra State for instance, several forces in the form of cultism, kidnapping, ritual killings, unwholesome practices, propaganda etc have come up to overshadow the impact of good governance. Even when the government of Prof. C C Soludo has improved interactions, relationships with the public through radio, television programs; there’s still unjustified rage, vent, anger against the government.

Our feelings are not facts nor the reality. Past governments may have embezzled public funds, neglected infrastructural maintenance or could not fulfil their promises yet there is always something new, different with the personality of whomever that is in power. We can not give a black eye to all these as every nook and crannies of Anambra State are under repair, revamped to maintain the original plans and intents of the previous governments. Manipulated public perception can be a thorn in the flesh of performing governors. The prevalence of fake news and politically motivated misinformation spread quickly, leading to unwarranted criticisms.

We all have visions and ideals when we are young, but sooner or later we find that we have no power to make them real. We give up on our dreams and let them die; we let our ideals wither away. Do we also blame the government for such inconsistency? Columbus was called mad because he decided to sail the uncharted ocean. George Washington was thought to be mad when he decided to continue the war after the winter at Valley Forge, when thousands of his men had died and other thousands had deserted, leaving him only a handful of men. Many people have called Governor Soludo mad because he embarked on cleaning Anambra State of evil, blood and pollution. No one can be too sophisticated and reputable not to be called mad in our generation.

Finally, the federal government, civil society and citizens must rise to support good governance, ensuring that those who strive to build a better Nigeria are not continually burdened by unnecessary obstacles. We urge different state governments to keep doing the needful without abandoning special projects due to criticism or fear. A performing governor should be an asset to the nation, not a target for sabotage. However, for these governors to succeed in their transformative agenda, there’s need for greater public awareness, political will, systemic reforms that shield them from the disruptive elements that threaten their work.

•Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu writes from Living Grace Restoration Assembly Nkono Ekwulobia, Anambra State.