Why governorship elections are as important as presidential poll
Since the conclusion of the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections, it appears there has been a decline in the political interests of many young Nigerians. With the governorship and state assembly elections set for March 18, 2023, there are a lot of reasons to pay attention to the state elections.
Here, we look at five reasons why the governorship election is as important as the presidential election.
State Development: Governors play a key role in the development of their states. Through their policies and programs, they can create an enabling environment that promotes economic growth, job creation, and social progress. However, the inability of elected governors to devise means to generate revenue has financially incapacitated several states in Nigeria, resulting in a backlog of unpaid salaries, pensions, and has resulted in many being financially reliant on monthly federal allocation from the federal government for survival. As of September 2022, all 36 states, including FCT Abuja, are debtors, with Lagos, Delta, and Ogun having the highest debts. Hence, electing governors with the prerequisite knowledge to create wealth at the state level can help reduce the poverty level in the country.
Policy Implementation: Alongside the governorship election, state Assembly members tasked with the responsibility of making laws at the state level will also be elected. Preparing budgets and signing laws are some of the responsibilities of a governor as the chief executive officer in the state. Governors have the power to implement policies that affect the lives of their constituents. As such, electing the right governor is crucial for the successful implementation of policies.
With rising cases of insecurity, inflation, and youth unemployment, proper implementation of policies at the state level could steer Nigeria toward the needed recovery. Dr. Robert Ekat, Neusroom’s political analyst, decries the perceived trajectory noticed among Nigerians where many electorates refrain from partaking in gubernatorial elections.
“Federalism is hinged on the various levels of government, such that no level can obtain optimum success for the people without the other,” he said.
Healthcare: Governors play an important role in shaping healthcare policy in their state. They can create programs and initiatives to improve access to healthcare and ensure that their citizens receive quality care. Dr. Ekat said that “it is important for Nigerians to know that the state governments are closest to the people and have the capacity to impact the people more than the federal government.”
According to a 2022 survey conducted by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Ogun State ranked highest in the deaths of children between 0 and 5 years, with a record of 85 deaths out of 1000 children. This is followed by Ekiti State with a neonatal mortality rate of 53 deaths out of 1000 children. Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health, says the lack of access to healthcare is the main factor contributing to high maternal, infant, and under-five mortality in Nigeria. In Southwest Nigeria, where the mortality rate was high in 2022, 21% of children in the region were delivered outside health facilities. This worrying mortality rate, including out-of-school children, an endemic prevalent in Northern Nigeria, can be mitigated when credible leaders deem it necessary to provide basic infrastructure like primary health centers, schools, and roads to rural communities in their states.
Budget Management: Governors are responsible for managing the state’s budget. This includes allocating resources to different departments and programs, as well as balancing the budget. While they are responsible for creating policies that attract investment, creating job opportunities, and improving the living conditions of their people, budgeting that is within the means of the state is a core responsibility of state governors.
According to Economic Confidential, which measured the viability index of states using each state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) in 2021, Bayelsa, an oil-producing state, was one of the 31 states that won’t be able to cater for its expenditures without the monthly federal allocations.
While the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA) 2007 vested the control, regulation, and ownership of all mineral resources in all states in the federal government, governors can generate revenue through tax, attract foreign investors, and invest in infrastructure capable of generating income. Lagos State, the commercial hub of Nigeria, generated N753.3 billion in Internal Revenue in 2021, representing 40% of all Internal Generated Revenue of all 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Representation on the National Stage: Governors serve as representatives of their state on the national stage. They work with other governors and state leaders to advocate for policies that benefit their state and its citizens. While the presidency is the highest office in Nigeria, governors have significant power and responsibility within their respective states, ranging from managing state budgets to overseeing the provision of basic infrastructure and services.
Dr. Ekat said that for effective governance, the president and lawmakers at the federal level need state governors and state assembly members.
“Having a ‘good man’ at the federal level is not enough to offer society the needed progress. The state government is needed for uniform development. Hence, citizens must take an interest in state elections,” he said.
