Political goods are the services, projects, and programmes, which modern nation-states are expected to provide for their citizens. They include security; laws, policies, rules, and regulations; schools and educational instruction; medical and health care; money and banking system; infrastructure (especially, power and water supply; road, rail, and air transport systems; and public buildings and spaces); environmental protection; and a forum for civil society.
Political goods are what Nigerians commonly describe as the dividends of democracy. In advanced democracies, it is normal for politicians to compete vigorously during primaries in their attempt to convince the electorate that they have better policies and programmes than their competitors. In the United States, where I have closely observed the political process for several decades, campaign promises are social contracts that politicians struggle to implement. That’s why, once elected, they often follow through on their campaign promises by routinely providing political goods for their citizens without fanfare.
Sometimes, where necessary, they ask the citizens in a referendum, if they want changes to certain policies or the location of certain facilities before taking any action. This is especially true of policies, programmes, and projects that may affect the citizens’ life chances or their wallets. In most cases, however, citizens often wake up only to find out that certain facilities have been provided, modified, or repaired, as appropriate.
I remember a time when a major overhead traffic interchange was constructed on the Atlantic City Expressway to provide an alternative route to the Community College nearby. The construction started off and was completed without fanfare. No President, Governor, or Mayor visited the site; only engineers and construction workers were there. There was no opening ceremony. Construction notices were removed as soon as the road was completed, and the people simply began to use it.
In Nigeria, however, the provision of political goods is an elaborate process, typically orchestrated as a major show. Take, for example, the construction of Ifesowapo Road, a two-kilometre road, linking Ilu Odo with Ilu Oke within a particular Local Government Area in a given state. In normal circumstances, it should have been a local government project. It is, however, not the case in these abnormal times, when state governments have cornered the allocations of local governments across the federation.
Accordingly, the construction of the Ifesowapo Road would begin with the governor breaking the grounds amidst singing and dancing. There will be food and speeches, thanking the governor for his kind gesture. There also will be occasional visits to the site by the Governor until the project is completed.
Then, comes the launching of the new road. The press will be invited to provide coverage. Big tents will be erected for the occasion. Local politicians and the government’s faithful, including relevant cabinet members will be there. There may even be a live band, entertaining guests as they eat and drink. Party supporters may wear “aso ebi” or at least a uniform T-shirt, properly designated for the occasion. Important personalities will be introduced. Usually, after waiting for a few hours, the governor would show up. Important personalities will be re-introduced. Prayers will be said, and speeches galore will follow. It is typical for speakers to thank the governor profusely for the project, as if he has done the community a special favour. The governor responds by cataloguing his administration’s achievements to date. Finally, some important personalities will move towards a make-shift tape, and the governor cuts it. The road is declared open!
Never mind that potholes will begin to appear on Ilosiwaju Road, while the edges will begin to chip off usually after one rainy season. Why? The road had no concrete foundation, and there is no gutter on either side for water to drain. However, when you examine the appropriation approved for the road as well as the contract sum, you wonder why there are no paved sidewalks on both sides of the road, in addition to a concrete foundation and side gutters.
Yet, from the inception of the project to its conclusion, millions of naira will be spent on ceremonies and site visits, usually on fuelling vehicles, paying tent and food contractors, hiring a band, and so on. The question to ask is: Why go through these expenses and not simply plough the money to more rewarding ventures, and then let the contractors and the appropriate state workers do their job?
A first line answer is that such ceremonies are central to the marketing of political goods as a part of the image-making machine of political office holders. How else will the people know that the governor is working if his projects are not advertised this way?
In order to appreciate the image-making function of such ceremonies, it is important to highlight the periods when projects are typically launched by state governors. They are usually done on certain key occasions, such as the anniversary of the governor’s assumption of office; around election time; or when a major federal official, especially the President or Vice-President, is visiting the state. In many cases, the President is lobbied to show up in order to shore up the governor’s profile.
Such launching ceremonies are symbolic of the waste of time and resources by Nigerian politicians. Such waste is particularly noticeable in the rites of passage sponsored by political office holders for their birthdays, the naming of their children, and the funerals of parents and relatives. True, some pomp and circumstance is occasionally needed to oil the machinery of the state. The problem with many a state governor is the difficulty in drawing the line between their own personal expenses and those of the state.
In this regard, it is instructive to borrow from the American political experience. In 2014, President Barack Obama hosted a 50th birthday bash for the First Lady, Michelle Obama. He had to pay for all the food and beverages, use of waiters and servers, set up and cleanup crews, and all other expenses associated with the party. It is all part of a longstanding practice that an American president pays for meals and entertainment for himself, his family, and personal guests. He also pays for other consumables, from tooth paste to dry cleaning. Taxpayers are only supposed to pay for official government functions. Taxpayers also cover the president’s rent and utilities in the White House, transportation, security, and medical care. The line between personal and state functions is drawn in the sand by the White House usher’s office, which presents the president with an itemised bill every month.
You can now understand why frivolous expenditures, such as launching completed projects, can never be covered in a serious democracy like the US. You may wonder why, of all things, the cost of launching a project would tickle my fancy. For one thing, constructing a road is among the legitimate functions of a serious government. There is no need to spend more money on the ceremonious launching. Moreover, as I indicated earlier, it is symbolic of waste in our government. Let us stop it and similar waste.
PUNCH
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