The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in the February 25, 2023 polls, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has warned politicians not to steal or syphon public funds, but focus on genuine governance after their inauguration on May 29, 2023.
The former Governor of Kano State said this on Thursday in Minna, the Niger State capital, during a public lecture.
Kwankwaso spoke on the theme: “Addressing the challenges of socio economic development at sub national level in Nigeria,” during the Inauguration lecture of the Niger State Governor-elect, Umar Mohammed Bago.
He said the newly-elected Governors must to hit the ground running immediately after being sworn in.
According to him: “You must shun stealing and syphoning of public funds. All you need to do is to empower the people and provide genuine governance.
“You must invest heavily in education and security for the betterment of your people or you would regret in the future.
“You need to hit the ground running immediately after you are sworn in, if you must be a performing governor.”
The former Governor of Kano State, who was the Chairman of the event, revealed that lack of competence and knowledge are the main reasons some elected governors have nothing to show in their states after four or eight years of governance.
Also, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Mohammed Jega, expressed worries that money has been used to undermine the Nigerian electoral process.
Jega, who said bad governance was responsible for the present economic woes of the country, called for the need for public office holders to be transparent and accountable at all times.
According to him: “Good governance is supposed to be driven by selfless and visionary leaders to address the needs and aspirations of the populace.
“Nigeria does not only need good governance, but good democratic governance, which is indispensable because money has been used to undermine our Nigerian electoral process.”
In his remarks, Bago pledged to surpass the expectations of the people by raising the bar in governance.
While assuring that he will operate an open door policy for a renewed Niger State, Bago called for advice and counselling for a successful administration.
The Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, called for transparency and accountability to gain the confidence of the people and getting a formidable team for good governance.