State Governors as philanthropists

Nyesom Wike, Governor, Rivers State

Any time I hear of a Governor making a donation, I ask myself how deep their pockets are.

I recall a story told by Victor Umeh. Talking about how Peter Obi became a Governor he recalled that as APGA

chairman, when Peter Obi expressed interest in running for Governor, he asked him how much he had. Peter Obi replied that he had N200 million and Victor Umeh laughed that he had to do far better than that.

The story did not end there. Peter Obi assured him that he had friends who believed in him.

It is normal for people to put their money where their mouths are. But the problem is that it is better to put in a little for the common good than be a Chris Uba, who took Chris Ngige hostage for refusing to play ball.

Today, I am more concerned about Governors who go about playing Santa Claus. Whether their pockets were deep or not before coming to office, the concern is to what account does their philanthropy go?

Personal or impersonal? Official or private? From Godfathers or state treasurers?

The story was once told of the Governor of a South West State who was rewarded with his position as Governor following his role as a cheerful giver of an Accountant General of his State. He was not only free with state funds, he even went over his governor to give out from the treasury of the State.

In which case, his principal's philanthropy was not a privately sponsored venture but from the public Till.

Another story was told of a visitor to a newly appointed sole administrator of a Local Government who offered the Sole Administrator monetary gift.

The Sole administrator was advised to reject the gift as he was sitting on millions. Truth be told, the millions, are they pocket money? Of course not.

Those who are more careful with their funds than with public finds have no business in public office.

Stories abound of state governors buying SUVs for Legislators and monarchs and I wonder under what votes such monies come? Perhaps from Security votes.

What makes this misadventure more vexatious is the thievery that could accompany such dubious philanthropy to wit inflating the costs of the vehicles.

It is important to ask like Charles Eyo of Daily Trust did 'who is bankrolling these generous Governors'?