IN April 2012, the federal and state governments shared a total sum of N796 billion, being the statutory and VAT allocations to all tiers of government at the meeting of the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).From the disbursement of nets after deductions, various sums went to the states, ranging from N4.5bn to N21.3bn, depending on where they stand in the now contentious sharing formula.That is just to show how much states take home on a monthly basis, in addition to their internally generated revenues. It also points to the fact that states are a significant partner in the federation, even though more attention is quickly focused on the Federal Government.Beginning this week, many states will roll out the drums, as they celebrate the 'successful' completion of another year of democracy.May 29 has been chosen as a day of celebration and symbol of democracy since 1999, when the military was carefully escorted out of power. Responsibility was thus given to operators of the democratic regime at the three tiers and different arms of governance, to ensure that the process does not flounder. They are to do this through hard work, good governance, transparency and accountability.But what have the governments served the people so far, in terms of real dividends and quality improvements in lives and infrastructure' At the level of states, the stories are quite different and varied, in regard to performance and readiness to impact on lives.Generally, it has not been a cheering story across board, because it took some time for politicians to connect democracy with development.Between 1999 and 2007, there was a remarkable disconnect, as governors mistook the latitude provided by the Constitution as opportunity to be reckless with imperial power, authority and resources, so much that former governors in the likes of Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and the baba of them all, James Ibori (Delta) went bananas at the sight of stupendous wealth.They didn't quite understand the reason they were made custodians of the people's money and what to do with it. So, they went crazy. The aggregate result of that mindless roguery was that nothing meaningful happened to citizens in terms of quality development.The generation of governors who came after the first set, those from 2007, has shown some measure of understanding of what they were elected to do, or, were forced to develop some understanding. That comprehending came partly, when the 'civilised' world became appalled at the rapacious greed of politicians, who looted public funds and transferred them abroad in the manner of invading mercenaries.They (Western governments) prevailed on the Federal Government to put in place an anti-corruption agency that would work differently from the slow-grinding wheel of the judiciary. With funds and logistics from the foreign partners, the government under former President Obasanjo set up the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), whose knowledge has become the beginning of wisdom for misguided politicians.Those who thought Europe and America were safe haven for stolen public money have been taught the lessons of their lives and have been 'forced' to reduce their lust for money. In this category are some serving governors, who have no choice but to put the money to use for the people.There are some governors that naturally love development and are working night and day to ensure that history records for them befitting memoirs.Between May 29, 2011 and now, a lot has taken place that deserves some attention. In spite of what some governors refer to as low allocation from the Federation Account and the high cost of the presidential system, which permits an unusually high recurrent expenditure, some state governments have decided to connect democracy with development.There are governors, who are in their first year, and for them, this is a season for stocktaking. They need to look at what they have done in the last 12 months, or failed to do, to see where they need to quickly improve or make adjustments.SouthwestIN the Southwest, Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) are working hard to return their states to the hallmarks of progressive politics. The two states had been under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for almost eight years; time enough for them to have lost their developmental compass.After an initial inertia, the two are making steady progress. Ogun is particularly passionate about the need for private investment and all hands seem to be on deck to woo investors, which is the basis for long-term development.The state has also shown some dexterity at generating more internal revenue (IGR) to augment what comes from Abuja, and the figures posted last week are quite impressive. Ogun makes N1.8b IGR every month, taking useful advantage of its contiguity with Lagos. With vast agricultural land and an array of industrial estates, Ogun is a state to watch.But the state is slow on infrastructure and would be taken to real task at the end of this budget year, which is December.Oyo, on the other hand, has managed to douse the recurrent violence instituted by transporters and touts who were foot soldiers in the joker governments of the PDP from 2003 to 2011. There is relative peace now and that is good enough for development.The state government had problems with the civil servants because the former government made some unreasonable promises shortly before it was voted out.Oyo was also unfortunate to have recorded some flood disasters in the last rainy season, and another has set in.Overall, progress report shows that the state is still clumsy, but with a tendency to be dragged along by the economic reintegration in the zone. The state will do well to move aggressively into agriculture, away from its civil service culture.In the Southwest, some kind of peer review mechanism is at work and there seems to be no hiding place for jokers. The vibrant civil society and the remnant of opposition politicians will not allow idle governors any moment of sleep. Little wonder the governors are making some effort!South-SouthHERE, it is only Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State that is the new man and he is yet to complete one year. So far, he is trying to do new things in order to transform the state.Before now, Bayelsa is about the least state in terms of population, yet, it spends more money than most states to pay salaries and run government. That shows that many loopholes had been burrowed to steal money from the state's account.The new government is working to plug some holes. Dickson has signed a fresh budget and set up a committee to probe stolen funds. The government has also reduced cost of governance and promised to do more. So, he will be held to account at the end of the 2012 budget.Other states in the zone are at different levels of development. Rivers is lauded for taking on costly capital projects in the social sector. Education, health and security are well funded. Akwa Ibom is said to be doing good things in key sectors and Edo is commended for doing remarkably well with just a little. Delta and Cross River seem to be leading from behind, the one having to operate in the shadows of imprisoned James Onanefe Ibori (over corrupt practices and money laundering) and the other, not claiming not to have much money to spend.North CentralKWARA and Nasarawa are the two states in the zone whose governors will mark one year in office on May 29.Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is working hard to build upon Bukola Saraki's effort in the agriculture and education sectors in Kwara. He is also trying to empower citizens who were hitherto not accommodated. But the opposition thinks it is a gimmick.The Nasarawa State governor, Tanko Al-Makura, who rescued the state from the PDP for the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), promised real growth in a state that borders the Federal Capital Territory. A lot of citizens, who work in the FCT, actually live in the Nasarawa neighbourhoods, thus stretching facilities in the growing state. This is a major challenge for Al-Makura.The governor, who was initially cornered by opposition forces in the State Assembly, seems to find his way around them to execute his party's programmes. Reports say he is making some effort.Kogi State also has a new governor after some judicial face-off. Governor Idris Wada is settling down to a real task. Previous governments in the state since 1999 did not impress the people. So, he must work harder.Other states in the zone, Benue, Niger and Plateau are just struggling. Plateau is battling ethno-religious crisis and the other two are yet to properly connect democracy with development. Many rural folks here live in abject poverty.SoutheastIN this zone, only Rochas Okorocha (Imo) will celebrate first year in office. The others are second term governors. Okorocha is said to be in a hurry to touch lives; in the process, he does not match his actions with actual revenue.His first year in office saw a lot of declarations and pronouncements. Hopefully, he will use the remaining three years to consolidate and monitor projects.Progress report from Enugu, Anambra is fair, while Ebonyi and Abia must scale up their acts.NortheastTHIS is a zone where development indices are quite troubling. Poverty is comparatively high here and unfortunately, this is the operational base of Boko Haram, the anti-government, anti-Western education Islamic sect.In addition to fighting social ailments such as diseases and poverty, a lot of attention now goes into settling security bills in Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Borno and Adamawa. Taraba had been relatively safe, until recently.The Governor of Gombe, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and his colleague in Borno, Kashim Shettima, who are celebrating their first year in office, have a lot of work to do. Their priority should be in the area of job creation and agriculture is the sector to focus on.Collectively, northeastern states should begin to partner as an economic zone, sharing issues of security challenges, development and growth.NorthwestKADUNA State governor, Ibrahim Patrick Yakowa, will celebrate the relative victory over the forces of darkness, which have sought to cripple his government since inception. Security challenges are quite severe here and very distractive.Even before the emergence of Boko Haram, Kaduna had been restive and it takes extra care to govern it properly. Reports are that the governor is distracted, in addition to being hemmed in by politicians who use the security situation to limit his actions.In Zamfara, Governor Abdulaziz Yari will celebrate the return of the state to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), after it was snatched by the PDP for four years.But the vast majority of citizens may not have much to celebrate, not with reports of lead poisoning, poverty and underdevelopment, which form the background of the challenges facing the leadership of the 19 northern states.Governor Musa Kwankwaso of Kano will also celebrate his first year in office. Though he is not new (he was at the helms between 2003 and 2007), he has inherited new challenges of insecurity and underdevelopment. Potable water is a luxury in many parts of Kano. He also needs to create jobs for the large population of unemployed.THE Governors' Forum had promised to peer review the activities of state governments, in order to bring on at par development and growth. But so far, there are more disparities and the polity is becoming unsafe.States are the units where citizens reside and they are the units where development and growth can take place. This is the time states must understand that democracy without development is a recipe for social disorder.
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