The governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 30, announced a donation of 22 million Naira towards the purchase of PDP presidential form for president Jonathan in his Buy Form For Jonathan Campaign. At about two months later, December 21, the governors once again announced the donation of 50 million Naira each during the fund raising dinner at the presidential villa towards president Jonathan's re-election campaign. A total sum of 1.05 billion Naira was donated by the governors alone at the event.
At a time of supposed austerity measures when citizens are constantly reminded of the fall in oil prices on the international market and the need to cut spending, politicians at this period are indifferent, they are on spending spree. It may be hard to tell exactly what the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) party governors are contributing to their party, but it can be speculated to run into fortunes. Nigerians have no doubt where the monies comes from - it must be from the government's chest - even if the politicians say otherwise.
Whenever its election period, state governors known where and how to source money to fund campaigns, contrary to their cries when to pay salaries and allowances of state workers - its always "no money". Lots of the PDP governors who made handsome donations at the event have a backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances to teachers and civil servants back home in their various states.
In Benue, the government is notorious for owing its workers, it was in the state that primary school teachers embark on strike for over 8 months due to government's non implementation of a paltry 18,000 Naira minimum wages and currently, the teacher are enduring nearly 4 months of unpaid salaries.
In Benue, the government is notorious for owing its workers, it was in the state that primary school teachers embark on strike for over 8 months due to government's non implementation of a paltry 18,000 Naira minimum wages and currently, the teacher are enduring nearly 4 months of unpaid salaries.
The situation is no different in Ondo, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Plateau States where teachers suffers similar fate. The Ebonyi state government owes its teachers under the Universal Basic Education scheme, an alarming one year salary but the governor didn't return home to pay the state's teachers after the donation, he probably doesn't "give a damn". Likewise, in Niger state, the expected recruitment of teachers in early 2014 was quietly shelved probably for "lack of money" to eventually pay salaries.
But it seems more like politicians were saving a fortune of their states treasures for politicking than their cries of no money, sadly, education sector appears to be their soft target, teachers are easier to tell stories,lies and victimized, otherwise they won't have to endure months of work without pay unlike their counterparts in other civil service sector. After all, the politicians children won't school in the state, maybe not even in Nigeria where, by their collective actions, they have bastardized the education system. If the truth be said - we don't have any long way to go - we are perishing, successful nations are those who passionately invest in education, not those who consider it a favour on their citizens. Our politicians need a change of heart !
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