The car accident involving the convoy of Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, was tragic for the loss of life it occasioned, but the probability that the tragedy could have been avoided is indeed regrettable. The crash epitomizes, in a dramatic fashion, the rampaging culture of impunity and marks yet, another unwholesome reflection of the collapse of governance in the country. Nigerians deserve full accountability. Although Governor Wada suffered no injuries, a former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Festus Iyayi; was not that lucky. He died in the crash, while on his way to a meeting of ASUU National Executive Committee (NEC).
The smoke from the rubbles seems to have settled, the usual ritual of investigation; this time by the Kogi state command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is on and all are back to business as usual. This is sad, even as the nation mourns and commiserates with the family of Prof. Iyayi. The point must therefore be made; and with emphasis too, that this was one accident too many, aided by apparent over-speeding and recklessness that governors’ convoys are notoriously reputed for in this country.
Governor Wada’s auto crash represents the latest in a series of such incidents across the country and underscores the yawning contempt elected officials have for extant traffic laws and democratic values. Before Nigeria moves on in characteristic stoicism, it is important to reflect on Tuesday’s crash, and admit that there are reasonable grounds for the Kogi State Attorney-General to charge Governor Wada’s driver with manslaughter. Eye-witness accounts said, the driver of a vehicle in the rear of the governor’s convoy decided, obviously in a fit of bad judgment, to overtake the other vehicles in the convoy, and in the process, rammed into the bus transporting Iyayi and other ASUU delegates. That is impudence carried too far.
The Chief Medical Director of Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Paul Amodu, told journalists in Lokoja that a sharp object pierced through Iyayi’s left side directly to his heart leading to his instant death. Amodu equally said the National Welfare Officer of ASUU, Dr. Ngozi Ilo, had a minor injury on her leg and was treated and placed on POP. The driver of the bus also sustained a minor injury and was treated and discharged immediately. Official responses from the Presidency, and the FRSC investigation of the accident, though not totally unwarranted, are not convincing. For one, the reports of investigations of such accidents in the past were never placed in the public domain. As such, Nigerians were always in the dark as to the findings of the investigation. Nothing so far suggests that this will be different.
While the report of the investigation by the same FRSC officials who continually fail in their duties is being awaited, a broken-hearted nation must reflect on the increasing incidence of car accidents involving governors’ convoys. Late last year, Governor Wada survived a ghastly accident with a fractured thigh, in which his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Idris Muhammed, was killed. The convoy of Governors Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Umaru Tanko (Nasarawa), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), among others, have been involved in road accidents at various times, often with the loss of innocent lives.
Sadly enough, the “convoy mentality” is not peculiar to governors alone. Other top government officials at various levels, including the National Assembly, Customs and Immigration departments, State Houses of Assembly, etc., also travel in over-bloated and over-speeding convoys. The carnage and chaos on Nigerian roads caused by these convoys is most reprehensible and unacceptable. The resort to over-bloated convoys is not unconnected with the fear of insecurity that pervades the country. But again, many governors are largely to blame for their failure to deliver on their election campaign promises. Apart from going to sleep as soon as they assume office, the governors’ only other preoccupation is to protect their selfish interest, often at the expense of the citizens. Worse still, they display stupendous opulence and flamboyance that are inexplicable and irreconcilable with the poverty prevailing in their States. In their own crude estimation, the only way to escape from growing popular discontent and possible wrath of the people is through the increasing enlargement and securitization of their convoys; a futile strategy that is wholly self-defeating because security is not enhanced in a climate of hooliganism.
Whereas, there is nothing inherently wrong in official convoys, such a choice also comes with huge responsibility, most importantly, discipline with time management. In most instances, Nigerian governors are usually late for appointments; running against time, which explains the resort to over-speeding. It is of course trite that roads don’t kill, and some accidents, oftentimes, go beyond the control of victims; but the extent of consequential damage and casualty, is also, proportionate to the level of speeding. Prof. Iyayi was a direct victim of recklessness, irresponsibility and impunity that characterize the exercise of power at every level of government. An apparent attestation to this is the ghastly remains of Governor Wada’s car, which speaks volumes of the recklessness of his convoy’s driving. The conditions under which public officials abuse convoys and sirens in Nigeria are as terrifying as they are demeaning. Leaders in civilized and truly democratic countries do not behave that way. How many auto crashes must the country endure before someone is made to bear responsibility?
The government may have tolerated abuse of convoys for too long with the result that the situation has now degenerated to a new stage of official executive lawlessness. In its tactics, it amounts to war against the Nigerian people. Obviously, a new strategy anchored on political will is required to confront it. This requires, as a matter of course, a strong leadership that provides the wherewithal, sets the targets for, and demands result from FRSC officials. The flagrant impunities and imperiousness that reign in governance in Nigeria is driven by a conquest mentality on the part of the so-called leaders. Having “won” the office, the people stay conquered and so-called leaders are in office only for service to self. Yet, a culture of service to all is what Nigeria’s elected officers should imbibe.
Before Nigerians wake up again to another tragedy and back to the path of sorrow, the only way to honor the memory of Prof. Iyayi is to put an end to leadership impunity, instead of waiting to manage unintended consequences from frequent road crashes by governors’ convoy. Furthermore, it would not be out of place that the Federal Government avails itself of a broad range of options including a drastic reduction in the number of vehicles allowed in a convoy.
Governors are not above the law, and must be guided by all existing traffic regulations, including speed limit. Any leader worth his salt will live by example. That is arguably the weakest link in Nigeria’s search for sustainable democracy and development and one more example of the odium that elected officials have brought constitutional democracy into in Nigeria. The President must act with urgency on matters of road safety, to stem further erosion of the government’s credibility.