Featured

Towards a Study in Comparative Analysis: the Enugu-Ebonyi Paradigm

Published

5 years ago

September 8, 2020

By Reuben Onyishi (Ugoachataberu)

To know a thing is to know it in opposition to other things. This implicates binary- opposite kind of reasoning as similarities and parallels are drawn in order to arrive at what really constitutes the objects in question and how one differs from the other in quality, inform and presumably in content also, without prejudice to their individual peculiarities.

It is natural to think female when a male is mentioned. This manner of thinking may account for why man created gender and the conflicts that arise from gender issues; whereas, He that made them made them male and female. God created sex with defined natural forms and roles. The differences are quite clear in form and content, though the two sexes share in the set of humanity as subsets. Today, some have tinkered with their natural sexuality and are no longer happy with the sex naturally assigned to them. Some men have become women and vice versa. Some have inverted sexuality and have no sexual feeling for the opposite sex as designed by nature; they feel sexual desire for the same sex. The conflicts created by this have torn the world apart.

It is not actually wrong to think comparatively in opposition, as this helps to bring out differences and confer on each object its natural question and status. However, when the attitude is to think why X should be Y and leave being itself, then conflicts and troubles are inevitable. Such is the effect of the tinkering with natural dispositions. Objects may come across each other; they may share borders but none loses its identity to the other. An object may even at the surface configuration reflect some qualities other than itself, yet does not lose itself to the outer surface appearance. You may be in different outfits at different times but do not lose who you really are to any of the outfits. Comparative thinkers should really place their eyes on the real object and resist the seduction of surface configuration. That is why a lot of discrepancies is often found between appearance and reality. That is the irony of life.

Enugu State and Ebonyi State share borders with each other. The two states belong to a set called South East in Nigeria’s structural demarcation. Enugu State has been the root of which the South Eastern states hived. Enugu was the capital of the South Eastern Region during the first republic and in the process of time got split into two: Anambra and Imo states, created by the military government of Late Muritala Muhammed. Then in 1991, Anambra State which capital was Enugu was split into two: Enugu and Anambra states with Enugu being the capital of Enugu State thereby retaining the infrastructural appurtenances of the state capital. It was from this same root that Ebonyi State was later created with the agrarian semi-rural town, Abakaliki, as its capital. Awka, the capital of the new Anambra State, before it became the capital, had the same rural status. So, it was expedient for the governments of these virgin states to bring these rural towns to urban state capital status by understandably taking some tangible strides in the provision of basic amenities meant to uplift these towns. The governments of the new Enugu State naturally inherited a lot of assets in the state capital, beginning from the seat of power: the Lion Building, the house of assembly and the judiciary complexes, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, the Institute of Management and Technology(IMT), the Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS, the state secretariat, the various road networks in the city and a whole lot of assets. So, it was natural that while the governments of the new states would be burdened with critical infrastructural needs inevitably at the state capital, Enugu State would look away for other things as these projects were already on the ground.

Now whether it is appropriate for comparative opposite thinkers to compare Enugu State with Ebonyi State as it is rife today among some casual critics that stray around the social media platforms is a question begging for an answer. Most of these critics do not have the intellectual depth to think deeper that they be able to tease out the surface and seductive fripperies that may mix up with the two objects and hold their distinct identities sacrosanct. Objects that share borders when subjected to comparative analysis have got to be managed well to avoid confusing and mixing up issues that may result in problems that can engender conflicts, war, and misunderstanding. That is really why comparative criticism is not a ready tool in the hands of the unschooled.

You get to hear such things as “go to Ebonyi State and see what the governor is doing there’ as the latest critical fad from casual social media commentators in their bid to diminish whatever projects the government of Enugu State is doing. When you ask them what the government of Ebonyi State is doing that should be a reference point to Enugu State, they would point to concrete roads and flyovers the governor has caused to erupt here and there in the state capital and which are not being replicated in Enugu State.

It is really difficult to engage with this comparative discourse without ‘calling him who did not call you’ so to say, in the first place. These casual commentators do not actually take into account the peculiar nature of these states and their necessary areas of Infrastructural needs which also have a way of being determined by certain factors. These factors point to the identity of the two objects. Take for instance, if concrete roads are being constructed in Ebonyi State perhaps because of the soil texture of the place, does it also follow that Enugu State too should imitate this for its own sake without any reason or need for that? Won’t it be foolish to do so when asphalted roads have proven to last for decades in Enugu State? Why waste scarce resources on expensive concrete roads when doing so is economically inexpedient? Why resort to such a waste when asphalt gives the state the same value and utility?

Every government has its policy trust and areas of priority. Someone the other day said of Ebonyi State that light shines in streets while homes are in darkness; that the citizenry has turned beggars under beautiful flyovers; that the civil servants are groaning over unpaid salaries which without even the application of the minimum wage has been reduced by 20 percent; that the future of the state has been jeopardized by huge borrowing from international lenders all for the construction of concrete roads and flyovers. I really do not know how true these claims are, but I do know the government of Ebonyi State for the reasons best known to it has concentrated efforts on road projects, and is said to have made Abakaliki a paradise of sorts.

Enugu State as a distinct object has its own needs and policy trust. The government of the state under Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is given to total projects for the total man. Serious attention is paid to human capital development. Infrastructure is developed bearing in mind how it benefits the citizenry, thereby elevating human lives above the animal level. Civil servants are regularly paid and the new minimum wage is also implemented. Besides this, giant strides are made in the area of road construction, health facilities, agriculture, peace and security, and in all facets of the happiness of the people. The equation is balanced so that Iyianyi is not trampled to death in the process of Oyima’s funerals.

Whatever Ugwuanyi does, he does for his people; whatever Umahi does, he does for his people. The two states are not in equal terms. While Umahi might have reportedly gone into borrowing to build roads and flyovers all over Ebonyi, Ugwuanyi has creatively raised funds without borrowing a dime from anywhere and has put Enugu State in the league of the six states in Nigeria that are financially self-sufficient without federal allocation, despite the fact that Enugu is not an oil-producing state. It is senseless to compare the two states. Heaven and earth are there but heaven is far above the earth. So to what extent can heaven be compared to the earth? Even the heavenly clouds will obfuscate the comparative identification of the heavenly elements; even the sun rays will dim the eyes of the obdurate fool who looks directly into the sun of heaven.

Social media casual critics should leave Umahi alone to concentrate on his job and task of lifting Ebonyi State from its rural outlook, something he is doing with every sense of sacrifice. To continue to compare Ebonyi with Enugu State is to cause unnecessary identity conflicts and bring to ridicule the works of the Ebonyi government, for any tree aspiring to grow taller than the iroko is looking for the sky’s trouble, for any animal headed for the stream shall surely meet the frog there.

Let all animals stay in their habitats. Peter is not James; Enugu is not Ebonyi. They may share borders but they do not lose their identities to the borders

Share on Facebook

Featured

Presidency Refutes Afenifere’s Deceitful Statement on President Bola Tinubu’s Midterm:

Published

3 days ago

June 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Chief Sunday Dare

The statement from a factional Afenifere group raises serious concerns about a penchant and deliberate attempt to find faults and trade in deceit instead of objectivity. The group has found it challenging to accept that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s comeback story is firmly underway.

The rebellious Afenifere claims that President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s performance over the past two years has witnessed a regression in human development, economic mismanagement, and democratic backsliding.

This is a jaundiced view, echoing the view of opposition politicians, one of whom the group supported in the 2023 election.

A balanced assessment based on available data reveals a more objective and progressive picture, with significant achievements amid the challenges expected from a country like Nigeria with decades-old problems.

Beyond its confounding conclusions based on prejudice, the statement raises the following issues. With the ensuing point-by-point clarification, it will become clear that the group’s position is neither grounded in facts nor logic.

Economic Reforms and Their Impact

The factional Afenifere’s claim that Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, have led to “unmitigated sufferings” and “economic deforms” seeks to draw attention to some of the challenges but overlooks the macroeconomic gains. The removal of the fuel subsidy, announced on May 29, 2023, saved the government over $10 billion in 2023 alone, reducing fiscal strain and redirecting funds to other sectors. Unifying the foreign exchange market and the naira’s floatation aimed to address distortions in the currency market, boosted foreign reserves to $38.1 billion by 2024 and achieved a trade surplus of N18.86 trillion for the country.

Under the Tinubu administration, Nigeria’s annual inflation rate fell to 23.71% in April 2025 from 24.23% in the prior month. Food inflation, the most significant component of the inflation basket, remained elevated but moderated to 21.26% from 21.79%

While these figures indicate stabilisation, the immediate impact on ordinary Nigerians is not lost. The government’s cash transfer programme, which provides funds to the poorest households and benefits over 5.7 million households, is a credible outreach.

However, dismissing the twin policies as “unforced errors” ignores the unsustainable nature of the previous subsidy regime and multiple exchange rate systems, which were draining public finances. A more balanced critique would acknowledge the necessity of reform while emphasising the need for better-targeted social safety nets.

As of today, the Tinubu administration has recorded over 900,000 beneficiaries of the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme, over 600,000 beneficiaries of the Students’ Loan Scheme, NELFUND, N70,000 minimum wage, NYSC monthly stipend increase from N33,000 to N77,000, Free CNG kits distributed to thousands of commercial drivers across Nigeria with CNG buses rolled out in partnership with state governments, leading to a significant drop in transport costs. The administration also recorded over $10 Billion FX debt cleared, Federal account allocation to states growing by 60%, enabling more local development projects, N50 billion released to end the perennial ASUU strikes, and over 1,000 PHCs revitalised nationwide with an additional 5,500 undergoing upgrades.

The administration also disbursed N75 Billion in palliative funds to states and LGs for food distribution and cash transfers, over 150,000 youths are being trained in software development, tech support and data analysis under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) project, over 20,000 affordable housing units under construction under the renewed Hope cities program launched across Nigeria, N200 Billion in Loans to farmers and agro-processors. Other gains: over two million Nigerians are now connected to new digital infrastructure and community broadband hubs and public WiFi projects, 3.84% GDP growth in Q4 2024 (highest in 3 years), over $50 Billion in new FDI Commitments, Net Foreign Exchange Reserves up from $3.99 Billion (2023) to $23.11 Billion (2024), over $8 Billion in new oil and gas investments unlocked, and over $800 million realised in processing investments in solid minerals in 2024 and inflation as at April was down to 23.17%.

It is now pertinent to inquire from opposition leaders about alternative strategies they would propose in contrast to this administration’s extensive list of significant achievements currently benefiting Nigerians in real-time.

Cost of Governance and the Oronsaye Report

The assertion that the Tinubu administration has failed to implement the Oronsaye Report and instead increased governance costs is inaccurate. The Oronsaye Report, which recommends the merger or scrapping of government agencies to reduce expenditure, has not been fully implemented and has drawn criticisms; it must be noted, however, that the administration has made some efforts to improve fiscal discipline. The fiscal deficit was reduced from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024, and the debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from nearly 100% in 2022 to under 40% by 2024. The government also recorded over N6 trillion in revenue in Q1 2025, partly due to removing Ways & Means financing and fuel subsidies. These steps demonstrate fiscal prudence and will eventually translate into immediate, tangible relief for citizens. The administration is working earnestly to address these optics and prioritise cost-cutting measures, including implementing the Oronsaye Report, to restore public trust.

Allegations of Prebendalism and Corruption

Afenifere’s claim that the administration favours “the privileged and connected” through corrupt palliative distribution and mega-project allocations is questionable. Reports of palliatives being mismanaged or distributed through unverified channels have no doubt surfaced, raising concerns about transparency.

The administration has taken steps against corruption, such as suspending Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu in January 2024 over alleged fund diversion, signalling some commitment to accountability. Critics may argue that more systemic action is needed, but dismissing all the efforts as propaganda overlooks these initial steps.

Without abusing Presidential powers, the administration is working on expediting action on all pending investigations and prosecution of corrupt practices. At the same time, critical agencies are collating credible evidence on ongoing corruption litigations. It must, however, be noted that in 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured a record-breaking 4,111 convictions, marking its most successful year since its inception. They recovered over N364 billion and significant amounts in foreign currencies, including $214.5 Million, $54,318.64, and 31,265 Euros.

The EFCC achieved its single most significant asset recovery in 2025, with the final forfeiture of an Abuja estate measuring 150,500 square meters and containing 725 units of duplexes and other apartments. The EFCC concluded the final forfeiture and handed the estate to the Ministry of Housing in May 2025.

Democratic Concerns and Centralisation

Afenifere’s accusation that the Tinubu administration is pursuing a “one-party state totalitarianism” and undermining democratic institutions is unsupported and lacks merit. The claim of neutralising the legislature and judiciary is also a false alarm.

The public should note that the Supreme Court has upheld opposition victories in states like Kano, Plateau, and Abia, suggesting judicial independence. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faced criticism for allegedly appointing individuals said to be ruling party affiliates, but no evidence confirms these appointees are card-carrying APC members.

The allegation that the Tinubu government cracks down on peaceful protesters is primarily unfounded. It is a regurgitated rhetoric deployed under previous administrations as a reflection of broader challenges in Nigeria’s democratic culture.

The issue of the State Police is more complex than the oversimplified approach of the factional Afenifere’s statement. Every administration policy is subject to security impact assessment before implementation, and there is a difference between the State Police being widely advocated and a Police State that critics may blame the Federal Government for if implemented without caution.

Security and Social Welfare

Contrary to the impression created, the administration’s security record is impressive. Over 13,500 terrorists, bandits, and insurgents have been neutralised and 7,000 arrested in the past year, though there is still some news of abductions and violent attacks. The administration’s proactive response to security-related matters has paved the way for more farmers to return to their farms, impacting food production and supply.

The administration also embarked on agricultural initiatives, including tractor procurement, fertiliser distribution, and increased mechanisation.

The government has also not relented on its Regional Development drive as the administration succeeded in establishing Development Commissions across 6 Geopolitical zones (South West, North West, North Central. North East, South East and the Niger Delta) to empower communities and accelerate developments.

Political Climate and 2027 Elections
The claims of government-sponsored conflicts within opposition parties lack concrete evidence and should be ignored.

Economic reforms are undoubtedly laying the foundation for long-term stability, with GDP growth at 4.6% in Q4 2024 and a Fitch B credit rating upgrade as evidence. Moody’s Investors Service’s latest upgrade of Nigeria’s rating from Caa1 to B3, with a Stable Outlook, indicates that the Tinubu administration is on the right path.

The government is not oblivious to some discontent and difficult times among Nigerians. There is an urgency to deliver more tangible results, which is guaranteed given the impressive performance of the administration in just two years.

Afenifere’s statement saw the cup as half empty. On the contrary, it’s half full. Under President Tinubu’s administration, some of Nigeria’s hydra-headed problems are being tackled headlong.

The administration has achieved fiscal improvements, such as reduced deficits and increased revenues, which will eventually translate into meaningful microeconomic relief for most Nigerians in the short term, even as the government moves to address these issues with greater empathy and transparency.

The administration’s demonstrable priorities are securing the nation, fixing the economy, and improving human capital development.

Responsible citizens and political leaders must work collaboratively with the administration to address the challenges and counter disinformation, as highlighted in the admonition against fake news and deceptive AI videos.

Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is turning the corner. From stabilising the naira and curbing inflation to reducing debt burdens and

expanding access to education and health, the administration delivers bold reforms with actual results. With improved security, regional inclusion, anti-corruption measures, and institutional rebuilding, Nigeria’s comeback story is not yet complete — but it is firmly underway.

– Sunday Dare is the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Media and Public Communications.

Share on Facebook