In his recently released 688-page autobiography titled “Brutally Frank,” elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has raised allegations against numerous state governors in the Federation, asserting that they are using their security votes irresponsibly and without proper oversight.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Clark, a former Federal Commissioner, emphasized that a lack of transparency surrounds the utilization of security votes by most governors. The exact amounts of these funds are often undisclosed and they spend them at their discretion….CONTINUE READING

Advocating for change, Clark called for a reduction in the security vote allocations to governors. He emphasized the importance of reorganizing and restructuring Government Houses to align with the nation’s economic state.

He stated, “Governors spend their security vote as they will, and no one knows how much the security vote amount to. The elected members of the House of Assembly are their nominees and dare not challenge them.

I think an inspection should be done to limit the amount of security vote governors and every other person in government are entitled to.”

Clark expressed concern that while the populace lives in challenging conditions and lacks basic amenities, governors enjoy an opulent lifestyle. He criticized their lavish convoys, free meals, and extravagant expenditures, all funded by taxpayers.

He urged for a comprehensive reevaluation of government practices, saying, “It is not enough to say, ‘I will earn only half of my salary’; there must be a re-organisation and a restructuring of these Government Houses to reflect the economic situation in the country.”

Clark recounted instances of wasteful spending, such as the purchase of cutlery for millions of naira annually, and questioned the lack of accountability surrounding such expenditures.

He also condemned the enactment of laws by governors through compliant State Houses of Assembly, resulting in extravagant life pensions for governors. According to Clark, this represents a new form of corruption and recklessness, as these benefits can exceed what dedicated civil or public servants earn over several decades of service.