SERAP Exposes Governors: Billions Wasted While Nigerians Suffer

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asserted that many Nigerians view state governors as reckless in their management of public funds.

This was disclosed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, during an interview on Channels Television.

According to Oluwadare, a major concern is the widespread lack of accountability among public officials at both the federal and state levels.

“Most Nigerians see governors as wasteful, and that perception reflects the deep poverty in the country,” he said.

He stressed that President Bola Tinubu does not need external validation, such as that from the U.S. government, to recognize the failures of governance across Nigeria, adding that as Commander-in-Chief, the President holds significant authority over the country’s economic direction and governors’ performance.

Oluwadare also criticized governors for neglecting their core leadership responsibilities and failing to earn public trust.

“Governors often prioritize extravagant projects over essential infrastructure that would actually benefit the citizens,” he noted.

He added that the President’s own shortcomings may have emboldened governors’ poor performance, contributing to the nationwide infrastructure deficit.

While the Constitution clearly outlines the responsibilities of public officeholders, Oluwadare argued that a culture of impunity has weakened systems of governance.

He concluded by emphasizing the need to build public trust in institutions rather than individuals, as a means to strengthen accountability and promote good governance.