HOW TO CURB THE DESPERATION TO ENTER PUBLIC OFFICE IN NIGERIA (part 1)

 Doors are being opened for you in high places for your breakthrough.

Good-life Devotional: HOW TO CURB THE DESPERATION TO ENTER PUBLIC OFFICE IN NIGERIA  (part 1)

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 

   Proverbs 29:2 'When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."

  Psalms 125:3 "For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity."

   The desperation to enter elected office mainly stems from easy access to public funds and the absence of strong accountability mechanisms. To address this while ensuring that funds are protected and processes are decentralized, here are practical measures:

 1. STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES

  Establish a Finance Committee at both state and local government levels comprising:

1) The Governor/Chairman

2)Commissioner for Finance or equivalent

3)Representative of the State Assembly or Local Legislature

4) Accountant General or Treasurer

All major withdrawals should require multiple signatories (e.g., Governor + 2 other INDEPENDENT officials) before bank honors any transaction.

Implement dual verification through electronic platforms and physical checks.

 2. ENFORCE TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

Mandate monthly publication of income and expenditure on official portals and public notice boards.

Create a citizen oversight platform where verified CSOs (Civil Society Organizations) and media can monitor funds in real-time.

 3. INTRODUCE TECHNOLOGY-BASED CONTROLS

-Use Treasury Single Account (TSA) at state and local levels.

-Adopt blockchain or digital tracking systems for government expenditures to prevent hidden withdrawals.

-Automate approvals to reduce human interference and opportunities for collusion.

4. LEGAL & INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

+ Amend the Financial Regulations to make unilateral withdrawal of funds a criminal offense.

+ Empower Auditor General and EFCC/ICPC to carry out pre-audit checks, not just post-audit.

+ Create independent procurement boards to monitor contract awards and payments.

 5. REDUCE DESPERATION FOR OFFICE

Peg salaries and allowances of politicians to the same scale as senior civil servants.

+ Remove lump-sum security votes or subject them to scrutiny.

+ Introduce performance-based incentives instead of automatic access to state resources.

 Preachers are expected to sensitize church members regularly on the importance of good governance.

  In our daily prayers we should seek a healthy appetite for God's word godly leadership in all areas of governance .

PRAYER : Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power for good governance.

+2348035536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com