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Nigerians have been waiting for this for a long time, when Baba Iyabo declared that, immunity or not, the EFCC should go ahead and start preliminary work on the Governors. According to him

"I have approved that EFCC monitor and trail movements of money allocated to all levels of government. It is a pity that we are not getting the same level of enthusiasm at the states. EFCC must cover the whole country at states and local levels. Leaders at all levels of government should know that after your exit your stewardship shall be fully examined. Immunity or no immunity, your leadership shall be under microscopic investigation. Immunity and other escape routes shall no longer be in vogue; rather, the people shall question your role and achievements while in office. There is an increasing demand for all to be more transparent in leadership, especially in the way we manage our resources?"

Before we get carried away, what could anyone do to this? It is in the Constitution. We might have to live by it, until we amend the Constitution. It is in the Constitution. The Governors could be tried after their terms. Would you found them in Nigeria? May be the country they escape to might agree to repatriate them back to the country. Would it not be too late then? Nigerians are waiting. We like to know the bad eggs among the Governors.

All the serving public officials especially the Governors should listen to that phrase "Immunity or no immunity your leadership shall be under microscopic investigation". There is nothing wrong with that. Obasanjo has labeled the immunity clause as an "escapist route" for the Governors to engage in monumental corruption. Nigerians would be monitoring the rays of light from the EFCC "microscopic investigation" of the Governors. It is unfair to the progressive Governors to be diluted with the lawbreakers among them, passing stolen 'good' under barbed wire to escape the scrutiny of the Airport security for the safe passage of the cases of money being taking out of the country. Since Obasanjo's administration is "not joking about our war on corruption" Nigerians would like the EFCC to extend its search light to Local Governments, Religious sects, and the Traditional Rulers.

We do have some adroit Traditional Rulers that have bastardized the institution. The place we thought we could turn in to for words of wisdom, has become den of muggers. It has become the legion of doom, disgracing the pride of Africa culture. In the past, Traditional Rulers were never involved in Politics. They remained neutral and advise the politicians accordingly without taking side. Today, the institution has been traumatized. Any one with the resources could obtain a Chieftaincy title by paying their ways through with our highly respected Traditional Rulers. Baba Iyabo let us go for total cleansing. This is very sad and quite unfortunate to the coming generation. It has become an institution whereby if a citizen wants to establish businesses in town, an Oba, King, Obi, or Emir would like to have 'a share' in the project; either to be a partner or to get some 'cuts' from the would-be investor. An Oba, Obi or Emir has made himself the custodian of the Council of Chiefs' treasurer. Instead of distributing the allocation according to the laid down guidelines, as the Chair of the Council of Chiefs, 'sitting' on the council's money, is the norm. In addition the Local Government has to 'feed' the King, Oba, Obi, Emir, whenever he is 'hungry' from the public money. If the Local Government Chair refuses to do that, he is in trouble with the Community. The search light should go to some of these Traditional Rulers that have bastardized the institution. If I may borrow from my Governor, it is time these Traditional Rulers across the country either "shape up or be shipped out" in the anti-corruption crusade.

Should we blame the Governors in this behavior leaving the religious leaders, who 'pray' for them, without any control as if the Governors do not know how to communicate with their Creator? The word religion has been commercialized by some religious leaders receiving financial donations from their flocks without questioning the source of such funds. The irony of the whole thing is that while the members of the flock are on 'hunger strike', because of their passage to the Kingdom of God, their religion leaders are swimming in wealth. They blind the followers with their Holy Books, while they were busy siphoning the best juice out from the group. Take a look at these religious sects in Nigeria; they get the best of the congregation, the highest contribution from the people in the name of God. Our God is not that selfish. He made people to lead but not to cheat. Religious places should not be spared in this search light.

Turning to other institution, which Obasanjo called "Toll Gate Institutions" in the society, such as the Nigerian Customs, Immigration Service, National Providence Fund, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, National Maritime Authority, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the President is going all the way, especially with the media. The media grave challenge here is its lack of in-depth investigative reporting. For instance

"a governor was caught taking some brief cases under the barbed wire",

What is happening about the open accusation to the Chief Justice of Nigeria? Nigerians should note that the power to destroy a country lies with the Judiciary.

Will the Distinguished and Honorable members of the National Assembly move for the amendment of the Constitution to remove the immunity clause for the public officials? The incubator of corruption! What a country. Corruption eliminator is the PEOPLE.

We might have to be singing to the ears of Nigerian public servants, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, that

"Corruption undermines democratic institutions, creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and undermines the rule of law. Whichever way you look at it, corruption is antithetical to national development."

Before we knock the Governors down, let us look at their performances as rated by their people. According to ThisDay Newspaper published May 28, 2005, Nigerians rated two Governors performances were Poor, one below average, 12 performed on the Average level, 12 were Above Average, eight were Above Average Plus, and only one was rated Good.

Donald Duke, Cross River, the only Governor rated Good is taking tourism to new heights with his Tinapa Project. The Tinapa Project seeks to put the state on the continent's chart on tourism. The state is one that has come to be reckoned with not for any other accomplishment but in its focus in developing its agricultural and tourism potentials, with the cultivation of Pine apples, and the environmental cleanliness of the state capital with the "Clean and Green" policy are plus to Duke's administration.

Eight Governors were rated Above Average Plus:

Sam Egwu, Ebonyi, could be referred to as a man of peace. My personal interaction with him revealed his concern about education, the first governor to declare free and compulsory education at both the primary and secondary school levels in the country. The training of Ebonyi postgraduate studies in various specialist fields, and the State legislators, is a plus for him. He built multi-million naira fertilizer blending plant in Abakaliki the state capital, established an ultra-modern hatchery, construction of the link road connecting eight local government councils and two senatorial zones in the state and a selfless and visionary leader, brought him Above Average Plus status.

Gbenga Daniel, Ogun: focus on the people-oriented projects, such as rural electrification, water supply, housing, dualisation of Abeokuta-Sagamu road, tourism and opening up of the rural areas through access roads. Otunba Gbenga Daniel, OGD, I want my badge also. He might have spelt it the other way round, OGD = GOD, even though he is Otunba Gbenga Daniel. GOD is with this man, surviving in the Lion's Den. Who would not wear GOD badge with him all his life?

Danjuma Goje, Gombe, focus on perennial water scarcity, added six additional roads after settling the debts owed contractors, paid all arrears of pensioners, established the Gombe State University, the first Gombe-owned school of Nursing and Midwifery and set up 12 vocational Training Centres in all the 11 Local Government Councils.

James Ibori, Delta, building bridges in difficult terrain in one of the most controversial states in Nigeria. The bridge projects and the accompanying access roads, Delta state Polytechnic in Oghara, Ogwashiku, Ozoro and the College of Physical Education, Mosogar, Rural electrification and provision of pipe-borne water earned him his people's support.

Adamu Mu'azu, Bauchi, believes in qualitative education, functional civil service, and security. Roads were rehabilitated, every village, no matter how small, in all the 20 local governments, enjoys electricity, connected directly to the national grid, powered boreholes, hitherto done manually, "drink cold water from the refrigerator and the women, instead of coming to the city, can now fix their hair in the village".

Peter Odili, Rivers, focuses on Free School Bus, Independent Power project, Housing Scheme and Water projects, education, health, road construction, has the potential of being a model and modern state in Nigeria except for the legendary sanitary state of Port-Harcourt city that is fast turning into an urban garbage centre, almost like Lagos.

Bukola Saraki, Kwara, the "Mr. Private Sector" Governor at work with his popular initiatives of agricultural program, which will boost the state's revenue base, create employment opportunities and increase food production. He has also revived some government agencies which have either been moribund or epileptic, and recently came up with what we need in public service, "Shape up or Be Shipped Out" slogan. His other areas are in the Health sector. He has the cleanest State Capital.

Saminu Turaki, Jigawa, for his devotion to Information Technology, has moved the state up economically with the international cattle market, gum Arabic and sugar production projects, with his IT; his vision is to supply the world with the best IT experts from Africa. He is several decades ahead of his neighbor and has substantially electrified the state with solar power and provided potable water to most of the villages in Jigawa State.

The twelve Governors that people rated to have performed Above Average by their people are:

DSP Alamieyeseigha, Bayelsa, focused on road network in the state capital, the massive Information Technology centre in Yenegoa, housing, the building of the Niger Delta University, road network linking Yenegoa and Amasoma, pipe-borne water, refurbishment of schools and offering health services to most communities, electricity to the state from its own gas turbine, at Kolo, and several housing estates.

Victor Attah, Akwa Ibom, has helped in opening up a rural state and a fierce crusade for resource control which maintenance of such infrastructure like roads, hospitals and schools in the state, the building of the multi-purpose Park in Uyo, the state capital and the massive rice farm, Cat Fish project V-Mobile venture has earned him above average rating.

Attahiru Bafarawa, Sokoto, makes sure that education is squarely addressed in Sokoto State, realising that illiteracy was a major obstacle to the development of the state. He focused on poverty alleviation. Workers salaries are paid promptly and houses are made available on owner-occupier basis. The road network in the state is also excellent, with full-fledged street lights.

Abba Bukar Ibrahim, Yobe, focus on education, water, electricity, agriculture, roads, transportation, judiciary and state security, traditional institution as well as information network, earned him above average ratings. His administration gave birth and life to the state-owned Radio and Television stations.

Ayo Fayose, Ekiti, Hungry to perform, 'by all means necessary', but very controversial Governor in the South-west, unfortunately not very popular among the elite in the state, but he is popular with the masses of the people whom he relates with on a populist level.

Orji Uzor Kalu, Abia, an action governor, with his transport and poverty alleviation scheme, christened, 'DR'. Orji Uzor Kalu mass transit scheme, is rated above average. Is he a Doctor? He is noted remarkably in healthcare delivery with his "Orji Kalu free medical scheme", agriculture, poultry; high yield pest resisting cassava stems, high yield white corn seeds and millions of oil palm seedlings, and sports.

Other Above Average rated Governors such as

Ahmed Makarfi, Kaduna, has been challenged by the ethno-religious uprisings in the State. He has done well in maintaining the peace and mutual co-existence among the Muslims/Christians and indigenes/settlers which helped him in physical development on rural electrification, education, agriculture and rural development.

Chris Ngige, Anambra, who just been declared looser of the 2003 gubernatorial election, continue performing against all odds, in the areas of road rehabilitation and construction, restoration of water supply, settlement of outstanding public servants' salaries and pensions, lifted the age long embargo placed on employment with the employment of doctors, lawyers, nurses, accountants and engineers to fill existing vacancies, rehabilitating hospitals, schools as well as embarking on a revolutionary agricultural program at Igbariam and Omor plantations and building an ultra modern stadium and a golf course, the first of their kind since the state was created several decades ago.

Chimaroke Nnamani, Enugu, is rated on the establishment of the largest brewery plant in Ama, in addition to the Ebe Ano Housing complex, rehabilitation and construction of roads within the capital, linking the three senatorial zones, establishment of law school in the state and a medical school for ESUT in Enugu.

Ibrahim Shekarau, Kano, spent most of his time in getting his predecessor in office to account for his alleged misappropriation of funds. He is noted for his initial intransigence on the polio immunization issue. Nonetheless he has made some move in infrastructural development and agriculture, with the distribution of tractors and other farming implements to all the 44 local government areas in the state.

Bola Tinubu, Lagos, created employment for youth and embarking on road rehabilitation projects through the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the health sector. His State funding is an impediment to his administration.

Sani Yerima, Zamfara, Mr. Sharia, a religious promoter. Agriculture and welfare of civil servants in the state are among areas readily referenced. He has concentrated a lot of his resources on promoting Islam and Islamic education, for which his people are grateful to him.

The twelve Governors that were rated Average in their performances are

Abdullahi Adamu, Nasarawa, a detribalized leader and an advocate of even development for all areas of the state; focus on farming and education, and health.

Segun Agagu, Ondo, an energetic and focused performance on development of infrastructure and education, equipping of libraries, gave him an average mark. George Akume, Benue, who focuses on Agriculture, low-cost housing, education and rural development, is an excellent Crisis manager.

Adamu Aliero, Kebbi, focus on agriculture and tourism. He transformed and taken the Argungun Fishing Festival to the international level. I watched the most recent Argungun festival on CNN.

Boni Haruna, Adamawa, made some positive incursions into agricultural sector, with attention given to schools, roads, and health service.

Lucky Igbinedion, Edo, set up the Fruit factory, Cassava Pellet plant at Uromi, opened up Ikpeshi Solid Minerals Plant which produces Kaolin for the processing of powder substance used for the production of paints at Ikpeshi, a gigantic projects like the Environmental Laboratory, Edo state Library, (in Benin-city), Housing estate project around the State, and the many pipe-borne water projects. Upon that, he got an average score.

Other Governors rated on the Average are

Abdulkadir Kure, Niger, distracted by presidential politics and very rich in retired, but highly influential ex-military officers. That is not what the people 'go chop', average rating is good for me, by the people.

Jolly Nyame, Taraba; Governor Jolly Nyame's achievements are in the areas of health facilities, education, provision of potable water and electricity, Jalingo bye-pass road, but the survey says, Average performance.

Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Osun, might have been distracted by an "Owambe" status which he gained as military administrator of Lagos State, despite that he opened rural areas through access roads, finishing uncompleted projects like the state-owned TV Station. Modu Sherif, Borno, focus on facilities and teaching materials in both primary and post primary schools and health sector.

Achike Udenwa, Imo, the author of "Re-orientation", showcase his administration by the establishment of a University Teaching Hospital, Orlu International Market, the Songhai Integrated Farms; 175 housing units, and road projects.

Umar Yar'Adua, Katsina, prides itself with the construction of infrastructural amenities like roads, shelter and the establishment of pilot primary schools in the 34 local government areas did not get him more than an average performance.

Joshua Dariye, Plateau, was the only Governor rated Below Average, while running battles with Scotland Yard, and the alleged ownership of apartments and houses in the United Kingdom under an assumed name and holding a foreign account, overshadowed whatever he might have been accomplished as a second term Governor.

The two Governors with Poor ratings are

Ibrahim Idris, Kogi, with deplorable roads and challenges from erosion control, bridges, housing, electricity and education; and

Rashidi Ladoja, Oyo, even with well established infrastructure in the state as a result of the old status of Ibadan as the capital of the region, Ladoja has really not tried to maintain them much less adding fresh ones.

From the above ratings by Nigerians we understand that some Governors are doing well. Now who among these Governors are under investigation? In my language we used to make fun of an individual in my elementary school days, and to President Obasanjo "Wi niun", that is, mention their names. Nigerians want to know. Who are the ten among these Governors are currently being investigated by both the EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC)? The enquiry mind wants to know, Mr. President. Could we judge them by their performances? I doubt that, because one of them took some luggages under barbed wire at the International Airport Security check point, and was rated Above Average.

In the past we have heard of blanket statements from Dr. Okonjo Iweala that the Governors take their State allocations outside the country, Orji Kalu that he has the names of the Governors that have foreign accounts, and their account numbers; Balogun of Owu's anger escalates when G-8 handed him the list of top Government officials to be investigated or prosecuted. Where are these names Baba Iyabo? We believe that Balogun is supposed to be intrepid. Please publish their names.

Ribadu of EFCC would claim that he has some names of the Governors under investigation or currently investigating two serving Governors. Who are they? Please name names as we approach 2007. Nigerians are tired of blanket statements; it makes the innocent Governors look bad. Let us bring the bad ones to book. Nigerians are anxiously awaiting the EFCC actions, "immunity or no immunity" let us ride on, so that the good Governors would continue to raise their heads above their shoulders. My people please don't get me wrong; we have some good ones among the Governors. By their fruits we shall know them.

Balogun of Owu, "Wi niun", please mention their names, when you get to Kwara State this Friday, August 26, 2005.