Yakubu Dati, former Commissioner for Information in Plateau State, has raised a thoughtful concern many might not be paying attention to—the increasing pressure on state governors to show face at every wedding, burial, or social event, even when it means abandoning the real work they were elected to do.
Appearing on Sunrise, a Channels Television program, Dati pointed out that there’s an unhealthy obsession in some parts of Nigeria with measuring a governor’s effectiveness by how often they’re seen at ceremonies, instead of judging them by the roads they fix or the hospitals they build.
“It’s become common to hear people say a governor is doing well simply because he attends weddings and burials,” Dati remarked, clearly dismayed. “But governance isn’t about showing up at social functions—it’s about policies, infrastructure, and improving lives.”
He was, however, quick to note that a few governors are staying focused, pushing ahead with key projects and making real impact in the lives of citizens, despite the distractions and economic difficulties.
