Blaming the President for Everything Is Misguided, Says BiFa  

 Blaming the President for Everything Is Misguided, Says BiFa

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The Chief Executive Officer of BIFA Studio, Ahmad BiFa has urged Nigerians to better understand the workings of government, saying many citizens erroneously blame the president for every challenge of governance while ignoring the roles of governors, lawmakers and other elected officials.

BiFa stated that the absence of civic education has resulted in widespread misconceptions about the roles of various levels of government when discussing governance, accountability, and public awareness.

According to him, many development projects being executed by the federal government are often ignored or misunderstood because they are not adequately publicised, allowing misinformation and negative narratives to gain traction among the public.

He cited ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Abuja-Kano highway, as examples of initiatives that are progressing despite claims in some quarters that they have been abandoned.

“The government may be working but if people don’t have information on the situation, then the narrative changes,” BiFa said. “Someone sitting in Maiduguri or any other part of the country may not have the reality on ground and think that not much is being done.

The filmmaker maintained that one of the greatest challenges facing Northern Nigeria is the limited understanding many citizens have about governance and public administration.

He noted that while the president plays a crucial role in national leadership and security, state governors and legislators are equally responsible for delivering development and ensuring the effective use of public resources within their jurisdictions.

“People vote for governors, members of the House of Assembly and other representatives. These leaders receive allocations and have responsibilities to the people.

“People need to know how much money is coming into their states, and they need to ask how those dollars are being spent,” he said.

BiFa also advocated for increased accountability at the state level, asserting that citizens should hold their elected officials accountable for their actions rather than directing all grievances to the president.

“On insecurity, governors have a role to play to protect the citizens of their states, and to strengthen security programmes,” he said.

“The country’s challenges necessitate that all levels of government collaborate to resolve the issue of insecurity.”

The CEO of BIFA Studio stated that he engages in public debates to promote a more informed and engaged citizenry and to educate individuals on governance issues.

He urged Nigerians, particularly those in the North, to be more concerned about government policies, public spending, and resource allocations. He noted that a well-informed populace would be better equipped to demand accountability and promote good governance.

BiFa said that raising awareness among citizens and encouraging them to understand the responsibilities of various public office holders would significantly improve governance and strengthen democracy in Nigeria.