•Hon Jimbo says items that can last for years are yearly inserted in capital budgets
•Figures arbitrarily inserted, professionals later asked to ‘adjust’ estimates to fit them
•Unity APC’s biggest asset for 2027; Akpabio inspires me
By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja
At a time when Nigeria is grappling with rising inflation, deepening economic hardship and
growing security concerns, the debate over governance and leadership has taken centre stage
ahead of the 2027 political cycle. In this interview with Vanguard, a member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Clement Jimbo, speaks candidly on the policies of the current administration, the controversial removal of fuel subsidy, and the role of the National Assembly in cushioning the impact on Nigerians.
Representing Abaq/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, Jimbo also outlines bold proposals from state-backed fuel price interventions to rent regulation and weighs in on state policing, security failures and his legislative footprint. Excerpts:
How would you assess the current state of governance in your constituency and Nigeria at large?
Starting with my constituency, I would say my people are well aligned with current government policies and their implementation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For instance, many of my constituents are beneficiaries of the Student Loans Act passed by the National Assembly.
Also, following subsidy removal and the introduction of CNG initiatives, Akwa Ibom State is building one of the largest CNG plants, and many of our youths are already undergoing training in installation and maintenance. These are practical benefits of government policy.
At the national level, I would say Nigeria has been strategically positioned to absorb shocks that could have been worse. Imagine if we didn’t have a functional refinery like the Dangote Refinery amid global tensions such as the conflict involving the United States, Iran, and Israel. Nigeria would have suffered severe fuel scarcity and skyrocketing prices.
What many Nigerians don’t realize is that certain policy “shock absorbers” have been put in place by the Executive and the 10th National Assembly to cushion these effects.
Many Nigerians still blame the government for the current hardship, especially high fuel prices. What makes your leadership approach different?
Leadership must be proactive. For instance, I am moving a motion on the urgent need for Nigeria to establish a Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Countries like the United States have reserves of about 750 million barrels, China has about 450 million, and India has about 40 million barrels. Nigeria, being a major oil producer, has none.
Beyond that, I am proposing that state governments should intervene directly. If fuel is sold at N1,350 per litre, a state government can subsidize it to N1,000 by absorbing the difference. Once one state does it, others will follow due to public pressure. This will create a ripple effect that benefits Nigerians.
But subsidy removal was partly due to fraud. Should there be legislation to guide such state interventions?
We are on the same page. The fraud in subsidy payments was real. People brought in empty vessels, claimed subsidy, and enriched themselves. That had to stop.
However, now that more funds are available to states due to subsidy removal, governors should use part of those funds to support citizens. While the National Assembly can make laws, states must domesticate them.Governance must be collaborative.
What practical solutions do you propose to ease the rising cost of living?
One critical area is housing. I strongly believe rent in Nigeria should be regulated. It is unacceptable that a house built 10 or 20 years ago continues to see arbitrary rent increases yearly.
This is not inflation, it is greed. Government must step in and cap rent increases to protect citizens.
What are your key achievements in the National Assembly so far?
I have sponsored several bills and motions. One notable bill was for the establishment of a National Commission on Technology Transfer, aimed at leveraging Nigeria’s lithium deposits to boost local manufacturing, especially in battery production. Although it did not scale through, I plan to reintroduce it in the 11th Assembly.
I also moved motions on pension reforms to allow retirees easier access to their savings, and on infrastructure like the Kolo-Biobo Bridge, which is now being handled by the NDDC.
In my constituency, we have built schools, installed solar streetlights, provided boreholes, graded roads, and distributed free exercise books and learning materials to students.
Security remains a major concern. What strategies should Nigeria adopt?
The solution is intelligence, technology-driven intelligence. We need drones, surveillance systems, and real-time tracking.
It is unacceptable that hundreds of people can be kidnapped without trace. Even when victims are rescued, Nigerians deserve to know who the perpetrators are. Transparency builds confidence and serves as a deterrent.
While the government is trying, I must say they have not fully gotten it right in security.
What is your position on state policing?
I am a strong supporter of state policing. Security is local. People who understand the terrain, language, and culture are better equipped to handle security challenges.
A police officer from another region may struggle to navigate local communities, but a local officer will know the routes, the people, and even detect suspicious conversations.
There are concerns that governors may abuse state police powers. Do you share that fear?
Every system has its risks, but that should not stop us from doing what is necessary. With proper legal frameworks and oversight, those concerns can be managed.
The benefits of state policing far outweigh the risks.
There are concerns that governors may abuse state police powers. Do you see that as a real risk?
Every system has its fears, but that should not stop progress. Let me put it this way: a couple that is afraid of pregnancy and childbirth will never experience the joy of having a child.
The fact that some governors may abuse state policing should not make us throw away its enormous benefits. At worst, a governor stays in office for eight years. But the gains of effective policing will last far beyond that.
So are we going to sacrifice long-term security for short-term fears? It doesn’t add up.
Let’s talk about budgeting. The 2025 budget is still being implemented, yet we are already in 2026. Where is the problem?
The problem lies largely with the capital component of the budget. While recurrent expenditures like salaries have seen up to 90–95% implementation, capital projects are lagging significantly, with some MDAs recording as low as 0–2%.
One major issue is unrealistic budgeting. We keep inserting items that are not necessary. You see repeated purchases of computers, vehicles, and furniture every year and they are items that should last several years.
This is part of what fuels inflation. The National Assembly must intensify its oversight to eliminate such waste and ensure only relevant, realistic items make it into the budget.
Are you suggesting that the National Assembly is partly responsible?
I will agree with you to some extent. Oversight can be improved.
But we must also understand that the executive often submits budgets late, sometimes just weeks before the new fiscal year. This puts the National Assembly under pressure and limits our ability to properly scrutinize proposals.
That said, even within these constraints, we have made efforts. For example, in my oversight role, I once compelled an MDA to withdraw a proposal to purchase 10 vehicles at an unrealistic cost. When they re-presented the budget, that item was removed.
What structural issue affects Nigeria’s budgeting system the most?
Lack of professional input. Budgeting is a technical exercise, but professionals like quantity surveyors are often not involved.
Instead, figures are arbitrarily inserted, and later professionals are asked to “adjust” estimates to fit those figures. This leads to inflated or unrealistic project costs, abandoned projects, and poor implementation.
If we get our estimates right from the beginning, we can achieve up to 90–95% budget implementation.
Let’s move to politics. What is your ambition ahead of 2027?
I am currently serving as a member of the House of Representatives, but I aspire to higher office. In fact, I contested for President in 2019 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
That ambition is still alive. However, for now, I intend to return to the House of Representatives in 2027, and from there, we will see what direction God leads.
Do you believe your party, the APC, is well-positioned for the 2027 elections?
The answer is an emphatic yes.
Democracy is about numbers, and APC has the numbers. We currently have about 32 governors, a majority in the House of Representatives, and a dominant presence in the Senate.
APC’s strength lies in its ability to build alliances. From its formation in 2013, it brought together major political forces across regions. That unity remains its biggest asset.
Some Nigerians fear the country is drifting toward a one-party state. What is your response?
That is not correct. Nigeria still has about 19 registered political parties.
The real issue is the inability of opposition parties to organize themselves. Internal crises, leadership struggles, and lack of discipline are weakening them, not the APC.
You cannot blame APC for the problems within other parties.
How would you assess Nigeria’s electoral process? Does it need reform?
We have made significant progress.
We moved from manual systems to smart card readers and now to BVAS. We now rely on accredited voters, not total registered voters, and electronic transmission of results has improved transparency.
While no system is perfect, our electoral process is far more credible today than it was years ago.
Who has influenced your political journey the most?
Senator Godswill Akpabio.
I have followed his trajectory from his days as commissioner to governor. His leadership style, resilience, and visible impact in Akwa Ibom State have greatly influenced me.
If given a higher leadership role, what would be your top priorities?
Power electricity is number one.
If we fix power, we would solve about 70% of Nigeria’s problems. I strongly support decentralizing power generation and distribution.
States generating electricity should be allowed to distribute and even sell excess power to neighboring states. Competition will drive efficiency.
What about rising electricity tariffs and energy challenges?
We must embrace a mix of energy solutions both renewable and conventional.
Solar energy, for example, is a viable and cost-effective option. We can deploy mini-grids in rural communities and reduce dependence on expensive diesel-powered systems.
Technology has advanced, and Nigeria must adapt.
Finally, what is your message to Nigerians ahead of 2027?
Nigerians must come out and vote.
Voter turnout has been very low compared to the number of registered voters. Many people think elections don’t affect them but they do.
The quality of leadership you get depends on the choices you make. If you elect competent leaders, policies will translate into real development.
So my message is simple: participate, vote wisely, and hold leaders accountable.
As political realignments gather momentum ahead of 2027, voices like Hon. Jimbo’s underscore the deepening contest between governance narratives, economic realities, and voter expectations in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.