Sun News Editorial, First Published on May 18th, 2015   –   It is not in contention that high cost of governance in the country is ca­pable of putting democracy, and indeed, the economy at grave risk. Undoubtedly, that is one of the big chal­lenges that the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari will grapple with.

It will be recalled that public outrage had in the past greeted jumbo allow­ances paid to federal lawmakers. That outcry still persists. For instance, it is estimated that National Assembly con­sumes no fewer than 3 percent of the Federal Budget, according to a figure quoted by Senator-elect, Ben Bruce. In 2011,former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said that about 25 percent of federal government overheads was spent on allowances of lawmakers. By every ac­count and by all standards, the allow­ances enjoyed by political office holders are unjustifiable and had pushed up the cost of governments to unacceptable heights, and therefore, requires imme­diate review. Read More….