I think folks are being way too cautious, and perhaps justified, because of the unlimited discretionary and spending powers of the former regime. The Nigerians say If a mad man beats you up once, when you see a mechanic you will run.
However, placing a billboard NOT to nurture omnipresence of leadership, like in most dictatorships, but as a notice calling public attention to a forthcoming event? C'mon man, that should be passable. Just tell your GSM companies that it isn't an easement to launch another billboard erecting competition. Same way, a little 'njansa' (token) here and there even though by a head of state, but the significance of the gesture being one of cultural than "political patronage," that cannot necessarily cultivate sycophancy.
In my opinion, if there are functional and empowered oversight institutions, really and truly independent audit offices for instance, a policing Parliament, no-nonsense prosecutors and a fearless judiciary, we can all rest assured that public funds will be utilised for the purposes intended, and that whatever the Head of State is being generous with is his own dough.
Lastly, if going to be a National Assembly Member (NAM) is gonna be based on popularity, or on a certain competence even though no sufficient command of official English language, the Senegalese Parliament's under Speaker Moustapha Niasse won't be bad: ratify law allowing NAMs to debate in vernacular, if they're more comfortable with that, and enable all to express themselves clearly on issues of national importance. I heard we used to have a NAM who when challenged will say: "Ndeysan, how I wish this forum was in my mother tongue." Pointing to his head he'll say: "the idea is here but it cannot come out."
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