WE MUST TAKE THAT BOLD STEP

Why should laws be applied equally to all? If a small cabal has political power and the rest don’t, it is only natural that whatever is fair game for the cabal should be banned and punishable for the rest. It is only when many individuals and groups have a say in decisions and the political power to have a seat at the table that the idea that they should all be treated fairly starts making sense.  – Why Nations Fail

The difference between prosperous and failing countries is that the former, through creative imagination, justice, education and collectivism – builds strong institutions, which in turn stimulate growth and development. The latter, like us over here, use corruption, self-serving elitism, illiteracy, injustice and impunity to create an exclusive club of monstrously powerful individuals who weaken social institutions in order to exploit them. At present, we clearly exhibit traits of swine fever. We should ensure that by May 30, 2015, we begin to take the necessary steps that lead a country from failing to prosperous. We should all get ready to face those growing pains.

Whilst I personally do not expect miracles in the next four years, there is something called “a leap of faith” in Christendom. It means that giant, bold and irreversible step taken towards achieving a goal.  We cannot undo the mess of decades in just 100 days, a year or one four year term. But we can start the journey. Through just a few simple actions we can lay the foundation for a better Nigeria. We can change our direction for the better, to the new road to our bright future. For instance, we had been clamouring for free, fair, credible elections to be held since June 12, 1993. It seemed like a pipe dream, a mirage. But it has been done.

This has been achieved because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under the leadership of Prof Attahiru Jega, decided to transform itself into a credible institution that would deliver. It is a live example of how easily we can achieve. That self-image of success, of the yes-we-can attitude, shows that we can win those battles and ultimately the war. We should focus now on further improving on the process. This is the only way that strong institutions are built and once this is achieved, the individuals manning them will comport themselves within the framework of the rules, lest they face the music.

 

For the incoming government, the mantra of change can only produce tangible success if General Mohammadu Buhari and his team begin by acquiring Nigerians’ buy-in to the change process. It is important for the president-elect not to waste energy on the political jobbers spending hugely on airtime and press page advertorials to “congratulate” him. The more propitious path to tread for Buhari is to start thinking about competent and motivated individuals who would help him build and entrench viable institutions for the common good. We do not want to see a government overpopulated with appointments based on party patronage.  If Buhari truly desires to fix Nigeria fast, we must grow beyond party lines and toe the line of technocrats and men and women of excellence. De-emphasising politics in the appointment of key technocrats who will work towards fixing the energy sector and provision of basic infrastructure as well as tackling corruption will help the president more than aligning with politicians who brought the nation to its knees in the first place.

Against the background of compelling deficits in almost all sectors of our national life, notwithstanding the princely sums reportedly being pumped into them, Buhari’s task is already cut out. None of the challenges we have as a nation today can be solved without a new vision and resolute leadership to provide a definitive direction. And it is not too late to start.

It is clear that our leaders are more susceptible to human frailties and errors of judgment than their counterparts in the developed world. This is not biological. It is for this reason that the other two arms of government – legislature and judiciary – have to be “reformed”.  Presently, the Nigerian judicial system is on life support and as a result cannot contribute to strengthening relevant institutions for utmost performance.  If I were the president-elect, that would be my starting point because a strong and truly independent Judiciary is the backbone of a prosperous political system. 

Nigerians have risen up against absolutism and impunity. Therefore, the rule of law, in its true sense, should emerge strongly as a by-product of our newfound political enthusiasm and people power. However, the yet-to-be-sworn-in governing party (the All Progressives Party, APC) must never allow the enthusiasm of its actors to contravene the very rules which it swore to protect. Creating and strengthening inclusive social institutions is the only way Nigeria will march towards inclusive economic development that will empower a broad segment of society and turn citizens’ expectations to collective prosperity.