“THE CHALLENGE
OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE”, BEING TITLE OF LECTURE DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF
LAGOS STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN ON THE BIRTHDAY
ANNIVERSARY OF HIS EXCELLENCY TIMIPRE SYLVA
I think it is
too elementary to attempt any formal definition of democracy.
It will serve
our purpose to say that it is participatory governance in the sense that we all
have a say, whether we vote or not. It is also useful to remind ourselves that
participation is largely by representation; in other words, those who are old
enough to vote and those who are not, are represented by people elected to
speak, think and act for us.
This part is
very important because we all cannot be in Government, especially the Executive
and Legislative arm, so we must elect or otherwise choose people to go there on
our behalf.
The problem is
compounded by size.
Can you imagine
what a Senate or House of Representatives where all 160 million of us can sit
will look like? From this point we can see the inherent challenges that lie in
a process of collective decision making.
In order to
further highlight some of the challenges that lie in democratic governance, I
will share with you a report of developments across the World published by
Newsweek Magazine on August 23 & 30, 2010 edition titled “the Best
Countries in the World”, Newsweek Top 100.
An article by
Rana Foroohar posed the following question before delivering the report of a
survey of 100 nations:-
”If you were
born today, which country would provide you the very best opportunity to live a
healthy, safe, reasonably prosperous and upwardly mobile life?”
In the answer,
Finland was number 1, Nigeria was number 99, Ghana was number 86, South Africa
was number 82, Brazil was number 48, Singapore was number 20, USA was number
11, United Kingdom was number 14. Greece, with its recent economic and debt
crises was number 26, Russia was number 51.
The United Arab
Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, that are not democracies in the
contemporary sense of the western conception were rated 43, 53, 54 and 64
respectively.
Out of the 53
African countries on the continent, only 18 made the ranking, the highest being
Tunisia 65, Morocco 67 and Egypt 74.South Africa, which is reputed to be arguably
the best democracy in Africa and at the time, the largest economy ranked lower
than these “undemocratic” North African countries at 82.
As if this was
not bad enough, earlier this year on a business trip to Abu Dhabi, I was forced
to enter into conversation with a middle aged man of Arab extraction.
It was in the
evening in our hotel. He had come out to the restaurant to dine and unwind. I
ended up on the same table with him and he was insistent on making conversation
while he drank a glass of red alcoholic wine.
In the event he
sought to know where I came from and when I said Nigeria, he accused our
Government of pauperizing our country when we have oil like his own country,
Saudi Arabia.
When I told him
that he was not supposed to drink alcohol he asked me if I was going to report
to his country.
When I reminded
him that his country was not democratic, he hit me where it hurts most.
He asked what
the value of democracy is to my own countrymen when his own countrymen can
build hospitals that we bring our own ailing presidents to.
As if this was
not enough, he rounded off by saying to me that in his country they see what
their leaders are doing with their money, building roads, bridges, new
airports, schools, hospitals, rail, shopping malls and generally driving
development, and he at least did not care about democracy.
Although I felt
hurt that he thought very little of my country, the idea of freedoms, to think,
to speak, to act and to ask questions is too valuable for me to exchange for
development under an autocratic or undemocratic government.
So I worry as we
must all worry, when I hear some people say that it is part of their
achievement that they allow us to express ourselves. Utter Rubbish!
They seek to
re-define the relationship in the social contract. They are to serve us and not
the other way round. It is not a privilege for us to complain when they do not
deliver.
If the only
options left to choose from were between freedom and development, I for one
will rather surrender development than freedom.
However, I am
however convinced beyond doubt that democracy can deliver development and this
is the central theme of my presentation.
fashola-Babatunde-Fashola-Governor-Lagos-StatePolitical
Parties
In order for this to happen, the vehicle of politics, the political parties
must be developed as first class institutions. The first thing to seek is the
“idea” behind governance (this is often contained in the program of a political
party). This is very important because the extremes of left and right ideologies
have now converged around the centre.
If China and
Russia are democratizing, no matter how imperfectly, it is clear that the
communist or socialist ideologies of economic exchange have proven to become
unsustainable. Conversely, capitalism in its purest sense has also had to
reinvent itself to remain viable. Therefore it moved from cash to credit and
credit almost killed it.
The question of
ideology is important because it lies at the heart of choice making for the
people who participate in election to choose their representatives. At all
times, the welfare of the people is the central theme for the canvassing of
votes. It is the ideology, often on economic outlook, sometimes on social
outlook that helps to crystallize the difference between the political party
machines.
Before
concluding on party ideology (because it can be the subject of a full lecture
itself) let me say that while some people still delude themselves that there is
no difference between our political parties, especially the ruling party and
the main opposition, the differences are emerging daily for those who are
discerning enough to notice.
If on major
policy issues such as power, security, agriculture, corruption and unemployment
the main opposition has disagreed with the party in Government and has
criticized its choices, I wonder what else the party needs to do to prove that
there is a difference.
If you look at
the level of progress and development (World Bank poverty index) in the States
governed by old and new opposition Governors, there is clear daylight in terms
of development. For example, it is no coincidence that only 2 (two) States,
Lagos and Rivers, governed by APC Governors are executing rail projects on
their own as a mass transit solution.
The party in
government has lied about when there will be stable electricity for 16 years,
and an APC state, Lagos led the way in showing what is possible with its power
initiatives in Egbin, Akute, Lagos Island and Alausa. Ikeja and Lekki will be
commissioned this year.
Other APC
Controlled states are clearly Pack Leaders in service delivery across the
religious landscape.The party in power prefers to continue to import fuel with
the attendant disruptions, and monumental corruption. It cancelled its own
concession of moribund refineries.
Lagos believes
that in a strategic partnership where it provides land for a refinery, Nigeria
can produce enough petroleum products for consumption and still have some to
export in 4 (four) years. The ruling party is now sending a clear message to
the people.
This is what
they are saying:-
“We care about
you, but you do not need development so we will not do any developmental work
in 3 (three) years. In the 4th (fourth) year we will give you money, kerosene,
and rice. Please vote for us, and use the money we give you to provide your own
roads, schools, hospitals and security, until we see you again in 4 (four) years”.
In the last
election in Osun, the APC candidate sought the peoples vote on a campaign
anchored on first his record of 4 years, and a clear developmental and economic
agenda to empower the people if elected. For the candidate of the other main
party, the election was going to be a war. So said no less a person than the
Vice-President of our country. A leading member of that party. The candidate
therefore anchored his campaign on an intention to CAPTURE Ekiti. For me there
is clear daylight between these two approaches. Anyone who still pretends not
to see this major economic ideological difference will not see the tallest
building in the world even if he stands in front of it.
People and
Members
I will start
here with the quote of Bertolt Brecht who said:-
“The worst
illiterate is the political illiterate. He hears nothing, sees nothing, takes
no part in political life. He doesn’t seem to know that the cost of living, the
price of beans, of flour, of rent, of medicines, all depend on political
decisions. He even prides himself on his political ignorance, sticks out his
chest and says he hates politics. He doesn’t know, the imbecile, that from his
political non-participation comes the prostitute, the abandoned child, the
robber and, worst of all,
corrupt officials, the lackeys of exploitative multinational corporations”.
It seems that when opposition does its job will the Governmet panic and resort
to a propaganda of lies. It is part of the lies they have told us about the
mismanagement of our National Security. Their first story was that those behind
it were within the Government. When the opposition pushed them to identify
those people they have turned around to say it is the opposition.
Distinguished
ladies and gentlemen, it is still regrettable that the majority of the members
of our political parties and politicians do not yet include the critical elite
of our society.
They still see
politics as something too dirty. Whether we like it or not, history has shown
that the elite of any society, especially its professional cadre, and the very
best of them decide the direction of the nation when they come to a consensus
about the pathway for their nation, even if they belong to different political
parties.
Where are all
the people who have built things with their hands in our society?
What are they
doing outside of Government?
Where are the
founders of the big banks, businesses, telecoms in our body politic?
Are they just
content to finance and yet remain unwilling to take the plunge?
There is
unverifiable talk that they are willing to identify with the ruling party when
they are in Abuja, and with the party in Government in their states when they
get to their bases for fear of reprisals?
What do our
elite believe?
It is only by
their belief, that contributions can come in to fund parties, where members pay
dues, where strong values restrain people from decamping whenever the grass in
not green on their side again.
Truth be told,
opposition politics is tough and only the committed and true believers see it
through.
Opposition
politics carries its own pain everywhere and has been the subject of a book called
“How to be in Opposition. Life in the Political Shadows”, where Nigel Fletcher
provides useful insight into the challenges of being in opposition and also
profers useful tips.
The one I will
share with you is sub-titled “choose your weapons wisely”, and this is what he
says:-
“An opposition
cannot compete with the Government on resources, so you must be inventive. In
what is a David and Goliath contest, you can use the advantages of greater
agility to aim your slingshot where it can do the most damage. Parliamentary
ambushes, media attacks and effective research will wear down Ministers and
help expose their mistakes”
As you may have
also heard in this part of the World, the party in power will accuse you of
trying to bring down the Government.
This is
certainly not the same thing as bringing down the Country because the
Government can be removed by LEGITIMATE and CONSTITUTIONAL means at the ballot
box.
According to
Nigel Fletcher:- “…bringing down the Government was a peculiar day job and it
is. But that is really only the negative side of the job description. With
equally lofty ambition, the positive side of opposition could be summed up as
‘trying to change the World’. This is surely something worth doing…”
Perhaps when all
these issues have been put in proper place, can we then begin to talk of the
people of the party and what defines it. This is different from a manifesto,
which can change (discuss) easily.
It is the
ideology of the party (what the Americans call the platform statement ) and what
I call the DNA of the party that is very difficult to change. The nearest to it
since the Action Group was formed in 1951 is the All Progressive Congress Code
of Ethics unveiled at its inaugural summit on the 6th of March 2014.
It is important
to repeat the codes here:-
“1. Our party
considers the Nigerian people as our nation’s greatest asset, and will do
everything to protect and preserve human life and dignity.
2. Our party
upholds a Nigeria bound by the principles of freedom, justice, peace, unity and
the rule of law.
3. Our party
upholds and respects every individual’s choice of faith under God.
4. Our party has
no tolerance for corruption and will manage Nigerian resources responsibly,
with a commitment to accountability and the pursuit of the greatest good for
the greatest number of people.
5. Our party is
committed to a strong system of government at the federal, state and local
levels as the most effective vehicle for harnessing the diversity and
preserving the unity of Nigeria.
6. Our party
rests on the foundation of democracy, fairness and the pursuit of opportunity
for all citizens, predicated on economic productivity, fair competition and the
bridging of inequalities.
7. Our party
pursues its objective of increasing economic opportunity, social welfare and
progress through a government-led and private sector driven economy.
8. Our party
upholds the principle of one person, one vote grounded in free and fair
elections at all levels.
9. Our Party
upholds and respects the interests of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups that
constitute our Nation.
10. Our party
recognizes Nigeria’s strategic role on the African continent and commits to the
pursuit of a foreign policy that promotes peace, security and our national
interest.”
The existence of
these codes leads inexorably to how the parties are managed. Who leads them?
What type of experience do they have? When and where are meetings held and how
are decisions taken? (Night meetings).
Finally, what is
the process of choosing representative of the party (officials) and its
flagbearers?
What role do
debates play?
What is the
efficiency of primaries?
Where do we draw
the difference between “godfatherism” and “endorsements”?
I have taken the
trouble, even if in summary form, to highlight some of the bridges we must
cross in order to deepen democracy.
These are only
some of the challenges that democratic governance faces.
It seems to me
that the countries that have managed to deliver development with democracy got
one thing right – they built strong political parties (Not one in four years
parties).
The makings were
appearing in SDP and NRC until the annulment of June 12.
Thankfully, the
APC provides the opportunity for a rebirth, with the broad base from which its
coalition is formed.
That in itself
is a challenge, which, if overcome and harnessed, provides very deep diversity
from which to project strength and national unity.
Leadership of
Government
Until recently,
we all used to think that our national development was inhibited by the fact
that we never had a university graduate as leader of any national government in
an executive capacity.
This perhaps
alludes only faintly to the issue of the elite consensus, but it is not the
same.
Thankfully, the
myth of graduate leadership as desirable as it is, has been exploded now.
We have two
graduates (a zoologist and an architect) at the helm of our National affairs
and I think the majority of Nigerians will tell you today that their lives are
worse off today than they were 4 (four) years ago.
Clearly there
must be more to leadership than a university degree and educational
qualification.
There is
character, vision, courage, empathy, compassion and many more attributes that
you simply will not find in a classroom or school.
They are in
homes, in communities and also in the value system of society.
Recently, our
leadership has re-defined empathy by inviting parents of abducted Chibok girls,
bereaved people, to the presidential villa for commiseration. I find this truly
strange. Truly unAfrican.
How does this
sound?
“I heard you
lost your child to abductors. Please come and see me at home so I can
sympathize with you”.
This is my
paraphrasing of what has so far transpired.
As if this was
not bad enough, there is a tissue of lies around whether or not they tried to
give the bereaved parents money. It is a low point for leadership. It suggests
the lack of empathy.
This is not the
first lie that surrounds the unfortunate abduction of young girls in Chibok.
The first
statement was to say that they had rescued the girls.
When pressed to
show us the girls they issued a statement casting doubt on whether the girls
were actually abducted. The new story, is that they now know where the girls
are.
This is the same
way they lied about the unaccounted for $48 Billion; when they say it was only
$20 Billion as if it was good not to account for $1.00.
They have turned
around to say no money was missing, but add that they have appointed “forensic
auditors” to find out of the money was missing. It seems strange and illogical
to be searching for what is not missing.
Where is
courage?
The character to
proceed even in spite of fear.
I think we will
all do well to remember that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King led from the front in
the civil rights movement, so did Mandela, so did Lee Kuan Yew in the agitation
for Singapore‘s independence.
Barack Obama has
been to the war fronts in countries where American troops (young men and women)
are put in harm’s way, to inspire them.
As racially
divided as America was in the days of Martin Luther King, he did not seek to
divide the country and impose black rule over white.
He dreamt and
worked hard to unify divided people.
Mandela
sacrificed personal liberty for the emancipation of his people and surrendered
presidential power for a higher power – a moral authority – that made him the
father of a continent and a global leadership reference, when by clinging to
power he could not have been more than a president of one of the world’s 196
(One Hundred and Ninety Six) countries.
Instead of
dividing the ethnic Chinese, Malay and Indians in Singapore, Lee Kwan Yew
united them by his housing and education policies, built a nation, and took
them on a journey of dizzying adventure and development.
What we are
witnessing now is a daily dishonor and discredit of the service of previous
Governments. They tell us now that since Nigeria was created, no Government has
done for us what they have done for us.
What would the
nationalists who fought for our independence say to these inheritors? I wonder
how the 7 surviving formers Heads of State and Presidents who attend the
National Council of States feel, when they hear this kind of talk.
Yet their
unmatched achievements has not delivered stable power whose delivery date has
not escaped their lies. The date has shifted from month-to-month to
year-to-year since 2011. The lie was even told to an International News Agency.
Instead of
boasting that no previous leader of Government has done more for the country as
our Government does, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the leader of Dubai whose
achievements far surpass ours (at least for now) not only acknowledges the
service of those before him, he sets new challenges for his Government and
dreams new dreams for his people.
This is what he
said in the book “MY VISION: Challenges in the Race for Excellence” at pages
44, 45, 46, 213 and 214. “Although Arab and world history abound with numerous
examples of such leaders, if I were to review the history that I stood witness
to, the leader I constantly think about is Sheikh Zayed”
“Sheikh Zayed
earned the love of all those around him, out of their great respect for his
hard work and achievements. He was also frank and expected people to be frank
with him. This is something he taught me and this is how I came to respect him”
“How can I prove
this? Well many people, from the United Arab Emirates and overseas, criticized
Sheikh Zayed for drilling artesian wells in the desert and using the water for
farming. They said this would deplete a non-renewable source, inflict heavy
damage on the environment and disturb its natural balance. Although none of
those critics ever knew the actual size of the underground water reservoirs,
they continually criticized the idea.
As time passed,
water remained abundant and none of the fears of critics materialized, while
Sheikh Zayed was proven right. In the not-so-distant past, people travelling
between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain would die of thirst if they did not have enough
water for the long journey. Sheikh Zayed transformed the same journey into a
fascinating drive on an ultramodern highway flanked by farms, palm gardens and
endless greenery.
In fact, Sheikh
Zayed transformed a large area of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi into the world’s
largest oasis in one of the world’s harshest deserts. All this was made
possible by the huge water reserves he put to good use and which are now
expected to last many decades.
“I will never
abandon one opportunity and wait for another. We have not reached the goal we
are striving for. What you see now is nothing compared to our vision…just tiny
parts of what lies ahead”
“I know the road
to development and modernization is difficult; I know that it is long and I
also know that the next stages will be even tougher and longer. But I have
faith in God, I believe in my people, in the wisdom of our leadership and the
future of our nation. I am confident we will realize our goals. Our vision is
clear, our road is paved and the clock is ticking. There is no more time for
hesitation or half-baked goals or solutions. Development is an ongoing process
and the race for excellence has no finish line”
So until we find
that kind of leader that believes in God and country, who truly loves the
people, the leader who recognizes ‘service” not awards, self-adulation and
national honours as the highest honour, until then will our democracy remain
un-developing.
Certainly,
without subscribing to any recklessness, I would think that if the leadership
of any country is worth living for, it must be worth dying for.
Regrettably,
such sterling leadership as we now so desperately need is not given to nations,
frequently or in abundant supply.
In 236 years of
the USA, she has produced 44 presidents (of which one was elected for 4 terms)
and in about 500 years of British democracy, she has produced about 75 Prime
Ministers.
How many of
those Presidents or Prime Ministers do you remember off hand?
Why?
Many were either
not outstanding or simply did not meet the developmental aspirations of their
people.
In just about a
decade, Britain has produced 3 (three) Prime Ministers, Tony Blair, Gordon
Brown and David Cameron. Who knows what will happen in next year’s election?
This March 2014
in India, the ruling party, the Congress Party was defeated with the winning party,
BJP having 31.4% of the votes against the then ruling party’s 19.5% of votes.
The instructive message of this musical chair of leaders is that their people
have always acted to vote out leaders who were inefficient, not trusted or
simply unable to inspire their people. A number of American presidents served
only one term, some voluntarily stepped down (e.g. Nixon) others were voted out
after one term (eg. Carter, Bush Snr.). Recently, Gordon Brown only finished
the term of Tony Blair and was voted out in the first election he called.
So apart from building great parties, finding good people, and so on and so
forth, the Nigerian people must find the courage to vote out an un-performing
Government after its first term. This must be the mood when a Government lies
about power, about security an about the economy which are the problems it was
mandated to solve.
This is the
strongest message of a desire for development that the Nigerian people can send
to the incoming government as well, that we will vote you out if you also do
not develop our lives. It remains or me to wish Governor Timipre Sylva, at
whose behest this paper was written to commemorate his birthday anniversary, a
very Happy Birthday and many happy returns.
