By Seinde Arogbofa
- Governance in a season of anomie
In this period of anomie, I wonder why any person or group of persons should be thinking of Utmost Good Faith in Governance. One is surprised too at the choice of words and how they have been put together: all positive and superlative – utmost, good, faith in the management of men at a time when human beings especially in Nigeria are gradually receding to the stone age: when life is very cheap, unemployment of able-bodied citizens is scaring and soaring, insecurity of life and property on its upward march, hunger is life threatening, devotion to God and service to mankind are both shallow and just an eye service. Which faith in governance are we talking about when the animal instinct, because of our life style, has given no room for respect to God or humanity? One wonders if Nigeria’s Sodom and Gomorrah is not knocking. But one can understand those wishing us well and dreaming the dream of utmost good things; for it is their duty so to wish, pray and dream. Ladies and gentlemen, I salute CAN for this challenging discourse.
- Historical Review of Governance in Nigeria
But why are we, where we are today in Nigeria? That is the essence of the study of history which some have been trying to remove from human study. Didn’t Nigeria, for instance,have some faith in governance before the arrival of the white man? Our founding fathers, didn’t they dream and act well? Why then are we where we are today – that is the big question and as a corollary, is there any hope for us? Now, let’s rewind history to start with
- Pre-colonial Administration
The political structure of pre-colonial Yorubaland was the monarchy. This system of government was not democratic and decisions taken were binding and unchallengeable. When a monarch became too tyrannical, his chiefs would force him to abdicate by asking him to open the calabash (Si’gba). This was a euphemism for him to commit suicide or be banished and or be forced to go on exile. Government was anchored on the monarchy. In Igboland it was the republican system, amongst the Hausa-Fulani it was the feudal type: None was democratic.
The British later replaced the monarchy with the Indirect Rule system, in administering the colonial peoples through their Kings and where there were no kings as in Igboland, they created Warrant Chiefs who mainly served the interests of the British colonialists. The British imperialists attracted influential people into their fold and used superior arms or weapons to suppress any recalcitrant community leader.
The people obviously did not have faith in such a monarchical government because it wasautocratic, not democratic;ascoercion was the order of the day. Administration was fear inducing; welfare of the people was not paramount as thepeople could be deprived of their properties etc. Then the system of justice, though effective, was crude and unfair. Nor can we say that the indirect system satisfied the people because they were not free to determine their future.
- The Regional System
From 1954 till the army take over in 1966 however, efforts were made to improve on the governance of the country through the Parliamentary system introduced by our colonial masters. Two stages are however noticeable, with the first stage being the best experiment in governance in Nigeria so far.
This was the setting up of the Regional Government which lasted from 1954 to 1960 with Regional Premiers and Governors,but with a Governor-General for the new federation. Chief ObafemiAwolowo was Premier for West, Dr. NnamdiAzikiwe for East, and Sardaunaof Sokotofor the North. This has been Nigeria’s finest period of governance so far, as the three founding fathers competed, to outshine one another in the development of their regions.
- The Collapse of The Federal System
The second period of the Regional System started from 1960 and ended with the military takeover of 1966. The struggle to control the centre by the three premiers during the 1960 federal elections changed the whole scenario. The elections were marred with allegations of rigging and corruption. Eventually however, Sir TafawaBalewa, the surrogate of Sardauna of Sokoto, emerged as Prime Minister and Dr. NnamdiAzikiwe as Governor-General leaving Chief ObafemiAwolowo as Leader of Opposition. Unfortunately, the Federal System that so worked well under the three gentlemen was very badly abused under Sir TafawaBalewa, and eventually collapsed, leading to the first coup of 1966. Ever since, whether with the military baton change in civilian administration or even the introduction of the American Presidential System, good governance in the country, except in very few cases, has left much to be desired.
Generally, people abhor any form of dictatorship except during a war situation. Therefore such forms as autocracy, oligarchy, monarchy or military rule are disliked by the people because of their oppressive tendencies and poor delivery of good services to the people. That’s why it is said that the worst form of democracy is better than the most benevolent military rule. In fact for instance, the military command system and the monarchy rule are anathema to freedom lovers.
- Governance as a tripartite contract
From the above narrative, many factors can affect the success or failure of the governance of any nation. Some of these are – the choice or form of government, the environment or atmosphere in which people are governed; thirdly those who are elected to rule; and fourthly the people being ruled.
- The environment
Governance is a contract between the rulers and the governed. All being equal, for a good leader to govern well, there is the need for a good environment or atmosphere. For instance there must be job opportunities for the people, there must be fairplay and justice, there must be inclusiveness in government, nepotism and corruption must be reduced to the barest minimum, there must be fair distribution of amenities, and there must be opportunities for growth. During the regional government days, Awolowo, Azikiwe and Sarduana employed all these. That was the secret of the huge successes they recorded in their various regions.
- The Leader and his commitment
We need a leader who can make things work, a patriotic leader, a leader who is father to all, a detribilised leader who abhors nepotism, corruption and other such vices, a visionary leader who can plan for the future of his country, a leader sound in mind and body and ready to make sacrifices for his people, a leader who can protect his people, a leader like Mandela of South Africa who served his people well and knew when to quit, a leader like Winston Churchill who in the war time led his people to victory, a leader like M. Ghandi, the father of democracy who knew that democracy was best for his people and used it for the good of his people, indeed leaders who at critical times can change the deplorable fortunes of their people, leaders and managers of men and materials. These are the leaders that can bring credibility to governance.
- The people
We must also have followers or people who can make a difference in the governance of a nation – not docile citizens, not vulnerable, jobless and hungry people, not politicians that can belong to as many as 12 political parties within the twelve months in a year or who abandon their primary training and see politics as the only way of life, not citizens who are always on the fast line for unmerited wealth, not people who have no respect for the laws of the land, not citizens who bribe their ways to get what they want, indeed, not those who use religion to divide the people. Needed are people who will complement the good work of their leaders and are prepared at all times to call such leaders to order when they are doing the wrong thing.
- Two Case Studies
At this stage, let me use two past governments as case studies:- the Government of one of the three regional leaders, Chief Awolowo, and coming nearer home the administration of Chief Ajasin of old Ondo State and see why people are still nostalgic about their governments, how, despite their good intentions, they faced opposition and how at the end of the day they recorded resounding successes.
- Chief Obafemi Awolowo
Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the first Premier of Western Region of Nigeria, which was one of the three regions that made up the Nigerian Federation. He held sway from 1954 to 1960 and ran a Parliamentary System of Government. The environment in which he operated was very healthy. Agriculture was then the mainstay and economy of the people. Too much of western influence was then abhorred by the people. It was an environment in which most people lived an honest life. Most of the present day vices were not yet in vogue. In short Western Region was like a rural environment that needed a visionary leader to tap for development.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo was indeed the answer. He had been Secretary to EgbeOmoOduduwa in London. He had had a rough start in life but by dint of hard work he overcame it. His training as a lawyer, too, would assist him not only in his administration and assistance to people, but in the dispensation of justice and parliamentary functions. His going through a rough road to such a height definitely made him see what difficult life the people were going through. Along with Chief M.A. Ajasin and others, he put together the Action Group a party targeted to the welfare of the people. This political party he and his followers later in 1951 in Owo gave the Yoruba equivalent name of Afenifere. Awolowo was very meticulous and methodical, and as a disciplined man when he got the opportunity to serve his people most of whom were also ready for him, he turned the fortune of the people, and ran one of the best governments not only in Nigeria but in Africa. He did what the people wanted – free education, free health, job creation and integrated rural policy. With these he earned their support and trust. With the people behind him and an atmosphere that was good for development, which he believed in though, he went ahead to create many firsts in Nigeria and Africa – the first television station, the first stadium (Liberty Stadium), the first industrial hub (Ikeja Enterprises) and many others. Because of his services to the people, everyone including those in opposition were virtually silenced and even when opposition later came up from his party, it was not against his indelible services, but from personal aggrandisementand outside influences.
- Chief M.A. Ajasin
In the old Ondo State comprising the present Ondo and Ekiti States, Chief Awolowo’s right hand man, Chief Adekunle Ajasin performed the same feat. His good Christian and good family background, and his training as a builder and moulder of characters were some of his assets. He was frugal and ascetic, and yet open. A democrat to the core and one who abhorred wealth accumulation, he refused to soil his hands. Add all these to the fact that he implemented to the letter the welfarist philosophy of his party. Of course, with all these and more, the people looked up to him. And so he gave love back to them and like a visionary along with his right hand man, Chief R.F. Fasoranti, his Commissioner for Finance, went ahead to lay the industrial base for the State which he equitably spread over the State – Ire-Ekiti Brick Industry, Agric. Credit Corporation for farmers in Ado-Ekiti, Ceramic Industry in Ifon, Plywood Industry in Ondo, Cocoa Industry in Ile-Oluji, Okitipupa Palm Industry, Oluwa Glass Industry in Igbokoda and the Owena Bank in Akureto service the economy. And of course, pari-passu,with free-education, free health, employment opportunities and the turning around of the life of rural people going on,the people believed in his Government and were happy with what was going on. Today the Ajasin Government, despite the internal bubble that, like in the case, of Chief Awolowo, later surfaced, Ajasin’s Government is still a benchman and yardstick for measuring his successors, especially in Ondo State.
- Conspiracy against the Common wealth
Unfortunately, the political environment has since changed for worse, leadership in Government has not been able to manipulate the worsening environment to build on these achievements; and most politicians who represent their people have not been loyal to their people but playing ball with each successive Governor, no thanks to the earlier unnecessary long military interventions in civilian administration. The replacement of Presidential System with the Parliamentary System has crippled the economy. The Federal Government has abandoned the true spirit of Federalism and has through its practices substituted it with a unitary system. The initiative and ability for governors to develop their areas of administration as in the time of Chief Awolowo and Chief Ajasin are no longer there. State Governors now look towards Abuja and at the end of the month go cap in hand to cue up to receive oil money and what they had earlier paid to the Federal coffers! The people especially the youth have lost their sense of values and now behave like people who have no history. Corruption, nepotism, bribery, unemployment, kidnapping, the rat race for wealth, lack of respect for human life, insecurity of life and property, and disregard for law and order are now the order of the day.
- Matters arising on the 2020 Elections
In the midst of all these we must, however, all take stock and reflect as the Edo governorship election, and, in particular, that of Ondo State are a few days ahead. In doing this, we must realize that no government is perfect. Remember thatI have also mentioned some circumstances that can affect governance. Things are no longer the same. But we must change before the centre can no longer hold.
As men of God, remember our Lord Jesus Christ said we should give unto God what is God’s and to Caesar what is Caesar’s. To do this successfully, you must (as it is your calling) be versatile with the Holy Bible for your Church administration, and be knowledgeable with the Nigerian Constitution to know what advice to give the Congregation. For instance, you must know what the Constitution says about Rotation, zoning, duration of the services of the State Chief Executive and so on.This will help in the political education of your congregation so that they may know what to do. But if for now, you as an individual or body disagrees withany section of the Constitution,you better look for the right time to say it to avoid any crisis or partisanship.
Note, too, that all is not well in Nigeria, and Ondo State is not the worst. So let everyone shine his eyes well.However, what Nigeria, nay, Ondo needs badly todayare employment opportunities, rapid industrialization, security of life and properties, better road network and improved education system.
Therefore, what the Ondo State electorate should embrace is the candidate who can best provide or improve on these needs. To me political parties, as of today, are mere labels. They may not help in your choice. No philosophy, no ideology like in the days of Chief ObafemiAwolowo, Dr. NnamdiAzikiwe and Sarduana of Sokoto. What we have are politicians who have been jumping from one party to another without any qualm. So the character and commitment of the candidate of your choice is very important.
The Olokola bitumen industry will soon start production and will address unemployment and industralisation. It will, along with serious incentives for modern Agriculture, address, to some extent, the suicidal road to perdition that our youth, under the pretext of joblessness from Government, now follow to get unmerited wealth and consequential terrible ends.
One is happy though that for the first time in living memory, gubernatorial contestants, irrespective of their political labels, have openly come out to support Amotekun outfit, brokered by the South-West Governors under the leadership of the Ondo State Governor. The electorate should support the candidate who can continue with an outfit that can protect them and their property.
All over the country, the roads are bad. The people should, therefore, look for who amongst the candidates can continue and can multiply the road network we are beginning to enjoy in Ondo State like the recently commissioned Ore bridge, Oke-alabojutoIkare, Oke-Oka death trap, Owo and Ondo township roads.
The electorate should also look for one who can continue to pay salaries and pensions as and when due, and one who can improve on the quality of education. It is important, too to remind the electorate not to sell their conscience or mortgage their future and those of their children by succumbing to material benefits. And we should all do everything to avoid all electoral frauds and allow the votes to count.
- The Josephs and Jonathans; The Musas and Mustaphas
Finally, while we appreciate our religious bodies especially CAN for their peace initiatives during crisis periods and commend them for their sanitizing effect on the polity, they, our Christian and Muslim leaders, must work harder on their teaming adherents, as most of the wreckers of the economy and destroyers of the system are the Josephs and Jonathans, the Musas and Mustaphas of this country.
Thank you.
Being full text of Speech delivered by Afenifere National Secretary, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, OFR, as Guest Speaker at a One Day Political Summit organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on September 10, 2020, at St. David’s Cathedral Hall, Akure, Ondo State
