2015, GOVERNANCE AND POLITICS

NOT less than 20 of the 40 ministers in the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan are reported to be oiling their political machinery in readiness for the 2015 elections. They are believed to have their eyes on the governorship of their respective states. It cannot be a moot point that the pursuit of the governorship aspirations of those cabinet members will, in their scale of priorities, take precedence over their ministerial duties. The direct corollary of this is that they have not been giving their best in their different portfolios. The decision of the President to ask each of the ministers to sign a performance contract cannot be unconnected with their level of performance which he must have found less than satisfactory.
ALSO recently, a former Nigerian ambassador to Switzerland, Mr Yahaya Kwande, who is a prominent member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was reported as saying that a political pressure group, the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), was being revived to checkmate the alleged plan of Jonathan to contest for the Presidency in 2015. Kwande was quoted as saying that Jonathan had to find another political platform other than the PDP if he wanted to vie for the Presidency when his current term expires. And on their own part, Jonathan’s supporters have at different times , harped on his constitutional right to seek a second term in office. There have been similar reports of comments, arguments and political activities which convey the impression that the primary focus of the political class is power and not service.
POLITICS in Nigeria of today appears to be assuming a totally different dimension from what it should be. It is no longer being seen as a periodic activity for the purpose of taking control of political power so as to render service to the people. The utterances and conduct of so many politicians in present-day Nigeria strongly suggests that their mission in partisan politics is not power for the purpose of governance but for personal aggrandisement. There is a glaring indication that Nigerian politicians are becoming unabashedly preoccupied with selfish rather than people’s interests. Politics is being played as if it is an end in itself and not a means to an end.
IT is worrying that Nigerian politicians are yet to put the 2011 elections behind them. While those who lost out at the different levels of the electoral process are still bellyaching, those who emerged victorious are gloating over the sweetness of their electoral success. The direct consequence of this is that less than necessary attention is being given to the primary business of governance. At the different levels, the approach to governance has been largely lackadaisical as the sharing of the spoils of office appears to be on the front burner. The opposition, on their part, have not been coming up with constructive ideas that can present them as viable alternatives. Political affiliation is not based on the programmes and policies of political parties but on whatever platform can offer the brightest chance of electoral success.
SINCE return to civilian administration in 1999, the delivery of the dividends of democracy has been one cliché that is being constantly mouthed by politicians in the course of their stump speeches. The prevailing state of affairs has shown a near-total failure to deliver on the promises made. The expected improvements in the various facets of national life have not materialised. The bulk of available resources has been ending up in the pockets of a handful of people. In the midst of excruciating poverty, a tiny minority lives in obscene opulence. The unrestricted access to the treasury remains the major attraction to political power and this is why the struggle for political offices has become desperate and ruthless. In spite of the resources at the county’s disposal, the vast majority of the population lives in squalor.
IT should be a matter for serious concern to the current political class that the first and second republics, which were roundly condemned after their overthrow by the military, have now become reference points in political organisation and good governance. The politicians of those days played politics during election periods and devoted their time to governance thereafter. Nothing was hidden from the public about what they earned as salaries and allowances. The situation today is a complete contrast. Governance has been relegated to the background because political office holders have chosen to commit the greater part of their time to political calculations and intrigues. Preparations for the next election now take the pride of place to the detriment of the primary purpose of politics which is service to the people. The resources that should be committed to the welfare of the people are being used to secure and sustain political support.
WE fervently hope that the political class will accord governance the deserved priority and elevate service above self. 2015 is three long years away. The political intrigues that emanate from nocturnal meetings will not serve the people’s interests. Only efficient management and dedicated service can bring about the desired development.
Tribune Editorial