By High Chief Peter Ameh
WHY would I think I can proffer a solution to the ailing systems in the governance of our great nation?
At least a good man can try, I have for over a period perused the thought, albeit consistently, of the possibility of good governance, at least good governance, not excellent governance – even though that is easily achievable using the same principles for good governance – but at least we would do well to appreciate good governance in our good homeland of Nigeria.
Before I continue ranting about my thoughts, my people, let me be quick to return to the subject of our discussion; “The Essentials of Institutional Effectiveness, Transparency and Accountability As A Panacea for Good Governance”. Let’s take a deep breath as we explore this topic. The irony of the truth is that The “panacea for good government is good governance’. There is no hard and fast route to it! Here we have a few of its components in institutional effectiveness, transparency and accountability. Good governance is like the proverbial good deed, you give it and it comes right back at you.
What is governance? Governance is simply the manner or style of government practised in a particular location. In this case (our case) it is a democratic government, which is a government of the people for the people by the people. So, good governance would be a complete cycle of being a government elected by the people and then the delivery of the goods of its governance for the people (who duly elected the ones in government), which would have to take us back to an even more important question for good governance to be anticipated – are the people in government democratically elected?
This question alone helps us to see that institutional effectiveness is first of all key to attaining good governance, as the question posed above is in reference to the institution of the electoral body, and in our case, the INEC.
So what are the essentials of effectiveness for institutions to live up to expectations?
- Key and Competent Personnel: – not just getting the competent people but getting the right people for the right places
- Policy-guided operations according to the institutions’ founding principles.
- Ethical interpretation of the law and legal processes
- Ethical operations, management and of all activities
- Optimization of standards with internationally acceptable modus operandi
In addition to the above, with the aforementioned virtues of accountability and transparency, good governance is left from aspirations to affirmative reality. Accountability is the act of being held responsible for your actions. This helps to hold good governance players responsible for their actions in tandem with institutions, which is why the first factor is very important.
And finally being transparent, being frank, firm and open, saying exactly what one means and meaning what one says – this is when institutions and people in them say what they mean and mean what they say, not with hidden motives or agendas.
When all the factors described above are bundled to form a complete system of governance; good governance is sure to thrive.
Finally, in addition to all these personal opinion of mine rests upon the afore-discussed as already known factors and processes needed for good governance, especially by the Nigerian institutions and people in governance, as we have notable institutions. What I think is that the Nigerian institutions and people in governance should ‘take action’ in doing the right thing!
All Nigerian institutions and people in government know all these factors, or at least a moral inclination to do the right thing, but what we lack is the actual DOING, and if we as Nigerians, can cultivate the habit of DOING; then all our ideas, ideologies institutional effectiveness, transparency and accountability, as well as every other factors that contribute to good governance would then become a conscious cultural norm of the Nigerian people which will necessitate the birth and practice of good governance in our nation.
So, my dear fellow Nigerians, let’s do the right thing, let’s take action!
•High Chief Peter Ameh was a presidential candidate (2019), former National Chairman Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).
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