President Yar’adua “ New Wave Of Radical  Progressive Governance “

By

Benjamin Ogbebulu

benjaminogbebulu@yahoo.co.uk

Governance is the art of steering societies and organizations . It involves the interactions among structures, processes and traditions that determine how power is exercised, how decisions are taken, and how citizens or other stakeholders have their say. Fundamentally, it is about power , relationships and accountability. Who has influence, who decides, and how decisions- makers are held accountable .The concept  may be usefully be applied in different context-global, national and  local .

What is the importance of Governance, its context and outcomes?

Governance is concerned with how power is exercised among the different sectors or interests in society such that traditional freedoms may be enjoyed. commerce may occur, the arts and culture may flourish. President Yar’ Adua  support for the rule of law to prevailed is commendable and  his effort to reform the nation electoral  system should be appreciated by Nigerians as these deepen our embryonic democratization process.  The House of representatives under the leadership of Hon Bankole and the senate, under the leadership of Senator David Mark  too, should be commended for their effort to consolidate our democratic process. Nigerians expects more from both houses in discharging their oversight functions in development of the country.

Governance is important in itself in that it provides the context for things which ,as history demonstrates , people value enormously : personal liberty and freedom of assembly , whether for social , commercial ,religious or other purposes, within some kind of overall social framework  such as the rule of law and a people’s  constitution. context matters. Thus “ good governance “ to some degree is an end itself. However, governance is also about pathways to desired conditions or outcomes that leads to social and economic results sought by citizens.

As the nation marches forward uninterrupted  democratically but slowly   under president Musa Yar’Adua- Jonathan Goodluck administration , with the effort of  the government   to adopts the Justice Uwais electoral report , ultimately  review the nation 1999 constitution  and hope  to  come up with effective and efficient institutional  and  economic frameworks with the  following attributes:

• constitutional legitimacy

• Credible Democratic elections

• Respect for human rights

• Rule of law

• Political openness { as presently imbued in the government}

• Increasing women participation in politics

• Predictability and stability of laws

• Public- private  participation

• Public expenditure directed to public purposes

• Judicial independence

• Transparency

• Absence of corruption { which the government is tackling head-on but  much is still expected by Nigerians}

• Active independence of the  media as currently witnessed in Yar’Adua administration

• Freedom of information { currently before the House of Representatives which the president has agree to assent to}

• Administrative competence

• Administrative neutrality: merit –based public service{ civil service reforms}

• Accountability to public interests on issues of public  concern.{ consumer rights}

• Private-public –partnership of president  Yar Adua   economic policy

It could be said that the initial public perception about the electoral process that ushered in Yar’Adua –Jonathan Goodluck administration was flawed   but events so far in terms of policy reversals and policy making have now water down these feelings and the seven-point agenda of the government is being pursued tenaciously as these have formed the road map for the government. These 7-point developmental agenda according to the president, form the basis of his administration contract with voters before he came to power, The  President  and his Vice have not renege their promises as they  are concentrating on restructuring ,repositioning ,   building the nation physical infrastructure and human capital to move the country forward politically, socially and economically.

10 Years of interrupted democracy in Nigeria, what are the achievements of President Yar’Adua – Jonathan Goodluck administration?

Some of the Landmark of the present administration either by   actions or luck  are as follows:

•  Resolving Labour Strike

• Oil block bids reviewed

• Respect of Supreme court ruling on   some governors

• Scrapping of duty waivers

• Shake up in Military

• Electoral Reforms For example, The setting up of Justice Uwais electoral committee to address our electoral issues with the report now in the House of Representatives

• Consolidation of banks / floating of our banks shares in the international markets.

• The nomination by the President  and confirmation by the senate  of a  season administrator in person of Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to continuing the reforms in the Central bank , the apex bank of the  nation

• Niger Delta issues: For example. the creation of the Niger delta Ministry to develop the region and Federal amnesty given to the militants in the region. This writer urge the Federal Government to sustain the amnesty by ordering the Joint task force to stop the killing and  engaging all the stake holders like the youths, community leaders and  The NGOS on a round table dialogue to find a lasting solution to the problems facing the region. Where there is political will on the part of the government, their will always be a way. I strongly believe the President meant good for the nation, as he himself is a family man. Also, considering his background, The president is a progressive democrats  who listens, take time to examine, analyse/dissect issues and acts decisively .

On the Energy sector reforms,   much has not been achieved  as   this is the pivot on which the economy any of  nation strives.  Nigerians are eager to see the President’s promise of 6,000 mega watts by December 2009, all hands are  on deck as the president has mandated the Minister of power and energy to make it possible for all Nigerians to enjoy stable electricity in Nigeria.   considering the fact, that lots of money have  been invested on this project in the past with little success,  Federal  Government with all seriousness attached to this issue, is  now working assiduously  with energy  experts to give Nigerians consistent power supply which in turns will give rise to economic growth in the country.

Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora should have    faith in Yar’Adua-Jonathan administration, as considerable achievements have been recorded so far and Nigerians expects the government to continue to creating  that   enabling  environment in which the  , youth organisations, the media, civil societies, the private sector, and individuals  can become involved in the planning and management of their communities and nation.

Nigerians both at home and abroad are urged to   join hands together with Yar’A dua –Jonathan administration to move the nation forward. No matter where we are, we only have one Nation, one country with diverse and rich cultural heritage. After all , Historically, the present Western democracies had pass through what Nigeria is going through now  and more also, their democracies are not perfect. Let us all work together to move our nation forward.

God bless Nigeria.

Long live federal republic of Nigeria !!!

Long live forward looking patriotic  Nigerians in the Diaspora !!