In the Spirit of Elections
Promises, manifestos, Road maps and Government Integrity…
The election year is upon us, 2019.
As I drive to work or really just take a stroll after an okada/keke ride, my attention is drawn to the posters of politicians, promises, slogans, different attires, etc.
It’s election season.
This would be the first election that I would have the opportunity to vote or be voted for given that I wasn’t eligible in the last elections.Though I couldn’t participate, it didn't stop me from knowing the candidates and memorising campaign jingles which would play unending on radio and TV. With Twitter, hashtags have been added to campaign media to drive home the message of hope, choice and how “trendy’ and accessible parties or candidates are to the population especially the youth.
Looking back at previous adverts and campaign jingles makes me wonder why the country is still where it is today. 24 hours electricity, free education, better healthcare, better policies, favourable business environment, N1.00 to $1.00 (one naira to one dollar), the list goes on….
Government integrity means that the government must fulfill its commitment to the public, and keep its word as an agent in the political principal-agent relationship (Google). Government integrity is one of the parameters used to ascertain/assess the economic freedom of a country. According to the Heritage Foundation, Nigeria ranks #104 with 58.50% following Namibia #103 with Moldova as #105.
Index of Economic Freedom
The following components divided into 4 broad categories make up the index:
- Rule of Law — Property rights, Government integrity and Judicial effectiveness
- Government size — Government spending, Tax burden and Fiscal health
- Regulatory efficiency — Business freedom, Labour freedom and Monetary freedom
- Open Markets — Trade freedom, Investment freedom and Financial freedom
Government Integrity
Data used in this article spans from 1995/1999–2018
Although the methods of assessing the parameters are still unknown to me, the results sparked the following questions:
- What has changed so far?
- Is this a political party issue or just a Nigerian issue?
- What can be done to change this?
- Does re-electing leaders make a difference?
- What are the government’s efforts in changing this perception?
- What are other countries doing differently and what can we adopt in our system to create a change?
- What is the role of the Nigerian citizen in all this?
- Does education have a role to play in enhancing this rating?
I believe that education has a role to play. Citizens need to have the knowledge of the Nation’s Master plan and the pillars that would facilitate the mandate. Citizens need to have knowledge of their history amongst other subject areas to be equipped when given the opportunity to lead and also the need to have ethical standards to hold political leaders accountable.
Fundamental issues like upholding ethics in the public sector and educating citizens on their roles in ensuring that accountability, transparency and integrity should be addressed to encourage the development of policies and initiatives that will facilitate a favourable Government Integrity Index and lead to a better business/political environment for citizens as well as leaders.
I look forward to exercising my voting rights in the coming elections and I encourage eligible citizens to do same.
