EDITORIAL: Institutions Matter

We must continuously stress that the development of strong technically efficient and demonstrably independent institutions is a critical factor in the deepening of the processes of democracy. They also make the state competitive which is necessary for survival in a globalised interdependent world order. 

From this perspective, there are important lessons to learn from the recently concluded elections as well. as the orderly transition of power in the United Kingdom.  At every step, we observed in that process the need for strong institutions. 

Instructively from a Nigerian point of view in a gruelling six weeks of at times ferocious campaigning we never found out the name of the head of the supervising electoral body. We were spared garrulous spokespersons seizing control of the airwaves uttering mendacities. The institution spoke for itself and there was no need to immodestly proclaim itself as “independent”. The tiger as Prof Wole Soyinka once observed does not need to proclaim its tigritude. 

READ: Keir Starmer Makes First Cabinet Appointments As UK Prime Minister

Not surprisingly no one is declaring an intention “ to go to court even though some of the contests were very close., in the case of Cambridgeshire South East for example the contest was decided by just thirty – nine votes! Nevertheless, the loser conceded victory and congratulated the twenty-two-year-old winner. 

Cambridgeshire South East should be of interest to us. The Cambridge University student who won that seat at the age of twenty-two had already spent three years as an elected local government councillor! He is far from being a rookie. This indicates a cadre ship mentoring system which is vital for the substance of a democracy. In contradistinction, the less said about our method of recruiting and selection the better.

The transition was from our comparative analysis remarkably swift, ministers were appointed immediately, given portfolios, and resumed work immediately, no photos were taken and we were spared the charade of thanksgiving services and assorted ceremonies and distractions. We just learn to separate the working from the ceremonial aspect of government.  Not surprisingly the first cabinet meeting took place within twenty – four hours.

We had better learn from the above to halt our slide into irrelevance.