Democratic good governance is not a utopian idea; it is a journey with dynamic milestones, says Babatunde Fashola, dipping into his experience as one of the best Lagos Governors in recent years, an office he left in May after two terms.
Active participation of citizens is a pre-condition for democracy to translate to good governance, he explained in a lecture he delivered at 16th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture and Awards held at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
He said good governance requires a combination of useful ways which include education (public enlightenment); participation (taxation and accountability); the rule of law; and scientific application.
Since there is no convergence of opinion about good governance, he stressed, what is fair is to assert that the provision of the public good to the majority is achieved.
“Then we can assert that there is good governance. However, it is about human perception and behaviour, which is constantly changing.
“So science, in studying human behaviour, has become most useful in getting a feel of what the people want, and no government or leader must assume it,” Fashola insisted.
In his view, this can be done through research, polls, and surveys.
Fashola, a Senior Advocated of Nigeria (SAN), also reiterated the importance of law and order for any government to make any progress.
“No government can really expect to go anywhere, not to talk of going far, without placing law and order as its principal pillar of development. Nothing good can come out of a society where Law and Order has taken flight.”
To him, participation (voting, taxation, social contract) is also a critical component of democracy.
He cited Section 24(a)-(f) of the Constitution which sets out the duties of the citizen.
“The first thing that is striking is that the Constitution makes it clear that we all have roles to play if we must have a good life. So it is not enough to elect a brilliant or honest president and governor and think that is the guarantee of good governance.
“If you hear statements like, ‘government cannot do it alone’, ‘citizens have a role to play’, ‘citizens must be interested in their own safety’, ‘this is a commonwealth or common patrimony’, you will see the justification for the enactment of Section 24(a)-(f).
“Participation is the ‘social contract’ essence of democracy, and it is the heart of the matter, which makes it the government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
Fashola urged democratic governments to constantly keep in touch with the changing needs of citizens through polls, surveys, and other scientific models of empirical information gathering before formulating or concluding policies.
He advocated continuous public enlightenment through all legitimate means of information dissemination as part of the conditions for good governance.
The lecture also features an Annual National Essay Completion under the Mike Okonkwo Educational, Recreational and Youth Oriented Programmes (MOEYI), now in the 12th year.
In this year’s edition, Chisom Emeto, a student of Port Harcourt International School came first; Mirabel Asuquo, a student of Redeemers International School, Port Harcourt (second); and Jonathan Ihejirika of King’s College, Lagos (third).
They won computers and cheques ranging from N50,000 to N100,000.
The Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture was instituted in 2000 as part of activities to mark his birthday.
The lecture addresses topical issues in nation building and proffers solutions.