Governance...

Is there a difference between Re-Structuring and Good Governance?

I believe there is. The first is about how power is distributed and the second is about
how it is used. I do not see self-determination as a separate category as such, as it is in reality the most extreme form of re-structuring. So, for me, the question is whether to focus on the structure of government, or on the process of governance.

It is important to be clear on one’s objective because, on one hand, there can be good governance reforms without re-structuring. And on the other hand, re-structuring reforms could lead to good governance, but they could also simply be a half-way step to secession, with no impact on governance. It all depends on what the end-game of the reformer is.

There are two relevant end-games to consider here. The first is political independence. If this is an end in itself – as it was in the Independence struggles of yesteryears – then re-structuring is simply secession in slow motion. And no degree of concession on the matter of power distribution would quell or satisfy the agitation.

The second relevant end-game is socio-economic well-being. If this is the desired end then, of course, the focus shifts away from re-structuring as an end to be pursued no matter what, to how and in what specific cases re-structuring would lead to improved governance. In this sense it then becomes imperative to ask, is it that the lower-lying governments do not presently have sufficient political power to significantly change the quality of lives of their people? Or is it that they lack the will and/or know-how to do so?

For the sake of emphasis, let me again say, that the question I just posed would be completely irrelevant to anyone whose primary objective is autonomy or political independence for his/her people. Such a person may of course use the chaotic state of State and Economy to justify his/her argument for re-structuring and/or self-determination. But it does not mean that they will then turn around and accept improved governance as justification for letting go of their cause.

But there are those who will, those for whom re-structuring is actually code word for ‘I have no job’, ‘I have no light’, ‘I cannot afford an education’, ‘There are no drugs in my local hospital’. To make such people believe that amending the Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative Lists in the Constitution, or re-writing the Revenue Distribution Formula between Federal and State Governments will, by themselves, solve the problems they imagine when they call for ‘re-structuring’ is to sell them false hope. And the effect of this – getting to the end of the road of re-structuring and finding life not significantly improved – would be to shift this category of people, after the psychological euphoria of victory has died in the face of unchanged socio-economic realities, into die-hard support for secession.

This is something those who are calling for re-structuring simply to counter or temper the momentum of those who are calling for self-determination need to be aware of, that they may in fact, in the long term, be playing for the same side.

My end game is a better life for an ever increasing number of my fellow citizens. What is yours?

By Dike Chukwumerije