6 October 2008
editorial
One major challenge in the operation of "our nascent democracy" is that the government does not often listen to the views of the people, or seek their views when it intends to embark on policies.
Behaving more like military rulers than elected representatives of the people, some of our governments ram down the throat of the people certain policies, projects, plans and programmes.
This style of governance has helped in no small measure to ensure the people do not see government as an instrument for the common good but as a construction for the cheating and oppression of the masses by a few privileged members of the governing class. The result of all this is that it has created a deep apathy among the citizenry for anything associated with, or initiated by, government. Instead of a feeling of partnership between the two, antagonism, suspicion and outright hostility characterize the relationship.
When therefore the contrary happens quite against the prevalent notion as demonstrated by the Lagos State government which bowed to the wishes of the people, such a government should be commended. By withdrawing a bill it had presented to the State House of Assembly for enactment into law, it upheld the sovereignty of the people and demonstrated that their preference would be of utmost importance. Among others, this bill had proposed that an autopsy be performed on the dead, obviously to establish the cause of death. The proposed law was kicked against by Muslim groups who argued that Islam enjoins adherents to bury the dead as quickly as possible. Other groups had a thing or two against the bill and a huge uproar was generated by the proposal. The opposition to the bill was so intense that it was clear the Lagos State government did little consultation before deciding on sending the bill to the legislature. Ultimately however the Lagos State Government decided to withdraw the bill, amended the objectionable portions and presented a new one which ostensibly takes care of the concerns expressed by the citizens. This is how it should be. In our experience, some less humble governments would have gone ahead to ignore the genuine concerns of the people, cajole the assemblymen and women and cause the law to be passed just to prove that government has power and that there is pretty little the helpless people can do about it.
. Democracy is not just about the government proclaiming its 'dividends' for the people; it is also about involving the people in decision-making and carrying them along in the implementation of the decisions arrived at through consensus. The idea behind democracy is that many good heads are better than a few. When a people are involved in the making of policies or laws there is a greater certitude that they will more enthusiastically participate in the execution of the policies and the enforcement of the laws. The ultimate gain is the growth and development of the society.
Democracy, good governance, openness and accountability and other desirable public virtues would be instituted in our society if there is a greater preparedness on the part of the leaders to cultivate the co-operation of the people by showing that their feelings and views count on all issues. The peace that is now reigning in Lagos because the people have seen that their government is humble can not be quantified in monetary terms. What is more, the government of Lagos state has by this act showed it is not infallible and therefore open to correction; but this does not take anything away from its competence as a government. Rather it further enhances its image as a listening government thereby winning for it the respect, admiration and confidence of the people. No doubt this is a salutary advertisement for our democracy in its attempt to outlive the hang ups of the military and its tendencies towards arbitrariness and impunity. It is a fitting lesson to commend to other governments, which underscores the notion that government should always be responsive to the wishes of the people.
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