In democracy, government is not just about nominating people into
power, providing services and representing people; it is also about
building and defending institutions, setting standards, being
accountable and transparent. In dealing with their universities,
which is part of my own most immediate constituency, the Governors
of Edo and Ekiti states, Mr Adams Oshiomole and Dr Kayode Fayemi,
have missed many opportunities to act as true patriotic democrats
should operate whilst dealing with matter of the state. |
Like many are quick to point out, albeit sometimes conveniently, it is
important to remember that the Nigerian democratic system, in which
these two Governors operate, is still rather young and a lot is still
work in progress, yes, but unlike many who point out that reality, I
infer from it that we need to be vigilant not indulgent.
For those who missed it, here are some facts, it all
started from Edo state. About exactly two weeks ago, news came across
the world that the Governor of Edo State has suspended (or is it
sacked?) with immediate effect, the Vice Chancellor of the Edo State
owned Ambrose Alli University (AUU). The press release that made
public that action was rather scanty; the crux of the statement seems
to be that the Governor did it because he can. In their own words and
as reported in the press: “In
exercise of his powers under the Act establishing the AAU, the Edo
State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has decided to remove
the present Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma,
Professor Sam Uniamikogbo with immediate effect”.
If you are thinking sacking a
Vice Chancellor is grave, then wait for this: like in a viral attack,
just last week, another news came that the Ekiti State Governor had
sacked three Vice Chancellors of the state owned universities. Like in
the case of Edo State, the sacking of the University heads in Ekiti
was done unceremoniously and the press release that made decision
public was even less informative. The most important thing one could
gather from the press release signed by special adviser to the
governor on media was that “the Visitor, the
Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has approved the removal of
the vice chancellors of the following universities in the state. The
University of Ado-Ekiti, the University of Science and Technology,
Ifaki-Ekiti; and the University of Education, Ikere-Ekiti” and that
“It is imperative to note that the above changes are with immediate
effect.”
In the absence of clear and complete explanation
and indeed justification of any government action, people are left
with no alternative but to speculate. Consequently, a lot of possible
reasons and opinions are going around regarding the actions of the
Governors. This is however very wrong. A democratic chief executive,
no matter how strong or popular, has the duty to fully explain his
actions to all those citizens and residents on whose behalf he is
exercising his power.
In these cases, the Governors of Edo and Ekiti have
missed the opportunity to show the world that they understand what it
means to not only care for but also show respect for and have a high
opinion of their people. They could and should have taken the time to
painstakingly state their case and explain their why before dismissing
their Vice Chancellors. They missed the opportunity to show the world
that they understand how important an institution like a university is
and that as true patriotic democrats with a sense of history they
realise that these universities were there before their tenure, will
be there after their tenure and that their own actions are dictated by
great concerns for the future; in that case, they would have been
reluctant to directly intervene and even when they finally did, their
statements should have shown regret in tampering with the structure of
such institutions.
Let us for a moment blindly and dangerously assume that these
Governors are completely righteous and exceptionally competent
politicians whose actions are solely dictated by the good of their
states and that the sacked Vice Chancellors are totally bad and
irremediably inept professionals, even in such a scenario, the state
governors in dealing with the affairs of their universities ought to
remember that their tenure in office is only for a limited period of
time; two terms at most. They ought to bear in mind that after them, a
self-serving scoundrel or a lucky imbecile might just come into power
and consequently, it is their duty, today, to create precedents and
discontinue patterns that, for any reason in the world, might allow
Governors to abuse power. These two Governors have just missed the
opportunity to show the world that they understand that part of what
matters more than any other thing in an emerging democracy is
institution building and the nurturing of independent institutions
such as their universities. They missed the opportunity to teach other
governors around and after them how to have power but not use it by
referring the questions to the university senate or other
self-regulating bodies within the university world. |