Why would I think I can PROFFER A CURE FOR the ailing systems in the governance of our great nation? At least a good man can try, I have for over period of time now perused the thought —consistently- of the possibility of good governance, at least good governance, not great or excellent governance- even though that is easily achievable using the same principles for good governance- but at least we would do well to appreciate good governance in our good homeland of Nigeria, before I go on ranting about my thoughts, my people let me be quick to return to the subject of our discuss; “the essentials of institutional effectiveness, transparency and accountability as a panacea for good governance”.

Let take a deep breadth as we explore this topic, the irony of the truth is that The *Panacea for good government is good governance,* there is no hard and fast route about it, here we have a few of its components in institutional effectiveness, transparency and accountability, Good governance is like the proverbial good deed you give it and it comes right back at you, what is governance? Governance is simply the manner or style of government practiced in a particular location; in this case (our case) it is democratic government, which is a government of the people for the people by the people so good governance would be a complete cycle of the being a government elected by the people and then the delivery of the goods of its governance for the people (who duly elected the ones in governance), which would have to take us back to an even more important question for good governance to be anticipated, are the people in government democratically elected?

This question alone helps us to see that institutional effectiveness is first of all key in attaining good governance, as the question poised above is in reference to institution the Electoral Body, in our case INEC.

So what are the essentials of effectiveness for institutions to live up to expectation?

1. Key and Competent Personnel: – not just getting the competent people but getting the right people for the right places.

2. Policy Guided operations according to the institutions’ founding principles.

3. Ethical interpretation of Law and legal processes

4. Ethical Operations, Management and of all activities

5. Optimization of standards with International acceptable modus operandi

In addition to the above with the afore mentioned virtues of Accountability and transparency, good governance is left from aspirations to affirmative reality; Accountability is the act of being held responsible for your actions this helps to hold good governance players responsible for their actions in tandem with institutions, which is why the first factor is very important, and finally being transparent, being frank, firm and open, saying exactly what one means and meaning what one says, this when institutions and people in them say what they mean and mean what they say, not with hidden motives or agenda.

When all the factors described above are bundled to form a complete system of governance; good governance is sure to thrive.

Finally in addition to all these my personal opinion rests upon the afore discussed as already known factors and processes needed for good governance, especially by the Nigerian institutions and people in governance, as we have notable institutions, what i think is that the Nigerian institutions and people in governance should ‘Take Action’ in doing the right thing!

All Nigerian institutions, people in government have knowledge of all this factors, or at least moral inclination to do the right thing, but what we lack is the actual DOING, and if we as Nigerians, can cultivate the habit of DOING; then all our ideas, ideologies institutional effectiveness, transparency and accountability as well as every other factors that contribute to good governance would then become a conscious cultural norm of the Nigerian people which will  necessitate the birth and practice of good governance in our nation.

*SO MY DEAR FELLOW NIGERIANS’ LETS DO THE RIGHT THING, LETS TAKE ACTION!*

Peter Ameh

-2019 Presidential Candidate 

– Former National Chairman Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)

-National Secretary CUPP

High Chief Peter Ameh

The roles played by opposition political parties in a democratic government cannot be overemphasized.

Just as we have across the globe, opposition parties have a primary responsibility of holding the government accountable for its actions and inactions and also enjoy the right under the Constitution of questioning the decisions made by the government which affect her citizens negatively.

The opposition Parties in any given society represent an alternative government, and is solely responsible for challenging the policies and programs of the government with a view to producing alternative policies and programs where necessary.

Democracy being the government of the people, for the people and by the people, is clearly indicative of the fact that good governance can only be effectively entrenched in any society, when the people understand and support the role of the leader of the opposition at all times.

In Nation building, opposition parties play a crucial role in determining the outcome of citizen’s representation in government and can effectively and democratically change a government in power when they unite for a common purpose.

This they can achieved by building strong and sustainable political numbers like what we witnessed recently with the 2023 general elections with Mr. Peter Obi, which indeed increased and showed the voting power of  the people in the last circle of election.

As earlier mentioned, the most crucial role of opposition parties in any system of government is to hold the government accountable to the people and to challenge and question any decision made by the government which will directly or indirectly affect the lives of the people.

The positive effect of this form of engagement is that it compels the concerned government to quickly and effectively address the concerns raised by the opposition in favour of the citizens. It is to the benefit of the people whenever there is any form of strong and effective opposition leadership within the country’s political system.

Another critical role of the opposition is in the field of law making through careful consideration and vigorous debates on Bills sponsored to be passed into law by the opposition parties, there is an enrichment of the legislative process; as such Bills receive more scrutiny than they would ordinarily have under normal circumstances.

It is indeed not out of place for opposition parties to align themselves with policies and programs of the government in place, when such policies and programs enjoy overwhelming acceptance by the people.

The duty of oversight by opposition parties, on the activities of an incumbent government, remains vital to entrenching good governance and has the anticipated tendency to enhance a well ordered society.

The effect of these oversight duties can be seen in the way and manner the government in power responds to burning issues resulting from ineffective representation and inability to fulfill the people’s mandate.

Opposition parties in any given society, have the key role to ensure that burning National issues are always brought to bare and made to receive the needed attention. This remains one of the ways opposition parties remain relevant to the public and to the people they represent.

As we currently see in Nigeria, opposition parties play a crucial role in the Nigerian electoral process by ensuring that all parties in the Country’s elections are given an equal opportunity to participate in and win elective political offices for their members.

With a population of over 200 million people, the growing number of opposition parties in Nigeria has to a great extent, deepened the Country’s democracy and afforded millions of Nigerians the opportunity to be part of the electoral process but what is however lacking is the absence of a truly democratic electoral system that will ensure transparency and fairness in the conduct of our elections in the country.

The preservation of the sanctity of multi-Party democratic system in Nigeria was as a result of the struggle by the opposition, to allow Nigerians of all tribes and religions have access to a representative and inclusive government.

The critical role of proposing and promoting alternative views towards the policies and programs of government is one geared towards entrenching good governance and consequently, Nation building. This important role by opposition parties affords the citizens the opportunity to deliberate and debate on issues that affect them.

Being in opposition, the role of presenting an alternative government remains an integral part of the intention by the opposition, to offer a more credible, viable and responsive government to the people, which role is better performed, when opposition parties join forces together.

The opposition parties can present this alternative government by clearly defining their position on views expressed by government which they consider not to be in the overall interest of the people. Get the people behind you because that remains the greatest source of strength of the opposition.

The role of opposition parties in maintaining a defined identity remains extremely important in entrenching good governance and promoting Nation building.

We need to encourage, promote and strengthen opposition institutions in order to achieve a better governance model for our people.

That is the easiest way to make the people in authority Know that true power belongs to the people.

High Chief Peter Ameh

– 2019 Presidential candidate 

– Former National Chairman inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)

– National Secretary – CUPP

Laolu Akande, a former spokesperson for ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has said the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to e-transmit results of the last general elections has ‘shattered’ the trust of Nigerians in the body.

While speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday, Akande stated that despite assurances from the commission to transmit results electronically, it failed to upload election results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

His words: “It is important to establish something we cannot basically run away from. INEC came out of this election as a damaged good. There is no doubt about that. INEC itself set up a standard, determined the guidelines. INEC committed to the people of Nigeria that this is how we are going to declare the result of the election.

“In fact, the Chairman of INEC went abroad and said, ‘What we are going to do is that this results, when we get it, we would put it on our IReV in real-time’.”

Akande further stated that, while INEC has not broken the law in accordance with the judgment delivered by the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, Nigerians now have distrust in the body.

He said, “Now guess what? When it was time for INEC to fulfill its own guidelines—for certain reasons, we could talk about that—INEC failed to do what it said it would do. Now it is right if you look at the law, and I think the judges have also affirmed that INEC has not really broken the law. But INEC has broken the trust of the Nigerian people.

“it’s a problem for political legitimacy for people that came out of that system.”

Recall Vanguard reported that the five-member panel, headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani, on Wednesday ruled that the Electoral Act 2022 does not contain a mandatory provision for the electronic transmission of election results.

Vanguard