The change of government in Oyo and Imo states, among others, has thrown up news of a toxic variety concerning the conduct of public officeholders. In both, officials accuse the former holders of impropriety in the acquisition of or transfer of properties belonging to the state. The list of assets involved makes for sober reading. It speaks to a hiatus of ethical conduct at the highest political levels in the country.
In Oyo state, the current and past governors and state officials have engaged in heated exchanges about corralling official vehicles. While the previous governor and his officials see nothing wrong in apportioning those vehicles to the departing officers as a gift, the new men on the seat submit that they went beyond the bounds of the acceptable in taking cars that have hardly run up any mileage on their amortisation.
The Imo state government accuses the former governor of appropriating vast resources of the state and taking away even items that beggar the imagination and reduce it to brigandage.
What is more disturbing for Nigeria is the absence of outrage and the intrigue of the silence of the middle class represented in professional associations, as well as social platforms. Where are the voices of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Institute of Directors, the Rotary and Lions Clubs and the various groups that aggregate the interests and opinions of the middle class?
Can’t they see the implications of what is currently passing as mere brickbats for governance and the society? Or, we fear even the thought, are these acceptable standards of conduct for the managers of the Nigerian economy in both public and private spheres and thus do not raise any eyebrows?
Ethical values and standards matter and do so even more in public office. Officials at our Executive and Legislative levels control huge resources on behalf of citizens and serve as compass and standard bearers. Citizens, from school children who read about them in classes, to workers at various levels look up to them.
There is also the expectation that they would manage the resources society has entrusted to them with great care. We expect that they should observe all ethical codes and go beyond that to set benchmarks for probity and right conduct. Their behaviour should draw from and enthrone the highest of our values, mores and norms. Values draw from culture.
Because values are cultural, they speak to the traditions and standards all citizens uphold. We invoke the involvement and participation of our professional and social bodies for reason of our commonly held values. BusinessDay submits that Nigeria stands at a point where non-involvement in public affairs can no longer be an option for professionals and the middle class.
We must expect and demand honest conduct from public officeholders. It would enable public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of government. There should be a distinct difference between the public and private assets of public officeholders. Even with the many services that the state provides as benefits for holding office in Nigeria, we should draw a line. Officers should open themselves and be subject to scrutiny to ensure the maintenance of this divide between public and private.
We must declare a definite stand on gifts and benefits that overcome various excuses such as “culture”. It would be contrary to accepted codes for public office holders to solicit or accept transfers of economic gain. It is time now to send incidental gifts, customary hospitality or such benefits of nominal value should to an open pool for distribution to hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres and similar institutions.
Civil society is best placed to initiate conversations on the matter of values and ethics for public office holders. It is critical to have clear values and ethical codes for public office holders in Nigeria to avoid these awkward exchanges. Time to act is now.
