Political appointees in a changing world

By Fwengji Goar

There is no doubt that political appointments often come with authority and decision-making powers. This invariably allows the individual(s) to be able to influence policies and make significant changes in society.

Those who seek these political appointments are motivated by a wide range of reasons and are also influenced by a combination of personal, ideological and practical factors. In short, these reasons vary just as our faces are different. No doubt, there is always something that propels people to go seek political appointments.

In this piece, I intend to focus on what political appointees need to do, how they need to conduct themselves in order for the people to enjoy good governance and the dividends of democracy, as is popularly referred to in Nigeria. Our economy and other aspects of life in Nigeria are begging for urgent attention to the extent that they could be declared emergencies.

A political appointee is anyone who is appointed by the president, vice president or agency head. That is also to say that those appointed by a governor, deputy governor or agency head at the state level also fall into that bracket. The local governments are not left out. They serve mostly for the duration of the tenure of the person who gave them the appointment in the first place.

It was the desire of many in Nigeria that our political appointees would largely be made up of technocrats and such other professionals. That is, people who have proven their worth to society and have a lot to offer, not just those who are into politics because they have no other thing to do.

It must be pointed out that those who see politics as ‘their career’ won’t be of much help to the person who appointed them. Mostly, they have no conviction, just ambition, and very little to offer.

For us on this side of the Globe, especially those of us in Nigeria, a lot comes into play when appointments are being made; things like zoning, and not real competence. This, however, is not to say that zoning is bad as it has worked for us in Nigeria and is still relevant, going forward.

What I am saying here is that sometimes you have the best man or woman for the job coming from a different zone. That is something that has not really helped our development as a nation.

The track record of our political appointees cannot be said to be properly documented. We could do with a proper monitoring mechanism, as is the case in other parts of the world. For instance, in 2016, the United States of America launched the Political Appointee Tracker. It has been following roughly 800 of the 1,200 political appointees whose positions require Senate confirmation – including Cabinet secretaries, chief financial officers, general counsels and ambassadors.

The tracker also provides the most comprehensive data and analysis about the political appointments process and has played a key role in providing the public with up-to-date information about the nomination and confirmation status of nominees for critical government roles. In addition, the information provides historical comparisons to the previous administration and illustrations of the data that reveal key confirmation and nomination trends.

This kind tracking mechanism, I believe, would do us in Nigeria more good than harm. There are a lot of these political appointees who are doing very well and are tremendously instrumental to the successes recorded by their principals.

But for lack of a proper monitoring mechanism, their good works often go under the radar. These are the ones we can say play critical roles in ensuring good governance.

Just like in other climes and democratic settings, political appointees hold a significant responsibility in translating the aspirations of the citizenry into tangible benefits through effective governance. Their roles encompass a spectrum of duties aimed at fostering transparency, accountability and service delivery to the public.

To ensure that citizens reap the dividends of good governance, political appointees must embody integrity, competence and a commitment to the public interest. In doing so, there are key roles that they need to fulfil.

Political appointees have a duty to safeguard and strengthen democratic principles and institutions. They must respect the rule of law, promote inclusivity and protect civil liberties to ensure that citizens’ rights are upheld.

In practice, many political appointees find this difficult. This is not because it is impossible but simply that it hasn’t been the practice, they say.

Policy formation and implementation are other pivotal roles played by political appointees. They need to engage in evidence-based decision-making, considering expert opinions and public input in coming up with sound policies that would be geared towards addressing the needs and concerns of the people. People are much more informed these days and can easily spot loopholes in shoddy and haphazardly formulated policies.

Transparency and accountability are the main building blocks of good governance. Political appointees must adhere to high ethical standards, disclose relevant information to the public and be answerable for their actions. They should implement mechanisms for oversight and accountability, such as regular audits and open hearings, to prevent corruption and abuse of power. The other side to this is for the appointee to have public service delivery way up on the list of priorities.

Citizens rely on government services for their well-being and development. Political appointees need to prioritize the efficient delivery of public services, including healthcare, education, infrastructure and social welfare programs to improve the quality of life for all citizens, especially the marginalized and vulnerable.

These are aspects of governance which have the capability of leaving long lasting impressions on the populace. To what extent a government meets these needs says a lot about the quality of appointees that walk the corridors of power.

Many state governors in Nigeria are beginning to engage more with Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, and that is paying off big time for the most part. Political appointees are the ones who are most likely to actively engage with civil society organizations, community leaders and citizens to solicit feedback, foster dialogue and promote civic participation.

By involving the public in decision-making processes, they can enhance the legitimacy and effectiveness of governance initiatives. Many times, we hear people say a government is lacking in initiatives. With the understanding that fostering civic participation and engagement is key in driving good governance, appointees are placed on a pedestal that would guarantee success.

The economy of Nigeria is actually growing, but the resultant effects are not reflected in the quality of life of the people. One way of ensuring a thriving economy impacts on the lives of the people is through equitable distribution of resources which is vital for sustainable development and social cohesion. Political appointees must implement policies that stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and reduce inequality and also ensure that the benefits of development are shared equitably among all segments of society.

The hunger in the land has caused many to lose faith in government. This, however needs to turn around. Building trust and confidence in Government is something that has to come to be. Trust is fundamental to the functioning of democratic institutions. Political appointees must work diligently to build and maintain trust among citizens by fulfilling their promises, demonstrating integrity and delivering results.

By fostering a culture of trust and openness, they can strengthen the social contract between the government and the governed. These, they can achieve through various means, among which is through embracing innovation.

The world is rapidly changing. Therefore, political appointees need to change with it by embracing innovation and adaptability so as to address emerging challenges and opportunities. They should harness technology, data-driven approaches and best practices to improve the effectiveness of governance, enhance service delivery and promote sustainable development.

These are things we have been hearing and reading about in the past. That is in no way to say it is not relevant. In fact, more than ever before, it is needed.

Political appointees have a responsibility to safeguard the environment for present and future generations. They should also promote diversity, equity and inclusion in decision-making processes, appointments and policy outcomes.

By addressing systemic inequalities and empowering marginalized groups, they can create a more just and cohesive society. This is not far from the issue of the need to strengthen institutions and the rule of law.

Effective governance depends on strong institutions and respect for the rule of law. So, political appointees should invest in institutional capacity-building, judicial independence and legal reforms to ensure equal access to justice and uphold the rights of all citizens.

By strengthening the foundations of democracy, they can foster stability and resilience in the face of challenges. Challenges which are not unique to Nigeria.

Because the world is interconnected, political appointees must engage in diplomacy and international cooperation to address global challenges and advance shared interests. Dialogue is key, so is mutual understanding and collaboration with other nations to tackle issues such as conflict resolution, humanitarian crises and public health threats. By fostering positive relationships on the global stage, they can enhance the prosperity and security of their own country and contribute to a more peaceful world.

The problem is not with the policy thrust of a government, but leadership. How many of these political appointees are leaders? In the true sense of the word, how many?

Political appointees wield significant influence in shaping the trajectory of governance and the well-being of citizens. By fulfilling their roles with diligence, integrity and a steadfast commitment to the public good, they can ensure that citizens reap the benefits of good governance thereby advancing democracy, prosperity and social justice.

These underscore the multifaceted nature of the roles political appointees must play in ensuring good governance and maximizing the benefits for citizens.