‘Now comes the hard part…’
Good elections are important, but democracy is much more than the casting of ballots. For Nigeria, now comes the hard part: the serious, day-to-day business of governing. Speaking at the African Union earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton put it this way, “Good governance requires free, fair, and transparent elections, a […]
Good elections are important, but democracy is much more than the casting of ballots. For Nigeria, now comes the hard part: the serious, day-to-day business of governing.
Speaking at the African Union earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton put it this way, “Good governance requires free, fair, and transparent elections, a free media, independent judiciaries, and the protection of minorities. And democracy must also deliver results for people by providing economic opportunity, jobs, and a rising standard of living.”
Good governance is the cornerstone for Nigeria’s continuing political and economic development. The elections confirmed that Nigeria’s citizens both understand this central truth and yearn for a government committed to democratic principles and the rule of law, run by public servants of tested integrity. For this reason, the U.S. Government has applauded President Jonathan’s declaration to “wage war on bad governance.” The U.S. will continue to expand its support for strong, transparent institutions dedicated to improving the lives of all Nigerians.
The Nigerian Government faces complex challenges in the post-election environment. Security, electricity, good roads, education and reliable health care top most people’s lists of immediate concerns. On the plus side, the country is blessed with abundant human and natural resources. Income from oil and gas exports, wisely invested, can provide the capital for any project the Government chooses to undertake. The U.S. will continue to offer development assistance and technical advice where needed.
Whenever Nigeria decides to take broad, effective action to fully develop its democratic institutions, empower its justice systems, and create a welcoming economic environment, the foundation can be set for massive economic growth in both the public and the private sectors. Nigeria could inspire billions of dollars of Foreign Direct Investment simply by insuring that business contracts are sacrosanct, investment regulations are predictable, and electricity is reliable. Both foreign and Nigerian investors, large and small, will benefit.
And as Nigeria looks to grow and diversify its economy, it is important to remember that Nigerian farmers once fed much of West Africa. The U.S. stands ready to help Nigeria regain its status as an agricultural exporter. When Nigeria begins again to export food and commodities to its West African neighbors, to Europe, and through AGOA, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to the U.S., the personal incomes of the 70 percent of Nigerians dependent on agriculture will increase markedly. Women and the poor will play a more prominent role in this market-driven economy. Nigeria will expand its regional and global trade relationships and create an improved environment for international commerce. Regional security will also improve as agricultural exports help secure the region’s food supply.
Public and private sector economic development is crucial, but cannot succeed if Nigeria’s population is weakened by poor health and disease. An estimated 4 million Nigerians live with and suffer from HIV/AIDS – and the number is growing, not shrinking. Already with the second-largest number of HIV-infected people in the world, Nigeria with its large population and high birthrate could well move up on a list it wouldn’t want to top. The U.S. Government invests close to $600 million every year in Nigeria’s health sector and has begun to shift its focus from treating the ill to increasing the capacity of Nigeria’s own health systems to assume this basic responsibility. The new U.S. Global Health Initiative recognizes that stronger health care delivery systems, focused on basic maternal, child, and newborn health and on prevention, can reduce the deadly consequences of HIV/AIDS, and also help fight other diseases, including malaria and tuberculosis. A coordinated partnership among Nigeria’s federal, state, and local government entities is needed: the Nigerian Government has already committed to funding half of what is needed to treat HIV/AIDS patients by 2015. This will allow the U.S. to shift its resources from treatment to prevention and capacity building. A healthier Nigeria is a natural result of good governance and an essential element of the U.S. – Nigeria partnership.
Even as we celebrate the singular success of the 2011 elections, the U.S. hopes that the Nigerian Government will honor the judgment of the voters by constructing strong and transparent institutions that deliver essential services to the nation, and by setting a standard by which all federal, state, and local government entities hold themselves publicly accountable.
Back in April, the Nigerian people were the ultimate arbiters of the credibility of their election, and now, only the Nigerian people can determine the future of a democratic Nigeria. Only the Nigerian people can judge whether government is meeting their expectations. But for both the Nigerian Government and for the Nigerian people, the time is now to capitalize on the democratic momentum unleashed in April. President Goodluck Jonathan rightly stated in his inaugural address, “We fought for decolonization. We will now fight for democratization.” In this fight, you have the full support, friendship, and partnership of the United States of America and its people.
McCulley is U.S Ambassador to Nigeria