Importance Of ‘Due Process’

Besides the late President Yar’Adua’s lofty and

historical Seven Points Agenda, there were other plumb and congenial initiatives – “The Due Process” and “Rule of Law.” These juicy programmes are choosy and particular on the off chance of transformation and reformation.

It is a fundamental conception that if Due Process is practiced in its absolute totality and real terms, it would surely bring about some level of sanity into the democratic system of the nation. And the art of governance which seems to be an illusion in this part of the world would be made easy, “Due Process,” if properly harnessed enhances or encourages international best practices in project execution, management, control of governmental policies and activities.

It is not queer to see that various state governments, parastatals and so many institutions decided to go the way of the late President’s cogitation by keying into and adopting of “Due Process.” For instance, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi set up a Due Process Commission which was ratified by the State House of Assembly and headed by a renowned industrialist. This is a good programme and a welcome development in the state. But the outrageous and tantalising question that cropped into the minds of Rivers sons and daughters of positive spirit are, would this programme not be like a jack-in-the box? Or would it not be a jamboree, a delusion of technical and tactful deceit? We have seen so much with undercover motives and so many in sheep clothing but wolf on the inside. However, we do not advocate doom for Rivers State ‘Due Process.’

It is pretty obvious that we do not have problem with policy formation and programme initiation in this lovely country. It is one of the good things that had happened in the life of successive administrations. But the problem lies in the shore of sincere implementation or matching words with action by operators of these polices.

What is “Due Process” in real term? It involves probity, transparency, accountability and orderliness in the discharge of responsibility and programmes for effective governance. According to the words of Mr. Opunabo Inko-Tariah, a social critic and media practitioner “in it, there is no room for mediocrity but meritocracy.” In Due Process, only the most qualified candidate does the job or contract, for instance. And in the process, qualifications are done through careful selection with all relevant requirements met and confirmed by those saddled with the responsibility of award.

Everybody that is supposed to be involved in the process must deliver his or her duty without fear or favour, sentiment or influence. Where total Due Process is practiced in its true colour, everybody knows what to do at every given time from the lowest man at the security post to managing director in the big office. No bye-passes and no intimidation or infringement from any quarter. And the family trust and interest syndrome are squandered on the platter of merit and capability to deliver.

Abstractly, one can ask, what is ‘Due’ about the ‘Process’ if jobs or contracts are awarded based on certain ideology such as party affiliation, tribe, loyalty, brotherhood, personal relationship, cults influence etc? How can quality job be executed when such jobs are awarded to the same people? How can oversight function be performed by the legislators when they could be involve in the various jobs directly or indirectly? There are abandoned and substandard projects littered all over the state and country. How big is Rivers State for instance, that every administration will continue to hammer on roads construction as its major priority. It is bewildering. It is expected that by now, 85 per cent of the total roads in the state metropolis and even its environs should be done and in their proper state and usage. But we continue rigma-rolling on the issue of road construction in every successive regime because of poor job performances by contractors who got their jobs through the wide and back door process.

What is worth doing is worth doing well. Due Process or Rule of Law should not be practice on pages of newspapers and electronic media only. Re-branding Nigeria means re-branding the facets and intricacies surrounding Due Process and Rule of Law. If not, we shall continue to wallow in cruel braggadocio of watery specification anchored on yahoo story like the London-Zoo parrots.

Tordee is a public affair analyst residing in Port Harcourt.

Manson Tordee