In a truly functional society, public officeholders are expected to be custodians of service provision and delivery. If the premise for cabinet membership truly hinges on the noble ideal of service to the people, then the selection and nomination of ministers ought to be guided by two key principles: credibility and merit. This vision, however, is undermined by the practice of lobbying, which not only distorts the recruitment process but erodes public trust in governance.
“Salus populi suprema lex esto”– the welfare of the people shall be the supreme law. This maxim echoes the foundational purpose of governance. Ministers and public officeholders are, in essence, servants of the people, entrusted with the responsibility to uplift society through policies and projects that foster national progress. However, when the selection process deviates from meritocracy, we are left with a system that is *corruptio optimi pessima* – the corruption of the best is the worst of all.
Public officeholders are far removed from effective service delivery largely because their ascent to power often involves intense lobbying, which prioritizes influence over qualification. This results in the appointment of individuals who may lack the requisite experience, knowledge, or dedication to the public good. In essence, *res ipsa loquitur* – the thing speaks for itself. A system that allows lobbying to determine leadership is bound to falter, leaving citizens without the benefits of credible, well-executed governance.
What, then, is the solution? My suggestion is clear: any recruitment system for public officeholders should adhere strictly to a conventional, globally accepted protocol that values competence and integrity above all else. This ensures that those chosen to lead are selected not because of their connections or ability to lobby, but because of their proven track record of service and capacity to deliver.
“Veritas liberabit vos”– the truth shall set you free. By embracing a transparent and merit-based recruitment system, we free our society from the shackles of mediocrity, paving the way for genuine development and impactful projects. We have seen how lobbying has led to a stagnation of progress, as many officeholders, bereft of vision and dedication, are more concerned with maintaining power than delivering results.
Our society’s current state is a reflection of this flawed recruitment process. If we continue to rely on lobbying, we will remain far from realizing the good projects and progress our nation desperately needs. Instead, we must look to fortes fortuna adiuvat – fortune favors the brave. Only by being brave enough to overhaul our selection processes, choosing individuals based on merit rather than influence, can we hope to foster a system that works for the people.
My submission
Governance should be a service, not a privilege for the well-connected. Public officeholders must be selected through a credible, merit-based process, free from the undue influence of lobbying. Only then can we begin to see progress and development that reflects the needs and aspirations of the people.
“Labor omnia vincit”– hard work conquers all, and it is through the diligent and honest selection of our leaders that we will find the path to true national development.
Abu can be reached via danjumaabu3750@gmail.com or +2348062380296
