Where failure is free, nations pay, By Dakuku Peterside

Leadership thrives only when failure has consequences, a fundamental principle for a healthy democracy, argues Dakuku Peterside in Premium Times.

This hard discipline of public office ensures that power is tied to responsibility and authority is subject to scrutiny. When consequences are credible, leaders are compelled to think more critically, prepare more thoroughly, listen more attentively, and act with greater urgency. Conversely, weak consequences breed mediocrity and impunity, leading to a decline in national performance.

While acknowledging that Britain's democracy is imperfect and its resignation culture can be influenced by media pressure and political calculations, Peterside highlights its instructive aspect: public office is often conditional. Scandals, policy failures, or breaches of trust can end careers, sending a vital message that power is not untouchable.

This accountability, Peterside contends, performs an essential democratic function by assuring citizens that leadership is answerable and that public trust is the bedrock of power. He poses a critical question for Nigeria: what consequences do officials face for failure? The nation grapples with persistent insecurity, yet few security chiefs resign. Despite promises and significant investment, reliable electricity remains elusive, and inflation erodes purchasing power, with little personal price paid by those in high office.

The author concludes that while resignations alone don't solve national problems, they are indispensable for demonstrating that leadership is accountable and that public office is not a permanent sanctuary. This system reminds the political class that public trust is not a mere adornment but the very foundation upon which power rests.