Powerful despots still exist, says Kabiru Yusuf

Powerful despots still exist in democratic dispensations despite checks and balances by the legislature, judiciary and the media, chairman of Media Trust Ltd Kabiru Yusuf has said.

He spoke yesterday in Abuja during the 11th Daily Trust Annual Dialogue held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

Yusuf said “powerful despots still exist, who can pretty much act without much inhibition,” even though “these days, parliament and the judiciary, the press and public opinion try to put a check on the powers of democratic leaders.”

“But these institutions are sometimes subverted, sometimes perversely; they subvert themselves to become the handmaidens of corrupt power,” Yusuf said.

This year’s edition of the dialogue was held with the theme: “Incumbency and Impunity: Safeguarding Our Democracy Beyond 2015.”

He said “the annual dialogue is our attempt to create a forum, where serious minded people can reflect deeply on the problems of society and where they can, offer solutions.”

The chairman said despite democratic rule, impunity still exists. “For the most part, these crimes are committed because the laws where they exist are too weak or slow to punish. Or sanction is so mild; it fails to discourage similar behavior in the others,” he said.

“Recently, there was some uproar in South Africa about a multi-million rand public expenditure, made to improve President Jacob Zuma’s country home. However, it seems the dust has settled on the affair, which may not even hurt Mr Zuma’s bid for a second term,” he said.

“On a few days visit to Botswana late last year, I stumbled on another report that alleged that the ministry of defense had constructed an airstrip on President Ian Khama’s private game reserve. Here at home, there were some faint murmurs, when details of the 2014 budget indicated, that our own president is adding the eleventh aircraft to the presidential fleet!”

“There is such egregious behavior all around us, that a brazen culture of impunity is becoming the norm, rather than the exception. Obviously talking alone, cannot make a dent on entrenched habits. That is why the three person panel we have today are not only articulate speakers, but also courageous activists,” he added.

Yusuf said powerful rulers are tempted to harm or ignore those who remind them of their duties. “But we must continue to raise our voices, for they and us, have a date with destiny,” he said.