In Vino Veritas and the Algorithm of Time -By Tony Agbonasevbaefe

Since the creation of humankind by the Almighty God, there has been the rise and fall of countless empires. In the days of yore, powerful Kings and Queens have reigned supreme across diverse domains. Their word and seal were LAW and unquestionable. They were imperial majesties who dominated their subjects, lands and territories far and wide.

History lessons taught us about the great Benin Empire, the Oyo Empire, Mali, Ghana, Songhai, the Ethiopian Empire, the Egyptian Empire, and the British Empire. Across the Atlantic were the Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian, Roman, Greek, British, Ottoman, Spanish, Japanese, Mongol, and Russian empires. Others were the Umayyad caliphate and the Qing dynasty. The list goes on.

The great empires of the past have since dovetailed into independent republics now governed by ‘elected’, selected officials in many cases. Some domains are still under the control of royal majesties, and a few are under military rule. The story of the collapse of the once mighty divinities (Kings, Queens and Regents) is sundry. They lie bare in the history books. History? Unfortunately, it is one of those subjects no longer taught in several climes. A great error on the part of policy makers, no doubt.

Talking about Kings, the situation in the United Kingdom stands out. The Magna Carta was a piece of legislation put together in 1215. It was drafted to make peace with rebel barons, and it established the radical principle that the monarch and government are subject to the law, protecting free men from illegal imprisonment and arbitrary power.

The law was enacted primarily to curtail the Sovereign’s mighty power. The most outstanding part of the Magna Carta is the eternal word engrossed, “even the King is not above the law”. The Magna Carta was formally entered into English statutory law in 1297. Its legacy has endured for centuries, greatly influencing modern constitutions worldwide, including the United States of America Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The United Kingdom has no written constitution. Unlike what obtains across the Atlantic with the United States of America and other democracies, the U.K constitution cannot be picked up on the shelf. The U.K is governed by Acts passed by Parliament, and it is supreme. Be it Prime Minister, Secretary of State, Member of Parliament, Civil Servant, Armed Forces, Judicial Officer or any citizen, everyone is subject and equal before the law. No sacred cows, no ifs, no buts.

As the world moved from empires ruled by Kings and Queens to republicanism (nation states), governance has evolved to a representative system. Sovereignty now lies with the people, and they periodically entrust it to a few members of society via the electoral process, be it presidential (USA, Nigeria), parliamentary (UK, Canada, Japan) or a hybrid of both (France, Russia, Portugal, Romania). History is replete with leaders who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of their country. They subsequently engraved their names in the hall of fame. Space will fail to enumerate them herein. Similarly, archives are loaded with leaders in various countries who put their names in the hall of Shame.

The United Kingdom has its 7th Prime Minister in ten years. It’s been one PM after another since the BREXIT fiasco. The UK has been cycling through a succession of leaders from both the Conservative and Labour parties. The roll call: David Cameron (2010–2016). Cameron’s premiership ended abruptly after the Brexit referendum. Having campaigned for the UK to remain in the European Union, he resigned when 51.9% of voters chose to leave, while 48.1% of voters voted to remain in the EU bloc on June 23, 2016. Theresa May (2016–2019). May inherited the challenge of negotiating Britain’s exit from the EU. After repeatedly failing to secure parliamentary approval for her Brexit deal, she stepped down in 2019.

Boris Johnson (2019–2022). Johnson won a landslide election victory on a promise to “Get Brexit Done”. However, a series of scandals, including the Covid lockdown party-gate controversy, ultimately forced his resignation. Liz Truss (2022). Truss served for just 49 days, making her the shortest-serving Prime Minister in British history. Her economic agenda triggered market turmoil and a collapse in confidence within her own party. Rishi Sunak (2022–2024). Sunak took office amid economic instability and sought to restore confidence after Truss’s brief tenure. However, the Conservatives suffered a crushing defeat in the 2024 general election.

In came Keir Starmer (2024–2026). Starmer led the UK Labour Party back to power after 14 years in opposition, promising stability and economic renewal. However, weak economic growth, policy U-turns, Mandelson-gate and declining popularity led to mounting pressure on his leadership, culminating in his resignation. Step in Andy Burnham, the Mancunian, ex-Mayor of Greater Manchester. He is the new dude on the saddle and has promised to restore Britain. In his words, “We will change politics to make it more collaborative, more about problem solving than point scoring`. Lofty promises, one would say, and only Mother Time will tell as UK citizens await deliverables. Why doesn’t Britain hold a new election? Unlike Presidential systems, Britain’s parliamentary democracy does not require a general election every time a Prime Minister resigns. Voters elect Members of Parliament (MPs), and the party holding a majority in the House of Commons selects its leader, who then serves as Prime Minister.

Not just in the UK, Political power is transient and fleeting. In Nigeria, the election season is upon the land as the year 2027 beckons. Politicians would soon be traversing, criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country to solicit votes. Citizens have a choice to make. It is time for them to use the ballot box to choose those who will govern them. Irrespective of what anyone might say, voters hold the ace. Votes do count. If votes do not count, politicians would not bother moving round soliciting votes from the people. Elections are easier to manipulate in situations of voter apathy. Those numbers can then be added on the right side of the figures in a jiffy. As 2027 gathers steam, Nigerians must come out en masse to elect their choice(s) from the local, state to federal levels.

The “us” versus “them” maxim must give way to visual clarity. Come out, vote and protect your vote for good men and women of your choice that you believe in. Our political parties (as they are now) really do not have distinct ideologies. Neither can we point out any discernible manifestos. Politicians jump from one political party to another at the slightest opportunity to keep the juice flowing while ordinary Nigerians throw swords at each other on social media over these same politicians fleecing the commonwealth. This is the hard-core truth: `in vino veritas`. Let no one deceive you.

‘In vino veritas` is a Latin phrase that means `in wine, there is truth`. It suggests that a person under the influence of alcohol is more likely to speak their hidden thoughts and desires. This is not a justification for alcoholism, though. Veritas was the Roman virtue of truthfulness, which was considered one of the main virtues any good Roman citizen should possess. The word veritas appears in the mottos of many colleges, universities and other organisations and depicts ideals like Truth, Kindness and Beauty. Veritas is the motto of Harvard University, Drake University, Knox College (Illinois), the Dominican Order of the Roman catholic Church, and Loyola College Ibadan, to mention just a few. The American communications company Verizon derives its name from the combination of the words veritas and horizon.

In the final analysis, the Holy Book – the Bible admonishes in Ecclesiastes 9 v 11; “…time and chance happen to them all”. This is a profound word. It means that despite our best efforts, skills, or preparations, life’s unpredictable moments and unforeseen circumstances impact everyone, often defying expectations and logical outcomes. Those words from the holy book echo the reality of unpredictability. It highlights the limits of human control. While wisdom and hard work are beneficial, external factors, timing, and random opportunities significantly alter our paths.

For those in a position of authority at whatever level, be guided by the truth that it is but for a finite duration. Your time will pass, and your tenure will become a piece of history just like those who have been – emperors, kings, queens, mighty princes, presidents, governors and other leaders of yore. As for the citizens, sitting aloof serves no good. Get off your seat and join the political train. Move away from those keypads in your smartphones and get in the ring. The destiny of our common patrimony lies with us all. I off my mic…

Tony Agbons, an Associate Professor, is Lead, Institute of Governance and Leadership