Beautiful Virgin Islands

Saturday, Sep 13, 2025

Checks, balances & the abuse of power

Checks, balances & the abuse of power

The greatest benefit of the Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry is, it’s check on the abuse of power
Now, make no mistake: power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely. And the one language power respects and understands is greater power.

It is rare indeed to discover a politician or man of power with humility. This type of politician is a rare commodity. Presently in the BVI, this Old Boy knows just one such individual who appears to meet this high mark of integrity and virtue: it would be unwise to state who that is.

Once upon a time in the BVI there was a well-known man who became a leader. This man was the nicest of men, and appeared to be truly humble. Then he won an election.

On the very night of celebration, the smile on his bronzed face turned into a smirk. Even his ardent supporters noticed this ominous change.

The very next day there was a swagger in his step. He became arrogant, and he went on to do the very opposite of what he had promised in his manifesto.

After a number of years, the people were joyful when he finally left office. It was like there was a foot chain on the people that was unlocked, and the people released from bondage.

Then came his predecessors with the usual promises and guarantees. To cut a long story short, the behavior of his predecessor was even worse.

The simple fact is this: by nature, man is power-hungry.

Give a manpower and all of a sudden he becomes "the Incredible Hulk." Some sage mind stated once that if you want to test a man’s character, then ‘’give him power.’’ Very few men or women can handle power with patience, honesty, and humility.

Hence the framers of the US Constitution were exceptionally wise men who even in the 1700s understood the need to build checks and balances into the governance system to stop a rogue leader or government from usurping all power and going in a disastrous direction.

It took the election of Donald Trump hundreds of years later, and his four years in office, to show how correct the framers of the world’s most famous political document were.

Power respects power alone. That has been the story of history, peace, and war. Even in high school, the bully only ever becomes fearful when a tougher kid comes along with equal ferocity and aggressiveness

And that is why an effective and permanent check on the executive branch is critical for these Virgin Islands.

Oversight is a great thing no matter the form it takes.

Oversight of the governance infrastructure in the Overseas Territories rests in the Reserve Powers of the Governor, that reside in the Crown.

And truth be told, the British Virgin Islands have gone decades without the Reserve Powers being used to any significant extent, as that appears to go against the idea of greater autonomy, and self-determination.

However, there comes a time when impunity and abuse of power threaten the very order and stability of a jurisdiction.

Whether that time is now, is for the legitimately appointed Commission of Inquiry to determine.

So as the cliché goes, ‘’ let the chips fall’’ and see where they land.

Connect with Dickson Igwe on Facebook and Twitter
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Murdoch Family Finalises $3.3 Billion Succession Pact, Ensuring Eldest Son’s Leadership
Big Oil Slashes Jobs and Investments Amid Prolonged Low Crude Prices
Court Staff Cover Up Banksy Image of Judge Beating a Protester
Social Media Access Curtailed in Turkey After CHP Calls for Rallies Following Police Blockade of Istanbul Headquarters
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
Elon Musk Poised to Become First Trillionaire Under Ambitious Tesla Pay Plan
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
Burning the Minister’s House Helped Protesters to Win Justice: Prabowo Fires Finance Minister in Wake of Indonesia Protests
Brazil Braces for Fallout from Bolsonaro Trial by corrupted judge
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
Nearly 40 Years Later: Nike Changes the Legendary Slogan Just Do It
×