Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 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
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×