Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jun 30, 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
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
×