By: Austin S Fallah-A True Son of the Planet Earth Soil:
In the grand curtain of political structures, the Vice President’s role often hangs by threads woven from expectations and constitutional duties.
In Liberia, the current Vice President, Jeremiah K. Koung, echoes a sentiment previously articulated by then Vice President (Now President)Joseph Nyumah Boakai: “All Vice Presidents are old cars parked in the garage and can’t move politically without the President’s approval.”
This provocative assertion serves as a gateway to exploring the multifaceted role of Vice Presidents within the national scene, particularly in Liberia. It also draws comparisons with other African nations and the broader Western world.
Can a Vice President transcend their constitutional duties as the head of the Senate? Or are they confined to mere ceremonial roles, shackled by the actions and approvals of their Presidents?
To address this inquiry, we must first establish the constitutional framework that defines the Vice Presidency.
In Liberia, as in many democracies, the Vice President serves primarily as the presiding officer of the Senate and assumes the presidency in the event of a vacancy.
However, this definition belies the potential for a far more dynamic role. Indeed, the effectiveness of a Vice President often hinges not solely on constitutional powers but also on the political context, individual ambition, and the nature of the relationship with the President.
Historically, the role of Vice Presidents has evolved considerably.
In the United States, former Vice Presidents Joe Biden (now President)and Al Gore have leveraged their second-in-command positions to take on significant national issues, from foreign policy to climate change.
They have utilized their platform, often building coalitions, spearheading initiatives, and engaging directly with the public to effect change.
This indicates a broader trend where Vice Presidents in the Western world have increasingly sought to expand their influence beyond mere support roles, illustrating that the potential for activism exists, even outside the President’s shadow.
In contrast, the narrative in parts of Africa, including Liberia, paints a different picture.
The political paradigm is frequently colored by patronage systems, where loyalty to the President can stifle individual agency.
The assertion by Vice President Koung and (former Vice President)President Dr.Boakai eludes to a systemic issue: the perception that Vice Presidents are relegated to being “old cars” instruments of stability rather than vehicles of progress.
This description raises a crucial question.
If the Vice President’s only power is the president’s goodwill, how can they genuinely advocate for the interests of their constituents or the nation at large?
Let me dissect this notion further by examining the Liberian political landscape during Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s tenure.
As the first female elected President in Africa, former President Johnson-Sirleaf’s administration may have offered a unique opportunity for growth and influence.
However, many perceived Dr.Boakai’s role as Vice President as largely ornamental, reinforcing the idea that the seat of power remained firmly in the President’s grasp.
While Dr.Joseph Nyumah Boakai undoubtedly possessed political acumen and was vested with various governance responsibilities, Johnson-Sirleaf’s overarching control limited his ability to carve out a substantive space for independent political agency.
This situation is not uncommon across Africa.
In numerous countries, Vice Presidents face similar constraints. The power dynamics between the President and their second-in-command (Vice President) create an environment ripe for stagnation rather than innovation.
For example, in Nigeria, Vice Presidents have historically navigated complex political landscapes that can sometimes coalesce into power struggles.
Yet notable exceptions, like Yemi Osinbajo, who served under President Muhammadu Buhari, demonstrate that a Vice President can rise to prominence through proactive engagement with public policy and grassroots initiatives that resonate within the broader populace.
Such examples challenge the notion of passive vice-presidency and highlight the impact of individual ambition and initiative, even in less-than-favorable conditions.
Moreover, correlation does not equate to causation.
Thus, one might argue that these roles still revolve around individual capabilities.
It is not solely the constitutional provisions that bind or free a Vice President but the historical, political, and cultural landscape that shapes their trajectory.
Beyond the constraints of office, the dynamics between the President and Vice President and the governance systems at play ultimately dictate how much political agency exists.
Let us consider the Western analogy once more.
The relationship between Presidents and Vice Presidents in the United States often serves as a valuable lens for understanding this dynamic.
Many evidence-based political theories posit that a Vice President’s effectiveness is directly proportional to the political environment fostered by the President.
In cases where Presidents encourage their Vice Presidents to take ownership of specific issues, as former President Barack Obama did with then Vice President Joe Biden’s (former President)stewardship of the Recovery Act, the outcomes can redefine expectations and perceptions of the vice president.
Conversely, restrictive environments often breed a lack of initiative and visible impact.
Faced with the daunting realization that many Vice Presidents in Liberia and across Africa resemble “old cars parked in the garage,” one might ponder the future of political leadership on the continent.
The Vice Presidency should not merely be about ceremonial duties and subordinate roles.
Historically, countries experiencing democratic transitions have found strength in their second-in-commands, who can create dialogues that bridge divides between powerful elites and the citizenry, enabling smoother governance and public engagement.
This potential for Vice Presidents to act as catalysts for political change necessitates a shift in narrative.
Instead of viewing Vice Presidents as mere appendages to the Presidency, the framework should amplify their role as vital participants in national discourse.
As they increasingly assert themselves within the political landscape, they can evolve into agents of change, emphasizing collaboration, accountability, and leadership.
For Liberia and its African counterparts, the challenge lies in the aspirations of individual Vice Presidents and the political culture that creates opportunities or stifles them.
Political institutions must foster environments where Vice Presidents can operate effectively and independently without seeming to usurp the authority of their Presidents.
A stronger emphasis on collective governance, mutual respect, and open dialogue can help open pathways for active engagement beyond ceremonial roles.
While Jeremiah K. Koung’s (echoing the sentiment of former Vice President Dr.Boakai, now President)analogy of Vice Presidents as “old cars” raises valid concerns about the limitations imposed by constitutional duties and organizational hierarchies, it also presents an opportunity for reevaluation.
The potential for Vice Presidents to play a significant role on the national stage beyond their prescribed duties is a function of both personal ambition and systemic change.
By fostering an environment that encourages active participation and collaboration, nations like Liberia can redefine the Vice Presidency from a dormant fixture in the political landscape to a dynamic force that propels governance and policy forward.
The potential for evolution exists; it is up to both Vice Presidents and their Presidents to leverage this opportunity.
A proactive Vice Presidency can unlock new possibilities, driving nations toward progress, unity, and collective strength.
To emerge from the shadows cast by the presidency, Vice Presidents must reclaim their narrative, inspire confidence, and truly engage with the citizenry they represent.
In doing so, they transform from “old cars parked in the garage” to vibrant vehicles of change, ready to navigate the complexities of governance and leadership in the first and second half of the 21st century.
