Veto Power: A Necessary Check or Too Much Power?

When we talk about a form of authority that is easily seen as being controversial, veto power is definitely one of them, especially because of the fact that it's placed in the hand of one individual. To start with, we must first know the definition of this kind of power, and in my opinion, veto power is the kind of power that's placed on an individual in authority so they can be able to block or reject a proposed decision even if the majority adopts such a motion. Yes, I understand that this power has its good side, but we can't neglect the fact that it can be too much power placed in the hand of one person. Below I'll state my take on this subject matter in detail.

In my opinion, I don't really think the problem is in veto power in itself, but in how such power is being used and structured. Take, for instance, nations that used a democratic style of governance. We know that decisions in such places are made through discussions between stakeholders, voting, compromise, and consultation. In such a style of governance, everyone is usually involved and ought to have a voice, and the final outcome ought to reflect the collective interest of everyone. Now imagine all stakeholders reach such points, and then from nowhere one person's veto power just renders all their deliberation and decisions useless, because they stood against what everyone else has agreed. And that's exactly where the concern begins.

On the other hand, we know that veto power can also serve as an important safeguard, especially when the majority of the stakeholders can agree on a decision that's unfair and unjust. In such situations, having someone who has a singular authority to prevent such mistakes from seeing the light of the day is the best way to go. And that's why I see the veto power as a two-sided coin, because from this new scenario I painted, we can see that it can sometimes protect the system from the excess of the majority, while the first scenario shows its flaws.

But then overall, I must chip this important point in, and it's the fact that any power that isn't properly in check can become a tool for abuse. If one person can constantly block decisions, they can block great decisions that benefit the people but somewhat affect them. If such continues to happen, gradually everyone else's voices will become irrelevant, going on to make it so that collective decisions only exist in theory but not in practice.

And that's exactly why I believe veto power should come with accountability, limitations, and defined circumstances for any wrongdoing. Because an individual holding such power ought not to be above the system that they ought to protect. Unfortunately that isn't the case in my nation, Nigeria, where presidents tend to have such veto power, and to cap it up, they still have immunity and can't be tried for anything they did wrong while in power forever.

So my conclusion isn't that veto power should be revoked; it's that we should look for a safeguarding means to make such power inabuseable. And that's because one person having the power to say no can benefit everyone and can go the other way round. However, in the reality that such individual cab be questioned, have the same power overturn and that such a person can be held accountable, we'll ultimately be on the right track.

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