Author: The Nation

By Olufemi A. Oyedele

In Why Politics and Business Don’t Mix, Steve Tobak, an executive management staff at Cyrix, a Dallas-based microprocessor company, stated in that his CEO sent out a company-wide email encouraging the staff to get out and vote. The message, as he said, sounded “highly partisan – right-leaning, of course. And as the company’s head of marketing and communications, that rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t think it was right to pressure employees to conform to some sort of corporate political standard and I still don’t.”

Politics and business don’t mix but you can’t do without mixing politics with business. Harold Dwight Lasswell (February 13, 1902 – December 18, 1978), and American political scientist and communications theorist, stated that “politics is who gets what, when and how”.

Most successful and renowned business men and women cannot do without influencing politics that goes on in their community. They are aware that politics is about acquisition of political power through public governance, getting connection in the government circle and getting government patronage in one’s business. After all, there is no business greater than the business of governance in any part of the world. No wonder David Easton defined politics as the “authoritative allocation of value”. Most big manufacturers seek the assistance of government for favourable policies that will make them stay in business or boost their businesses.

Government subsidy, import duty waiver and tax-holiday are three of the numerous incentives that business men and women can benefit from government and its policy formulation. Policy formulation is about how problems identified in the agenda-setting phase transform into government programmes. The five main areas of policy formulation process, following the traditional model, are: Agenda setting, Policy formation, Decision making, Policy implementation and Policy evaluation. As the process of designing policy alternatives expresses and allocates power among different interests, policy formulation affects both implementation, and outcomes. Since policies are made for the people and people are business customers, businesses must be interested in all public policies.

The only way to do this is for businesses, either individually or through their associations or both, to be actively involved in politics. But as politics is a pool of risks and presidential system of government is ‘winner takes all system’, businesses are wary of being identified with a government. What they normally do is to support politicians and their administration underneath so that should a government fail to win elections and not be in authority, businesses will not be stigmatised and side-lined by a new government. Some businesses also make sure that they patronise all leaders and or governments in power. These types of businesses are referred to as “all governments in power” (AGIP). In Africa, the life-cycles of some businesses which are government-contractors tend to be short because of government lack of patronage.

Construction companies and big government contractors which mainly depend on government patronage avoid bankruptcy and liquidation by getting closer to government, with some having “Government Relations Manager” – an officer who serves as liaison officer with government and interfaces with appropriate government officials (desk officer) on behalf of his or her company. Government relations managers promote legislative efforts that are beneficial to their organisation and collaborate with public relations officers on campaigns to earn the backing of government officials and the public. The job duties of government relation manager include staying current on existing and proposed legislation, meeting with local, state and federal government officials and lobbyists, and updating management on relevant laws and regulations.

For any serious business in Africa, government relations management is a serious business. Government is all-in-all and determines how much purchasing power the masses can have. Government can do and undo including asking commercial banks not to release cash to their customers especially as a political instrument to ensure politicians do not have cash to buy votes. In policy decision making as a process of policy formulation, stakeholders are usually contacted and involve in final decision-making, but in Africa, government can make policy without involving the stakeholders. After all, there will always be some beneficiaries of the policy formulation and if there is no beneficiary of the policy, like the Nigeria naira redesign policy, government believes it will still be business as usual, forgetting that its taxes – income and corporate – depend on businesses’ performances.

Most small and medium scale businesses in Africa do not have spokesperson to represent them and fight for their interest in government circles. Aside, they lack the financial muscle to influence policy formulation. They do not get patronage from government as governments officials do what small businesses are supposed to do by themselves. In some cases, government officials are the owners of the small and medium scale companies they patronise because the process of their job procurement either does not go through tender board and advertising or public scrutiny. Small businesses therefore, small in number, do not outlive their founders and it is one of the reasons that poverty is rife in Africa. The bigger jobs are monitored by major contractors who have the financial capacity to investigate and institute disciplinary actions against erring officers.

Businesses – small, medium or large scale – must be interested in the policies that affect them and the politics of their host communities. They should have sizable budget to influence the decisions that are made for them. They should also have officers within their organisations or lobbyists outside to interface on their behalf. Businesses which want to grow from start-up to unicorn in a modest period of time must give government day-to-day policies all the attentions they require.

•ESV. Oyedele writes from Lagos.

By Akpandem James

I was deeply worried about my uncle’s heart. He has a blood pressure challenge. Thank God I was in Uyo when the 2015 presidential election result was announced. I had advised him much earlier against placing too much premium on election outcomes, but should always keep an open mind because anything could happen. I told him that permutations on ground did not favour his then preferred candidate; that he should create room for the unexpected. He dismissed my advice citing what he regarded as solid indicators. It almost cost his life.

I had just returned from my sojourn in Abuja as one of the principal officers of the 2014 National Conference. Given my orientation as a journalist, I had carried out a survey among a very potent political population that made up the delegates. I knew their thinking and dispositions. I placed that alongside my many years in the field. It was obvious that what undiscerning persons would think impossible was going to happen. It happened. My uncle almost had a grand reception from his ancestors. I was called in by his club members. My presence helped the situation.

On Wednesday February 22, it suddenly occurred to me that my uncle, who is eight years older now, might again be walking a similar pathway, given his peculiar disposition. He had been calling me almost on a daily basis to find out the status of the various court cases involving the gubernatorial candidates of parties in my state. He relies on me to give him information on such politically-related cases handled in Abuja.

I then called him to find out who he was supporting for the presidential race. He told me. I asked him why. He explained. The familiar trademarks! I reminded him of his blood pressure situation and asked him to keep an open mind. He asked why. I told him his candidate does not stand a chance, given the permutations on ground. He argued. I told him outcomes of national elections are determined using binoculars, not spectacles. Again, he lost but with care this time.

Often, people contest election results because they always see issues from their own prisms. They hardly consider historical antecedents, regional peculiarities, religious affiliations, and the sensibilities and orientation of others that make up the universe of activity. They hardly look at the big picture. They create their own world and live in it. And then assume that whatever obtains there should be the gold standard. Any divergent view is viciously attacked, condemned, rejected and vehemently protested. In their cocoon, they become the custodians of the national conscience. Those who do not share in their sentiments are enemies of the country.

It remains true always that raw emotion cannot supplant strategic planning. Every segment spills emotions; it is the strategic mixture of the various emotions into an agreeable paste called goodwill that gives a candidate an edge. The mixture is done in a crucible known as structures built across the divides, over time. It is so because the component divides have their peculiarities, their strengths and weaknesses; and these have to be harnessed and cultivated. Arrogance is one ingredient that does not blend. It makes smooth paste impossible. Mindless consumption often results in emotional combustion.

People often claim that there is something peculiar about politics in Nigeria. A comparative spreadsheet would show that is not the case. It is what happens everywhere in the world, even though in varying degrees. Region, religion, race and rewards always play critical roles in the eventual disposition of those involved and affected. Vehicles to push and counter the inputs and outputs are very germane in determining the outcomes.

Some Nigerians have become avid complainants about how things are not working in the country; and often express how desirous they are for a new Nigeria. Underneath such expressions is usually a deep sense of hypocrisy. The concern is not really about Nigeria; it is about their sentimental predispositions, largely region and religion, and a good dose of greed and opportunism.

The just concluded presidential election in Nigeria presented a spectacular scenario. Religion has dealt a fatal blow to rationalism. It has always been there, but this time it took the form of sordid evangelism. Some who believe they know God more than God himself, irrespective of creed and educational attainments, became trapped in odious sentiments that beggar belief.

In all the sacred books used by the various faiths, God clearly indicates that He is the supreme consciousness. He shares His glory with no one. But what did we see all over the place? Leaders of some faith-based institutions became gods and made pronouncements with uncanny indiscretion. Some uttered curses upon members who do not take their word as gospel. They turned the altar of God into a theatre of absurdities. They forget that the Almighty is a jealous God.

Platforms of religious groups meant for information and evangelism were turned into arenas for hate speeches and preachments of political and religious intolerance. Anyone who has a different view would be reminded of how the children of Israel lost their heritage in Egypt because they failed to position themselves in governance when Joseph was prime minister. Was that God’s plan for the children of Israel, to make Egypt their inheritance? Religionists who do not factor God’s plan into their thinking and rationalisations are bound to turn logic into gospel and confuse the gullible.

Sentiment has a way of beclouding reasoning. It amazes when some religious practitioners assume a sense of entitlement. They initiate actions and fail to reckon that others have the capacity to either counter of do same. They direct adherents not to vote for people of other faiths but expect others to vote for theirs, nonetheless. Bigotry was elevated to a mountainous pedigree. They label others and assume theirs should be sacrosanct. Clannishness runs deep in their consciousness, some with unbelievable arrogance.

They chose to forget that God is not a religious bigot, nor is He an ethnic chauvinist. God has always shown himself to be God of all, and the pretenders are always unveiled as liars. Unfortunately these liars learn no lessons. They wait for the next season; and their band of gullible followers are on hand to form an orchestra,

Ethnicity has always played a role in our election decisions. However, in the last election there was something that looked like a resurgence of ethnic nationalism. It showed in the results where some regions had just one party as the exclusive choice. Arrogance and impudence were on open display across the land. Divergent views were attacked with vehemence.

At a point, it was like “this is my turn” had transformed in some quarters to “this is our chance,” a mantra that had been waiting for an opportunity to resurface. The brash attitude which was probably assumed to be some kind of positive activism offended the sensibilities of some undecided elements in other areas, who also donned their respective ethnic or regional garbs, even if reluctantly. Some regions were locked in, while some others were turned into a thoroughfare for political wayfarers. It forced some persons who remembered the past to scream ‘never again!’

Propaganda is usually the main ingredient in electioneering campaigns. It lived up to its billing in the last exercise. One thing it unveiled glaringly was the gullibility of otherwise exposed persons. The way some Nigerians gobbled fake news and obvious lies was really amazing. No matter how glaringly distorted, some otherwise enlightened persons would jump on illicit postings and attack them with ferocious comments, depending on their respective camps and dispositions. It could be quite disappointing seeing persons who should ordinarily be discerning sharing obviously hare-brained materials on platforms of persons with privileged exposure.

I have always longed for a new Nigeria where citizens will first be responsible and then patriotic; where people know their boundaries and respect the sensibilities and sensitivities of others; where certain things are left to personal/private dispositions; where citizens are weaned off uncanny entitlements, where people take responsibility for their actions. A new Nigeria is not synonymous with a new individual as president. It is wishful thinking that an individual who has presented himself for the office of president will emerge with a magic wand to clear the Augean stable, while we keep our clannish and greedy dispositions.

With what was commonplace on social media platforms populated by people with higher educational certificates and professional/vocational exposures, it is not likely we are going to have that new Nigeria in the foreseeable future. Deep interrogation of issues from a global perspective is clearly lacking. Most are armed with ethnic and religious stethoscopes. The diagnosis can only worsen our case. With that election done, and the self-styled potentates dusted, it would be difficult for some entities to retain their pre-election status and reverence.

•James, a communication consultant, lives in Abuja. First published in The Crest online newspaper.