Mine is to wake up, pray and hustle to be financially independent. I am not concerned about what those in power do. Are they providing for my basic necessities to survive as an individual? Why should I spend my time listening to news about what the political actors venture into? These and many more are the words of most Nigerians forgetting whatever happens in the polity affects the decisions they make. Why would an individual choose to play nonchalant attitude to the happenings in the organization within which he or she operates?
In the case of Nigerians, there is a belief that the country is run by powers-that-be. According to them, we are not running an all-inclusive government. They may be right.
Reason most Nigerians face their life and put aside staying apprised of happenings in Nigeria. They put national issues at the sidelines of their itinerary.
The aforementioned is unequivocally stated to lay strong background knowledge to the crux of the piece and not to embellish it (piece).
It is worth having in mind, without cease, how politics shape our daily lives.
Few months after the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a committee led by a man who has spent reasonable years of his life talking tax was constituted. The man – Mr. Taiwo Oyedele FCA with rank and file of the committee have been on their toes to achieve the objective of why they are together.
The “back and forth” of the committee brought to life a policy document (a bill) sent to the engine room of our democracy – Legislature. There were contentions over this document rolling from the floor of this room to the public domain. Do this! Do that!
Nigeria being a big entity, how an Octopus looks like can be likened to how our perceptions will be. So the controversy is normal. What settled it? Polity and Politics. The constitution has made players handling these two phrases so powerful.
Nigerian Governors Forum led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of Kwara state converge to discuss the issue which was at that time at the front burner. The most contentious clause of the bill- VAT sharing formula amongst others were discussed and controversies were put to rest.
What they agreed on is what will eventually stay with us. This is evidential to the opinion of Thomas R. Dye which says “Public policy is whatever governments choose to do or not to do”.
Recently, the lower chamber of the legislative arm of government approved the bill. A feeler that the bill has come to stay. The positive contribution of the bill, if eventually assented by Mr. President, is what myself and other Nigerians are looking forward to. We want it to make us feel more good as Nigerians. Nigerians do not want to continue paying implicit taxes by picking up the responsibilities of the government.
Note that this article is not to paint my country your country bad. No! It is to remind us, by reiterating, the importance of polity and politics in our daily activities. “P” is first amongst other letters in the framework – PESTEL analysis for a reason. Think about it.
Nigerians! Let’s begin to show concern to political issues and see, through that, how we can advance our dear nation.
Also, those in power should not think of having absolute power and begin to govern at the expense of Nigerians who gave them power.
There will be a country. A Greater One.
Michael Ogundiran
A Concerned Nigerian and Chartered Accountant.
Writes from Lagos.
blessingogundiran01@gmail.com
09036447289
