I was asked on a recent TV interview by Rev Fr George Ehusani how ordinary people who are busy working in their offices could ever find the time to get registered to vote and collect their voters’ cards, considering how difficult the process has always been. He was of the opinion that it was easier for CEOs like himself and I to find the time to do this, but the same could not be said of the people who work with us.
If the Dangotes, Petersides, Otudekos, Rabius, Elumelus, Ovias, Otedolas and all the up and coming multi-billionaires think that they are making plenty money now, they should consider how much wealthier they would be if we had a better democracy, and how much they stand to lose if we slip into anarchy, chaos, military rule or civil war due to failings of democracy.There is a linear relationship between good politics that creates good governance and ultimately economic prosperity.
Again, what difference does it make when our best talent from the private sector are queuing up to take on appointed roles as Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers and Technical Assistants to power-wielding politicians only to find out that appointees lack political power and only serve at the mercy of the elected .