Daily Independent (Lagos)
20 November 2008
interview
Capt. HOSA OKUNBOR has been a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until last year when he took what he called "a principled decision" to support Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the governorship election in Edo State .
In this interview with SENIOR CORRESPONDENT FRANCIS ONOIRIBHOLO, Okunbor stated that his support was because he was convinced that it was a rare opportunity for Edo people to have somebody that has an independent mind coming in to rule the State, for once, after many years of dashed hopes and expectations.
Excerpts:
As a Prominent Edo citizen, what are your expectations from the new government of Adams Oshiomhole?
Well, we thank God that a change has actually happened in Edo State . Like you all know, for a very long time, we have not had any development in the state and what I am looking forward to is that the little resources that we have or coming into the state should be used to develop the state, should be used to change this environment so that the dividend of democracy can be felt by the people. The people have been cheated for long. I am happy that somebody that has an independent mind is coming in to rule Edo State for once. The expectations are high, very high, not only from us but from the very down-trodden, like what we witnessed at the stadium the day of the swearing-in. Those people were not mobilised to the stadium, they were not given money to come to the stadium, and they came to the stadium because they believe in this man. He has no choice than to be accountable to the people and deliver to the people with whatever resources that are available; the people must feel the impact of government.
Where do you suggest that he should start from: because, there are so many areas begging for attention such as unemployment, education, health and so on?
In my own opinion, if I am to advice him, I will advice him to start with the drainage, the drainage in Benin City . Auchi has the same problem of erosion control because if you don't have good drainage system, no matter the roads that you build, in no time, those roads will erode. So, if he is able to tackle the drainage problem of Edo State and Benin City in particular, when later he construct any road, those roads will stand the test of time. So drainage and youths employment should be given special attention. Get the youths busy and he could fashion it along, the same time as Governor Fashola did in Lagos State where he has LASTMA and with LASTMA, a lot of youths were employed, and at the same time internal generated revenue of the state was increased. It is not business as usual where some people turned themselves to cabal where they start levying poor market women, levying the down-trodden and putting the money into private pockets. Things should be done right this time around. I am sure and I trust Adams Oshiomhole should do the right thing; and education should get special attention as well because the defunct Bendel State was the best. They produced the best brains in those days. I think he should tackle the issue of education in the tertiary institutions. There is a lot ahead and I pray God will give him the strength to be able to accomplish all these high expectations that people are expecting.
One of the greatest problems facing government, especially in Nigeria, is praise singing and sycophancy. In this regard, what is your advice for the new governor?
If you know the man Adams, is not a man that will succumb to praise singers, he is a fighter; he would respect the people that will tell him the truth. Like you heard him saying, he said he doesn't want to be (called His) Excellency, he said he is a Comrade Governor. Somebody that says he is a Comrade Governor knows his roofs, he is keeping his roots. Anybody that thinks that he will just go there to sing his praises may be because he wants to reap off the state is a joker. He himself too has been in oppositions for a very long time, and I don't think he is going to kill the opposition as well, because that what keeps you at alert. He has been on the other side and now he is on this side. So, he should encourage people to criticise him. I told him the other day that if we don't do well, this same people that gathered at the stadium, that came out en masse and were not paid to be here, this same people, will come out to tell you that you have failed. By God's grace, and I will continue to pray for him that he should succeed and, if he does, I can assure you that Oshiomhole is bigger than Edo State .
How will you describe the current influx of PDP into AC now: is it convenient for the party?
Well, you have political prostitutes and I like to respect people who have dignity. Some of us were very steadfast; we fought for what we believed in, particularly in this state. When you talk about PDP, I served PDP; I was a staunch member of PDP. PDP is a great party, some people destroyed PDP in this state for their selfish interest and drove or pushed away the people that meant well for the people. There are good people who are ready to support Oshiomhole. One thing you should bear in mind is that Oshiomhole is not a governor of AC, he is now the Governor of the good people of Edo State , and so, if he has good materials in PDP, he will use them to achieve results. I think he should put politics behind now and think of how we can move this state forward collectively. It is not about PDP or AC any more, it is now about Edo State , mutual respect for each other and let's put our heads together and move the State forward. Oshiomhole is no longer a party governor. He was a party governorship candidate and now he is Edo State Governor. So he is our governor whether you are PDP, AC, ANPP, even people who are not in any party. We need good materials to redeem this state.
With what has just happened in Edo State, in respect of the Appeal court judgment, what advice do you have for the Judiciary as regards pending cases in other states?
I have very great respects for the Judiciary because, like you see, what actually have stopped violence in Nigeria politics today is because people have faith in the Judiciary, because they have absolute confidence that they can go there and get justice. That is why you did not see people burning anywhere. People are in court because they have hope and faith in the Judiciary.
For instance, like this Oshiomohle who was just a comrade fighting for workers, who has no money, he was fighting against the man that has all the resources in the world to bribe anybody, but he couldn't. The Judiciary, I respect them for that and if every sector in this country starts to emulate what the Judiciary is doing in this country, I think we will have a better country called Nigeria, we would have a better Nigeria we dream of because, to me, that is a very high level of patriotism and the only way that we can move this country forward is to be patriotic. We should shun money because money is not everything, keep your dignity and respect is exactly what I can say to you concerning that question,. But for other people that are still in court, I want to wish them well, if they are on the right side. I know that the Judiciary will give them fair hearing.
Now that the PDP suddenly finds itself in the opposition, what is your advice to the party as to the running of Edo State ?
I have friends in the PDP; I am a PDP man, we have our own issues in Edo State. I voted for PDP in the presidential elections. I supported them in the presidential elections, I only have diverse opinion in the state and the only reason why I did that is because I wanted development in Edo State. I did not want business as usual and of course, we should embrace good thing, there are good people in PDP, I know people in PDP who are dignified y people, we are still free to work with them because politics is not a do or die affair; is not about enmity, is about ideas and issues. I think Oshiomhole should co-operate with them; there shouldn't be any issue about that. Like I said earlier, Oshiomole is now our governor. He should use the best materials for the good of the state.
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