Daily Independent (Lagos)
Austin Oboh
1 July 2009
interview
Abuja — WILLY EZUGWU, Secretary General, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), offered to serve Enugu State as one of its representatives at the Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), but lost the chance to someone else. Another chance to serve not just the state, but also the entire country came, and soon after he was nominated to represent the party in the CNPP. He has been a trenchant opposition voice since then. In this interview with Snr Reporter, AUSTIN OBOH, he speaks on the challenges of governance in the South East, opposition politics and what he believes is the trouble with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also speaks on other national issues.
Excerpts:
You come from Enugu State, how would you assess the impact of Democracy on the development of the state? Has democracy fared better in the state?
Let us begin by restating the saying the worst form of democratic rule is better than the best form of military rule. Bearing this in mind, I should stress that whatever the shortcomings that may have been observed since 1999, when democracy was restored in the country, they pale to nothing in comparison with military rule. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the dividends of democracy did not really get to the people of the state until recently. The former governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, made himself the 'Czar' of the state. People were denied freedom of speech, association and movement under that evil regime. The regime unleashed terror and clamped down on opposition elements, even within the ruling party. The present Governor, Sullivan Chime, is really trying in terms of development initiative in. The issue is sustainability of the developmental stride. I want to use this medium to urge the Governor to advise the local government chairmen in the state to emulate him in the spirit of leadership by example. For instance, I am from Nsukka Local Government Area of the state and my Local Government receives allocation more than any other local government in the state, but I can tell you that the chairman of the council is virtually doing nothing with the quantum of resources received so far, which runs into billions of naira. He is busy servicing himself and his godfathers without putting anything on the ground. In fact, I am forced to say this because the situation in my local government makes me sad. There would be other avenues to address this issue, but I still find it particularly urgent to mention it now. It grieves the mind to know that so much is going down the drain at a time when the socio-economic conditions of the masses are getting rapidly worse. The governor of the state, I understand, gives them full assess to their allocation without interference. The only development projects in Nsukka are the ones being done by the governor, but I think the contractor handling the road contract in Nsukka should emulate the one handling Enugu roads contract. As a matter of fact, the governor may have to intervene to ensure a thorough work.
If you were to rate the governors who have governed the state since 1999, what would be your basic references?
In my opinion, the most critical reference points when assessing the performance of the governors who have ruled the state since 1999 would be their performance in the area of development and human rights and the rule of law. The governor of the state, between 1999 and 2007, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, fooled the state for the whole of that period. No serious development took place in the state throughout. His best performance was in orchestrating a programme of media hype, which he funded with state money. In contrast, the present governor is making Enugu work without singing about it. His work speaks for him. Indeed, he is. He is developing Enugu State. Frankly speaking, it would not be inappropriate to say Chimaroke was a failure and a misfit in Enugu State. People of the state now have something to hope for with the coming of Chime because they can see that he is moving in the right direction.
What do you think Governor Sullivan Chime has got going for him?
He does not listen to 'yes' men and sycophants who swarm the seat of power. He knows that such people are the real enemies of the state. Secondly, age is on his side. He is God-fearing and focused, and this may be why he has been doing very well so far.
Given his youthfulness, do you think he has met the expectations of not just the youths of the state but also of the entire South East Zone?
When we talk about Chime we should not just see him as representing the youths of the South East of the country; we should rather consider him as a yardstick for measuring good performance as its impact on development, especially in the South East. Other governors should emulate him. He has, as you know, adopted dialogue and genuine reconciliation with the former governors of the state. He did this by recognising that they were there before him and has, therefore accorded them due respect and recognition. He has done this without compromising his government.
What are really the major challenges of governance in the South East at the moment?
The major challenges of governance in the South East are those of development and attitude. The governors are faced with an overwhelming load of stagnation, but some of them have not got the right attitude to confront this situation. Some of them engage in elephant projects that cannot be completed for 30 years and spend the states resources on media publicity of projects not seen. Some of them operate oppressive government where citizens must either agree with all they are doing or they are clamped down at all costs. The governors of South East states should change their attitude to governance, especially in handling financial resources. They should embark on genuine infrastructural development of their various states by prioritising what the people actually need. They should not oppress the people in order to compel loyalty from them. Finally, if the governors perform very well, there may be less need for media hype. Money hitherto spent in that area would be reduced and this would also reduce waste of public funds on media hype. The present Enugu and Anambra states governors should be commended for their giant strides in their states without blowing their trumpet in the media.
You are the Secretary-General of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), would you say that the group has been a viable political opposition?
Of course, yes. CNPP led by Balarabe Musa, has made itself the mouthpiece of opposition elements in the country to challenge and alert the people of the misdeeds of people in authority. CNPP is always in the news challenging one evil or the other, to the extent of engaging in legal battles. We cannot compromise since some opposition parties lack focus and sense of direction. You know it yourself, and other Nigerians know the selfless efforts of CNPP as the leading opposition association of Political Parties with constructive views on burning National issues. That's what we do for Nigerians.
There has been a lot of factionalisation in the group, why has this been so?
The factionalisation you are talking about is a media hype. The freedom of association enshrined in Nigeria constitution of 1999 allows any person or group of persons to form association at will, so, we are not perturbed by the activities of any association that parades itself as the CNPP. We also know that they are sponsored to whittle down the influence of the authentic CNPP, but I can assure you that they cannot succeed, for Nigerians know those genuinely fighting for their cause and can separate the noble engagement from the ridiculous. Some people have a selfish agenda to pursue and we would not let their activities distract us from the genuine struggle we have embarked upon to restore sanity in the polity.
Doesn't the disagreement within the group weaken its ability to articulate an effective position?
No, we have nothing to do with them. Our doors are open whenever they want to come in. CNPP remains ever vibrant, articulate, focused and most importantly, remains unwavering in pursuing to a logical conclusion the cause they believe in and they have vowed not to compromise its position.
There is a rumour that the CNPP is actually working towards furthering the presidential ambition of Muhammadu Buhari. Is this true?
No, that is not true. But I will quickly state here that Muhammadu Buhari as a person has made himself a leader to be trusted, judging from his antecedents since 2003 when he joined the Presidential race. He is a gentleman to the core who fights when he believes in a cause. His party, ANPP, is a member of the CNPP, and only on that note can we relate with him; not that CNPP is working for his political ambition. That is not a charitable comment on CNPP leadership. CNPP is more than one individual and cannot work for one individual.
From the opposition's point of view, what is the trouble with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?
The trouble with the PDP is hydra-headed. It is traumatised by election phobia. It has no clear-cut manifesto, but believe in using the leadership of the nation to manipulating every process, including the electoral process. If not, how could their National Chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, openly make the statement that PDP would rule for 60 years? If they are not those who believe in manipulating the process, how could the party's general secretary make such declarations, and with finality? PDP is a party of 'do or die' elements. They themselves have told the world this. Their major trouble is that they cannot manage the victory they claim they have got, because they are holding on to a controversial mandate, got from manipulation of the process, ably supported by their partners in crime, the INEC, led by the unrepentant Prof. Maurice Iwu and the nation's security agents.
Don't you think the government of President Umaru Yar'Adua has done something commendable in the last two years?
President Umaru Yar'adua's government has made laudable policy pronouncements, but we are yet to see them in concrete terms. The seven-point agenda is great on paper, but has the government been able to translate it into practical value for Nigerians? Will the government be able to do that? These are useful questions we must ask, because we are yet to see the agenda working. My problem with him is that sometimes he allows himself to be tossed and manipulated by some politicians and technocrats who don't mean well for this country. He has made them his chief advisers, so what do you expect? Motion without movement, of course.
Who are the political figures in the country at present who you would recommend for national leaderhsip?
They are many. People like my National Chairman, Balarabe Musa; Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, Femi Falana, Gani Fawehinmi, Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Raji Fashola, Peter Obi, Ken Nnamani, and a host of others.
Why do you think they would make the difference?
I think they would make a difference because their antecedents point to it. You know them yourselves, do thorough analysis of their past and present and see what you get. These are Nigerians who are focused and who understand Nigeria's greatest problems and can offer genuine solutions.
Do you foresee the PDP losing out in a national election in the next few years?
Yes, of course. It is possible, but only if the government would allow the electoral process to be genuinely transformed in a transparent manner. With what we have on the ground at the moment, it is evident that the manipulative tendencies of the PDP administration are still inherent in our political process. It will only be possible if genuine electoral reforms and constitutional amendments are carried out and implemented to the letter without alteration. Look at what they have done with the Uwais Panel Report and the Ekiti governorship re-run. I pity this country. If the PDP continues to rule this country, we are going to witness worse things to come.
Which party among the registered ones, in your opinion, would likely succeed the PDP in the next round of elections nationwide?
We cannot tell. But I can assure you that if a free and fair election is conducted in this country, and people's votes are allowed to count, the PDP will fail in the next elections. We did it before in 2007 election, but the exercise was manipulated. The realities of what transpired in 2007 election are beginning to manifest in the verdicts of election Appeal tribunals all over the country. Any other political party that genuinely prepares well may win or they may arise a coalition of parties to form a mega party as being currently proposed.
If you have reflected on politics in Nigeria, what would you say is not being done well?
Everything. There seem to be a total collapse of the system. There should be a wholistic overhaul of the system. The leadership and followership should be overhauled equally. A totally new way of playing politics with should evolve otherwise decent people would be scared to participate in politics. Leadership is a serious matter; it is not something to be left to gangleaders who only know how to rig elections. The time has come for principled men and men of intellectual depth to come forward and chart a new course for this country. The current situation is really unacceptable. Take a look around you and see the caliber of people we have in very sensitive positions. Are these the best in a nation brimming over with well-informed men who have, in addition, demonstrated great capabilities? In the majority of cases, those in leadership position at present are the least qualified for these offices. We can't let things continue this way. If it does, then we cannot be very sure that the country will survive it. Here is the challenge for both leaders and followers: Those in power should ensure they lead well by doing the right thing at the right time. In the main, justice and equity should rule their decisions. Those who follow should follow well. This entails knowing your rights and insisting that they are respected at all times. Of course, rights go with responsibilities. Nigerians should endeavour to honour their obligations to their fatherland. These are some of the things we can do, in the short run, to move this country forward.
The re-run governorship poll in Ekiti took place long ago but the dust is yet to settle, should the state continue to be enmeshed in election contestations?
What do you think yourself? Can a rat steal the fish of someone who is alert? Since the manipulative elements were at it again in Ekiti State, their actions made it possible for the state to have a smooth conclusion of the exercise, that is why the road has gotten rough for everybody. The election must be contested to a logical conclusion if the system, that is, for as long as the system allows it.
Would you know why there was so much desperation by the parties to win the re-run poll?
The desperation comes from the fact that there are two opposing forces. The people whose mandate was stolen earlier wanted to prove a point while their enemies also were determined to hold on to what they stole, and shamelessly, too, in order to legitimize their controversial victory.
What is the significance of the electoral failure in Ekiti State?
The significance of electoral failure in Ekiti State is that this present government has not learnt anything and has not forgotten anything. It shows that they are not ready to give Nigerians free, fair and credible elections. It shows that the next year governorship election in Anambra State and 2011 General elections cannot be relied upon by Nigerians. It portends failure on the part of the present leadership.
INEC or the political class, which of these takes greater blame for the violence and malpractices which characterized the Ekiti rerun poll?
Both INEC and the political class are to blame. INEC, because it allowed itself to be manipulated; the political class, because this is its only stock in trade. They have not learnt anything and have not forgotten anything. Both of them take equal proportion of the blame. There would be a change when finally politicians would grow out of their desperation and settle for the decision of the electorate.
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