Alhaji Maigari Muhammadu Dingyadi was the gubernatorial candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) in Sokoto State during the last general election. In this encounter with our correspondent, COLEMAN ANAELE in Sokoto, the grassroots politician speaks on the state of the nation, especially the recent celebration of a decade of uninterrupted democracy, the formation of mega party and other sundry issues. Excerpts:

Nigerians recently celebrated 10 years of uninterrupted democratic governance. Do you think it has been a good story?

We, as a nation should have every cause to celebrate our democracy because there are democracies that are celebrating 50 years, 100 years much in some countries, more than ours. Of course when you compare in terms of development, like social amenities, in terms of infrastructural facilities, they are far ahead of us. I think what we need now is to keep our heads focused. We Nigerians are too much in a hurry. I quite agree with most Nigerians that we are not getting most of the things we are supposed to get today. But we shouldn't forget the challenges that we have been facing in this country. Take for instance, the history of our governors; it has been overtaken by military dictatorship, which hindered the progress that would have been made in the past. Therefore we should be happy now that democracy has come to stay for the last 10 years we have been doing it in spite all problems, in spite of all the election rigging, in terms of who lead who, all the political struggle by different parties, everyone of them struggling to make relevance. I think it is not out of place to celebrate our 10 years of democracy uninterrupted. We should give our leaders the opportunity to give us the best out of what they can. Honestly speaking, I want to agree that we need to have more of what we are getting presently, but with time I think things will improve for better for the lots of Nigerians. Take for example, the issue of electoral reform; at least we have started something. That may not be the best we are going to get, but we have started on the right track. Perhaps when another administration sets in, they will improve upon it.

It is time we are going to call to the target on what we tend to achieve. I think Nigerians should continue to pray for this country. Nigerians should continue to give our leaders the opportunity to give the best leadership the country requires. We should continue to remind them we expect more of what they are giving us.

More so, let us not forget that Rome, as they say, was not built in a day. We need to be very patient; we need to pray for our country and our leaders so that we have the best out of what our nation has for us.

On the formation of mega party in order to unseat the ruling party in future election, what is your opinion?

You see, no democracy succeeds without opposition party. We need to have a stronger political party in this country that will check mate the activities of the ruling party. If we have only one big monster that will just be bulldozing people unchecked, then we are in trouble. So we need a stronger opposition that will stand the test of time to check what PDP is doing in this country, otherwise from what we have started seeing, if these things are not checked I am afraid where we are going to. The reform we are talking about may not see the light of the day because by the time the National Assembly is flooded with only PDP members, they will always do what they want without any opposition, and the country will be in a severe problem. But if there are not too much gap in terms of numerical strength between the opposition and the ruling party, say 30/70 or 40/60 that will be better to restore this country. To this end, I look forward to see a more viable and stronger opposition party in this country. Even the Federal Government, I supposed will not subscribe to the idea where nobody will challenge its style of leadership. Of course some of the policies and programmes must be criticised by the public, which is the beauty of democracy such there could be amends and redirection of ideas if the masses must be carried along.

How do you rate two years of President Umaru Yar'Adua?

There is no doubt that there have been high expectations from this administration. People felt they have not really touched what they should have touched at the end of his two years. I think from the little experience I hade with him (the president), I supposed he is making his own plans. I have every confidence that at the end of the day he is going to make it. All Nigerians need is to be patient with him. At the end of the day by the grace of God he is going to be a pride to this country. Of course there are a lot of limitations at where he is now, but I think he knows where he is going. Though I am not part of his administration, but I knew him as a good planner, he can arrange his plans to lift the nation.

But the feelings out there is that out of the Seven-point Agenda of the federal government as laid down programmes that the President could barely execute one all these while. How do you react to this?

Neither did the President say he was going to deliver his Seven-point agenda, in two, three or four years. I think the point there is that he will deliver the agenda in his tenure or by extension, or on continuity, perhaps by another administration. Rather he has started making budgetary provisions to implement some of these things; the pressure is there which he is not unaware. It will cost a lot of huge sum of money to tackle, which cannot be ready within a year or two years. We as a nation should be impressed that such things are achievable; it is just a matter of time. The Federal Government is on course. Therefore, in my candid opinion, it is too early to start assessing this administration. Many things are being planned; such as the power project, like food, etc. Let us try to be optimistic rather than just be pessimistic we should be thinking positively and not negatively.

Very much worrisome nowadays is the issue of kidnapping which is on the increase particularly in Niger Delta areas and some parts of the country, what could be the solution?

The solution to this in my opinion is the provision of infrastructure which is one of the Seven-point programmes of Mr. President. That is why the Federal Government is taking the matter seriously in Niger Delta; most of the kidnapping is taking place in that part of the country. The one you heard or was showing on television in Kaduna may not be unconnected with what is happening. I am not aware of the one that happened here in Sokoto. May be it involved more other things than one would imagine. And that is why the international community was not too opposed to the military action been taken in Niger Delta at the moment because the way the militants are approaching the issues, they kidnap foreign nationals, you kidnap people of your own country. In that essence, most of international communities do not take such criminal act lightly, that is why the Federal Government has found an appropriate time to go offensively at a time nobody would blame government for such action. These are security issues which should be of concern to all of us. The Federal Government should take every step to ensure that we have adequate security in this country; security that will not tamper or question the image of our nation. We take adequate measure to ensure we get rid of these ugly situations in all parts of the country. Hence it is a national issue. What is needed now is to put up every security measure to checkmate the activities of these people threatening the peace of the country.

How do you respond to the issue of re-branding this country, at least to the understanding of the common man, because ever since its introduction it has generated a lot of criticisms, majority of the masses are saying the re-branding should start from the leadership echelon?

What Nigerians are not being aware is that the issue is a diplomatic campaign, a campaign at the international community. It is not all locally based campaign. You see the actors championing this course as they travel to America, Europe, etc. It is good to ensure that we redeem the image of our nation, but it has no meaning to the ordinary Nigerian. As far as an ordinary Nigerian is concerned, Nigeria is Nigeria. The image is still the same, we do not have problem. But some of our leaders think we need to re-brand, we need to give a better image to our country. I don't know what is wrong with the former image. But if opinions are given to it for a better Nigeria, so be it. We will support it. Otherwise I and ordinary Sokoto man here, re-branding has no meaning to us. The most important thing is for the leaders of the country to itemise priorities and work within the timeframe to deliver proper the dividend of democracy to the poor masses.

Taking you back a little, some of the forces in opposition parties are frequently decamping to the ruling party (PDP). Do you not think this will weakening the chances of opposition to really give a stiff challenge in the next general election?

No. no, it is going to be entirely different this time. Many people are seriously concerned about the way things are going. Initially what our problems then was that people were not committed to the course they have set for themselves, people are just very lazy. They want where they can go and get money easily which perhaps might have informed the decamping here and there. But, people have learned their lessons. Of course there has been strong agitation for a mega party formation.