OBINNA UZOH, does not hide his interest in occupying Anambra Government House in Awka. On one or two occasions, he had tried his hands, but failed to make it. Thus, in the last exercise, not a few expected him to throw his hat in the ring. But he did not, as he decided to withdraw at the last minute. In this interview at an interactive session with some reporters, including Group Life Editor, EMEKA ALEX DURU, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), chieftain, explains that the decision had to do with the nature the party's primaries that eventually led to the controversial emergence of its candidate. He also speaks on other burning issues.

Excerpts:

You were missing action in the February 6 governorship election. Many were expecting you. What happened. Are you no longer interested?

Well, sometimes when you plan something, God would have a better plan for you. It is true that I wanted to contest the governorship seat. I had already prepared my programme, consulted with elders in my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and elders in the state. I was waiting for the right time to formally declare for the race, but when the contest became something else my supporters and associates advised that I should not join the race again. You know what happened in the PDP during the contest. Many people joined the race and eventually there was problem with the picking of the candidate. I would have been involved in the controversy if I had joined the race, but thank God that I listened to good advice. I do not like such political controversy. Politics should not be war, or a do or die matter. It should be like sports, where the winner and the loser would shake hands at the end of the game. It is a pity that in PDP the contest became something else. And everybody saw the consequences of what happened.

You said something about consequences. What were the consequences?

One of the obvious consequences is that our party, the PDP, lost the election. I believe that if we had concluded our primaries peacefully the PDP could not have lost the election. Anambra is a PDP state. The state House of Assembly is controlled by the PDP. It is no longer news to say that all members of the House are PDP members. Also, all the known politicians and elder statesmen in the state are members of the PDP. With such profile, you can see that the PDP had everything to win the election. But it is obvious that a house divided within itself will never stand. The primaries divided the PDP and the party could not stand.

What would you say about Prof Chukwuma Soludo, who became the candidate of the party in the election?

Soludo is an illustrious son of Anambra. He is a good material, in his own right. However, the way he emerged as the candidate of the party did not go down well with many people. If he had gone through the primaries and won, it would have made a lot of difference. Those who advised him did not like him and the party because if they did they could have encouraged him to ensure the conclusion of the primary. PDP could have gone to the party in unity.

If you were the PDP candidate would you have made a difference?

Of course, I would have made a whole lot of difference. And I can assure you that the matter would have ended in favour of the PDP. I could have embarked on proper reconciliation drive, which would have brought back those who had problem with the primaries. Besides, if I had participated in the contest, the problem may not have arrived because I am a founding member of PDP.

Are you still interested in being governor?

I will always be interested in serving my people. I joined politics because I want the best for our people. I have contributed, as an individual, to the socio-economic and political development of Anambra State. I believe that I will do more when I have the instrument of government. That is why I took interest in politics. We will continue to watch the situation till another opportunity comes. I already have a programme on how to develop the state. Let's see how it goes. God knows the best.

There is the belief that the PDP's presidential candidate for next year's election may emerge this year. Why the hurry?

Picking a candidate this year does not translate to being in a hurry. If our party wants a candidate to emerge this year, it is good. I think that this will afford the candidate the opportunity to go round the country to campaign. In the United States, the party primaries take a long time, within which the presidential aspirants would move from one state to another campaigning for the votes of the party's delegates. And by the time the primaries are concluded, the aspirant that eventually wins the party's ticket would have been known by the electorate. Since our primaries do not take the same pattern, it will not be bad if the candidate emerge many months to the election.

Former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida is widely reported to have shown interest in the 2011 election on the platform of your party, the PDP. Would you support him?

I believe that General Babangida will make a good civilian President. He has the experience and wide contact within and outside the country. He also has the capacity to deliver dividends of democracy. Nigerians know him. He may have made some mistakes in the past when he was in the saddle of power but I am sure he must have learnt from his mistakes. If he emerges as the candidate of PDP, I am sure he will be a good asset to the party, and perhaps the candidate to beat in the election.

What would you say about what is happening at the presidency?

Personally, I do not think there is a problem we cannot surmount as a nation. And we have even found an ingenious way out of the so-called problem already. The business of government is going on now. There is an Acting President, who is conducting the affairs of government and the President Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua acknowledges this. The Acting President has been accepted by a wide section of Nigerians. He is now utilising the experience and advice of the wise men he appointed recently. We are moving forward. I think that Nigerians should give this arrangement a chance and we must avoid things that distract and divide, like the recent crises in Jos. We are one Nigeria and must learn to live with each other.

By Wednesdy you will be 47th. How has it been?

I thank God. I am happy that it's my 47th birthday. The fact that I am healthy and have my family around me, at this point in my life, makes me even happier. On how it has been, I will say so far so good. That the baby born in 1963 has become a man, with a family and kids is progress. Don't you think so? I have seen ups and downs, though, that goes with growing up, but it is okay. That is the experience of life. They are experiences that shaped my future and made me what I am today. I am so grateful to my wife for the support and her understanding. I thank my kids for the support also. They have been a source of encouragement and I thank God for giving me each and every one of them.

From what you have said, it is obvious that you love your family. Is that true?

You are right to say so. I am fond of each member of my family. Right from the time I married my wife, Barrister Mrs. Henrietta Uzor, I have always seen her as an angel. She has been there for me. She has been there through thick and thin. She has done so much in taking care of the home front, in times that I found myself engrossed in business. That is why I encourage young people to be careful in their choice of wives. Young men looking for spouses should look out for women who would complement them, women who would take care of things when the man is not around. You know that a man could be tied down by business and if such a man does not have a woman who would take care of the home, there would be problem for the family.

My kids are also good. They are obedient and supportive, as I said earlier. I find it fascinating that these kids are sharp and intelligent. I am proud of them. I know that their quality is as a result of their upbringing. I know that no success outside would make up for failure at home. No matter how successful a man is, if he fails at home, he would have failed in everything. I am guided by that philosophy and that is why I make sure that I try everything to take care of my family.

What kind of woman is your wife?

She is a woman any good man should be proud of. She has a high capacity to blend to societal conditions. When things are difficult she joins in fighting to improve the situation. If the opposite comes, she works with you to stabilise the good situation. She is a good manager of the home. She is loving and caring. I could not have made a better choice. I am proud of her.

As you celebrate you birthday today, your state, Anambra, is inaugurating a governor. How do you feel about this?

You know that I have never thought of that. It never occurred to me that my birthday coincided with the inauguration of a governor. That is great. I am happy for that. I am also happy that our state, Anambra, is swearing in a governor. That means that we have embraced democracy, no matter the shortcomings that come with it. It could be better. As time goes on the process would be better and attain maturity. I also congratulate the Governor Peter Obi. He is not necessarily the best we have or the best we could produce in the state but he was less controversial among those that ran with him in the February 6 election. Nobody is perfect and I am sure he knows he has limitations as a person and in his style of administration. This is the time for him to correct past mistakes and use resources of the state to ensure even development. I wish him well.