By Christy Anyanwu
Chief Dele Momodu is a renowned journalist, businessman and motivational speaker. He is the CEO and Publisher of Ovation International Magazine. He was also a presidential aspirant under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, he talked about the state of the nation. Excerpts:
We just celebrated Democracy Day on Monday, June 12. Looking back, how have we fared in the development of our democratic practice?
I believe democracy has become a nebulous concept in Africa’s biggest and most important country. Democracy is largely expected to be a much simpler and less complicated system of government, but unfortunately, Nigerian politicians have since turned it into a desperate, despicable and destructive concept. This is why our electoral process continues to get worse and worse. I’m not sure this was the democracy our founding fathers fought for or envisaged when they went all out in asking for independence from colonial rule. It is very sad and unfortunate that the democracy that was meant to make the lives of the people better has actually impoverished them beyond imagination and human compass. The colonial masters that we were quick to deride and describe in lurid pictures actually left behind better legacies than most of our own political rulers. A democracy where the people are forced to prepare for war instead of peaceful elections cannot be celebrated as successful.
Did we learn any lesson from June 12, considering the crisis of credibility that rocked the 2023 elections?
I’m not sure any longer, if we learnt much lessons from the June 12, 1993 crisis. Our collective amnesia stinks to high heavens. We generally behave like victims of mass hypnotism. We have become less humane in our attitudes to fellow citizens. On June 12, Nigerians voluntarily trooped out to vote for a preferred candidate of their own choices without rancour or brigandage. Ethnic considerations were less manifest. Thuggery was absent. Vote-buying wasn’t so ubiquitous. If you ask me, the two party system worked far better than the current conundrum of multi-party cacophony. What we have now with the proliferation of political parties can be likened to the popular phrase “Fuji House of Commotion!” Nigeria has been divided and balkanized along ethno-religious lines and absolutely devoid of principle, philosophy and ideology.
What are your fears for Nigeria?
My fears are real and palpable. Nigeria may fall into the hands of hijackers and carpetbaggers. Nigeria may be dangerously tilting to a one party state. Nigeria may be speeding towards a monarchical government. But if that’s the wishes of the people, so be it. My fear is that it may conversely result ultimately in anarchy because of the plurality of nationalities and religions. Those who feel shortchanged may be prone to easy and ready manipulations by enemies of Nigeria. We may be heading for Golgotha if we stoically refuse to see the boobytraps and landmines ahead.
What is your take on the removal of subsidy on fuel by President Tinubu during his inauguration?
The phantom “oil subsidy” has become a debilitating and malignant cankerworm that must be urgently excised and excoriated. It must not be allowed to metastasize further. However , we must be acutely aware of the repercussions or side effects of treatments of such scale and magnitude. It cannot, and must not, be rushed, in the spirit of political correctness or vain-glorification. What is needed is a well-thought out programme by the government of the day because the impact has devastating implications and consequences. I foresee the government fighting a two-pronged war if it is unable to find the correct register for its communications. One is to immediately attract the angst of current beneficiary of the subsidy regime. Second is to ignite the mass anger of citizens who already live below poverty lines, if commensurate palliatives are not considered and put in place.
The leadership of the 10th National Assembly was handpicked by the executive arm of government; what is the implication of that on the country’s democracy?
Democracy in saner climes operates on the principles of separation of powers, but like I mentioned earlier, it has become endangered in Nigeria, where the Executive arm wishes to control life and death and, unfortunately, finds willing tools ready to sell their birthright. The Executive now has humongous powers of controlling the Legislature and the Judiciary, if we do not find enough men and women of conscience and guts in the separate arms of government. The most recent National Assembly, and even the States Assembly and Local Government Administrations, have been aptly described as mere rubber stamp.
The suspension and arrest of the former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele was received with mixed reactions by a cross section of Nigerians. While some commended the move, others say it did not follow due process of law. What is your take on that?
I have since expressed my personal views on this development on social media and it is worth repeating it here. Only a poor student of political science would not have anticipated the tragedy that befell the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele. I believe he had overstretched his luck when he dabbled into politics. He must have been goaded into believing he was doing so well and could easily become the awaiting and anointed Messiah of Nigeria. Again, my take is that he should not be made a victim of political vendetta. His rights must be fully respected and no attempt should be made to humiliate him. Perhaps, he would have averted this tragic fall from grace to grass had he hearkened to my humble advice last year February, when I told him to resign honourably once he compromised his special office and position.
What is your assessment of the ongoing proceedings at the presidential election petition tribunal?
So far so good, I think the Presidential Election Tribunal is going very well. My personal view is that the election was the worst ever. What remains is if our judiciary would be able to take very difficult decisions or simply go for what is expedient and convenient.