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…Says President Tinubu has lost control of centre
By Daniel Kanu
National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, has never been afraid to speak his mind when the occasion demands.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, the statesman speaks on the Bola Tinubu presidency, insisting that the president is no longer in control. Excerpts:
You seem to have expressed serious concern about the upcoming November election in Kogi State.What are your fears?
My concerns are well founded. We fought very hard to get the democracy that we are supposed to be enjoying today. Remember General Buhari in 1983 sacked the democratically elected government of President Shehu Shagari in 1983, the last day of December precisely. That was harrowing experience for me. The same year that I came back from the US after my studies with high ideals, it was like dashed hope. I was pained because it was like my ideals and the zeal with which I returned to the country to contribute my quota were in ruins. We struggled from that point to reinvent the wheel, learn life anew. The struggle to get the military out started in the mid-1980s. Some of these so-called elected governors did not go through the shocks, pains and struggle to regain democracy. They abuse the system, violate the people, the constitution, the institutions and their offices without any recourse. Sure it is painful. Nigeria is amongst the poorest countries in the world, the country even in the time when it is not officially at war, records more deaths than war torn countries. Elections in Kogi State like in most parts of the country are like war. Since the campaign season commenced, there has been a relentless wave of unrest and violence. The state is in a state of frenzy as political actors resort to all means necessary to hold on to power, disregarding the mandate of the people. The Machiavellian approach to politics is killing us. Contempt and disregard for the inherent values of diversity is absurd . It is not limited to Kogi State. The cavalier antics and mindless gangsterism employed in the pursuit of state power and domination are evident in most states across the country. In Imo State, the Orlu Senatorial zone has held the governorship for 20 years. Despite being imposed on the state through a questionable judgment, Governor Hope Uzodinma is determined to secure another four years in office, possibly turning the governorship into a hereditary position. Imo State has become a war zone, with the Orlu zone bearing the brunt of the violence.
In Benue State, the Tivs, with their two senatorial zones, feel entitled to the governorship, marginalizing the Idomas and Egedes. In Kaduna State, it is considered a taboo to have a governor from Kaduna South. This disregard for diversity and the rule of law is not only detrimental to the development of these states, but also poses a threat to the unity of the nation. It is imperative that political actors across the country embrace a more inclusive and democratic approach to politics, one that respects the rights and aspirations of all citizens. The people of Kogi state, and indeed all Nigerians, deserve better. They deserve leaders who are committed to serving for the interests of the people, not their own selfish ambitions.
Given the scenario you have created which is also prevalent in Kogi State is your party confident of victory in the coming election in the state?
As a democrat, leader and nation builder, I am more interested in the credibility of the process. The image of our country, our democracy and how we as a people are perceived by the rest of the world should concern any patriot. After a very flawed general election, we should be concerned if we are serious moving forward. Yes, our candidate, Hon. Leke Abejide has worked so much and has a great performance record in his kitty. So, by popular choice, they will elect him. The people are tired, they want someone visionary, a servant leader of a sort. The track record is there. If the election is held peacefully ADC will score over 70 per cent of the votes. So, I am confident given our candidate’s outstanding record.
Most Nigerians thought that things will get better with the exit of President Buhari. Things are rather getting tougher for Nigerians with Tinubu in office. Why?
I am very reluctant to make comments about President Tinubu’s government or performance records. Hypes are different from reality. But the media and most Nigerian elite are to be blamed. We all are complicit in what we are getting. Today, the dollar is over N1,000 and it is still on an upward spiral. We appear to be in a chasm, a state of no government, no thinkers, no patriots and inertia has set in. The man Tinubu seemed weighed down by the cloud, heaps of baggage and everything about his past life and the way he got to occupy Aso Rock. In the place where he stands now, no one can help him; and no one in his shoes can do any better. Nigeria is in for a rough ride because these things cannot go away. Under Mr President’s very fragile state at this moment, he will even make more and more appointments hoping to settle everyone to get some loyalty and respect. Anyone in his state will do anything to buy credibility and possibly deliver some result. But it will not work that way. His appointees see doom and go in there to plan for the rainy day for themselves, not the nation. You don’t need babalawo to tell you that we are in a scary awful bend. But God lives and we are always assured of his faithfulness.
You have sometime spoken on the need to restructure Nigeria. What kind of restructuring do you propose for the country?
We cannot really talk about restructuring now. The country is in a very fragile state. The climate is cloudy, we talk about restructuring after the rain has fallen and the sky gets a bit bright. We don’t want things to get out of control and shatter beyond redemption. Nigeria has come a long way, we can get better. The future belongs to Africa and Nigeria is a defining force in the present and future of Africa. So, true leaders must tread mindfully.
Some critics are accusing President Tinubu of nepotism for concentrating his appointments in the Southwest. What is your take on this?
He can as well appoint whomever he wants. The people are not seeing clearly. Tinubu has lost control. The burden on him is too much. The government has been hijacked. Masked men are running the show. I don’t stop to ask myself how did we get here? This is not the civil rule we fought for. Democracy is not crass opportunism, lawlessness, impunity, corruption, unchecked ethical malfeasance and inordinate ambition. Civil rule is not abject poverty, insecurity, terrorism and absurdities of all sorts. The governors are the worst culprits. They have become imperial majesties and pocketed the state treasury and power completely. They have killed the local government system and downgraded the traditional institutions which they did not create. Our governors have become monsters and that is why they feel they can do and undo. So, as a country we are in a dilemma. At the junction where we are at now, it is about who will bell the cat. But nation building is a journey. We are at a stupid point. We must not allow it to define us. What we do from here defines our future, and that requires cooperation and collaboration, all hands on deck. As a political party, ADC extends its warm handshake to every Nigerian. We saw this day and this time coming. We have propounded handshake across Nigeria that is why on formation of our party we chose the symbol of handshake. Shake hands and tell ourselves the truth and get down to the business of real nation building. So, ADC is the answer in Kogi, Imo states and for Nigeria. Our ethical compass and strategic dashboard have us ready for the servant leadership that is required of our current state.
As Antoine de Saint -Exuery noted: “Our task is not to foresee the future, but to enable it’’
