By Jude Idu, Abuja
A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Dr Kingsley Oghogho Okundaye, has taken a swipe at the APC leadership on the creation of 45 ministries, describing them as mere tools for party patronage, which is a disservice to the country. He warned that a responsible government that inherited a bad economy should not be engaging in financial rascality and recklessness with the purchase of a brand-new presidential jet and yacht.
Dr. Okundaye, who is the chairman of the Labour Party, National Transition Mobilization and Recruitment Committee, is trained in Italy and the USA and majored in agriculture.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, he condemned the government policies placed above the general interests of the people.
He said that 25 years of democracy have recorded no administration with strong footing against capital flight and ability to encourage local industries.
The counselling psychologist and astute businessman, emphasised that sabotage is presently affecting the likes of Dangote in the oil sector, as well as Innoson Motors in the auto manufacturing sector. Excerpts:
Looking at the Nigerian political space, and the performance of INEC and the courts over the 2023 elections, do you still believe that the future is bright for politicians with genuine intentions?
Yes, of course, it is true that given what has happened since 1999 and what prevails now, there is a tendency for people to be discouraged. The dividend of democracy has eluded the people. People have lost hope in our leaders and also have lost hope in the process, and that is largely because our people have not been educated enough about the enormous power the voters possess and about their rights to exercise their power politically. We know that power belongs to the people in a genuine political setting. In a true democracy, power belongs to the people, not to a few individuals. However, due to a lack of education, many people do not know their rights, and these few individuals who have found themselves in the corridors of power have seen this political naïveté as an opportunity and a tool to perpetuate themselves in power by miseducating the people about their rights. So, some of us who are coming in with genuine intentions must see it as incumbent upon us to educate the people and ensure that they understand their rights. Let me also say here that there is a constitutional provision that has not been in practice in this country and that is the process of recalling politicians from the National Assembly who have failed to perform. If the people know that such provision is available to them, and they begin to exercise that right against politicians who are not performing, that will motivate elected officials to be responsible to the people.
Taking a cue from the outcome of the 2023 general elections, do you still believe that the Labour Party is a party to resolve the political riddle of Nigeria?
I don’t see why not. There is a subtle democratic movement going on, but it is unknown to the political elite class. The subtle social democratic movement is speaking more to the need for a change in the narrative in our political setting. This subtlety is galvanizing well-meaning Nigerians to see beyond their political differences and unite their strengths together in delivering the dividend of democracy to the people. I see that manifesting in the next couple of years, and I make bold to say that the Labour Party is at the forefront of this social democratic movement.
You were among those who congratulated Akpata after the primaries in Edo State. Do you think he can deliver the votes for the Labour Party coupled with internal party crises?
Akpata is poised to win the election in Edo State on September 21, 2024. Why am I saying that? If you look at his pedigree, if you look at what he has done, in both private business and as the past Nigeria Bar Association president, you would see that he comes up with the kind of credentials needed to bring about needed changes in Edo State. What most especially endears him to the people is his ability to identify with the dreams and aspirations of the people. This is reflected in the reception he receives anywhere he goes. If you look at his campaign, it is people-centric. It has been what I would call an organic movement connected to the downtrodden, and now, these qualities and attributes will make the difference in this coming election, and we the people of Edo State and the Labour Party die-hards are committed to ensuring that this state will not go back into the hands of people who have made this state their possession. It is time to liberate Edo State and the Moses of Edo State is Olumide Akpata because the cry of the people has got to the ears of God.
2027 is almost here, the internal party crises in the Labour Party are another clog on the wheel of progress; do you foresee any reconciliation soon?
As far as we are concerned, what is happening in the Labour Party is not peculiar; parties have differences, and leadership tussles always come up, and ours is no different. But I will assure you that as of today, we have a peace resolution process that is headed by well-meaning party leaders and the National Transition Committee that will take a resolution process that will lay to rest many of the differences within the party. I hope, that very soon, the result of these deliberations will be much more evident for all to see. The leadership tussle has been put to rest as we understand it, and the formation of the National Transition Committee (NTC) is one of those processes, the enlargement of that NTC should be considered. We believe in social democratic principles in our party, and we believe in inclusivity. So, we intend to conclude this resolution process with an all-inclusive and expansive convention. And that is the way it should be in a democratic process.
You may have political ambition in the next dispensation. In case you found yourself in the Senate representing your people, what bill would you prefer to sponsor?
Well, regarding my political ambition, I will start by saying that there is still a lot of work to do in building the Labour Party, so my primary goal now is to continue to do what I can to help build the Labour Party to be a formidable opposition party in government. We believe that if we can build to harness its full potential, it would enable many members to win elections both at the state and national levels. You will know that my interest has been to help establish a winning culture within the party. That is my focus for now, but in terms of future personal political interests, I will leave it to the people to decide. I am willing and available to serve in whatever capacity the party deems fit. But if fortunate enough to occupy an elected office the bills that I would be interested in proposing bills that will help establish a positive economic trajectory in two areas, agriculture and industrialization. I will vigorously pursue and encourage food sufficiency. The lack of focus on agriculture has brought us to where we are today. It is pertinent to note that food sufficiency is critical to ensuring the stability and security of a nation. The way and manner the people have drifted from the hinterland to the cities is largely responsible for the food shortage in Nigeria today. In the past, we had farm settlements around the nation, and that needs to be encouraged and re-established. So, if I found myself there, I would propose a bill that would encourage both federal and state government agencies to establish farm settlements like we used to have in the 60s. Secondly, we cannot be an industrialized nation when we don’t consume what we produce. One of the things we need to do quickly and ensure industrial growth is to encourage Nigerians to eat what we produce, and when we use what we produce, it will motivate local industries and local manufacturers to invest more, increase productivity, and also create employment opportunities for the youths. This will help reduce foreign indebtedness to foreign investors and governments and it will increase the strength of the naira against the dollar. These are some of the bills I will pursue vigorously if elected into the National Assembly.
What are your verdicts on this administration vis-a-vis the current economic situation in Nigeria?
I think there is a need for a quick reset of policies as far as this administration is concerned. While some of the policies have good intentions, the implementation has been faulty. The lack of transparency in the oil subsidy has further worsened or complicated the situation and has eroded the trust of the people in our leaders.
We have had several interpretations of this oil subsidy, and the question is, which is which? Amid this mistrust, the reckless spending of this administration has also exposed their insensitivity to the plight and suffering of the people. Why buy a brand-new presidential jet for the president? Why buy a yacht for the president? Establishment of frivolous departments, enlarging government agencies and ministries while we should be consolidating. If they are serious-minded and they are a government that is responsive to the yearning and aspirations of the people, the Oronsaye Report will be a good start because people have called for it, the 2014 Confab is also another good document even when I have not heard much about Oronsaye Report or its total implementation; so if you ask me what they should do differently, I will say, start with Oronsaye Report because that will introduce physical discipline.
Do you think the Nigerian foreign policy has failed to benefit the country with the free fall of the Naira against the dollar?
You see, this question also answered itself, but again, we cannot have a foreign policy that works against its people. So, opening our borders for the importation of products that do a dis-service to the local industries here is anti-people. So why am I saying this? There is no reason a responsible government should be using Mercedes and Toyota vehicles that are not produced in this country. We have Innoson, a local car manufacturer who can produce SUVs. We have local car manufacturers in this country now, and why are we not using locally manufactured vehicles? If we make it a matter of policy that this year, all government vehicles, states, and federal or MDAs should use locally manufactured vehicles, the naira will appreciate overnight. Well, let’s have a more conservative approach to it; if only half of the agencies in Nigeria are mandated to purchase cars from local manufacturers. If this economic measure is adopted, the naira will appreciate, there will be employment opportunities, income will increase, and the middle class will also have more to take home.
So, when you have a foreign policy that is to be placed above the general interests of the people, that is anti-Nigeria. So, for the past 25 years, I have not seen any government in Nigeria that has taken a strong stand to say we must protect our local industries, and if you come to the oil sector, why are we not refining petroleum locally? Now we have a Dangote who wants to refine, but there comes a sabotage or what appears to be. This policy is anti-Nigeria, and they are anti-Nigeria, and a well-meaning government must stand up against it, but I have a solution for the car manufacturing companies. Even if Nigerians like Mercedes and Toyota vehicles and want to provide competition for the local industry, then Nigeria should do what Uganda did. The government of Uganda insisted that it won’t buy vehicles manufactured outside its country, but will buy and market those vehicles they produce in their country. The government should mandate the companies to fix their manufacturing plant here in Nigeria, and we will provide the enabling environment and place it as a condition for these car manufacturing companies. These days, generating electricity is no longer rocket science. Some of us have in the past provided such opportunities to various states which they declined. I can tell you that within six to nine months, power-generating units can be established. Car manufacturing companies can be encouraged to provide that to the neighboring communities. These are conditions that can be placed on these car manufacturing companies. And why the government is not listening and the advice we gave in the past was not adhered to is because of selfish interests. So, if we are ready and willing to change this country, then we must look beyond our interests.
What are these things, in your opinion, that Mr Peter Obi has done to deserve a second presidential ticket from the Labour Party?
Well, let me just say this without being misunderstood, I can say that Obi’s antecedents speak for him. He has a proven track record, but we must not also forget that the opportunity that came in 2023 was an added advantage that brought him to the level he is today in national politics. We should not mistake the fact that Obi is not the only messiah in Nigeria, there are many others like him out there, and perhaps there are many of them that can do better. However, 2023 came in, and the opportunity worked in his favour. But I think it is wrong to think that Obi is the only solution to Nigeria’s problems and I think it would be a mistake. I think we should begin to look for more people with the same attributes. His Excellency, Peter Gregory Obi as a democrat should welcome a process that would make him emerge democratically, but if he is endorsed in an undemocratic process, then people will begin to question his sincerity as a democrat, so my advice to him is to encourage a democratic process in which he will emerge as party flag bearer in the 2027 election. Should anyone else emerge, he also must be ready to support that individual because to do otherwise is to question his democratic sincerity.
Would you remain in the Labour Party to seek political ambition? Should they lose the gubernatorial election in your state?
I am a social democrat, and I will always align myself with social democratic policies as they stand today; the Labour Party is the only social democratic party, and I am a person who is philosophically and ideologically driven. therefore, I do not see another party within which I can function with a lot of confidence and comfort. but time will tell they say.
In your opinion, do you think members of the states Assembly and National Assembly, as well as other public office holders should be part of minimum wage salary scale?
I would say that 90 per cent of wastage today is tied to the maintenance of our present political structure. The common man goes to the same market as the legislators. I have never seen a different market where they sell food items that are exclusively for Senators. Why on earth should Senators have a wardrobe allowance, whereas his driver wears the same clothing each week? So, there are so many things that are to be looked into now; why do they even have to debate 70,000 minimum wage? It is unfair and inhuman for people who make millions every month to debate justification for paying 70,000 minimum wage. It is unpatriotic and so just as salaries of minimum wage earners have been debated, salaries of senators need to be debated, they should be on the bill, and somebody needs to sponsor a bill that questions if the earnings of legislators in this country are justifiable and let’s see what the people think because that is what is done in most developed countries. You know, I started this interview by saying that our people are politically uneducated or miseducated and in every election circle, there should be a provision where people can bring their concerns into vote. So, with this and, in the absence of mechanisms to check the excesses of those in power, I can say that Nigeria is not a true democracy because the voices of the common man have not been heard. The only process through which the voice of the common man can be heard is by the provision through which a bill can be sponsored because people can vote based on their concerns and expectations. As I said before, the recall is one of the constitutional provisions that has not been used. The provision is the people should vote on propositions representing a particular concern before such is brought into law, but we don’t have such provisions in our elections. We have legislators who just do whatever they want and get away with it. That is a misnomer in a democracy.
Can you assess the economic policy of this administration in line with the huge number of appointed cabinet members?
It is not beneficial, and the number of ministers cannot be justified. I referred earlier to the Oronsaye Report. Many of these ministries could be and should be consolidated because many of these agencies are mere duplications. We know that all these duplications exist for party patronage, but party patronage does a disservice to this country, So, a responsible government that inherited an economy like this should not be engaging in financial rascality and recklessness such as has not been seen before. This is where I am not happy with this government, you don’t come into a bad situation and make it worse and expect to be applauded. I remember the days of austerity measures when people responded because leaders led by example. When one has a bad financial situation, it takes common sense and an act of financial prudence to cut down on expenditure because any government that spends what it does not earn is an irresponsible administration, so by my assessment, it is safe to say that this administration has been irresponsible. They have not led by example.
I would like a situation where each minister makes public monthly reports to the people; that is how a responsible government engages its people so that there can be a semblance of transparency.