•Says it’s too early to praise or condemn president
The Founder, Igbo Youth Movement (IYM), Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu Uko has stated that the future greatness of Nigeria was being hindered by those opposed to restructuring of the polity.
In an interview with VINCENT KALU, the Secretary of the Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA), while noting that Nigeria was unlikely to become a one-party state, urged the youth not to be discouraged by the bad leadership the country has suffered for decades.
What is your view on the state of the nation?
My view on the state of the nation is that of hope that our leaders will soon and very soon realise that this very blessed country cannot afford to move much further under this unhelpful unitary system, and move for early restructuring of the country along the lines of true federalism and devolution of power. It has become absolutely clear that further delay is dangerous. Nigeria is bleeding, crying and begging to be restructured in order to attain her manifest destiny. The state of affairs, right from the profligacy and super-sharing bazaar of the directionless Jonathan era, to the ineptitude that was Buhari’s wasted eight years, to this seven months of Tinubu’s pro-max hardship, the unitary system just cannot take us to the promised land. The current state of affairs only confirms the urgency for immediate reconstruction of the polity. It is very clear for all to see.
President Tinubu has just signed the N28.78 trillion 2024 budget. What is your take on it?
My take on the budget is closely tied to the reality on ground. The implementation of the budget and the application of good governance. Nigerians desire a process that will bring about appreciable improvement in the quality of life of the people. They want to see positive impact on their lives. The hunger, unemployment and inflation are real. Will the resources be judiciously administered and applied to ease the suffering? That’s the point.
The January 1 message of the President has been criticised by the opposition parties and other political commentators who described it as ‘cosmetic’. What is your opinion?
I listened to the New Year message. The opposition parties are no different from the ruling party. They are the same folks. Nobody takes their criticism seriously. They have not shown any evidence that they are better. The same actors decamping from one party to the other. I may not agree with .Mr President, but the opposition parties are not our guides. Their views are not important. They are only hustling and angling for power. They are no angels and saints. Don’t tell me what they said.
The government says it’s saving one trillion naira every month from subsidy removal, yet same government is still on a borrowing spree. Your reaction to this?
There is nothing new. Buhari borrowed from everywhere. All these are signs and price and consequences of facing reality. Borrowing from even mermaids and sirens in the oceans cannot change the truth: that our production capacity as a people is crippled by a centralised system that hinders economic growth and advancement. Borrowing will not change the truth. Sleaze in the procurement process will swallow more than half of the borrowed funds, unless we structure. We’re only stubbornly going around in circles under this 1999 constitution. Borrowing from Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus will not grow our economy.
Only a consensual restructuring of the country will positively transform Nigeria into the truly great nation it ought to be. Borrowing heavily whilst not maximally using the borrowed money wisely has been an old recurring decimal in our national life. We can only hope and pray that maybe the funds will be well spent this time. That is my reaction to that.
You recently wrote President Tinubu to facilitate Nnamdi Kanu’s release, but nothing has been done so far. What’s your next move?
I didn’t write Mr President to intervene. I wrote Mr. President to intimate him on something I suspect he knows already, but all the same needed to be reminded. Which is: That the agitators have not been heard out since 1999. That they are not miscreants, criminals or terrorists. That they are citizens who are scared of the future of their kids in a country where everything is deliberately skewed against them because their parents and grandparents fought and lost a civil war. That the authorities consistently mishandled the agitation for 24 years, by applying brute force which grew the agitation instead. That sincerely identifying the source of the fire and putting it out will better resolve the problem, than acquiring tucano jets to clear the thick smoke that covered the firmament. That once the root cause of the smoke is addressed, that the symptoms and fall-outs will all evaporate. That the anger and the frustrations of the agitators are real and that addressing the root causes of the age-old marginalisation and humiliation and mistreatment that drive their bitterness and anger which inspire the feeling of alienation and rejection which in turn leads to agitation for secession should be identified from the roots.
I hope he sets up a committee to address the issues that led to disaffection and alienation. That’s the breeding ground for recruiting young agitators. The youngsters relate easily to every single thing the agitators say because they feel the pinch.
Firstly, is the suffocating feeling of hopelessness as a result of the winner-takes-all culture occasioned by the unitary system. The federating units are mere onlookers as the centre controls everything. The people not in power are eternal spectators, as the very powerful central government does whatever it likes. The states find it difficult to pay salaries or develop their spaces from the monthly allocations, which is swallowed by a usually huge recurrent expenditure wage bill, making the states weak and paralysed. No opportunities. No freedom to exploit minerals under soil. Stranded and marooned, they migrate to other regions where they are categorised as non-indigenes and foreigners. They simply do not see any future under the current unitary system. They don’t want their own children to be treated that way. That’s why they become interested in promises of a new country where they will be treated with dignity. Where they will not experience hostility and oppression. They want to be treated fairly like everyone else.
If deliberately denied federal government-driven critical infrastructure is built in the region and the people of the region see a functional commercial seaport in the region, an international airport with cargo wing, active rail services, container terminal/dry port, export processing facilities, greater electricity generation and distribution etc, the alienated younger generation will have a sense of belonging and will no longer find secession attractive. Then resolution and closure ensures nobody is in detention. I’m confident that sincerely addressing the root causes will bring resolution.
That’s the content of my public letter to the President. I hope he realises that solution lies in identifying and addressing the root causes. That has not been done in 24 years. No administration has shown interest in identifying and addressing the root causes of the anger, frustrations and bitterness that inspire and drive the agitation. It is hard to understand why a government that sent presidential jet to pick up Boyloaf, Ateke Tom and co to Aso villa for engagement, in other instances sent Ministers Ibe Kachukwu and Godswill Akpabio to the creeks to engage Tompolo, has refused to engage with the South East agitators. They only reserved Operation Python Dance etc. for them. Failure to identify and address the roots of the agitation by truthfully engaging the agitators has grown rather than end the agitation. That is the truth.
Plateau and some other states have become killing fields. How can this orgy of killings be arrested?
The regretful bloodshed in the Middle Belt is sad. These things will be effectively addressed through a genuine restructuring of the polity. True federalism and power devolution will resolve these unhelpful issues.
The Southern Leaders of Thought, a group that you belong has been clamouring for the restructuring of the country. Why is this so difficult to achieve? What are the fears of those opposed to it? How can their fears be allayed?
Those discreetly opposed to the restructuring of Nigeria are the major problem of the country today. They do not realise that they are holding down the future and greatness of the country. They are self-centred folks who benefit from and enjoy this current obtuse 1999 military constitution. They are scared they may lose their pre-eminent position in the case of any re-arrangement.
They therefore block and oppose any reconstruction of the polity in order to protect what they perceive as their interests. But they are so wrong. They hail from the six zones of the country. They see Nigeria as their patrimony. We will not give up pleading with them to have mercy and release Nigeria for development and progress. I have organised over 106 events since 1996, pleading for a consensual reconstruction of this beautiful country held down by the greed and avarice of a ruthless few. We will not give up. I’m encouraged by the history of the struggle of abolitionists who fought for emancipation of slaves and an end to slavery from the 1790s to 1865. They succeeded in abolishing slavery because they did not give up. No matter how long it takes, Nigeria will ultimately be restructured. We will not give up pleading with those opposing it for selfish reasons. Restructuring Nigeria remains the only route to making Nigeria great. There’s no other way. The advocacy to restructure Nigeria is not a hundred metres dash; it’s a long distance marathon. At my event 25 years ago, the IYM 1999 convention held at the Hotel Presidential, Enugu, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief C C Onoh and the Special Guest of Honour, Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu, and the Guest Speaker, Comrade Uche Chukwumerije, while congratulating me and my IYM, admonished me to note that the theme of the programme, ‘Need to Return to True Federalism’, will offend some people. Those offended by and opposed to the clamour to restructure Nigeria are ignorant, mischievous or both. Restructuring Nigeria will not hurt any zone. I’ve tried to remain consistent for decades in my plea that a restructured Nigeria will bring all agitation to an end. Because that’s the truth. There’s no giving up on the truth. I commend great men such as Chief Afe Babalola, General Allani Akinrinade (retd), Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Prof Banji Akintoye and others for their inspiration, steadfastness and commitment to the truth that only restructuring the country will move Nigeria forward. They are continuing along the honest trajectory of Chief Rotimi Williams and the Patriots, Dr Tunji Braithwaite, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Pa Anthony Enahoro, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu and co who pursued the restructuring agenda. They were dispassionate and patriotic statesmen, who want the best for Nigeria. Nigeria cannot grow under this dysfunctional 1999 constitution. The unitary structure encourages and enables sleaze. Our ever-growing population and the frightening unemployment will make it difficult for Nigeria to survive once alternative fuel sources drives down the market value of fossil fuel. Once oil loses its eminence as a source of fuel and no longer a money spinner, Nigeria will be in big trouble. We are saying: Let’s restructure now, diversify our economy and stop surviving on oil revenue alone, before oil goes out of fashion. Those opposing restructuring do not know that they are doing a great disservice to their children.
It has been observed that during Xmas festivals, South East is very peaceful, and problem starts again by second week of January. What could be attributed to that?
The South East is peaceful not just during Christmas season but at all times. People who drum up insecurity in the region are probably the actual beneficiaries of the crisis they create. Restructuring Nigeria, and setting up a committee for affirmative action to build denied critical infrastructure in the region and sincerely identifying and addressing the root causes of the anger that power the agitation will restore peace, sanity, and economic growth and political progress in the region and the whole country. The East will arise and shine someday with sincere leadership.
There is this fear of Nigeria becoming a one-party state by 2027. What are your thought?
I don’t see Nigeria becoming a one party state. Religious and ethnic differences will never let that happen.
What message do you have for the Nigerian youth?
My message to the Nigerian youth, who I dedicated my adult life to enlightening and guiding, is simple and direct. You are the owners of tomorrow. Tomorrow is rich and blessed. Don’t be discouraged by bad leadership we have suffered for decades. Insist on the restructuring of Nigeria and true federalism and power devolution and tomorrow will be great. Nigeria cannot make progress under this current system. Join the advocacy for a restructured Nigeria.
How do you see Nigeria under Tinubu.
He is just about seven months in the saddle. The problems are enormous. Buhari completely weakened, divided and destroyed Nigeria. I am totally apolitical. I shun partisan politics. I have been afflicted and tormented by politicians who resent the fact that I refuse to be converted into a campaign warrior or Otimkpu. My commitment to the restructuring of Nigeria and the advocacy for infrastructural development of the South East and the plea to sincerely identity and address the roots of the frustrations that power the agitation, does not allow me to campaign for or against any political party or politician. I present therefore to President Tinubu the same plea I presented to Obasanjo, Yar’adua, Jonathan and Buhari.
How he chooses to respond will determine whether he will succeed or not. Let’s give him at least one year to be able to understand his style. I think it’s a little too early to either praise or condemn him. The definitive fact of his time in office and of which history will judge him is if he fails to restructure Nigeria. I am sure he knows that.