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Ismail Omipidan
Emmanuel Iko Ojotu, holds a degree in Law (LLB) from Middlesex University, London; Masters in Public International Law (LLM) from the University of Leicester, UK; a degree in philosophy from the University of Ibadan; and in the final months of a PhD in Constitutional Law from a foremost University in London, UK. Although he lives in Canada with his family, he is interested in Nigeria’s politics. He speaks on this Saturday’s election and other issues.
What is your take on this Saturday’s presidential election?
We are entering the 19th year of our renewed democratisation, and the 4th year of inter-party transition at the national level. So, the huge interest and excitement about the presidential election is understandable. I am a huge believer in President Buhari and the values he represents in governance and politics. Buhari wasn’t an opportunistic, bandwagon and emotional choice in 2015 for me; he has been the soul of my political interest since 2003, when it was unusual and so minority to champion him. Buhari is no accidental choice made attractive to me by distance and idealism. He is our best anchor of national rebirth and transformation. I remain committed to the view that we need him more than ever. I expect that he will win with a landslide. What he is doing through his determined push and efforts for national renewal, transformation and prosperity must be encouraged with a wide mandate renewal on February 16th. I hope to see the president stronger and fitter to complete a tough but successful first term, start a better and more successful second term, and hand-over in 2023 to a younger and aggressive visionary who can build modern and innovative super-structures for guaranteeing national prosperity, security and opportunities for our old, young, graduates, unskilled, semi-skilled and the people of the future. His place and role in our country as demonstrated since his election in 2015 is to shock the status quo, which has been encased in wild corruption, insecurity, unemployment, decayed national infrastructure and a culture of impunity. I think he is doing well, and will need to do more to create vast economic opportunities and security for many Nigerians in his second term. For those who talk about his age uncharitably, I pray for you and me to live up to his age, be needed by our country and be loved by millions.
Why do you think Nigerians should trust Buhari again considering that some believed he is yet to fulfil his 2015 campaign promises?
Nigeria has staggered through national poverty, unemployment and economic collapse for decades, amid plenty resources wasted by marauding opportunists and bad leadership. This is the central enabler of the serious insecurity and crimes that enveloped us until the ascension of President Buhari to the presidency to confront the economic carcass and backwater that earlier leaders turned Nigeria. The insecurity and economic problems are abating, even if slowly. Now, the bad leadership is not just at the federal level, but state and local government levels. As a federalism, we can’t blame only former presidents for our problems, we must allocate the blame and responsibilities to the leaders of the three tiers with the powers and resources to solve our problems and create opportunities. So, my talking about bad leadership and failures refers to all tiers of government in Nigeria. If governors and council administrators do their work and best, over 75 percent of our problems will be solved.
Unemployment and poverty, insecurity and all shades of economic problems are easily solved by the opportunities and promises of industrialisation. Thriving industries, cottage factories, businesses and service firms drive economic prosperity and guarantee financial security. However, infrastructural development is the fuel and firkin of industrialisation.
The government of the earlier years did nothing significant amid our crude oil sale boom years to revamp our rail, road and airline infrastructure. Some comedians will now mention establishing universities as if turning out graduates without jobs is impressive. They did nothing to solve our electricity and general power problems. Beyond unaccounted billions of dollars budgeted for power and roads, our key assets and distribution channels were given to political patrons and fronts with absolutely no technical competences to run them! For instance, I am from Kogi State, but the road from Lokoja to Abuja has been under construction for over 12 years. Imagine that!
I believe strongly that President Buhari should be supported to help build new foundations for sustained national prosperity, security and opportunities for all of us. I hope that with a new mandate, President Buhari will lead radical efforts to engender economic prosperity and opportunities for all Nigerians; secure all lives and properties; guarantee quality education for all; build infrastructure and services that assure quality life through affordable healthcare, good transport networks and clean water to be enjoyed by all, I repeat, all Nigerians.
Do you think the youths have fared well under the APC’s administration?
I know many youths are unemployed and struggling economically, but the fires of poverty and lack that we are living with was ignited by the mismanagement and plundering of our national assets, riches and resources for decades. The infrastructure renewal programmes of the Buhari government are slowly creating economic opportunities for our youths. I expect that as the rail and road projects envelope the country, many opportunities and economic vistas will be created for millions of unemployed and under-employed youths. With power problems solved, especially the distribution problem, I expect Buhari’s second term to then move on to invest in small and medium scale industries led by our youths. Industries that will create employment and ignite entrepreneurial boom will crop up. The welfare and supportive programmes like N-Power, Anchors Borrowers among others are small but significant efforts to help support our youths to pursue their dreams too. I know a number of youths like Mr. Jasper Azuatalam, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare, Ismail Ahmed and many tens of them are leading critical institutions and agencies. Some are handling communication and information for the government, like Kayode, Ogunlesi, Bashir Ahmed, Lauretta Onochie among others. As an Igala, I know hundreds of my friends who now work for critical federal agencies since President Buhari came on board. I am a youth, and greatly sympathise with many of my friends. However, I hope that despite the challenges many youths are making efforts to pursue their dreams. Young people should try to survive and thrive in spite of political leadership problems. They should find and embrace mentors who can guide them to soar with experience, wisdom and skills. In Canada, NGOs and employment agencies funded by government create mentoring streams to help struggling and unemployed people through the hard doors of economic opportunities. Our government at all levels should invest and encourage this. Mentoring is a great staircase to achieve dreams and opportunities. Youths should be interested in politics but not be distracted by it. Politics is a field for successful people and people with experience. Having a fine face and a good mastery of English enough doesn’t make you an Obama. By the way, Obama was in the state (assembly) for few terms, ran for the House of Representatives and lost, learnt from mentors and eventually became a junior senator. Now, that is a season of over 20 years before his presidential run. Youths aspiring to all fields of life should seek knowledge and get mentors. Doing these, will greatly help them succeed more than government can. Some aspirations are courageous but misguided and plain vanity.
Finally, will you be interested in elective position in future?
All forms and shades of leadership including political leadership are opportunities for solving problems and creating opportunities for citizens and followers. If God, life and my people clearly ask me to take up platforms in public and political leadership to serve them, who am I to say no? (laughs).
