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By Henry Uche
Dr. Christopher Ejike Ihenacho is medical practitioner in Lagos. He studied medicine in Russia from 1978 to 1985 under Federal Government scholarship. In this interview, he x-rayed Nigerians’ fate in the next four years following the Supreme court judgement which affirmed Tinubu’s election, the chances of Atiku, Peter Obi, and other sundry issues.
The Presidential election petitions are over, what’s your assessment of the judgement.
We were told that the law is what the judge said it is. Supreme court has the final say in Nigeria here on earth, but God has the final say ultimately; whether they dispense justice or they pass judgement, is up to them. I know they are aware there is One above all Who will judge everyone including the Judges one day. So, Nigerians should rest and hope in God for survival; left for APC administration that came on board since 2015, Nigerians fate hangs in the balance.
What do you think Atiku who seems to be more desperate should do?
He should have sued Chicago University for forgery. They gave different certificates. First, Tinubu claimed what he submitted to INEC was given to him by Chicago University, now Atiku approached them; the data (name, gender etc) in what they gave Atiku is entirely different. I don’t think (like some Nigerians thought) Tinubu attended Chicago, but he has money to do anything money can do.
What do you think made supreme court to hurriedly pass judgement before FBI released criminal report/ documents requested by Atiku?
My thoughts are as correct as yours. Remember this is Nigeria, anything goes. So long as the interest of a rich politician is concerned, the masses can go to hell (sorry, can go to court) as they always brag. But then there are still chances for Atiku if FBI releases damning reports against Tinubu, something can be done unless the report is mild. Besides, he, Obi and other candidates can sue the Chief Justice of Nigeria because he’s the one who is supposed to pronounce justice.
Do you think Nigeria’s status is still revered in the comity of nations?
Did I hear you say ‘revered’? Which face or mouth do Nigeria politicians (old and current) have to talk in UN, US, AU, ECOWAS, and other World forum? After all, these shameful acts from political forgery to electoral fraud, voter intimidation and apathy, and general economic recklessness. Though a majority of them have no shame, they’re still junketing around the world (not for the interest of Nigerians), but I wonder how developed economies look at us. A country suffering in the midst of abundance is a curse.
If FBI had eventually indicted Tinubu, what would have happened?
Nigeria automatically carries a heavy burden. The NASS should impeach him. Because it’s a shame.
How possible for NASS to impeach the president, given that his boys are in charge at the helm of NASS?
Then Nigeria would bear the burden of shame till his tenure elapses and even beyond. Because we’re now a laughing stock in the world.
Do you join your voice to condemn world leaders who congratulated Tinubu after May Feb 25 presidential election even when the election was obviously controversial?
Yes, they were too hasty to do that. But then that was what they were expected to do whether the election was free, fair and credible or not; remember those countries have economic interests in Nigeria.
Do you think Atiku and Obi would still contest again in 2027?
Atiku would come out again in 2027. Because Nigerian politicians have no shame even when age is not on their side. Obi has more opportunities and mass people’s support but I will urge him (Obi) not to contest again because Nigeria’s foundation and system was designed, fashioned and laid against the righteous (right thinking and altruistic people). The game is- you either join or you abstain- because you may not have the spiritual and financial arsenal and muscle to pull down the evil strongholds. It was skewed against a set of people.
Do you think the masses would troop out to vote again in 2027 after this political humiliation and embarrassment?
It depends on what this government /administration turns out to be. Many Nigerians will never vote again.
Tinubu’s loyalists claim Nigerian economy is worse because the president has been distracted by court cases against him… (cuts in)
That’s not true. Now that the supreme court has laid to rest presidential election petition, let’s see what he can offer. But then, I wish our constitution spelt it that every election petition must be laid to rest before any governor, president or law Maker is sworn in. It’s very bad for someone to be sworn in while his case is in court, and you know what that means.
Do you think the president can do better, having suffered 8 years of holocaust under Buhari?
He may do better but when he told Nigerians and the world that he would continue from where Bubari’s administration stopped. But the question is where did Buhari left Nigerians? Well, he may succeed if he would jettison Buhari Ideas. But if he continues from where his predecessor stopped, he would do worst. How can you start something from failure? His regime would be failure amplified unless he does not.
But Tinubu told the world that he has the elixir for Nigeria’s multidimensional problems, and balm to heal the wounds of Nigerians.
Whatever he has in mind to do for Nigeria, we’re watching. But every Nigerian is praying to see where he would lead Nigeria to.
How easy has it been with managing your hospital in terms of running cost?
How can it be easy? The running cost of a hospital, in fact any business is unbearable. The diesel we burn everyday. Then when you charge people a commensurate bill for treating malaria or typhoid, they wail. Some don’t come to hospital because they can’t afford medical bills, they resort to self medication which is more dangerous for them, because they would still come back to us when things go wrong in the process of time.
Your take on Utility cars for NASS?
It’s unimaginable. It shows how nefarious they’re. Some state governors are not able to pay the N30,000 minimum wage. That’s why we’re not moving forward. See, my brother, Nigeria will never develop as far this faulty system and status remain. With emphasis. Nigeria can never develop on this our present skewed system.
But Nigerians pray a lot.
God answers prayers because he answers mine. But every country gets the kind of leadership they deserve. How can someone say he wants to rule you and he shares some baits in form of grains of rice and other mundane gifts for the electorate, then they foolishly vote for you, at the end you get what you bargained for. Nigerian Politicians have deceived the masses with Greek gifts for long. Sadly, some people are still falling cheap to their mischievous rhetorics, even the Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States Gubernatorial elections, there was still vote buying. Some people are so damned to collect some notes and other mundane material gifts from politicians to vote for them.
Would you suggest military take over as we have it in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso?
It’s not a better option either.
With what happened in Lagos, those who didn’t vote for APC in presidential and gubernatorial elections are crying out over intimidation especially traders.
Let such people go back and develop their homes/states. Let them unite and pool their resources together and industrialize their regions. Must every business be sited in Lagos?
Do you believe Peter Obi would have done something better?
Yes. His records are glaring. But as I said earlier, the system/foundation is faulty. Darkness would never let light to shine through, against what the holy bible says… “Light shines in darkness and darkness comprehendeth it not”.. remember also the same word of God says, “Men saw light but chose darkness because their deeds are evil”. During elections, many people don’t care about competency, they would rather be happy when the masses are in pains so long as their incompetent kinsman is in charge. We’re waiting for the day of the Lord in this country!
