Follow Us on Google
By Idu Jude, Abuja
Despite the southern presidency zoning mantra among all the political parties, Architect Peter Agada remains indifferent to what he describes as an unconstitutional arrangement under both the 1999 Constitution and the Labour Party’s own guidelines. In this interview, he argues that zoning, if at all adopted, must pass through ratification at the NEC convention preparatory to party primaries.
Let us talk about the issue of the zoning formula, which you are not comfortable with.
The Labour Party is a very democratic organisation, and going straight to the zoning matter, it is not enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution as amended lists four qualifications for presidential candidates, and zoning is not among them. It talks about age and other things, but geographical location is not part of them. So zoning is never part of our federal constitution, nor that of the party constitution. Generally speaking, zoning is a gentleman’s agreement. If the party says, for the sake of balance of power, fairness and equity, let us zone to the South this time and to the North another time, that is fine, but such positions must be ratified by the NEC at a convention. We just concluded our convention on the 28th and zoning was never discussed or ratified during that process. What happened was a spur of the moment statement by the chairman, and that is what I am challenging.
Do you believe the party hierarchy is working for a third force ahead of 2027?
I do not know that, and I am not among the group of people trying to gain what they need through that route. What I know is that this zoning arrangement was not discussed during the immediate past convention. I went to submit a letter of rebuttal and protest, but I was called back by the appeal committee and the tone had changed. I think they are quickly reconsidering because it does not align with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria nor that of the party. If it fails to go the right way, the constitutional provision will be invoked.
Some aspirants were disqualified over questions about their financial capacity to fund a campaign. Do you think that is right?
I was also asked such questions during my screening. Looking at me, I do not carry the aura of a rich man, but as an architect who has practised for 29 years and runs one of the largest acoustics businesses in the world, my last project alone was worth ten billion naira. I have put in over four hundred million naira into this process, and there will be more before I become a candidate. It is important that people running for political office have a capital base. The party is on the right track requiring aspirants to show financial records. You must show audited accounts and tax clearance. Follow the money if you want to learn about somebody.
The Movement Nigeria is your brainchild. You were also Finance Director of the Obidient Movement. Do you think this group has the capacity to deliver?
The Movement Nigeria draws from over 20 years of experience running civil society organisations and professional movements, beginning with the Congress of Nigerian Professionals, which I founded in 2006 and of which I am Global President. The Obidient Movement did not teach me how to develop ideas; rather, it learnt from my wealth of experience. Moving forward, I am creating a more organic and general movement that has everyone coming on board regardless of party background. We want to be structured, orderly and professional, not formless like the Obidient Movement. Additionally, statistics show that over 23 million Nigerians have just entered voting age and are not yet card carrying members. That is where my main strategy is focused, and it is technology driven.
If the LP enforces direct primaries, will Nigerians see you as a serious contender?
Peter Obi was considered a threat to the last government, and he gathered that crowd partly through the Obidient Movement, which I essentially built and funded. When Obi moved to the ADC and then the NDC, many supporters were left behind in the Labour Party. Those people are coming to me now. But that is not my main strategy. My strength is everywhere. The 19 northern state party chairmen were the first to approach me and endorse my candidacy after seeing my policy product, Labour Direct, a digital design cutting across many sectors developed to the finest detail for every state of the federation. The South West and South East have equally endorsed me, and the South South are waiting. If I emerge as a candidate, the nation will catch fire.
If you were to pick a running mate?
She will be from the South West and a Muslim.
What is your relationship with the party leader, Chief Alex Otti?
It has been a cordial relationship that began when Otti was in the banking sector. We met in 2015 through Chief Cosmas Mmaduba. However, I must say that since I announced my presidential ambition, Otti stopped picking up my calls as before. I also tried to reconcile Barrister Julius Abure and Otti, but the move failed because of the terms of negotiation.
