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| * Atuma |
By Tony Icheku
A:
What led to your defection to APC?
Q:
I don’t see this as a defection; I rather see it as a homecoming. Prior to 2019 eections, there were lots actions, there were lots of inconsistences between the two
major parties in the country - the APC and PDP. And we in our own wisdom
considered it imperative of the need to create a platform that will bring a measure of redemption to Nigerian people, and be that as it may, that was how we merged in the SDP, and tried to bring forth the philosophy that will be in consonance with the behavioral attitude of the Nigerian people in term of human capability and infrastructural development, thereby entrenching and sustaining or democratic values, but that didn’t happen.
It didn’t happen because I believe that there is this saying that whenever the
student is ready, the master will appear. Perhaps, what we see today within Nigeria’s democratic setting is the reflection of the minds of Nigeria in its entirely, so its acceptable in the system and we have to also continue to work and put things together to ensure that all the deliverables are given to Nigerians. And after due consideration and assessment of the performance of the APC- led Federal Government of today that are
more interested in deliverables than publicity, one would really identify that they have surreptitiously given Nigerians that which would support their livehood and after considering such, I decided for my political future, for the stability of my state, Abia, having also identified that a lot of the gatekeepers in Abia who are my friends and allies, who are like minds, are all members of the APC. Some are in PDP, but I see a larger number in APC and they have approached me and persuaded me to join the mission to redeem Abia from its present quagmire.
Politics is about service and having listened to my friends for the last four months, I had to review the situation dispassionately and agree that I have to be part of this movement and mission for redemption of Abia people, that is why I joined APC
Q:
Taking it from the point of view that all politics are local, in Abia, there seems a gradual movement of political figures to the APC, perhaps, there is a subterranean build up in the movement for Abia’s redemption as you put it?
A:
That was exactly what I said. Looking at the unfolding trend of events, we have been in
politics for over 25years and everyone is still the same and looking at our allies and one can see how they are aligning and re-aligning with one philosophy, which is Abia's redemption, for Abia to be positioned properly in the comity of states in development because as it is today, it
is considered that Abia is last in the development index of Nigeria.
And this our generation would not allow that to be our legacy to our children. So my friends and allies, those I play politics with, that are possibly the gatekeepers in the politics of Abia State are all moving, and they did approach me, letting me know the need to join hands together for Abia's redemption, to redeem Abia from the hands of its current handlers and promoters of bad governance and position Abia on a pedestal of human capacity and infrastructural development.
Now in the build up to 2023, people may say that there is still a lot of time, but in the political calendar, you would realize that the time is not there if you really want to have what I call a discussion of touching of the minds, where you would have to traverse the state. In our electoral system, a state is divided into wards and Abia has 188 wards. So if you take for instance, that you are taking each ward in a week, considering the distance, you would realize that you will be going to 188 wards in
188 weeks. And if you calculate 188 weeks you would realize 2023 is here. It takes 52
weeks to make a year, and in two years, you have taken 104 weeks, and you have not
concluded touring the 188 wards, so it is something that requires time, it is something that requires patience, it is something that requires persistence to have what we call a meeting of the minds because the people would have to be re-educated, they will have to be re-mobilized to understand why they have to be positioned on the pedestal of growth
and development, even we are too late, but we have to start now.
Q:
Power is never given as a gift, it must be fought for and taken. In 2015, you know
what happened, how APGA came so close, but lost. Would you say the gathering forces in Abia APC currently and in future have what it takes to grab power in 2023
A.
PDP has actually been in power in Abia State for this long for one reason-And the
reason is because the PDP have learnt how chronicle events and have them translate to votes through perfidy. But Abia people have become wiser and wiser to the perfidy of PDP.
If Abia people have become wiser and wiser, you would also agree what we have what we could refer to as a false leadership. What is happening in Abia today is not different from the dark days of military rule in Nigeria. Just as the military got to power through coup d etat, the PDP has always got to power through rigging and electoral malpractices which today has become very scientific and sophisticated. It can only take those that understand those dynamics to be able to struggle for power with them. As God may have it, you referred to me as being one of them, yes, I have always been a PDP member, and I
played to that level of understanding the perfidious nature of the party and what they do in order to perpetuate themselves in power. I know the trend and I know the moves of a dance needs be taken properly, we will take it to that level we will dance it and they will understand that an experienced dancer is around.
In 2023, Abians will say 'never again'
and they will express their franchise, and will of themselves elect for the first time who will lead them
Q: Still on the challenges of 2023 in Abia, in respect of zoning proponentsof Abia Charter of Equity a argue that the I in ABIA is yet to have a shot at the governorship.
Relatedly, and perhaps in support of that agitation, this school of thought wants the
governorship zoned to Abia North in 2023, since it has gone round the three zones and started from Abia North.
A:
First, as it is today, there is nothing like Abia Charter of Equity, it is not constitutionally recognized. The 1999 constitution recognises the division of each state into three senatorial districts. Documents including Abia Charter of Equity were documents and semantics
used in promoting a particular agenda in a particular generation. The generation of
Emeka Atuma sees Abia as one component state divided into senatorial districts. However the argument of saying that the
governorship is moving along senatorial zone is deceptive, it is deceptive because
anytime you come to speak about zoning, your primary aim is to promote mediocrity.
You produce one that is not prepared, one who has not prepared himself mentally and materially to hold an office such as the governorship of Abia and that is why Abia has always been a disastrous state through those that have led the state in that office. I am not a proponent of rotation, but let it be a person that has what it takes, someone who is prepared in mind and in conscience, let such become the leader to lead the people properly
Q:
Your composure and speech is that of a General preparing for war, what role are you going to play in 2023?
A:
I am going to play the role of ensuring that Abia gets the best, Abia is craving for the
best, and the best, as in the best should be given to Abians
Q:
Can you elaborate on this?
A:
I have answered you, that Abians are craving for the best, that the reason Abians are crying is that they have not experienced good governance in all ramifications. People are actually getting used to frustration and hardship in Abia State, and Abians, deep in their minds are no longer interested in where you come from, or who you are, the foremost interest is a leader who can deliver the best to them
Q:
Do you see APC surviving beyond 2023, the argument is that President Mohammadu Buhari is the glue holding the party together, and once his term expires in
2023, APC may collapse like a pack of cards
A:
But you know that is not true, those are the fallacies being promoted by people who
don’t understand what politics is all about, people coming up with all kinds of falsehood.
Why would a party collapse because a president has completed his tenure. Is that not laughable? Whoever is the proponent of such an agenda? Is that person not evil?
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