In this interview with the National Vice Chairman of the APC, South West region, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke. He spoke eloquently on renewed hope and expected possibilities of this new government.
As the Party’s National Vice Chairman in the South West, what do you think the future holds for the party in this new government?
Well, Nigerian politics is currently at its prime, which speaks volume for political parties, particularly our party. We have been studying politics since the 3rd National Assembly. So, for us as a political party, we hope to be an instrument of progress and an active partner in this new dispensation. We are not going to hide under the present leadership. We will be part of the leadership to bring about the re-engineering that we are expecting from 29th May.
What are the party’s projections in respect to the coming development in Nigeria?
Basically, the presidential candidate has a programme an economic programme, contained and discussed in details in his Renewed Hope message to build the nation. The summary is that we need a new economic order in Nigeria so that we can be part of the world economic order. We have to do new things and do old things differently with the view of having a suitable economy policy. It’s high time we abandoned the promotion of self and class interest to the good of the Nigerian people. We must adopt the economic blue print that will put the Nigerian people first. This has been discussed by the president before and after his election.
Now that the government has accepted that there is a need for a change in the economic order to engender a new economy development in Nigeria, I think it is a step in the right direction. However, can we all be safe in this new arrangement?
The President has assured Nigerians of a better and safer economy. He buttressed the need to do away with the parasitic economic blunder called “fuel subsidy’’ this is the beginning of better thing to come. We are optimistic that pump price will certainly come down to ITS barest minimum in short while.
The President promised that he is going to run an inclusive government meaning that he is going to work with political parties that are willing to work with him. What is your view about this?
Constitutionally and legally, we cannot run an exclusive government in Nigeria because section 14 of the constitution made provision for federal character and each of the states of the federation must have a ministerial representation. So, in my view, the President will run a government made up of the best brains in the land in every part of the country in a way as to accommodate all interested political interests. This means every sector in every part of Nigeria will fill the impact of the government and will be represented in the government.
The president must engage competent men and women of integrity who are committed to a new Nigerian. This is in tandem with constitutional requirements for national integration. Each political party in their field sold their programmes to the Nigerian People who chose the one that they consider better. And it is left for Mr. President to deliver because he cannot subdue his slogan to acclamation of other people’s program and get confused. All interests will be taken care of; every part of the country will have a sense of belonging.
Looking at the issue of security, the lack of which is one of the major problems threatening the existence of the nation today, what do you think can be done by the new government to arrest the situation knowing that the President does not have a security background?
Well, I speak for myself and my understanding is that the Commander in Chief does not need to carry a gun or an axe to fight by himself, and even the Generals we had as presidents of our country in the past, none of them carried arms to fight against insurgents. The important thing is that to understand what has to be done to check insecurity in our country, we need ask ourselves the following questions:
Do we have administrative efficiency and ability to insecurity?
Do we have saboteur within the system?
Do we have the correct intelligence?
Are there cordial collaborations or synergy among personnel across different security outfits in Nigeria?
Is the community involved in intelligent gathering and security information sharing. If the above are not in place, it will be difficult to achieve absolute security of lives and properties.
But I’m optimistic and hopeful that President Amhed Bola Tinubu will reduce insecurity to the barest minimum them to the least starting point.
How do you think the government will be able to unmask saboteurs, because as far they remain in the system, they will continue to frustrate the effort of the government in the fight against insecurity?
I believe that the current leadership will deliver on its promises to the country. It will no longer be business as usual. Consequently, based on feedback, I’m sure Mr President will able to identify saboteurs in is government and deal with them accordingly.
When you were pointing out those critical areas in which the the current government will be involved, you spoke about community in terms of security. and there are several proportions of community police, what practical things do you think the President will be able to do in this regard?
The President has always been an advocate of staff and community policing. Therefore, this is an opportunity for him to actualize his vision. Within the context of the constitution, we should be able to set up community policing, as grassroot community security support to the federation. This will be through a proper security coordination for sustainability of our national security. Community policing is culture sensitive. For instance, you cannot carry a Fulani man from Katsina to Delta state who doesn’t understand the culture of the community. If that happens, how is he or she going to secure the community without knowing the culture of the community with respect to information given and received which is to strengthen community leadership and cultural orientation? This could be more effective if the establishment of community policing is done.
What you are trying to say is that community policing is going to be a reality in this government?
The president has always preached this and I believe he will do it.
What is your view about National Assembly leadership contest? What do you think can be done for equitable representation of the six geo-political zones?
Let me say that the bru-ha-ha is just about four offices in each of the Houses of Nigeria, both the Senate and the House of Representatives. I was the former minority leader in the Old Ondo State Representative. Beyond the presiding officers, there are other offices, and the party has zoned four two in each of the political zones. There is still room for balance. We even have majority leaders, chief whips, deputy chief whips, deputy majority leader. So, you see, there are other principal officers. Each of the zones will have its principal position in the National Assembly. There are also committee chairmen who are very influential in the Assembly.
Hope the National Assembly is going to have their leadership according to the party as aligned, because in the past, there is always disagreement among the party.
That will happen. Consultation is key and at the end of the day. We have other elected members; wisdom is what our leaders need to settle all differences. I’m sure there will be balance with our principal officers in the National Assembly and balance with other offices in the Executive.
Looking at the directorate of foreign investment, the image of Nigeria in this area has, the past few years, made investors scared of investing in the country, with respect to ease of doing business. How will the government boost the confidence of foreign investors?
Mr President is going to protect them as you can see from the inauguration.
Being an insider, what is the least expected, looking at the criticism trailing the last election? People expected more and they might know that the president -elect is determined to surprise Nigeria. What is your explanation to these?
As a member of the party, and Chairman of the South West Zone, and somebody who have known the President, I have no doubt that he is resolved to succeed and succeed well. He is more excited about the opportunity to work than the opportunity of the office. And he will work. Let’s pray and ask God to help him and let us support his programmes to reset our economy and come out from temporary hardship. You can see the interest and enthusiasm of foreign developed countries in the inauguration.
I see Nigeria as a moving vehicle that is faulty, smoked up already. Are we going to move the vehicle the way it is, or we are going to stop the vehicle and fix the problem before we move?
I don’t see Nigeria as a smoking vehicle. Rather, I see Nigeria as a collection of abandoned human and natural resources, untapped resources. And this is the vehicle has not been conducted or perfectly driven well enough. All we need now is to get a good driver, and we now have such a driver. We have got the right captain, the bestselling brain. Our president wants to do in Nigeria what he did in Lagos, creating an enabling environment for existing businesses and for new ones to thrive. The place of legal work and infrastructure is the key, and also sincerity. We should be patient and wait for it to happen for the good of the country. Let us pray for Mr. President, and also pray for Nigeria.
Thank you.