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Recently, the alliance between some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) at the Eighth National Assembly produced Senator Bukola Saraki and Honourable Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. How would you describe this development?
It is a good development and I congratulate Dr. Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, for snatching victory from the jaw of lion. It is not easy. What Nigerians voted for was true change and what we saw at the Senate and the Reps on how they chose their principal officers is a demonstration of real change, a departure from the normal way of doing things.
But the APC leaders appeared not to be comfortable with the arrangement.
This is not the first time such thing will be happening. In 1940s, such alliance took place then between the NCNC and the NPC and it was well managed without any problem. I think the alliance will ensure a seamless cooperation in the National Assembly. So it is a divine arrangement and nobody can change it.
Do you think the Saraki /Ekweremadu leadership in the Senate will succeed?
Senator Saraki has all it takes to move the Red Chamber to another level. First, He had served as governor of Kwara State for two terms. Ike Eweremadu has served as Deputy Senate President for two terms also. So, he would be in the right position to guide the new Senate President on how to succeed in the task of good governance and move the country forward. The Igbo call Ekwermadu Ike Oha because of his patriotic contributions on the floor of the senate.
But some are insinuating that with the emergence of Ekweremadu as a principal officer in the Senate, the South East no longer deserves the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Slot?
Those spreading such rumor are only chasing wild goose. I do not believe in it at all. In the last dispensation, the SGF comes from the South east, Senate president, from the North Central, his deputy from the South East. The Reps Speakership went to the North West, deputy to the South East. So, in this dispensation, it would amount to fraud, if the south East is shortchanged and denied of their right. Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has worked so hard to build the APC and as such, we deem it fit to recommend him for the SGF position. For someone to work for one party for 12 years without cross-carpeting to another political party shows that he is trustworthy and qualified for that post.
Will you say President Buhari is slow in appointing ministers and principal officers?
President Buhari is only being careful so as to get the right persons for the job. So, I would like to appeal to Nigerians to exercise patience and give him enough time to make the right decision.
Would you say there is continuity in Lagos State?
Fashola and Governor Akinwumi Ambode are from the same political party and as such, the template is already there to follow. That is why you can feel the impact of continuity in the state. For instance, look at the 10- lane Lagos Badagry express road. You can see that work is steadily going on there. This alone is strong evidence that Ambode will continue from where Fashola stopped. Again, because the party manifesto is already there, any successive governor would just key into the plan. So, we don’t expect any break in progressive policies in Lagos.
With the dissolution of the boards, in Lagos State, what’s your advice to the governor in reconstituting new boards?
My advice is that Governor Ambode should remember his promises where he said that he would form all inclusive government. So, going by that arrangement, good hands from across the state should be engaged to help him deliver good governance to Lagosians. He should remember the major ethnic groups that worked for his success during the elections.
Politically today, how would you rate Ndigbo?
During the just concluded general election, some people believed that the Igbo worked for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But I totally disagreed with these statements. For me, Ndigbo voted massively for the APC and that was why APC was able to win convincingly in Lagos, Imo and even in Kano. Remember that Ndigbo are very mobile for now, they are the only tribe that can be found in different parts of the country.
How can the 8th National assembly meet the aspirations of the electorate?
They should work together to evolve a bill that would impact positively on Nigerians. They should also remember that regardless to party affiliations, they are now working for Nigerians and as such, the lawmakers should put bickering and bitterness behind so-as- to make progress.
The development in the National Assembly is evidence of growth of democracy. President Buhari has also kept his words by not interfering in the elections of leaders of the house. So, he should be commended for upholding separation of power in the polity.
What about the war on insurgency?
President Buhari has taken the bull by the horns in the ways he is waging the war against Boko Haram and other criminals in the country. On assumption of office, Buhari rallied the neighboring countries and breathed life into the Multinational Joint Task Force. His effort was also recognized by the international community as the United States had also pledged financial assistance to the MJTF.
This is a departure from the past when Nigeria was the only country bearing the brunt and burden of the war. Through this arrangement, very soon, Boko Haram would become a thing of the past.
Assess Governor Okorocha’s performance in Imo State
Okorocha has continued to do Imolites proud in the way he delivers dividends of democracy to the people. His determination to succeed where others failed have earned him the title ‘One man squad’. Today, Imolites can enjoy good road, free education, potable water and other amenities. These fine qualities made him good ambassador of change in the South East.
Click photo to download; but you lied to me by Expdona aka finish gravity
Expdonaloaded blog;Click the photo to download aboki wey d suya by Expdona aka finish gravity
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