Zoning in Imo State sacrosanct,
says guber aspirant
By CHRISTIAN OCHIAMA, Enugu
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
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Hon Nwagwu
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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A gubernatorial aspirant in Imo State, Hon Kelechi Kennedy
Nwagwu says that the zoning formula in Imo State is an article
of faith that must be faithfully implemented. Speaking to
Daily Sun in Owerri, Nwagwu, who is also the speaker of the
State’s House of Assembly said that by the convention
put in place by the political fathers of the state, "equity
and fair play demand that it is the turn of Owerri zone since
they have not even completed a term in office."
Nwagwu, who represents Ikeduru in the House of Assembly, asserted
that any other thing to the contrary would be self serving.
He spoke on his aspiration and his programme if elected.
Basis for your aspiration
First of all, the governance of Imo State is a serious business
and every nation, creed or tribe must take more than a cursory
interest in who handles the affairs of the state. The foundation
for the greatness of Imo State has been laid by Dr. Achike
Udenwa. And if the people of Imo state fail to elect a credible,
strong character into office in 2007, all the efforts put
in place, the hard work and focus put in place by the Achike
Udenwa administration will be scuttled or thwarted.
What informed my aspiration is the plight of the poor and
the downtrodden. I want a leadership that will carry the downtrodden,
the poor along.
A leadership that will enhance the well-being of Imo people.
A leadership that will be focused on alleviating poverty.
A leadership that will stand as a bridge between the young
and the old. A leadership that will turn things around, put
basic infrastructure in the state. A leadership that will
be devoid of corruption, nepotism, bickering and all what
not. A focused leadership that will be anchored on the poor,
the less privileged, those that don’t have food on their
table.
That is basically my dream for the state. I want a situation
where governance will be governance. I want a situation where
the churches will be carried along in my administration by
putting up a directorate that will give them the opportunity
to make contributions to governance. I want a government that
will be all encompassing, all inclusive and purposeful. It
is true that Imo State is endowed with mineral resources and
these resources must, as a matter of fact, be harnessed, to
ensure that the people are given a new lease of life.
The zoning system in the state
The zonal arrangement is a conventional one. But this convention
has been followed by the previous political gladiators of
the state. And without mincing words, I want to state that
it is the turn of Owerri zone. The indices are as follows:
Orlu zone, by the grace of God, in 2007, would have served
eight years as governor of the state.
They had deputy governorship for 23 months. That was in the
Babangida administration. Okigwe zone had governed this state
for two terms during Mbakwe era and, by the grace of God,
in 2007 they would have served for eight years as deputy governor.
Owerri zone served 23 months as governor. Before then, no
deputy. Equity and fair play, demand that it is the turn of
Owerri zone since they’ve not even competed a term in
office. Any right thinking person will know that it is the
turn of Owerri zone.
I asked this question considering that some political big
wigs in the zone are rooting for other candidates.
How do you reconcile this with what you have just said.?
Over two million people or more are insisting that it is the
turn of Owerri zone. One or two persons no matter their perceived
clout can’t make a difference. The individuals concerned
are merely serving their political interests. It’s a
game of relevance. And they believe that if they take sides
like they have taken, it then means that, eventually, if those
they are fronting for make it, that it is their own game.
So, they are just being selfish over the whole issue based
on their understanding of those people they think or the promises
they’ve made to them. They are not serving the interest
of the generality of the people of Owerri zone. And myself,
being the highest office holder in Owerri zone, is of the
view that the majority wish of Owerri zone should be placed
first before individual or personal interest.
Is the zone fully mobilized and sensitized?
The people are mobilized already. They are spurred to action
to make sure the dream is realized. It is not a question of
somebody prompting them. It is a decision they have made whole
and entire by themselves that it is their turn and I don’t
believe anybody can stop them.
How would you assess the president’s performance?
You see, Nigerians forget so easily even with the revolution
in the communication industry where an akara seller has a
phone to herself. It is not a mean feat. It is a major breakthrough.
See what is happening in our agricultural sector where people
are encouraged to embark on farming. What of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These are legacies
put in place by somebody. Without EFCC, who would have known
how this country would look like. Public officers now have
a fear of the commission. They know that if you do anything
that is wrong, they will invite you. As you know, the fear
of EFCC is the beginning of wisdom in the country now.
If elected, what are the legacies of Udenwa you would want
to continue?
First of all, the tripod vision will be re-vitalised…
What is tripod vision?
It is a vision focused on agriculture, industrialisation and
re-orientation. And I think the hub of that vision is re-orientation.
Because if the attitudinal make up of individuals is not balanced,
that means people will be behaving like animals, bribery and
corruption and all such. That is why I say the hub of that
vision is re-orientation.
Qualities of a governorship aspirant
First of all, the person must be very disciplined, transparent
and must have courage. The person must have strength of character,
must have the attitude. He also must have the shoulders to
carry the state. Because, Imo State is an elite society and
for you to govern them, you must be self-disciplined, transparent
and you must be a simple person. You must not be too rich
to govern the state. You must not oppress the poor. You must
be alive to your responsibilities and you must think out ways
to make sure that the downtrodden is carried along.
Godfatherism in politics
It has been the bane of the success of democracy in Nigeria.
That does not mean that people should not help others. But
when you help them, you don’t put pressure on them,
when you help them, you must give them the free hand to do
the right thing. You must also give them the free hand to
consult with the people and not only heaping the consultation
on one person. It must be an all-inclusive arrangement. I
think god-fatherism should be discouraged in politics so that
the best hands, capable people will run the affairs of the
state.
If someone offers to sponsor you, are you likely to turn it
down?
If someone is sponsoring me, I won’t turn it down. But
all I am saying is that there must be modus operandi. The
fact that you helped me will not becloud my sense of reasoning
or judgement. You should give me a freehand to run the affairs
of the state. Due respect will be accorded to you. Honour
will be accorded to you, but my sensibility should not be
insulted or compromised just because of the assistance given
to me.
You are the Speaker. At one point you acted as governor. How
will these experiences impact on your tenure?
When I acted as the governor of the state, there was this
perennial fuel scarcity. All I did was to move from one filling
station to the other to ensure that fuel was available and
sold to the people. Refuse dumping on the streets was then
discouraged. I want to believe that the commercial motorcyclists
and the poor masses will always remember my role when I acted
as governor in the state. I did not award any contract neither
did I embark on selfish ventures. All I did was to serve the
people. And I want also to believe that with that record,
I have tasted governance at the highest level in the state.
It was an eye opener from the legislature to the executive
combining the two. It’s part of the experience.
How are your colleagues in the House reacting to you
aspiration?
I would say that almost all the members of the House are supporting
this aspiration. Some have made donations to the KKN campaign
organisation for the realisation of this noble aspiration.
So, the members of the House are so delighted that one of
them has offered himself for service. They also believe that
with the role and the kind of leadership I have demonstrated
in the House, that if sworn in as the governor in 2007, that
Imo people will be better off. It is a commendable thing that
my colleagues in the House are very delighted. They are happy
with me, they are supporting me, they are running the campaign
in their localities. They are the coordinators, they are championing
this cause because they have seen the sterling qualities,
the good traits in me. So, I thank God for that. And I want
also to reassure them that I will not disappoint them by assiduously
carrying my cross with dignity and respect.
How would you ensure that new local governments are created
and that they are run efficiently to forestal a repeat of
the recent episode with EFCC?
Let me start by saying that about 36 new local government
areas were created in addition to the existing 27, when Mr.
President said that those local governments were not part
of the ones in the constitution and that the process should
be discouraged. Then they were turned to development centers.
As a legislator, as speaker of the House, I’ve known
the workings of the local governments. In my administration,
by the grace of God, I have to run an effective local government
where the resources of the local government will be properly
apportioned among the autonomous communities. I will make
sure that the autonomous communities are made effective in
a situation where they can even have the right, a kind of
perpetual succession where they can even borrow money based
on what will accrue to them on monthly basis from the local
government funds.
How do we do that? If there is a law prompting that once money
comes in, the local government votes money for administration,
the percentage of the money given to them will be channeled
to developing the autonomous communities. That is where the
town unions come in. They will be very effective and they
will know that every month such amount will be coming to them
for the development of the area. Based on that, they can as
well borrow money and the banks also can guarantee that because
they know that at the end of the month, the local government
will inject some amount of money into the autonomous community.
That will make for even development in the localities.
What role for women in your administration If you remember,
I said my administration will be anchored on the poor. First
of all, 30 percent of the cabinet, of the boards etc will
be given to women. They must be given a sense of belonging
in the administration. There will be loan schemes for the
women who are incapable of raising finances elsewhere for
their trade. We shall also make sure that women are really
kept up to date on trends in government where they can now,
not even migrating to the urban areas, but stay where they
are and be able to take care of their families. The women
shall be encouraged with micro finances so that they can take,
make money, pay back to the system. If they are doing very
well, you can even lend them more so that they can carry on.
If given the opportunity, would you appoint a woman your deputy?
If given the opportunity, yes, I will appoint a woman my deputy.
What will be your youth programme?
As some one embarking on generational change, the youth will
have a pride of place in my administration. I will ensure
that all the teeming unemployed graduates, at the end of the
month, will have allowances paid to them. We are going to
run a social security scheme for the youths until they are
employed. We are going to make sure we create jobs for them
to cushion the effect of unemployment that leads to armed
robbery and other anti-social behaviour.
Once there is job, there will be good orientation for enhanced
well-being.
Would you say that a cordial relationship with the incumbent
governor is an advantage or a disadvantage?
Politically and otherwise, good relationship with the governor
is an advantage in the sense that it has afforded me the opportunity
to know more about governance, of being tested.
The governor knows how transparent, how truthful, how trustworthy
I am. It is an advantage because I believe the man you want
to succeed must, as a matter of fact, know the man who will
take over from him so that he doesn’t hand over to a
neophyte who will destroy all that he has put in place. He
must put somebody that is a stabilizer. We have maintained
a good working relationship with the executive and that is
why the executive has been able to achieve what it has achieved
today.
What’s your view about the role of EFCC?
I am whole heartedly in support of EFCC. The commission has
done very well. This is a commission that is devoid of corruption.
You dare not go there and say you are giving money to anybody.
They won’t accept it. They will even arrest you. We
have evidences to this effect. EFCC is doing a good job. But
I always warn that they should guard against being used as
willing tool to hunt innocent persons. A situation where somebody
writes a petition, it behoves the commission to verify and
know the authenticity of the petition because people send
spurious and frivolous petitions.
They should adopt a system that if somebody brings a petition,
the person will be ready and willing to defend that petition.
Because it will amount to inviting innocent citizens for nothing
when the person that wrote that petition is not there to defend
that petition. I am in the house, I see, on a daily basis,
petitions, frivolous, spurious. It takes wisdom to know that
this petition is frivolous or spurious or that this petition
can stand the test of time when the person making the allegation
is there. Otherwise, it will amount to abuse. They should
first of all conduct their enquiries and be sure that the
writer come there to prove what he has alleged. That’s
the proper thing to do.
Message to Imo people
My message is that the poor must be considered in the scheme
of things, the less privileged must be considered. We will
revolutionalise the education sector, the agriculture, the
tourism sectors to make sure that we link Imo State and discourage
urban migration by developing the satellite towns, putting
cottage hospitals and health centers everywhere and also equip
the existing hospitals to be effective. Make sure the best
hands are there to run them. My message to them is that a
vote for me is a vote for empowerment to them.
How do you assess your opponents?
They are credible people. But I am the best. I have the cognate
experience having acted as a governor, having been adjudged
the best speaker in the federation by the Senate.
Background
I live in Imo State and I know the terrain very well. I know
the inter and intra political arrangements of Imo State. I
know the running of government. We have so many laws that
are in the process of implementation. Home for the elderly
will be built in the three zones in the state. The Songhai
demonstration farm will be replicated in the three zones for
people to come and learn and acquire skills, agricultural
skills. Those who live in Abuja and elsewhere outside Imo
State don’t know the terrain as much as I do. Gladly
too, I am a lawyer by profession.
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