By Simeon Mpamugoh
Ileme Martin is the immediate past president of Anaocha Local Government Indigenes of Anambra state in Lagos. He said for ending security challenge in the state, Governor Willie Obiano deserves a second term.
What is your assessment of Obiano’s tenure so far?
I think Governor Willie Obiano has so far done well in the state especially in the area of security, which is the milk of every social and legal activity of any state or country. If there is abundant food and the transportation system was well planned and organized and no security of lives and property, the whole thing will be a mirage. We all know how insurgents, kidnappers and pipeline vandals stalled economic activities of some states in the North- east and South-South areas of the country. And for Governor Obiano to have tackled it, it is commendable. The indigenes of the state are quite happy about it because apart from going about their daily activities without any form of molestation, let or hindrance, they can equally go to bed and sleep with both eyes closed.
There are fears the governor may not win the election because some people feel his government is skewed more in favour of his Aguleri people. What is your take?
I don’t think there is need to be afraid because the indigenes of the state do not worry themselves about such claims and criticisms. Whether it is Aguleri or Otuocha communities, Governor Obiano in my view has fared well in taking developmental projects to the 177 communities of the state such that it will be difficult for anybody to use that as a plot against his reelection bid.
There could be other reasons for not voting for him but definitely not in the area of equitable distribution of projects or appointments into the executive or kitchen cabinet. But he should not go to sleep thinking that because he has done well in many areas, people would vote him en-masse. National leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu once said that power is not served alacarte. Obiano needs to convince every voter in all the local governments of the state that he is still ready to serve and improve on what he has already done. Therefore, he also needs to reach out to those at the grassroots. Already it is only APGA that is a formidable party in the state, others like Labour, PDP and APC are yet to throw their full weight on ground, Obiano should cash in on the opportunity and do what is needful.
Recently, a chieftain of the APC and Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON) advised the leadership of Ohaneze to stop criticizing President Buhari’s government and focus on how to achieve Igbo Presidency in 2023. What is your take on that?
When most people talk about Igbo presidency, I think it is a tall order. The problem with Igbo presidency is not only in other tribes supporting but also in Ndigbo themselves. I remember what happened in 1978 when Dr. Alex Ekwueme almost clinched the ticket under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), I knew how some Igbo and others ganged up to scuttle the arrangement. Our people lag behind in coalescing with one another to present one voice.
When an Igbo man shows interest in the presidency, it will be his fellow brother or a group of Igbo from the same party level that would oppose it. Sometimes they sponsor a candidate from other tribe to run for the ticket so that when he wins, they can be considered for ministerial or directorate appointments which may not come at the end of the day. I think Ndigbo should unite and start speaking with one voice.
Talking about advising Ohaneze Ndigbo, I think it was an attempt by the DG to protect his job. He is defending his pay master so as to keep his job. If he wants to advise Ndigbo there is a better way to do that rather than use the media. He should realize that the job is on appointment. And one day, he will leave and return home to vie for an elective office. When our people are in government and they want to use the trapping of their office to address their people, they should do it with caution, not to make matters that should be done behind close door, public; that way they would be safeguarding their political future.
The Federal High Court recently dismissed the suit by Sharon Ikeazor seeking to compel INEC to accept her as APC substitute for Chris Ngige for Anambra central senatorial election, what are your views on this development?
I think Chief Victor Umeh has a better chance of winning the election but this is not saying any other candidate contesting the election doesn’t have a chance. What I know is that it is only one person that will occupy the seat. It could either be Umeh or any other dark horse that may emerge from nowhere and with protest votes. It might even be someone no one imagined could win. Contenders especially those who had held the state down for this long through court cases should know that they are not working against Umeh, APGA or any other person but the people of the senatorial zone who earnestly need a representative that would serve and get their own dividends of democracy.
The people need to think twice because when Ekwunife and Ikeazor were going to the Supreme and Federal High courts respectively, they knew it was not their jurisdiction but to buy time. Ikeazor who went to the Federal High knew it was not the right thing to do. This could be interpreted as a plot to hurt Umeh; buy time or ensure that the issue of representation lingers on so that by the time the court processes were ended, the tenure would have elapsed. The people of the zone are not interested in who wins the seat. Our own is to go vote for candidates of our choice and according to our conscience. Parties should work hard and win the confidence of the people. The horse trading should stop for election to take place irrespective of who wins so that the people can have their senator in the hallowed chamber.