From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Prince Eze Madumere went through all the crucibles of political persecutions and tribulations almost all the years he served former Governor Rochas Ananyo Okorocha as the deputy governor of Imo State, including incarceration and attempted impeachment.
In this first major interview with Sunday Sun since his political travails, Madumere, a management consultant, administrator, and entrepreneur, opened up on number of issues, especially his hostile relationship with his former principal, his worst political miscalculations, and the panacea to the threatening insecurity in the Southeast.
He equally spoke on his fears for the forthcoming general elections, his preferred presidential candidate for next year’s poll, the unending frosty relationship between the state governors and their deputies, frowning at the situation governors relegate and regard their deputies as conquered slaves only good enough to represent them at funeral ceremonies. Excerpts:
Your supporters want to know which political party you currently pitched tent with?
I want to assure them that I am kicking and still in the business of finding a better bargain for our people. It does not matter how influential you might be, without politics, you may not be able to make inputs in the policies that will improve people’s standard of living. It is selfish for you to think that the world begins and ends with your personal comfort and that of your family. As of today, I am a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and I am still a leader and member of the party. I have not made any official pronouncement yet. I know that there is pressure around me to do this and do that.
What is your next move politically, especially now that INEC has released the timetable for next year’s Imo State governorship election?
My next move will be announced earlier than you may imagine. Politics is the only intrinsic engagement that ought not to be selfish. I am seeking God’s guidance and direction. I am also consulting. As soon as I get my direction, I shall not hesitate to blow it open. I have seen the timetable, but you know it is not about those who started early, but those who will finish the race. I have always drawn my inspiration from the Holy Bible, the greatest Book that explains life itself. Ecclesiastes 9:11, the wisest man that ever lived said: “I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.” Romans 9:16 says: “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.” Don’t forget that mine is; the journey of grace.
In retrospect, what will you consider your biggest political miscalculations and deepest regrets going into politics?
I have no iota of regrets going into politics. My greatest political miscalculation was to trust man. The Bible says woe unto him that trust in man, especially the infidels. I have prayed for forgiveness for allowing my sense of decency to rob me of believing in those who call Lord, Lord, but deep down their hearts lie a mountain of wickedness. I shall deal with all who have proven themselves to have fear of God. This type of relationship has not only affected me, but those who love me and have sacrificed so much for me. This has also cost me the little effort I thought I had made to better the lots of Ndi-Imo. Beyond this, I have no regrets in most of my calculations.
Are you not afraid that history may remember you more as a political prisoner and impeached deputy governor than the landmark exploits you have made in politics?
Point of correction, I was never impeached. The purported impeachment never existed. The court of competent jurisdiction had laid that to rest on September 26, 2018. I was never removed from office. Mind you, the whole purported amusement game lasted for only 45 days before the court scattered them. My brother, afraid of what? Stop that, please! I am sorry. For once let me blow my trumpet. I will be remembered as a man who stood on the side of his people when the chips were down. I will be remembered as a man who spoke not to despise anybody, but to put the records straight. I will be remembered as a man who had to sacrifice that the people may have the freedom to choose their leader. I shall be remembered as a man who lost his freedom – imprisoned for standing on the path I believed in; not because I committed any crime. I will be remembered as a man who said no to tyranny, injustice, ‘familiocracy’, and violation of agreements. I will be remembered, by God’s grace, as a man who went about like the Lord Jesus Christ making peace and resolving problems that could be calamitous. I will be remembered as a man who went out of his way even without the support of the government he served to attract projects that could change the lives of our people. My only fear is that some of those efforts have been mismanaged, dislocated all for self-serving interests.
Among the major contenders for next year’s presidential election, who has the brightest chance of winning?
Weighing them on the scale of presentations and hitting at the right cord, in terms of governance and capacity to call to order those who may be delegated to work for the people in terms of discipline, economic and corporate governance, the major candidates have their areas of weakness, strength, and opportunity. In the area of political machinery, you give it to somebody. In terms of political resources, give it to a candidate and this includes party structure spread. In the area of ethnic politics, give it to someone who was so unrepentant to speak to the public on his belief. Some candidates are quite sagacious in policy issues, but may not have the requisite will to pursue some daunting challenges. For others, they may have some experience, but their antecedents of so much deficits in their relationship with those they worked with, otherwise they are identifiable, known, and have a strong political party also with spread in all the nooks and crannies of the country. Another is strong, but he is a regional superpower. He also has some good policies. However, both Atiku and Kwankwaso are from the North, and going by the rotational principle should have shelved their presidential ambition in this dispensation. It is noteworthy to mention that I am of the APC. That tells you a lot of stories about where I stand and, of course, you know that our presidential candidate is Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Deep down you, what will you consider as your greatest fear for the 2023 general elections?
Security, vote buying, and gangsterism are my greatest fears. However, I do not see any problem if every relevant agency does its job without any fear or favour. If the country is good, it will surely reflect on everybody no matter your profession, tribe, or political leaning. Insofar as those saddled with the responsibilities of conducting elections do not compromise, the day will come and go. Mark my words; this is an election that will not be business unusual because Nigeria’s continual existence and hope of cementing areas of crack may become unnameable because there might be an uprising if people’s expectations are not met.
What is your fondest memory or memories of your political adventure?
My fondest memory was when we won the election after many years of toils and the opportunity we had to contribute in governance. I could see that what seems difficult in governance is a function of selfishness, indiscipline, and staying in power forever attitude, and that is what brings corruption. Most importantly, the legacies of peace and tranquillity that reigned in Owerri West, Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta, Oru East, among other places, God used me to get justice for them, thereby giving room for peace and progress. These efforts are not without economic benefits. Remember, I brought Nigeria Breweries to play their role in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). They have built schools, raised waters projects, and given the people employment. The same thing happened in the Irete impasse with Coca-Cola. Today, Coca-Cola has not failed in the MoU with the people of Irete in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. I got oil exploration firms to enter into agreements with the people and fulfill their own part of the bargain. These efforts give me joy. Again, each time I visit the orphanage and special citizens, it gives me a lot of joy. This is the reason we must find a common ground on how these less privileged should be catered for otherwise, our struggle in politics is meaningless.
As a former deputy governor, what should be the panacea to the unending frosty relationship between governors and their deputies?
This is an aspect that must be looked into. It needs some constitutional amendments. The functions of a deputy governor as a matter of urgency should be reviewed and properly spelt out. Deputy governors also win elections. If possible, the deputy governorship election should be separated from the joint ticket with the governor. There must be some checks and balances. The deputy governor should be made the head of the legislative arm of government as obtainable in the United States system of government. The first line charge of the deputy governor must be spelt out and made sacrosanct. Whatever is due him while serving the people must be inviolable. A situation where the governor might choose not to even pay him his statutory earnings is not acceptable. While the governor remains the head of the government, the deputy governor must be made to be functional by virtue of the statute that set up the office, not at the mercy of the governor. You can imagine a scenario where you disagree with your governor in principle; I expect that he should be happy he has someone who can call him back when derailing. This doesn’t seem to be so because you are seen as a conquered soul if not a slave who does not have any opinion. Supporting a governor does not only mean when he is tired, but he also sends you to go and represent him at one burial or the other. I say hell no. Your deputy supports you when you are deviating from the policy statement of the government. He should politely whisper to you not to make an unguarded statement because you have not gone back to the Executive Council to work out the feasibility; does it require an Act of parliament? Government should not be an amusement park where clowns reign and those who need a temporary break laugh. Speeches must be guided or written so as not to fall into the trap. Let’s leave it there for now.
As a peacemaker, what is the most practical solution for tackling insecurity in the Southeast, especially in Imo, taking cognizance of the trauma you went through to rescue your abducted persons?
For every security challenge, it has its own peculiarity. One thing is common, hunger, starvation, abject poverty, and youth unemployment are the constant factors that mother disenchantment, frustration and these beget crimes and vices and, of course, they become willing tools in the hands of terrorists and desperate politicians. We must address the issue of hunger, social justice, unemployment, and institutional functionality. Then you can now talk about working with the locals, call it community policing. The security agencies must be equipped and recruitment must consider checks on background and idiosyncrasies of those being considered. Due diligence is of the essence to avoid recruiting and arming criminals. Remuneration is very vital. Make it a very enviable job, and then you can hold anyone responsible for their actions. We must deploy technology. We cannot feign ignorance of what we can achieve with technology. We used it and it worked like magic. Intelligence is very expedient. We must be proactive and that is why you don’t wake up and just transfer all the security agents at once because you are starting afresh. You do it systematically. There could be bad eggs and those conniving with one politician somewhere, but we must find a way of managing issues so as not to lose the main focus.
How true is the speculation that your boss Okorocha has retired you into political oblivion?
Do you believe that? Thank God you called it speculation. Didn’t you see how active I was during the presidential primary elections of the APC, working with my choice candidates? Have I not been making statements on critical issues? Have I not been reckoned with by some purest of minds? I can neither be a commissioner nor take any state appointments. Those ones ought to be for my people, not me. I can only look forward to contributing at a certain level, but if it doesn’t, it is not a must. Politics is not all about making noise, but getting things done in a decent manner. Politics is not all about pillaging and dipping your fingers into public funds. It is about service and joining hands with like minds to make a better society. I have the right to vote and be voted for because I was never impeached. I left the office with my shoulders high. It was in this state that somebody said I didn’t have a political value. At the end of the day, he paid dearly for it. I am a compassionate politician who believes in the utilitarian ideology, seeking the greatest good for the greatest number of the populace. That’s all I can say at the moment.
In 2014, after receiving a national award from then President Goodluck, you announced that you have forgiven those that incarcerated you, have you forgiven your former boss, Okorocha?
Our Lord Jesus Christ said we should forgive those who trespassed against us. I am not God and if Christ could forgive us, who am I not to forgive? If I had not, there could have been turmoil in some quarters. The only thing is that I have learnt to mind my business and look upon God. I have survived too many things. It was God alone and those he sent my way who made it possible not by my power. The only thing is that I must not forget for posterity’s sake.
Did the political misfortune that befell Okorocha come to you as a surprise?
Those who know me will understand that this is the only time I have opened my mouth to say something about anybody though in principle. I don’t discuss people. I discuss issues. I don’t know if there is any misfortune that befell him. Of course, I don’t wish that misfortune befall anyone, not even an enemy and my former boss. This is the reason it is easier for me to reach out to anyone at all no matter what they say about me. It is so because I have always tried to uphold the golden rule.