Off the political radar for some time, former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, signals in this interview with LOUIS ACHI, that the politics of a new Nigeria needs his input at different critical levels. He clarifies his conception of governance, pillories former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his vengeful politics, speaks on President Goodluck Jonathan and 2015, MASSOB’s Chief Ralph Uwazurike and other national issues. Excerpts:
You have been off the political radar for sometime now. What gives?
I have been off the radar as you put it because I decided to be quiet and give time to deep introspection. Nigeria is a country that is going through considerable challenges on all fronts. In a fundamental sense, a new Nigeria is evolving. Will this evolution be safe or will it be violent? Time will tell. But one thing is clear, change is afoot.
Our core values are being lost. I refer to justice, truth, fairness and respect for others different from ourselves. But my withdrawal is just temporary because I have a crucial role to play in the shaping of a new Nigeria where justice and fair play will be central anchors.
Perhaps before proceeding further, could you please clarify your concept of what governance should be in the new Nigeria you envision?
The challenge for all societies is to create a system of governance that promotes, supports and sustains human development. This is because governance is critical to the pace and direction of human progression. It involves a web of networks including public and private sectors, institutions, organizations and individual actors who can influence the development journey.
Governance can also be seen as the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a state’s affairs at all levels. It comprises the mechanisms, processes and systems anchored on a progressive ideology. Societies that aspire to greatness can simply not navigate otherwise.
How do you situate the Jonathan presidency within this context and as 2015 is ahead, what is Ndigbo’s game-plan?
We are not discussing the Jonathan presidency now. I will prefer to give him till September next year to look at his performance.
We cannot deny that considerable and unique challenges confront his presidency but the scenario is also an opportunity to demonstrate presidential authority and vision. I want Jonathan to provide justice for Nigerians. The situation is very bad and these are part of what I will discuss with some State Department officials. I have also discussed this issue with EU officials and the Commonwealth. I think President Jonathan has the power to stop the situation. He is the President.
Injustice is at the root of our problems. Anybody who breaks the law should be punished. The rule of law and social justice will stabilize Nigeria. On your second question, I will work whole-heartedly for the unity of Ndigbo to enable them make an important political statement worth their weight in the Nigerian state; to enable them do the right thing.
I will reach out to the region’s critical stakeholders and the five governors and make them see that unity is the ultimate. Without unity, we can only be exploited and can only make progress not commensurate with our natural potential. While we contribute immeasurably to the journey of statehood, Nigerians must not look down on the Igbo.
This question also leads us to issues related to 2015. That’s why I counselled that the South-East should negotiate genuine accommodation in the Nigerian space. We can’t continue to be marginalised. Since General Yakubu Gowon’s egalitarian “no victor, no vanquished” mantra after the war, the zone is clearly marginalised. We have five states while other zones have six each. The implications in terms of revenue allocation and other fundamentals are clear. 2015 is an important year for Ndigbo.
The North is insisting on producing the next president. Do you envisage a negative consequence if they don’t occupy the presidency in 2015?
Nobody is God to see the future. I wish the best for my country, but I am worried at certain developments and revelations from outsiders who know and love Nigeria well.? Looking back, I recall here that ahead of the 2011 elections, former USA ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, painted a doomsday scenario for Nigeria.
Campbell said that the 2011 elections posed a threat to the stability of Nigeria, saying and I quote: “The end of a power-sharing arrangement between the Muslim North and the Christian South, as now seems likely, could? lead to post-election sectarian violence, paralysis of the executive branch and even a coup”. I am sure you have heard of the other classification of Nigeria as a country treading towards becoming a failed state. All these call for worries from all citizens of the country, especially in the light of what has been happening. But we can rise above these.
Just as Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu played godfather in the election of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, you played the same role in installing Governor Theodore Orji in Abia State. Are you happy at the lot of Abia currently?
I don’t want to discuss Governor T.A Orji. I will never discuss him in public or privately. I have never discussed him with anybody since I left office. There is time for everything.
Chief Ralph Uwazurike was recently crowned Eze Igbo by Eze Nri. What is the implication of this for Igbo leadership?
Chief Uwazurike’s investiture as Eze Igbo, as far as I am concerned, may make him a symbolic cultural leader but certainly not the political leader of Ndigbo. In human history, the emergence of great political leaders is not a trifling matter.
Leaders emerge in response to challenges of their times. Ask yourself: how did the late Ikemba emerge? We much articulate a specific direction to leverage our people. I intend to contribute to resolving that challenge and moving Ndigbo forward.
You played a key role in the founding of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. What happened?
It’s true that I am one of the main pillars of the PDP and I supported PDP very well. In fact, it’s just that new comers have taken over the party. You cannot write the history of the PDP without mentioning my name and some other people like Atiku Abubakar and the rest of them. We put our sweat into the formation of that party.
We put in everything we had to build that party. But there are those who are billionaires today who could not afford N10,000 to contribute to the party in 1998. We funded PDP and made it a successful instrument.
Who are these billionaires?
Folks like former President Olusegun Obasanjo. You know he openly told journalists that he came into politics with only N20,000 and I am sure you are aware of that. He said it many times. We now see new buildings from Otta to Abeokuta; flying jets to everywhere in the world.
But it is believed you played an important role in Obasanjo’s presidential bid in 1998 and subsequent emergence. It is widely believed the two of you were very close. What went wrong?
I parted ways with Obasanjo because he wanted to continue joking with the country called Nigeria believing that Nigerians are blind. Unfortunately, they prefer people who lie to them to people like us who will look in the eye and tell you the truth. I am going to send letters to the United Nations Secretary General, the European Union and the United States and all the major powers and propose that all those who have served in Nigeria should come forward to disclose their sources of wealth. Let them show their bank statements.
Let them come and disclose how they bought houses in Victoria Island, Lagos and Maitama, Abuja. Let us know who the real thieves are.? You cannot be calling people thieves when the real thieves are walking free on the streets of Nigeria. It is not fair to me in particular because I know that at the formation of the PDP I contributed N500 million in 1998 and I don’t know how many of them who owned N500 million in 1998. I also contributed almost $1 million to Obasanjo’s campaign in 1998.
Obasanjo recently alleged that members of the National Assembly are corrupt. Do you agree with him?
Yes, but unfortunately he lacks the moral high ground to make those allegations. A lot of fraudulent people who used to engage in 419 are in the National Assembly. The government knows these people. They know they have criminal cases against these people before. These people fraudulently found themselves into the National Assembly and we see that Nigeria has transformed to giving power to many unemployed people who have fraudulent records to be in leadership positions.
Back to Obasanjo still on the matter, he made the country the way it is today. Obasanjo caused every problem we are facing in Nigeria today. He has no moral right to say anybody is corrupt. Even when I was in office, I told him that corruption is under his table but they didn’t listen to me. The Americans know, the British, Germans and the French, they all know. This is why they have no respect for him. The only people who appear to respect Obasanjo are Nigerians.
You are about travelling out to the US. What’s your trip agenda?
I go there regularly. The US is a powerful ally of Nigeria and it has the largest economy on earth. My travelling there has a mix of objectives. Seeing me there should not be an issue. I have been in and out of the US State Department as a matter of strategic interests.? Mind you I’m not only a politician; if you know my history, I have been a businessman since under the age of 26. I have always remained a focused and reputable businessman. Opportunities abound in that country that can help Nigeria. I often also visit the US Department of Agriculture too to discuss agricultural policies as it affects Africa.
Are you into agriculture now?
Yes. I have farms all over Africa.
What are your plans for 2015?
For now, I want to be a private citizen. Certain imperatives as I have earlier alluded to, may change this because necessary political interventions can come from a wide range of considerations. Real leaders must stand up to be counted when they are needed. But then, I don’t need my people to force me to come back. I know I still have a big role to play in Nigeria.
In 2007, you were arrested by the EFCC and arraigned for corruption. Did you steal Abia State’s money?
I have never made any deal with any contractor; I have never made any deal with any commissioner or any staff of Abia state government. If I have spent money, the money I spent is security vote. Mind you, under Obasanjo’s government, contractors working for Abia State Government were detained for nine months, asking them to implicate me but the contractors refused to do it. They went to harass my mother in Aba. You know they have been pursuing me.
Obasanjo used his powers to fight me. I am not going to comment on that case because my conscience is as clear as snow. The international community knows that I have not committed any offence but it is before a court of competent jurisdiction I do not need to comment on it anymore. I want to allow the court to do its job.
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