Nigerians'll Determine My Political Future-Kanu
Leader of the defunct pro-Abacha group, Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha(YEAA), Mr. Daniel Kanu in this interview with Chris Nwachuku speaks on his political future and why he accepted his disqualification by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) during the National Assembly primaries last year
Since your election into House of Representatives was annulled by your party, very little has been heard from you. Are you out of politics?
No, I am still very active in politics. I still remain an active member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As a matter of fact, nothing has really changed since then. But it must also be stated that beyond politics, I have been engrossed in some other projects that seem to consume much of my time. For instance, I have a pet project along with some friends and politicians that cut across the main political parties on how to generate two million jobs in the 36 states and Abuja within the next few years. Our plan under the New Deal is to create 50,000 jobs in each state and Abuja. Our concern is how to reduce the unemployment level in the country. The federal and state governments are doing their best, but they need private sector involvement. The pet project has really taken most of my time. Most often I am on the road, moving through various local government and states in a bid to ensuring effective take off. It has been a challenging assignment, intellectually tasking and time consuming. Yet in all these I still make out time to play my role as a politician.
Is the new deal part of your political game plan to relaunch yourself in 2007?
First, I don't need to relaunch myself. I am a grassroot man and I have never alienated myself from my people. Secondly, the New Deal has no political undertone. It is purely a humanitarian service. Or rather it is just a way of given a little back to the society from the much we have been given. However, it is generating employment for my people, for the unemployed, I think it is good, at least one should be able to save a soul. But in all fairness, it is strictly humanitarian, a way of saying thank you to Nigerian people for making me what I am.
But the annulment affected your commitment to your party.
Not really. As a human being I felt the annulment for some days, but I never allowed it to affect my ambition. I am not into politics for business. So there was no room to regret what I spent campaigning. You see I joined politics to address the needs of my people. I also believe that the game of politics is not a matter of life and death. What is important is to remain focused, no matter the challenge.
You failed to challenge the annulment in court, were you satisfied with the reasons offered for the action?
There is nothing like being satisfied or not. You see I am a party man. I believe strongly in party politics. Once the appropriate party organ has taken a decision, right or wrong, it is left for you as a core party man to abide by it. To do otherwise, is to say you don't trust or believe in party hierarchy. Besides, to resort to judicial measures would have diverted the party focus from winning the 2003 general election. Most importantly, I also wanted to prove a point that I am a loyalist, a faithful party man. As a matter of fact, after the annulment, I still participated in various campaign that led to PDP victory at various level. At Federal Capital Territory (FCT) I am a member of PDP board of trustees, I have been attending various meetings.
What is your relationship with Audu Ogbeh-led PDP leadership?
Oh, it has been very cordial. I have a good working relationship with him and the party leadership. At every point that I am invited, I make my contribution. One thing they might have realised is that I am a good follower. It is a lesson to others. You see, I have been wronged, but that does not mean that I have to destroy the house that accommodate us. I have been able to follow the party leadership loyally, even when I won an election that was annulled.
You and Omisore, almost share the same fate, today, Omisore is still in Senate enjoying party protection, yet you have not been compensated. Do you not see injustice in all these?
My case with Omisore is slightly different, still I believe in party supremacy; in fairness and justice.
Is the party justified in the action it has meted on you?
The party is supreme, whether it has taken a wrong or right step, you cannot take away that fact. I accepted whatever decision in spirit of party democracy.
So, why have you been out of limelight since then?
Even before 2003 election, I was not hitting headlines. I operated as a silent member of PDP. The reason is simple, I don't believe in dominance. For a period in this country, I dominated politics, let other people have a feel of it. But in fairness, it has nothing to do with 2003 election, no, nothing.
With your New Deal project, it appears you are already preparing for 2007. What position are you going to seek for?
Again, I am not using the New Deal as a political platform. If I have to contest election, I have a platform to engage in campaign. New Deal only seek to assist unemployed people. Ambition? Well, my ambition is to help put smile in the face of as many people as I can. The issue of whether I will seek for any elective position or not, is in the hands of my people. I believe that in politics, the people should speak. It is not my duty to determine what I should be. If I do well and the people say, I should be uplifted, so be it.
Do you believe in Igbo Presidency?
I believe that every part of Nigeria include the Igbos has an inalienable right to rule Nigeria. So in that contest, I share the sentiment of an Igbo Presidency, but the time can only be determined by the entire Nigerian electorate.
Having said that, I believe that what Nigeria need is a man who has the capacity to change our fortune, to sustain the current democratic project and give the people a better lease of life. President Obasanjo has tried. We can improve on this achievements. What we therefore need is a man regardless of where he comes from, who can strengthen our economy, our unity and peace in the country. Such qualities does not recognise tribe, colour or religion.
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