My problem with Tinubu,
by Bucknor-Akerele
By Titilayo Adewuyi
Thursday, August 26, 2004
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•Kofo
Bucknor-Akerele
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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Former Lagos State deputy governor, Mrs. Kofo Bucknor-Akerele,
has canvassed a special provision in the Constitution that
will protect deputy governors from the excesses of governors.
Bucknor-Akerele, who had a running battle with Governor Bola
Ahmed Tinubu when she served under him and eventually threw
in the towel, told Daily Sun in her office in Lagos that deputy
governors are endangered and are always holding the wrong
end of the stick in the governance of the states.
She frowns at the perky attitude of governors who see their
deputies as “enemies” especially if they have
differences of opinion.
She also speaks on the circumstances that led to her resignation
from the government and vows that “I would never ever
work with Tinubu. I would never have any working relationship
with Tinubu.”
She also speaks on her sour relationship with the Yoruba socio-political
group, Afenifere, arguing that the organisation was hypocritical
on principles and beliefs. “Afenifere was talking about
principles and they were not really adhering to the principles
to my mind. You can’t run with the hare and hunt with
the hounds. Afenifere was trying to do both.”
She relives her ill-fated bid to become governor during the
2003 elections and situates her loss to “lack of money,”
the same state of insolvency she also attributes to her future
political ambitions.
“At the moment, I have not thought about an elective
post in 2007, because of the monetisation where you would
have to spend N1 billion to become governor of a state. I
don’t have a billion naira to spend.”
Why politics
I come from a political family, the Egbe Omo Oduduwa which
later transformed into Action Group (AG). It was actually
founded in my father’s house in London. My father was
the first president, while Chief Awolowo was the first Secretary-General,
before it was brought to Nigeria and Sir Adeyemo Alakija became
the president and later on the whole thing transformed into
Action Group. My family is a political family.
My problems with Tinubu
Governor Tinubu wanted the elders, the founding members of
the Afenifere to be under him. He also wanted to take over
their leadership and was bent on removing the chairman of
the Lagos State, Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu. I objected and that
was what really started the problem between us. He told me
I was not being supportive, but I thought it was wrong. We
are the founders of the party. Tinubu was not in Nigeria when
we founded the party. He was not in Nigeria when we were struggling
with NADECO and I thought it was wrong for him to want to
control all the founding members of the party.
Second chance with Tinubu
I would never work with Tinubu. I would never have any working
relationship with Governor Tinubu.
Parting with Afenifere
I wouldn’t say I fell out with Afenifere. I resigned
from Afenifere because you see, Afenifere was talking about
principles and they were not really adhering to the principles,
to my mind. You can’t run with the hare and hunt with
the hounds. Afenifere was trying to do both. That was the
situation. Therefore those of us who struggled to form and
build the party were being maltreated and they were not ready
to do anything about it.
Constitutional provision for deputy governors
First of all, I think it would be necessary that a provision
be made for deputy governors. I know a deputy is a deputy
but certain functions ought to be assigned to the deputy,
otherwise, you have a situation, like I was completely victimised
by my governor simply because we had difference of opinion
which is political and had nothing to do with the running
of the government and that is what is affecting Lagos State
till today. As far as I can see, this is a question of a governor
who feels that nobody will have a different opinion from his
and who is not ready to listen to the opinion of anybody except
sycophants.
Are deputy governors really needed?
Of course, they are really needed because obviously you can’t
have a vacuum. If anything happens to the governor, the deputy
takes over. That is why the governors should carry their deputies
along instead of some governors seeing their deputies as enemies.
Tinubu’s administration: Then and now?
I don’t think there is any difference. I do believe
what we are having is government on the pages of the newspapers
and not real government.
Legacies
I left a legacy of integrity and people realise that when
I was in office, there was no magomago. Also, I left a legacy
of open government. I don’t know whether my successor
is following that, but certainly what I will not do, I will
oppose.
Senator or a governor?
The two are different and it is difficult to say at the moment
the one I prefer.
New political role
On a political party, I have my fingers crossed now.
Women in politics
Women have not come of age in Nigerian politics and it will
be very difficult for women to be of age in Nigerian politics
because of the Jankara nature of politics and also because
of the monetisation in politics. One needs huge amount of
money to become a politician and the majority doesn’t
have that kind of money.
Gender
Well, maybe because Tinubu thought that because I am a woman,
I would chicken out. I know and I heard them saying that despite
what they did to me, they were surprised, I did not leave
immediately.
Mission in politics
To make life better for Nigerians, that is my mission in politics.
This, I don’t see happening at the moment. Therefore,
it jeopardises my mission. I don’t see any improvement
in the lives of the average Nigerian.
State of emergency in Plateau
It is an unfortunate thing that a state of emergency has to
be declared in Plateau State.
I believe the problem of Plateau is something the Federal
Government will sit down and address properly sooner or later.
This thing has been going up and down over the years not only
in Plateau but also in Kano and Kaduna. We have to solve this
problem of people living together harmoniously in this country.
This is one of the reasons why many of us are supporting Sovereign
National Conference (SNC) because these are some of the things
we must sit down to try and iron out and let everybody know
how we could live as one Nigeria. Presently, you can say it
is only the Yoruba that are here, you will find Igbo and Hausa
there as well, even in the remote villages. There are more
to inter-relations among us and this cultural problems need
to be addressed. Fortunately, we in Lagos State are very accommodating
and we welcome everybody.
Political post in 2007
At the moment I have not thought about an elective post in
2007, simply because of the monetisation where you would have
to spend N1 billion to become a governor of a state. I don’t
have a billion naira to spend. It is out of the reach of ordinary
people like myself.
Zoning in 2007
Let’s look at it this way, that this country belongs
to all of us. Everybody is entitled to vie for the post of
president, no matter what part of the country you come from.
It is unfortunate the situation we find ourselves in Nigeria
clamouring for zoning, but in an ideal situation we shouldn’t.
We should be looking for the best.
Why I lost in 2003
I didn’t win because I didn’t have enough money.
You know money buys the game: In Nigeria of today, that is
the reality on ground. Right now, it is money. I am just an
ordinary person who happens to have love for politics.
How I relax?
I go to my farm. I do exercises three times a week and if
I am busy, at least twice a week.
Favourite dish
I eat what an average Nigerian would eat: Eba, Amala and Iyan,
but my favourite is Eba and Okro soup.
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