South-South Eminently Qualified for Presidency -Ogbemudia
Former Governor of the defunct Mid-west and Bendel states, Chief Samuel Ogbemudia, in this interview with Omon-Julius Onabu, bares his mind on a number of topical national issues, including the rising agitation by the South-South for the 2007 presidency, his speculated presidential aspiration, the newly inaugurated South-south Consultative Assembly and the rekindled controversy over onshore/offshore dichotomy
You were in Abuja last week with other leaders of the South-South where the South-South Consultative Assembly was born, which insisted that the presidency should come to the zone in 2007. Specifically, you are alleged to be one of the zone's presidential aspirants. Why this sudden realization?
First of all, it is the right of all Nigerians, all zones of the country, to contest the presidency. Politically, it may be convenient for one party to zone the slot one way or other. I do not know where my party, the PDP, has zoned it, or would be zoning it for the 2007 elections. However, I must say my zone is eminently qualified and suited for it.
Are you contesting?
No. I am not running for the presidency. I have been told by dozens of people that the NTA announced that I am running. It is not correct. I did not discuss it with anybody. Individual ambition was not even discussed at the SSCA meeting. Infact, you may be aware that in earlier interviews and media writings, I had said that the presidency would go to the North after Chief Obasanjo's two terms. That was a personal view. The South-South Consultative Assembly is saying that the zone, which is providing the economic wealth of the country, should lead it. That it is about time, for he who pays the piper to dictate the tune.
Do you personally support zoning the presidency or other offices to particular places?
I have just discussed that issue, abi? Yes, zoning delimits the latitudes of democracy, but democracy itself is not a loose cannon. It should not be either. It has variants, according to local peculiarities. It is better for people to feel a sense of belonging than to pursue ideals that may be counter-productive. We are still learning. As we go along, sooner than later, everybody would feel represented, protected, wanted and respected. The zoning will become irrelevant quite naturally.
South-South leaders, in their declaration, also resolved to contest the oil dichotomy suit instituted by some northern governors..
Yes. Isn't it proper to do so? If you feed your friend everyday because you love him and one day he decides to take over your source of income, you will be justified to protest. It shows that he is not appreciative of your kind gestures and sacrifice. Whatever you do to protect your God-given endowment will be a worthy effort. Those who are causing the problem may be laying the foundation for disintegrating the country, but may not understand the enormity of their action. Some of them say that since the Supreme Court had ruled, the political solution fashioned by the Chief Anenih Committee, which culminated in the new law, is illegal. But none of them had a better solution. They do not and cannot contest that the money is coming from the zone, but they do not like the little being given back to the zone. Before oil, derivation was once 50%, when the produce were in other regions, other zones. It's unfair to South-South.
Given your background in government, are you satisfied with the pace of development in the zone which has been receiving derivation money ?
That is a different matter altogether. The performance of the governors and, for that matter, the performance of all elected and appointed public functionaries, not only in the zone but also nationally. Did the plaintiffs say that was why they went to court?
No, but the question is....
(cuts in) Lets don't speculate or lump up issues. Whether the governors are performing or not performing, or whether they are wasting the money they get or not, is not the issue. It is a very important matter and one that is dear to our people, but it is not why the brother or sister governors are in court.
That may be so, but it would appear some leaders of the South-South are against the youths who are complaining about misappropriation, embezzlement, bad governance, etc.?
You are wrong sir. Nobody is against anybody making such complaints. What they are against is vandalization of infrastructure, hostage-taking, violent confrontation, etc. Even at that, the SSCA still made a case for the youths, especially the unemployed, for their gainful employment, because that is the main reason why they are idling about and engaging in violence. This also brings to the fore our system of education and the duty of the authorities to provide the enabling environment for school leavers to make a good living.
So, you're a strong supporter of the agitation for Resource Control?
I have spoken and written enough about that. I have even made reference to it in this interview. Briefly, the policy is not new. Before oil, we had natural resources that brought foreign exchange to this country. Mainly agricultural produce like cocoa, groundnut, palm oil, rubber, cotton, etc. and, they were controlled by the then Regions. But oil is being treated differently because of the huge forex it brings to the country. So, it was made a national asset alongside a few others. Therefore, we say, okay let the whole country benefit from this our natural resource, which has been made a national asset, but not at the expense of the states, the communities harboring it. Thus, a derivation of 50% was thereafter proposed, as it was before, but only 13% was approved. Thereafter, another issue came in, called On-Shore/Off-Shore dichotomy. It shook the zone and the country. It was resolved, first politically and later legally. That is what is being challenged, taking us back to the troubled times, but I believe we ought to learn from events of the past.
Let's leave national politics briefly and go to your state, Edo. There appears to be quite some tension here. Insecurity, growing clamour for the zoning of the governorship or what is now called the Bini Agenda. Last week, we heard that Mr. President has cancelled his state visit to Edo because of all these problems. What could be happening in Edo State?
Your question is multi-dimensional. First, insecurity. By this you are referring to the recent incidents in Benin-City where 8 policemen were killed. It was very sad and my condolences go to the families of those killed. It is a challenge, it must again be stressed, to the police authorities. Remember that we have had high profile murder cases that remain unresolved. Then the spate of armed robbery, resulting in killings. These are, indeed, serious challenges to the police. But it is not an Edo State issue. It is a national issue. Currently, Rivers State and, to be specific, Port Harcourt is under siege. My brother, Dr. Odili, has dissolved his cabinet in reaction. He has ordered 24 hour patrol. The whole thing brings back the issue of the quality of our police force. The police must be well equipped. But let me say that security goes beyond life and property. The most important security problem we have is food security and poverty. And you cannot divorce it from the other forms of security problems.
What about the other problems in Edo State? The zoning issue, the 'Bini Agenda' and so on
I recently granted Edo National Magazine an interview in which these issues were discussed. At the risk of repeating myself, let me say that when the time comes, the zoning of the governorship of Edo State, like that of the presidency of Nigeria, shall be discussed and resolved by the leadership of our party. On the issues of Bini Agenda, I said that it is not a new or secret agenda. It is a legitimate desire of the Binis to protect their interests and to preserve, safeguard and project the wishes and aspirations of their people. But in doing so, the Binis realize that there are other Edo people, of common ancestry and collective patrimony in the State, who should be recognized and accommodated. The Binis want peace and progress, and they know that these are the offshoots of justice. They are open to negotiation. Their motto is give and take.
Then, there is the issue of the cancelled State Visit of Mr. President.
Yes, it is not new or unusual for state visits to be adjusted for one reason or the other. I have not been briefed on the reasons for the postponement. The President is a busy man. Besides, he has his men on the ground.
The President talked about governors that spend their states' money to organize birthday parties overseas and people said it was an allusion to Governor Igbinedion and that the postponed State visit has to do with this reason.
First, I am aware that Mr President said that on the TV. I have heard that Mr. President is not happy, but I would rather not speculate or make allusions or conjectures. I will find out what the reasons are and when the visit will eventually take place. Perhaps that could affect the date of my return.
We understand that you are about traveling out, and we are also aware that many notable personalties would be joining you in London for a birthday bash on the 17th of this month. One of your colleagues has just celebrated his birthday also in London. Why the choice of London for the celebration, sir?
I am not gong to London to celebrate any birthday. I am aware that some friends want it celebrated. I am grateful to them, but I have stopped those planning to travel there. Yet, there are many others, including my family, who want me to wait until I am 75, by God's grace and I accepted. I don't have any quarrel with the birthday being marked, but no celebrations. Besides, I have not been paid my pension for months (laughter).
Is there any particular reason for not celebrating this time, because we know that you do so annually. And why the choice of this particular time to travel?
Everyday that God gives you life and health is worth celebrating and I do. You don't have to go partying all the time. I have also told you of the opinion of my family. On the timing, I had traveled in June to Europe and America to deliver a paper to an NGO, with the intention of undergoing my usual medical check-up in London on my way back. But I had to dash back to Nigeria for an important programme. I shelved the medical check-up and since then, I have received two reminders from my doctors that I must come back. The sign that I should see them is also becoming visible. You know I have already done the biblical three scores and ten! (Laughter).
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