Prince Francis Chilaka was FCT General Secretary of the pristine All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). He ultimately went into “political exile” by staying away from the game. He is now into mentoring of young ones for their better future. A few days ago, Mr. Chilaka engaged a journalist in a daring dialogue on current politics, especially in Imo State … Excerpts:
What does a “General Secretary” do for a political party in Nigeria?
Political parties in Nigeria are structured in such a way that all the various offices at national level replicate at state, local government and ward levels. This therefore, implies that the functions are the same. But then as you know, the FCT is the hub of the party since it’s in the Federal Capital. During my tenure, we shared the same building with the national secretariat. Practically the job of the secretary is to run the secretariat, arrange meetings, keep records, et cetera. I went into politics and was tutored by men who even in death I still hold in the highest esteem – Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke. Under his tutelage, I became pioneer General Secretary of ANPP when the first ever merger of parties took place which is the then UNPP merging with APP to give birth to ANPP, I came from UNPP under Chief Ume-Ezeoke.
Why did you then quit the game after the parties began to find their feet in our bourgeoning democracy?
You do not get to enjoy politics until you are in the opposition. You will recall that in 2003 ANPP was in the opposition and I will tell you it was fun; it is only when in opposition that you can truly see the mistakes and strengths of the party in power. The zeal to capitalize on their mistakes for the next election is always something you look forward to. I must mention that the main problem of the opposition in Nigeria politics is the lack of operational funds, so most times, the executives are left with no option other than to use their own personal funds in the running of the party. This was the case during my time. But one thing I learnt being in the opposition just like my mentor and teacher taught me is that the best politicians are those who are gainfully employed or have other sources of income and see politics as a hobby. Secondly politicians who are in politics for a cause and especially for the good of the people and not for personal aggrandizement, only by these would money as the central attraction for being in politics be eliminated from our political system.
So when all those I looked up to started decamping to other parties, especially to the ruling party, I felt betrayed. It suddenly dawned on me that all the wonderful speeches and postulations on how to correct the shortfalls of the party in power were mere rhetoric. With the demise of my mentor, I decided to put myself and my talent to other use as we would say in Nigeria. I only “stepped aside” with the hope of returning whenever the system is sanitized.
Though I have not been very active politically, I have always taken the campaigns of the people’s General (Gen. Muhammadu Buhari) very personal. This stems from my first encounter with him in 2003 coupled with the unflinching support of my late master to the “Buhari for President.” He was one man who predicted long ago the return of the General as president some day. I clearly recall his words to me on the subject: “Whenever Gen. Buhari comes out to contest the Presidency, make sure you work for him; he is one man that has the capacity to change our political landscape.” That prediction was as far back as 2003.
Nearly four years ago, when Owelle Rochas Okorocha literally swept into power in Imo State, there was great aplomb! Surely you agree?
Yes, that is right. Even I was excited about that at the time, for two reasons. I knew him personally; I used to frequent his house then in Abuja and would listen to him talk of his dreams for a better Nigeria. So when he formally declared for the presidency on the platform of our party then, I had closer working relationship with him as secretary of the FCT Chapter. Then when he became governor of my native state on the platform of APGA, I was equally happy for him and the good people of Imo State.
However, I had my fears and doubts which stemmed from the fact that over a short period he had moved around almost all the major political parties. Initially I saw it as a sign of humility but then on the other hand, I also saw it as a way to continue to be relevant in government. For a man to shelve his presidential ambition and take on the governorship of a state seemed to me a demonstration of eagerness to serve. Thus, my expectations of him as governor were quite high. I earnestly looked forward to seeing him put into practical terms those lofty ideas and dreams he once had for national development into the development of Imo State.
Now, to my greatest surprise, my expectations are dashed: I just can’t feel the spark in his theorizing anymore; just as the people are equally not feeling the spark. Right now, there is a disconnect between the governor and the people. There is more of media hype as to the achievements of the governor than what is actually been achieved. And the state is being run like a personal business empire. That is the sad side of the whole thing.
Over time I have come to the simple realization that it’s always better for people to expect less than expect too much so that at the end of the day you can actually overwhelm them with your good works and then earn their admiration and praises. With the way and manner Ohakim was rejected by the people, Owelle was seen as the messiah but now, trust me, the expectations of the people was at roof top.
It is sad that once more the hope and aspirations of the people have equally been cut short. No government the world over can solve all the problems of the people at once even if all the resources to do just that are available. I do not believe that you must have a 7 or 10 point agenda before people will know that you are working. Taking up too many things at the same time is not an indication that you love your people because at the long run you will hardly be able to do one perfectly. That has been the undoing of Owelle. Gone are the days when you just wake up from sleep and decide for the people what you solely think they need. The people know what they want at all times, a sensitive government should have the mindset of keying into that.
Each time a sitting governor in Imo State tangles with the Church (especially the Catholic community) our people scream blue murder! Should we mix politics/good governance with religion?
No matter how hard one tries, you cannot separate religion from politics. Look at it this way, politics or good governance as you put it, is the beneficiary of the family, school and church. The preparation and education of any individual starts from the family down to the school then to the church and finally to politics. In order words, the church has taken up the role of a watchdog. By the calling of the church, she is in a better position to correct and compliment the efforts of those in politics. So whenever you hear the church screaming, it simply means that the same church is responding and acting as the voice of the voiceless within the society. If churches and mosques can stand up to their calling of high morals based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed, trust me the society would be better off. But at the same time, we must be mindful of the fact that some people may also hijack the church for personal gains. I don’t think that has been the case in Imo State.
Many people in Imo State today would “Enter Emeka Ihedioha.” Why is that expectation so intense?
Surprisingly, I have never had a one-on-one encounter with Emeka Ihedioha but I would say that those cheering should be forgiven their euphoria. Emeka has served close to three former Senate Presidents; he was at one time the director of publicity of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) the political machine of the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua – movement which fusing into today’s PDP was a great boost. This governorship aspirant was also Deputy Director of Publicity and Media in Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, and special assistant on political to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from where he got elected into the Federal House. The rest is history. For all intents and purposes, you would see that Hon. Ihedioha has been tutored by the very best; he has equally garnered the requisite experience and exposure needed to oversee the helms of affairs of the state.
Today in Imo State, we need someone who fully understands the needs of the people and not someone who claims to but has no idea what those needs are, or the honesty to meet them. Our education system back in Imo is in shambles and yet we have a governor who talks so much of free education and yet the state can only boast of 86 mathematics teachers in all the secondary schools in the state. Take for instance, the last WAEC examination results; the state came 34th. As for the state-owned university, accreditation has been withdrawn for the teaching of Law, Medicine, and Engineering courses and yet we talk of free and better education. A state whose schools have no functional libraries and laboratories, for which the authorities are withdrawing accreditation, could not claim to be educating its citizens. This whole brouhaha of sloganeering has to stop.
G
Why should people not believe that Rochas could re-enact his charm which swept away a sitting governor four years ago, this week-end?
Point of correction, it was not Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s charisma that swept off a sitting governor; it was the people’s disenchantment with the state government what saw Chief Ikedi Ohakim out of power. The people wanted a change, just as Nigerians did two weeks when they voted massively for an alternative at the centre. Agreed that Ohakim was not performing as a governor but he eventually became a victim of circumstance. As you know Imo State is divided along two main religious lines, Catholicism and others and we are more predominantly Catholics. So in actual sense it was the Catholic Church that “removed” the sitting governor and at the same time brought in Rochas. The people were sympathetic to any other candidate than Ohakim and Rochas was more like the only man standing with APGA as a platform.
Do not also forget that APGA as at then was being seen as purely an “Igbo party.” Ohakim himself was similarly elected on the ticket of another “Igbo party” of the time – the now tottering PPA. Ditto for Abia State Gov. Theodore Orji. Ohakim and Orji later returned to the PDP while already in office as governors.
“Imo must be better” is the sitting governor’s war chant and the people like it ….
Four years down the line Imo is still not getting better. Yes the government has embarked on a multitude of so-called infrastructure development projects here and there and none is near completion, employment is being created so they say but how often are they paid salaries. Even the maintenance of old infrastructures is at dismal level. Development for me is in relationship to how the lives of the ordinary citizens are being improved upon. There is a Korean saying “the government thrives when the people are happy” the people of Imo State are not happy. Sometimes I think that God has forsaken us. He has given us everything but good leadership. When we talk of practical development, we talk of states like Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, Enugu and Anambra. The question then, is why can’t Imo State be like them?
Do we have a gullible electorate back there in Imo State?
Nothing makes a people more gullible than poverty. There is serious poverty in the land and I can tell you that most of the politicians seeking for elections know this fact and they use it well to their own selfish advantage. Why should one’s salary be used as a tool for bargaining. I owe you four months salaries in arrears then I come forward and pay you two months and tell you that the outstanding two months will be paid when you and your people mobilize for me to win the elections. This is the height of wickedness. So, it is situations like this that make the electorate gullible. But I can tell you one thing and that is that the Nigerian electorate especially Imo State electorate, is getting wiser and more aware of the power of their vote. I strongly believe that there are presently three political parties in Nigeria; the PDP, APC and the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). The strongest and most effective of them all is the PVC without it the other two are useless.
Where our people should set their hopes next on?
I am for a New Imo (4NI) under the capable leadership of Hon. Emeka Ihedioha – a man that has been well tested. The whole country is talking of change today and I strongly believe in that change not only at the federal level but also at the various state and local government levels. However, the new rhetoric that the APCs spin-masters have been spewing out stating that if Imo is in the opposition, the Federal Government will deny her a lot of benefits is completely unfounded and simply laughable. The emergency of General Buhari as President-elect is not by our doing but simply that of God and his acceptance speech is a confirmation to this. I tell you that is one emotional speech that touched the core of our hearts as a people and once more confirmed our belief in the person of the President-elect as the arrowhead of the change which we have so long desired. Come to think of it, is this new mantra “aligning Imo to the centre” inferring that the President-elect intends to run a vindictive, partial and/or insensitive government? Is the fight against corruption which the General holds close to his heart only applicable to the Federal? Is the General saying now that he has won, he does not care if those at the helms of affairs in the states are all corrupt? I honestly do not want to believe this line of argument. I want it on record that our development as a state have never had anything to do with the federal, but has been as a result of our ingenuity, tenacity and drive as a people and exemplified in the days of our hero, Chief Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory.
This week-end; what do you expect in Imo State?
At the polls this weekend I expect nothing but change. I can assure you that the people of Imo State are determined to CHANGE the status-quo and they will do everything in their power to protect and guard their votes. Mind you this wind of change will not stop until the will of the people prevails. So as we approach the last lap of the elections in Imo State, I want to encourage Imolites to be steadfast in their desire for change and a better government.
They should not forget the circumstances that lead to the emergency of Owelle Rochas Okorocha as governor of Imo State under the platform of APGA. For the records, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is first and foremost PDP then he moved to ANPP, formed his own party that died a natural death. After which he moved back to PDP then to APGA, a party on whose platform he got elected as governor and before we knew it he moved to APC. It is also on record that he is the only presidential contender that held onto the governorship ticket of the state while aspiring to be a president.
Over the past 3 months plus, Imo State government has received several billions in Naira which the state government cannot account for, for instance, the state has received a cumulative sum of N700b as income from the federal government, yet there is nothing to show for them. The so called employment that has been claimed to have been created by the government is nothing but mirage. We need to open our eyes wild to be sure that we are not short changed again.
Imolites, cannot go to sleep and be under any illusions that the change they so much desire will come easy. We all need to collectively fight for it not by guns or violence, but by our votes. We might need to stand, sometimes in the rain and scorching sun, to reach out to get it. We have to strongly believe that collectively we can actually bring CHANGE to the way and manner in which government works in our state. Imo state must and shall be great again. Vote for change, vote for EMEKA IHEDIOHA. Vote for PDP.
Just this one: Oba of Lagos tells Igbo people: “I am owner of Lagos, I want Ambode as Governor; anyone who opposes this decision will be swept away by the waters of Lagos.”
I have not had a good laugh for a long while, but this speech or should I say comment by the self-acclaimed owner of Lagos State is the joke of the year. The Oba should also have taken time out to tell the Igbo why his anointed candidate was forced to resign from the civil service of the state. The only way to define the Oba and his speech is in one word, “rubbish.”
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