By Gbenga Odogun
GBENGA ODOGUN speaks with Abubakar Mohammed, the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s senatorial candidate in Kogi West about his political ambition as a young contender, the situation in Kogi State, the rejection of the two major parties and restructuring ahead of the 2023 election
Excerpt:
What sparked your interest in venturing into politics? What are your antecedents?
Well, I was born in Lokoja Local Government Area and I went to school there before I proceeded to the University of Jos, after which I ventured into personal business.
Recently, I worked for an organisation known as the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria. Those are my few engagements so far.
Coming into politics has always been a passion for me since I was young. I realised that one of the most important ways to improve people’s lives, especially in a democratic era, is through political participation. I grew up with it and saw it as a means of understanding people and providing a better life for them. So, for me, politics is not just a thing I got involved in as a mere passion, it’s also a way of meeting people and helping them turn whatever bad situations they were in to better ones.
Since when have you been nursing the ambition to represent your people, and what do you hope to do differently from others who have been representing the people of Kogi West?
My interest in politics, especially as it relates to contesting for elective positions, has always been there over the years. But I was able to make up my mind and get into the ring in 2019 when I contested the state house of assembly, though I didn’t go all out to achieve that purpose because there was an understanding over where that position would go at that moment, and now I have also shown interest in the Senate race in the Western Senatorial district, as you can see.
Lokoja is one town that should look like a state capital. Even though some of us have visited other state capitals, we have seen how beautiful and well organised they are. If I have the opportunity to represent the good people of Kogi West, I will work towards ensuring that we have a city that resembles other capital cities. It’s going to be service and quality service to the people.
Insecurities have been a major problem being faced by the people in the state and even at the national level. Last Sunday, two persons were killed in a church while several other worshippers were injured in Lokoja. What would you say?
First and foremost, I want to condole with the families of those who lost their lives in that unfortunate and barbaric incident carried out by the hoodlums. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace!
For me, I think it’s becoming a recurring phenomenon in the lives of our people that we have lost it security-wise. We have gotten to a stage where if we are not careful, it might lead to a situation where each and every one of us might be forced to defend ourselves because the assurance that you will be secured and protected in the situation of today is not there.
What is happening today has shown clearly that the leadership needed to achieve this is not in place to address the security challenges. Having said this, we should look up to God and look at leaders whom we think can do the job and should be given the chance in the next election to be in office.
What do you think should be done about the current situation because the present system seems to have failed in terms of security?
Insecurity is something that all of us have to put our hands on deck to achieve the desired results; it’s not something that should be left to the government alone. What you have come to understand about the issue of insecurity is that people also keep quiet. Sometimes it’s not enough to blame the government; we also have a role to play in securing our environment by passing information to the police and relevant authorities. So for me, I don’t want to lay all the blame at the doorstep of the government; people also have to be on alert. The police are human beings. Then again, I will also advocate that we should deploy more technology because human errors are becoming too obvious. If modern technology is capable of seeing before they happen, it will go a long way to addressing the human errors that have led to intelligent failures.
What’s your view on the much talked about issue of restructuring? What are your party’s position as well as your personal opinion?
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At what level are we restructuring? We must be very clear on the area we want restructured because if we do not specify, as long as the law remains the same, I don’t think anything can change without properly identifying what area is restructuring and getting the right system that can work for you.
From the federal to state and local levels, it’s the same government. If you want to restructure, you have to identify what area or whether it’s the whole system that needs to be touched. The whole issue of restructuring is getting confusing without proper distinction. People don’t really know what they are trying to discuss in that context, so for me, I don’t have much to say. All I know is that it’s going to be a holistic discussion from all quarters.
What’s your position on the agitation from some quarters about part-time legislators on the premise that the current system is too expensive and that taxpayers are not getting value for money?
We are not practising what we preach. If we do, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have a presidential system of government. We borrowed that system from America. It’s working for them. If we borrowed it from there, why can’t we practise it the way it is being practised over there? I don’t think it’s the system of government we run that is the issue; it is that we should also be sincere about whatever system of government we are adopting. Yes, it has its flaws, but it is going to be an advantage for us if we practise it. Everybody will probably enjoy it. For me, it’s not about the system; it’s about the leadership. Stop cutting corners and start running the system properly.
Your party is relatively new. How do you hope to compete with bigger parties such as the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, and Labour Party?
This time, it’s not about the party; it’s about the people who desperately want a break from the old order, who want to change the narratives. What makes the so-called bigger parties bigger are the people, so if these people also get the determination to align with NNPP, it will stop being a small party and become the party of the people. So it’s not about being old or new. If the people choose to move with the party, it will become the people’s party. It’s whether they are ready to accept it and whether they have demonstrated their willingness to accept it at the moment.
How will you react to the Muslim-Muslim ticket of APC?
If you look at it, I think we should also move away from the issue of religious consideration. Let’s just move on and build Nigeria. Let’s begin to play the politics of unity and progress and not the politics of tribe or religion. Whoever emerges, whether Muslim or Christian, as long as he can deliver, he should be allowed. My kind of politics is that if you want to build Nigeria, irrespective of tribe or religion, that is what you stand for, and I think that’s their business. If Nigerians want it or God wants it, so be it.
As far as I am concerned, my own presidential candidate is Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, for whom I am praying and hoping that he will become the next president of Nigeria come next year.
The last 16 years have seen Kabba/Ijumu Federal Constituency produce senators. How do you intend to convince the people that power must shift to Lokoja this time around?
My wish and prayer is that my people from the Kabba/Ijumu/Yagba axis will understand that if Kabba/Ijumu and Yagba have produced in the last eleven years, and Yagba also, ordinarily, I don’t think Lokoja should even struggle to get it. They should see this as a matter of right. Considering the fact that this thing has left Lokoja for sixteen years, it should automatically return without passing through any rigorous challenge. It will do no harm to anyone, it will be a win-win situation.
By the time we are looking at the governorship position, we can sit down and discuss it. So we should not be dragging this thing as far as Lokoja/Koto-Karfe is concerned. It can be given to us willingly without any dragging from our brothers in Kaba, Ijumu Yagba Federal Constituencies.
What is your comment on Governor Yahaya Bello’s leadership style?
On the style of Governor Bello’s leadership,you know I was a member of the All Progressive Congress, APC until 2019 when I decided that enough is enough. This due to the prevailing culture of imposition and lack of internal democracy generally. Having studied the NNPP manifestoes and what they stand for as a party that gives internal democracy to thrive,I see it as a party that allows every member have equal opportunity to grow,I see it as a party where my mission providing effective service for my people compared to where I was coming from can be better realised.
Culled From Punch Newspaper
