You are always on the streets for protests? Why this choice of action?
Because it is the right thing to do. As citizens, we do not need to be docile or look away from issues that affect us as a people.
The classic theorists of representational government recognised that universal suffrage and majority voting threaten to impose the ‘tyranny of the majority’ and override the rights of minorities. Protests are a vital corrective to majority rule and this is one of the reasons why I will not stop protesting until the government do what is right for the people.
Power concedes nothing without a demand.
Are some of your demands for the protests being met?
Most of my demands have not been met and that tells you how insensitive the government are to the issues that affect ordinary Nigerians. All my demands, ranging from creating job opportunities to economic freedom and provision of basic necessities of life for Nigerians have not been met. Never in our history, have we witnessed this massive unemployment and insecurity. Inflation is at its record high. Our currency, the Naira, has never been this bastardized.
What really is your grouse with the government?
My grouse with the government is nothing personal. I want Nigerians to enjoy dividends of democracy. I want a government that can create jobs and opportunity for our teeming youths. I want a Nigeria that works for all. A country where every Nigerian would have an equal opportunity, access to free healthcare and qualitative education.
Are you satisfied with the Independence broadcast of Mr. President?
The President failed woefully in his broadcast to the nation. The president’s broadcast shows he’s not in touch with reality. I had thought that the president’s broadcast would inspire hope but alas, he wasted an important opportunity he would have used to reassure Nigerians on steps being taken to address myriad of challenges facing them.
What is your take on the state of Nigeria’s economy?
The economy is in shambles and if something is not done to address the issue, it will plunge the country into further decline. Recent data from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Nigeria’s economy contracted by 6.10 per cent in the second quarter of 2020.
Unemployment Rate in Nigeria increased to 33.30 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020 from 27.10 per cent in the second quarter of 2020 and all these are indications that President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to manage the nation’s economy well.
How about the security challenges across the country?
In my over four decades as a Nigerian, I don’t think I have witnessed this level of insecurity.
Nigeria is faced with an unprecedented wave of different security crises. From kidnapping to armed banditry, Boko Haram insurgency and unknown gunmen killing and maiming innocent Nigerians. Just recently, a prominent Nigerian, Dr. Akunyili, husband to former Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili was gunned down in a broad day light. Almost every corner of the country has been plagued with violence and crime. Even Aso Villa, the seat of power, is not spared from the security challenges facing the country. Recently, there was a report that armed robbers raided the residence of the Chief of Staff to the President at the Aso Villa.
One of President Buhari’s major campaign promises to Nigerians in 2015 was protection of lives and property of Nigerians, but six years after assuming power, the country is more unstable than it has been in decades.
What is the way forward?
The way forward is for the president to resign and apologize to Nigerians for failing them. I also believe that the way forward for us is true federalism and restructuring.
One of your allies in the opposition, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, has defected to the APC. Some PDP governors and several opposition figures have moved to the federal ruling party. What is fuelling these defections?
Nothing else than hunger and lack of principles.
There are reports of likely defection of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the APC. What is your take on this?
I have no problem with former President Goodluck Jonathan defecting from his party, the PDP, to the APC which maligned and labelled him a failure in 2015. It is his constitutional rights to aspire under any political party he so wishes but one thing is certain, cross carpeting to another political party will not solve Nigeria’s problem; only a strong political will to do what is right for the benefit of all Nigerians will solve our problems. The current political system we are operating is not sustainable.
Your take on government’s borrowing.
It is alarming. We cannot continue to borrow money to fund the expensive lifestyle of politicians. It is not economically viable and sustainable.
Ahead of the 2023 elections, the vexed issue now is power shift. Do you believe in this?
Equity demands that power should return to the Southern part of the country. However, it is pertinent to note that 2023 should not be reduced to mere geographical permutations. We should be more focused on competence. I understand that the opposition may want to look the way of the North to win back power but what is most important is a candidate that can work for Nigerian people and not some selected few.
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