Minister of Internal Affairs, Comrade Patrick Francis Aba Moro, was in Markurdi recently for a program organized by Benue women for Mrs. Dooshima Suswam. As one who is indeed a journalist’s delight anytime, he was cornered for an interview where he spoke on the chances of his boss, Goodluck Jonathan, emerging victorious in 2015, the insurgency and sundry issues. KULA TERSOO reports
Sir, we have heard various dates for the possible release of the over 250 Chibok girls in the captivity of Boko Haram for over 200. Reports also suggest that once that is done, the issue of insurgency in the North-East would be over. But while we await the dates announced, the bombings, killings and capturing of towns continue. What is the true nature of the situation?
The true picture of the situation on ground in Nigeria as far as the issue of insurgency in the North-East is concerned is that the war on Nigeria by insurgents is still on.Of course you know that in the beginning, the federal government had indicated tackling this issue of insurgency from three fronts; the point of engagement, the point of consultation, and the point of containment. So, consultations definitely would continue to go on. And do not forget that because of the prolong nature of insurgency, a lot of activities are going on at the level of the federal government and at the level of insurgents and the sect. But now, the insurgents are divided into various sectors especially with the death of their leader Shakau. And so, at the moment, our foreign partners and collaborators are helping and supporting Nigeria to arrive at a peaceful resolution of the matter.
One of the issues at stake now is that the Chibok girls would be released as part of the process of resolving this matter. But if anyone is putting a date on the release of the girls, that person is been merely speculative. But truth is that the release of the Chibok girls is on the table of the current efforts to end the insurgency.
But while security situation in the country continue to deteriorate, we learnt your boss, President Jonathan has picked the expression of interest and nomination of the PDP to contest in 2015.How much of this can you justify?
Finally, the President has picked his form to contest for the 2015 presidential polls. So, any doubting thomas as to the possibility of Goodluck Jonathan contesting elections or not certainly would have gone to rest today, because now, it is crystal clear that he is contesting the race.
As for us in the PDP, that is the right thing to do and we believed it is the right choice that we have made . As a sitting president and leader of the political party, and endorsed by the party, is a positive development. This is because, in this country today, understandably, even the crises that are bedeviling the country; crises of confidence, crises of unity, it takes only the man of courage and committed human being and somebody who has made up his mind to lead Nigeria to the best level of development to continue to lead this country.
And I must say that if we agree generally that Nigeria, as a result of the conflicts, especially, the insurgency in the North-East that is like a war and a myriad of other problems confronting us as a nation today, it is worthwhile and imperative need that a sitting president superintending over the resolution of such crises is giving the benefit to continue.
That is why attempting to shortchange the process to this moment would certainly be taking the country several steps back. So, I think that the courage that Mr. president has demonstrated in picking the form to contest the elections is the best thing that has happened to politics in Nigeria today. And I am sure it will go along way in deepening our democracy.
But the defection from your party of the number four man in the country, Hon. AminuTambuwal to the opposition APC; don’t you think this will affect the chances of President Jonathan and the PDP come 2015?
Those who are careful watchers of politics in Nigeria would know too well that politics in Nigeria in recent times have been full of shuffling. Just like shuffling of cards, people move in different directions at different times. Tambuwal has left PDP today for APC; Mimiko has left Labour Party to PDP. If you still go round, Bafarawa left APC for PDP and Shakarau in Kano too left APC to PDP while Kwankwaso in Kano left PDP for APC. Also some House of Representatives members also left in different directions.
But fundamentally, if you look at the antecedents of some of these politicians, and particularly my friend, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alh.Tambuwal you asked about has been moving from political party to political party. He left All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) for PDP and has moved now from PDP to APC which is just a precursor of the ANPP, the party he left earlier.
So, generally, if you carefully watch the movement of party members across these political parties, there is a semblance of some balance. You lose some, you win some.
But as for the chances of Mr. President, I can tell you this because I know and have not only followed but participated in the Nigeria politics for a long time. Goodluck Jonathan was elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not just by PDP members but by Nigerians. Whether it was South-West where the ACN as it was known then held sway, the South-East where the APGA, PPA and other parties were in charge, Mr. President got his votes across the spectrum of the of the Nigeria polity. Today, more than ever before, giving what is on ground, notwithstanding the challenges of insecurity that has ravaged this country today, I can assure you that in 2015, more Nigeria are going to see the wisdom of reelecting Mr. President to continue the work of consolidating democracy.
Your party, the PDP has the highest number of governorship aspirants inBenue State, your home. As at the last count, 21 of them bought forms for primaries. The national secretariat got over 150 million from Benue alone. Don’t you think it is an indictment on your party for its laxity to trim the number and allowing for reckless spending at the expense of the Benue masses?
The beauty of democracy is in provision of platform for individuals to express themselves. I am not worried at all. Remember that in 2007 when myself and others ran for Governor of Benue state, we were nineteen and all went into the race. Today, twenty-one persons have bought forms to contest the ticket of the PDP. So, even for a child who is growing, it means they have added only two inches to his height.
So, for us in the PDP, it only shows that more people are willing to preside over the affairs of Benue state under our platform since they have more confidence here.
And as to the amount of money in question, do not forget that the fee for the purchase of forms and other expenses are not absolutely the exclusive preserve of the national secretariat to cart away. Some percentages of it is certainly to be pushed to the state here. But the most important thing in democracy is that the more the aspirants, the merrier.
Also, the sheer number that is coming out now, given the advocacy for internal democracy amongst political parties, when that happens, it means that the Benue people would be given very wider spread of people to choose from. And I can assure you that 2015 is decisive year. Most governors are in their second and final term. Mr. President too will be running for the last time and this becomes a very critical factor for every polity within Nigeria to meticulously make a choice of who to take them to the next level because this is going to be the beginning of the next level for politics and evolution of democracy in the country.
