BY TONY UDEMBA
HON. Oghene Emma Egoh is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency of Lagos State, at the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja. In an exclusive interview with Daily Sun in Lagos recently, the federal lawmaker urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent steps to guard against the imminent collapse of the nation’s economy. He cautioned the federal government against being selective in the war against corruption, saying “ there is no doubt that everyone supports the war against corruption , but for Nigerians to take the government serious on that, the anti-corruption fight must go round, and not selective”. Hon. Oghene spoke on various topical issues concerning the nation. Excerpts:
How would you describe your political journey in Lagos State, and election into the Federal House of Representatives.
My political journey in Lagos State started a long time ago. It is pertinent to recall that it all started from the old Badagry Division where as a young man, I won election as a councilor in 1987. During my stay in office, people were happy for the work I did, some of which included the establishment of Ijegun Market, Agboju Police Station and few others.
I once served as the state publicity secretary of National Republican Congress (NRC) in the Lagos State, under which we worked tirelessly for the election of the late Pa Micheal Otedola as the governor of Lagos. Pa Otedola later appointed me on the board of LASACO Insurance. Having been around for a long time in the politics of Lagos State, I have always shown my readiness and willingness to offer my services to the state. The good intentions in my offering these services, made the people to clamour for me. Again, I must say that the people of the state have been so kind to me, and have continued to demonstrate their confidence in me. I will forever remain very grateful to them. This is my third time of contesting for this post. Prior to my election to the federal House of Representatives, I have for a long time desired to serve in the National Assembly because it is a place one can easily work on good laws and influence on policies that will impact positively on the people. The national assembly is a platform for the making of good laws that will create jobs for millions of unemployed youths, as well as address other challenges, and bring the much needed socio –economic and political development that Nigerians are asking for.
How would you describe the economic policies of the Buhari’s government?
Though I would not like to criticize President Muhammadu Buhari because I feel it may be too early to do so but we must ring the alarm bell that all is not well with the nation’s economy. The management of the economy has not been at its best. If you look at the way the economy is going, especially the free fall of our naira, as against the dollar and other global currencies, there is the urgent need for the government to take immediate action to reverse the situation. I would like to urge President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent steps to guard against the imminent collapse of the nation’s economy. Again, I would urge the president to diversify the economy, and do more in the development of the non-oil export. Buhari has to invest more on agriculture since it has great potentials to provide jobs to millions of the unemployed persons across the country. There is the need to look at the huge progress made by Malaysia, Indonesia and others, in agriculture and replicate similar strategies in the country, in order to move the nation forward. Nigeria is blessed with arable land and good climate for the cultivation of rice, cassava, cashew, cocoa and others. I was thinking that by now, in view of the economic realities, the federal and state governments would dedicate massive lands for commercial farming, targeting both local and international markets. For example, the federal government can partner with states and local governments, and request them to make available hectares of farm lands for the cultivation of rice, cassava, cashew, rubber and others. Also, the federal government can support them with quality seedlings and tubers, as the case may be, including financial, technical and other necessary equipment. By so doing, the nation will become self-sufficient in food production, and have enough for export to other countries.
How would you describe the present leadership of the Federal House of Representatives?
I would want to use the words “excellent, dedicated and patriotic” to describe the leadership of the Federal House of Representatives. The speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, majority leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and minority leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, have been so wonderful, patriotic and excellent in piloting the affairs of the House. Similarly, members of the House have continued to demonstrate patriotism and dedication in their conducts and discharge of legislative duties. At the House, there is no clear division or discrimination between members of APC, PDP or other parties. At the House, members do have harmonious and excellent working relationship, because we strongly believe that we are there primarily to make good laws that will impact positively on the lives of Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or political affiliations.
What is your take on the war against corruption by the Buhari administration?
As a loyal party man, I stand by the decision of my party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. If Buhari is probing the way PDP financed its election campaigns, there is the need for him to also probe how APC funded its campaigns. If the government is saying that some PDP governors used part of their security votes to fund electoral campaigns, how about APC governors and former PDP governors who later defected to APC. From the way the anti-corruption fight is going on, it is clear that only the members of PDP are the targets. There is no doubt that everyone supports the war against corruption but for Nigerians to take the government serious in this regard, the anti-corruption fight must go round, and not selective. A situation where you arrest and prosecute some people because they are members of PDP while others are untouchable because they belong to APC, is unacceptable in any civilized society. I have a feeling that while Buhari may be honest and genuine in his anti-corruption fight, it is unfortunate that some of his advisers and aides might have hijacked the fight to target their perceived political enemies.
What impact has the change promised by the APC made on Nigerians?
Honestly, Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see the dividends as promised by the APC. I am of the opinion that the APC has to do more for Nigerians to see and feel the impact of the change. Nigerians would want to see the railways working again. The change must reflect in the development of agriculture. By now, the government needs to implement far reaching measures in agriculture and rural development, especially by dedicating and developing huge acres of farm lands for commercial farming, as well as offer trainings to farmers and millions of youths on modern farming methods. Buhari’s government needs to make available to farmers, modern tractors and other farming equipment, including loans and quality seedlings to farmers to boost sufficiency in food production, and export to other countries. The government needs to do a lot to support farmers. Look at the interest rate on loans given to farmers abroad the interest rate to farmers are about 2 percent, but in Nigeria, interest is very high up to 25 percent. Government needs to ask CBN to have effective control on the interest rates given to farmers by commercials banks.
Also, government needs to have policies that would stimulate industrial growth in the country. A situation where some state governments will go and buy 1000 cars or more from abroad, instead of buying from the locally assembled brands is certainly not good for the economy. I would want the APC-led government to come up with quality policies that will create jobs, reduce crimes and enhance the quality of lives in the country.
What is your panacea for sustainable democracy and good governance?
My panacea for good governance and sustainable democracy is to have a responsible government that has the interest of its people because you are there in office to implement programmes and policies that will impact positively on the lives of the citizens. A good government is that which can create massive jobs for its teeming unemployed youths so that they can be useful to themselves and the societies, thereby alleviating poverty and crime rates in the society. A good government is that which invests on education and technology, as well as delivers socio-economic and infrastructural development across the country. Similarly, a good government must not engage in acts that promote corruption, tribalism or any other unpatriotic acts. Also, a good government must ensure that elections are conducted free and fair. Our government must invest more in agriculture because it is a sector that is capable of creating employment for millions of our youths. From east to west and north to south, every part of Nigerian land is highly fertile for agriculture; therefore, the Buhari administration must borrow modern agricultural strategies, technologies and practices from the Asian tigers, in order to move the nation forward.
What is your take on the recent pronouncement by the president on the continuous detention of Nnamdi Kanu, Dasuki and others.
On the issue of the pro- Biafra agitation which was the reason adduced by the government for the arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu. I will advise President Mohammadu Buhari to negotiate with them. May be, the people are feeling marginalized by the government from the way things are happening around them. May be, the only way they can draw the attention of the government and the nation is by clamouring for Biafra. But my candid advice to the government is to exercise caution in the handling of the matter, especially now that it is still at the infantile stage. Negotiation is the best solution, but using force may worsen the situation, and may lead to escalation of the matter. Government must not mismanage the situation like what happened during the early days of Boko Haram. Perhaps, if the government had dialogued with Yusuf Mohammed, the late founder of Boko Haram, at the early stage, the matter wouldn’t have escalated up till now. On the issue of Dasuki and others, I would say that there are three arms of government, the legislator, the executive and the judiciary. Each arm of the government must be allowed to perform its constitutional functions, uninterrupted by another. Though the matter is in court, and a lot of revelations have been made public by the government. Since the matter is in court, it is imperative for the government to allow the courts to interpret the laws which is its constitutional role. The pronouncement of guilt by the government or anyone, without court ruling should be discouraged.
HON. Oghene Emma Egoh is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency of Lagos State, at the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja. In an exclusive interview with Daily Sun in Lagos recently, the federal lawmaker urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent steps to guard against the imminent collapse of the nation’s economy. He cautioned the federal government against being selective in the war against corruption, saying “ there is no doubt that everyone supports the war against corruption , but for Nigerians to take the government serious on that, the anti-corruption fight must go round, and not selective”. Hon. Oghene spoke on various topical issues concerning the nation. Excerpts:
How would you describe your political journey in Lagos State, and election into the Federal House of Representatives.
My political journey in Lagos State started a long time ago. It is pertinent to recall that it all started from the old Badagry Division where as a young man, I won election as a councilor in 1987. During my stay in office, people were happy for the work I did, some of which included the establishment of Ijegun Market, Agboju Police Station and few others.
I once served as the state publicity secretary of National Republican Congress (NRC) in the Lagos State, under which we worked tirelessly for the election of the late Pa Micheal Otedola as the governor of Lagos. Pa Otedola later appointed me on the board of LASACO Insurance. Having been around for a long time in the politics of Lagos State, I have always shown my readiness and willingness to offer my services to the state. The good intentions in my offering these services, made the people to clamour for me. Again, I must say that the people of the state have been so kind to me, and have continued to demonstrate their confidence in me. I will forever remain very grateful to them. This is my third time of contesting for this post. Prior to my election to the federal House of Representatives, I have for a long time desired to serve in the National Assembly because it is a place one can easily work on good laws and influence on policies that will impact positively on the people. The national assembly is a platform for the making of good laws that will create jobs for millions of unemployed youths, as well as address other challenges, and bring the much needed socio –economic and political development that Nigerians are asking for.
How would you describe the economic policies of the Buhari’s government?
Though I would not like to criticize President Muhammadu Buhari because I feel it may be too early to do so but we must ring the alarm bell that all is not well with the nation’s economy. The management of the economy has not been at its best. If you look at the way the economy is going, especially the free fall of our naira, as against the dollar and other global currencies, there is the urgent need for the government to take immediate action to reverse the situation. I would like to urge President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent steps to guard against the imminent collapse of the nation’s economy. Again, I would urge the president to diversify the economy, and do more in the development of the non-oil export. Buhari has to invest more on agriculture since it has great potentials to provide jobs to millions of the unemployed persons across the country. There is the need to look at the huge progress made by Malaysia, Indonesia and others, in agriculture and replicate similar strategies in the country, in order to move the nation forward. Nigeria is blessed with arable land and good climate for the cultivation of rice, cassava, cashew, cocoa and others. I was thinking that by now, in view of the economic realities, the federal and state governments would dedicate massive lands for commercial farming, targeting both local and international markets. For example, the federal government can partner with states and local governments, and request them to make available hectares of farm lands for the cultivation of rice, cassava, cashew, rubber and others. Also, the federal government can support them with quality seedlings and tubers, as the case may be, including financial, technical and other necessary equipment. By so doing, the nation will become self-sufficient in food production, and have enough for export to other countries.
How would you describe the present leadership of the Federal House of Representatives?
I would want to use the words “excellent, dedicated and patriotic” to describe the leadership of the Federal House of Representatives. The speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, majority leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and minority leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, have been so wonderful, patriotic and excellent in piloting the affairs of the House. Similarly, members of the House have continued to demonstrate patriotism and dedication in their conducts and discharge of legislative duties. At the House, there is no clear division or discrimination between members of APC, PDP or other parties. At the House, members do have harmonious and excellent working relationship, because we strongly believe that we are there primarily to make good laws that will impact positively on the lives of Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or political affiliations.
What is your take on the war against corruption by the Buhari administration?
As a loyal party man, I stand by the decision of my party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. If Buhari is probing the way PDP financed its election campaigns, there is the need for him to also probe how APC funded its campaigns. If the government is saying that some PDP governors used part of their security votes to fund electoral campaigns, how about APC governors and former PDP governors who later defected to APC. From the way the anti-corruption fight is going on, it is clear that only the members of PDP are the targets. There is no doubt that everyone supports the war against corruption but for Nigerians to take the government serious in this regard, the anti-corruption fight must go round, and not selective. A situation where you arrest and prosecute some people because they are members of PDP while others are untouchable because they belong to APC, is unacceptable in any civilized society. I have a feeling that while Buhari may be honest and genuine in his anti-corruption fight, it is unfortunate that some of his advisers and aides might have hijacked the fight to target their perceived political enemies.
What impact has the change promised by the APC made on Nigerians?
Honestly, Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see the dividends as promised by the APC. I am of the opinion that the APC has to do more for Nigerians to see and feel the impact of the change. Nigerians would want to see the railways working again. The change must reflect in the development of agriculture. By now, the government needs to implement far reaching measures in agriculture and rural development, especially by dedicating and developing huge acres of farm lands for commercial farming, as well as offer trainings to farmers and millions of youths on modern farming methods. Buhari’s government needs to make available to farmers, modern tractors and other farming equipment, including loans and quality seedlings to farmers to boost sufficiency in food production, and export to other countries. The government needs to do a lot to support farmers. Look at the interest rate on loans given to farmers abroad the interest rate to farmers are about 2 percent, but in Nigeria, interest is very high up to 25 percent. Government needs to ask CBN to have effective control on the interest rates given to farmers by commercials banks.
Also, government needs to have policies that would stimulate industrial growth in the country. A situation where some state governments will go and buy 1000 cars or more from abroad, instead of buying from the locally assembled brands is certainly not good for the economy. I would want the APC-led government to come up with quality policies that will create jobs, reduce crimes and enhance the quality of lives in the country.
What is your panacea for sustainable democracy and good governance?
My panacea for good governance and sustainable democracy is to have a responsible government that has the interest of its people because you are there in office to implement programmes and policies that will impact positively on the lives of the citizens. A good government is that which can create massive jobs for its teeming unemployed youths so that they can be useful to themselves and the societies, thereby alleviating poverty and crime rates in the society. A good government is that which invests on education and technology, as well as delivers socio-economic and infrastructural development across the country. Similarly, a good government must not engage in acts that promote corruption, tribalism or any other unpatriotic acts. Also, a good government must ensure that elections are conducted free and fair. Our government must invest more in agriculture because it is a sector that is capable of creating employment for millions of our youths. From east to west and north to south, every part of Nigerian land is highly fertile for agriculture; therefore, the Buhari administration must borrow modern agricultural strategies, technologies and practices from the Asian tigers, in order to move the nation forward.
What is your take on the recent pronouncement by the president on the continuous detention of Nnamdi Kanu, Dasuki and others.
On the issue of the pro- Biafra agitation which was the reason adduced by the government for the arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu. I will advise President Mohammadu Buhari to negotiate with them. May be, the people are feeling marginalized by the government from the way things are happening around them. May be, the only way they can draw the attention of the government and the nation is by clamouring for Biafra. But my candid advice to the government is to exercise caution in the handling of the matter, especially now that it is still at the infantile stage. Negotiation is the best solution, but using force may worsen the situation, and may lead to escalation of the matter. Government must not mismanage the situation like what happened during the early days of Boko Haram. Perhaps, if the government had dialogued with Yusuf Mohammed, the late founder of Boko Haram, at the early stage, the matter wouldn’t have escalated up till now. On the issue of Dasuki and others, I would say that there are three arms of government, the legislator, the executive and the judiciary. Each arm of the government must be allowed to perform its constitutional functions, uninterrupted by another. Though the matter is in court, and a lot of revelations have been made public by the government. Since the matter is in court, it is imperative for the government to allow the courts to interpret the laws which is its constitutional role. The pronouncement of guilt by the government or anyone, without court ruling should be discouraged.
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