Democracy must win people’s confidence

Professor Steven Torkuma Ugba Benue State governorship candidate of the ACN
By ROSE EJEMBI, Makurdi
Governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in
Benue State in the 2011 general elections, Professor Steven Torkuma
Ugba, speaks on the leadership crisis rocking the Nigerian Governors'
Forum, Boko Haram insurgency and other pertinent national problems
militating against the institutionalization of democracy in Nigeria.
Implication of Nigeria's Governors' Forum's crisis for democracy?
If it was a PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) affair, it would have been
no problem. But Nigerian Governors' Forum is not all a PDP affair. It
is a national affair, a microcosm of the problem at the national
level. Nigeriais trying to institute democratic process, but there are
some people hell-bent on ruining the process through the election of
a chairman forthe forum. If 35 people cannot declarea winner, then,
that body and Nigeria have a big problem. If the trend continues, only
God knows what would happen. I feel sad for Nigeria because if
executive governors who should decide who will lead them cannot, then,
it is a big problem.
I don't care less whether it is Jonah Jang or Rotimi Amaechi. The
issue is that the democratic process cannot stand on one leg. Where 35
highly educated persons who have high degree of awareness cannot elect
a leader, they have destroyed the democratic confidence. It should be
seen as the symbol of the elections tocome and the kind of people to
expect in the general elections of 20
On the allegation that the president may have a hand in the crisis?
I will treat it as a rumour but if that is the case, it is
unfortunate. Lobbying, canvassing can be used but if 35 people cannot
line up for election, and president is accused, and his menhave
denied, I don't see anything wrong but if he was involved in causing
confusion after someone had been elected, then, it is unfortunate.
He may have had a hand in the governor's forum before the votes were
cast but if governors had signeda document choosing a governor as
chairman, governors' decision should be the overriding decision. But
if theydecided to change their minds, no problem.
That somebody signed a piece of paper does not mean that he cannot
change his mind but if president caused a change in the decision, it
is unfortunate. Obtainable substitution is alleged. He can lobby for a
candidate but should not interfere with result of the election.
Handling of Boko Haram insurgency and Fulani herdsmen attacks on farmers
The question of insecurity in Nigeria is a complex one. The major
factors causing it include: lack of opportunityfor ordinary persons to
maintain himself and the intractable general economic problem;
Politics, whereby people are doing calculations to secure for
themselves tickets as the time for election approaches; chief
executives at various levels have various interests that could be
conflicting. This has made them to miss the duty of maintaining law
and order.
It is unfortunate. Chief executives should pre-occupy themselves by
initiating dialogue and arranging for the ordinary persons to speak on
matters affecting them. Such arrangement should not be hijacked.
What is happening in Benue as regards insecurity is unfortunate. All
we need is to cry out. Guma, Makurdi, Agatu, Gwer-West are being
attacked. The problem was in Zaki-Biam, now, ithas spread. What is the
governments doing to curtail these attacks?
You cannot be running an absentee government and expect results.
Dialogue is a strategy that will help people to express their worries
and anxieties so that proactive steps can be taken.
If the people are being killed, where are the paramount rulers? Chief
executive officers of the states, sometimes, can hold discussions in
the open at the local, state and national levels.
There is the crisis of confidence on ground. You see, what Boko Haram,
MEND and the other groups are involved in is a complex problem, so, we
need more concerted efforts. We have big, big issue on hand.
Those in authority can do more; local government chairmen, governors,
the president can do more and they should do more.
Emergency declaration in some states
Presidency has responsibility of protecting lives and property. It
givesMr. President the opportunity to use his wisdom because the buck
stops on his desk. He needs wisdom to do it, those who take
initiatives, those advising him need to plan a grand strategy in
addition to the issue of unity.
In as much as one supports the president's steps, he needs a much more
grand strategy to cover the entire country, he must not be doing this
to score a cheap political point.
He must win the confidence of the people. Some people say president
must come back in 2015 or Nigeria will be no more. That kind of
statement is not good. President must absolve himself from such
things.Assessment of 14 years of democratic rule
At the state level or even national, are we doing enough to create
opportunity for the people at Otukpo,Makurdi, Gboko and Katsina-Ala?
Are we raising their standard of living? You must agree with me that
we are not developing. I am fully aware that we don't have the money
but let us have the structures that can sustain development. By
consideration, we don't have money but we should not abuse the
privilege given to us. I don't think any Nigerian is too big to
sacrifice anything for the good of the country. Why are we still
talking of bad roads between Makurdi and Abuja and even between
Makurdi andOtukpo?
At the slightest provocation, the roads are blocked. Sometimes, your
life is in jeopardy. The Federal Government should ensure the roads
are awarded for construction. We appear to be thinking that government
should not be about serving people or assisting them to grow. We
should do what is right for our country, give thought to what to do
for our state and country.
Plan for 2015?
I want to participate and ensure that our party emerges victorious at
the polls in 2015. My case which started in2011 is very much alive. I
am not in any way ready for the 2015 governorship race. If I must run,
it willbe a collective decision. When the time comes, we must see that
the 2011 case is decided. We know that the apex court which is the
Supreme Court, is yet to decide the matter.
Is the case not being delayed? I am not unmindful of that, but only
those who see it as a do or die affair will be worried. When you are
institutionalizing a democratic process, you must have the patience.
I am almost 50 years old. Some people may not have the wherewithal to
withstand the process of the making of a good democratic process
through the judiciary.
We need to know the final stage of the case. Some people say 2015 is
around the corner, no, no, no, God knows, even if it is within a few
weeks, the democratic process should win the confidence of the
people.
On the allegation that your court caseis detracting Suswam from governance
I didn't have any personal issue with my younger brother, Suswam. We
were all seeking to better the lots of the people. I don't have
commissioners, I don't go to Abuja, I do not control the treasury, I
only consulted with the lawyers, I only want to encourage the
institutionalization of the democratic process.
We are questioning what INEC did that was not correct, we questioned
that at the court of law. I don't have a fleet of private or official
cars, how could I be held responsible for the poor performance of a
sitting governor who has been there for years and has spent two years
in his second term? Federal Government has not given me money. I don't
understand.
Relationship With Georg Akume, the Senate minority leader
My relationship with him could not beany stronger. He is my political
leaderin Benue State. In terms of national politics, Akume is my
friend, my relationship with him is very strong. We have the ambition
to salvage our state. I have no issues with Akume, hedoes not have
issues with me; we areallies. He is my political leader, I believe in
Benue, I believe in Nigeria,we will not like a situation where Nigeria
will deteriorate. I want my country to be the best in the whole world,
not only in Africa.