Posted by By CHRISTIAN ITA on
Senator Nuhu Aliyu has urged that the apology he offered to his colleagues in the National Assembly after claiming that some of them were into Advanced Fee Fraud otherwise known as 419 should not be misconstrued.
Senator Nuhu Aliyu has urged that the apology he offered to his colleagues in the National Assembly after claiming that some of them were into Advanced Fee Fraud otherwise known as 419 should not be misconstrued.
Speaking with Sunday Sun moments after the Committee on Ethics placed the report of its investigation on the matter before the Senate, Aliyu insisted that his apology 'does not take away the message in the statement."
While stating that he would make a similar statement in the future, though in a different way, should the situation warrant it, the Niger State-born senator said the nation can ill-afford to have dubious persons at the helm of its affairs if it hopes to make progress.
According to him, 'we cannot afford to allow people of questionable characters to derail the process or be the major drivers of the process."
He explained that his apology became necessary as he cannot assume the position of the court, the only organ of government empowered by the constitution to pass judgement on anybody, adding, 'At any rate, my statement should have given a lead to the relevant agencies."
He spoke more:
Senator, many Nigerians view your apology as a capitulation, that perhaps, you were cowed by threats. Was that the case?
It is not a matter of threat or intimidation that I decided to apologise to my colleagues. I just discovered having spoken to my lawyers that something was wrong with the way I presented my earlier statement, since I cannot assume the role of a court. By the nature of our laws, no one is considered guilty until so declared by a court of competent jurisdiction. I served the Nigeria Police for 35 years and the latter part of my career was at the Alagbon in Lagos. That also means that a lot of people must have passed through me to answer for one allegation or the other. If I had added ‘suspected' or ‘alleged' in my statement, it would have meant a different thing and I would have been saved from libel charges if the names of people were mentioned.
At any rate, my statement should have given a lead to the relevant agencies to look inward and see what they can do. I have a passion for this country. I am not in politics for any personal gains. People in my constituency know me too well, that is why they have been giving me their mandate to represent them since the formation of the PDP as a senator. We should try and help the anti-corruption fight to an extent that people would have confidence in our democratic process. If we have to attract foreign investors, you must ensure that the laws are working and justice can be done to any abuse of process. Since our democracy is an emerging one, we cannot afford to allow people of questionable characters to derail the process or be the major drivers of the process.
I did not capitulate in whatever form because my statement has created awareness that people have now become conscious and cannot possibly act funny. Nigerians believed me and could not easily conclude that I was double-speaking. I don't trade on frivolities. I don't seek cheap publicity. I am a fulfilled man and with my age, I should be grateful to God that I have contributed my quota to the development of my fatherland. If in the course of doing my patriotic duties, certain things or statements are misconstrued, I will regard that as unfortunate. Even though I am aware that the security of the country is something to worry about, I do not see any threat coming from any quarters. I don't get carried away by such feeling.
So, if the situation warrants, would you repeat what you said about 419ners being in the National Assembly?
Everything I do in life is determined by the circumstances and realities on ground. I do not pre-empt nature. When I was speaking at the floor of the Senate, I was driven by passion for my country, passion to serve, passion to get some level of purity and transparency to the extent that people get to appreciate our contribution to national development. If there is cause to say what I said the other time, I will say it differently but will convey same meaning. Then people would not be accusing me of being ‘flippant' with words or otherwise. I have read several opinions and impressions about my statement. I can tell you right away that I am encouraged by the kind words that people have showered on me while not losing sight of other unsavoury comments on my personality. That is expected because people react differently to occurrences, and each position is arrived at, based on the information at their disposal. Sincerely, am impressed with the kind of things I read in the papers and that has strengthened my resolve to continue to be on the part of truth in all that I do in service to my country.
Some public commentators, including even your colleagues in the National Assembly, are calling for sanctions against you?
Such calls are misplaced. Do you punish a man that has not committed any offence just to satisfy the wishes of a few? Why would anyone want me punished? For what purpose and to what end? Do you punish a man for being courageous enough to say something that would help sanitise the process and having realized the position of law, I decided to apologise to my colleagues? Mind you, the apology does not take away the message in my statement because people will become more circumspect in the way and manner they do business now. People will become more conscious and cautious, that in itself is an achievement. I should be commended and those who know my antecedents are aware that I don't just talk to seek relevance.
Does your apology mean there are no more 419ners in the National Assembly, that you got it completely wrong when you made the statement?
Just like I said earlier on, the position of our laws has to be considered. Allegations are different from categorical statements. When I realized the position of the law through counsel from my lawyers, I had to withdraw the statement. It does not change anything except that it protects my privileges and rights as a senator of the federal republic. It is no longer my responsibility alone but that of the entire Nigerians to see if my allegation or suspicion carries any weight. I bowed to counsel from my lawyers and you cannot fault me on that. I have chosen to allow the sleeping dog lie so that we can forge ahead. When occasion demands, I will be on the part of Nigerians and Nigeria in the discharge of my responsibility as a lawmaker.
How has the entire saga affected your relationship with your colleagues?
The initial misrepresentation in the media tried to cause disaffection among my colleagues, particularly the report that I said the alleged 419ners are from the southern part of the country. That statement that was credited to me in one of the dailies was not fair to me. I take the country as my constituency because any law made for one part involves the entire country. I am on the part of one nation, one destiny. This idea of categorising serious issues on the basis of regional consideration does not help anyone who is truly patriotic about Nigeria. My colleagues know me as much as I know them.
Those who were earlier angry following my statement have now come to see reason with my withdrawal. I have gained their confidence back and we have resolved to move on. I felt touched by the kind of love they've shown me and the understanding that followed has been tremendous. Some of them realized my position and they appreciated my courage, but like I told you, I cherish my relationships and would never try to ethnicise what is supposed to be a national issue. My cordial relationship with my colleagues is still intact.
How does your constituency take the entire events?
I read a very wrong report in one of your editions saying that I was booed at home and in my constituency. I want to use this opportunity to state in clear terms that I was never booed by members of my constituency. They know me too well and that is why they have continued to give me their mandate. That report, I want to believe, was sponsored just to spoil my good name otherwise how can my constituency be up in arms against me for saying something that will help to purify our system. I have been to my constituency in company of the Governor to launch certain projects and you could imagine the way the people were hailing us.
I have received a lot of delegations from my state and my constituency who have come to pay solidarity visits to me and further reassure me that they are solidly behind me. I am open to my people and they are also open to me. I am a grassroots person even before I joined politics; I have always maintained a close link with my people. I am in the National Assembly to attract development to my people and help them to realize their aspirations both as individuals and the collective. The kind of support and words of encouragement from my constituency is my strongest strength.
Posterity will vindicate me whether now or in the near future. I will continue to play my role to the best of my ability without fear or favour. Those who see a different meaning to my position should contradict me or present their clean bill of health. This is a matter for another day.
Any regrets?
There is nothing to regret because as a lawmaker, one has to possess a high degree of integrity to be able to live above board and earn the confidence of the populace. You will find something missing if one has skeleton in his cupboard. I was reading a piece of article in the Leadership newspaper few days ago, where the writer was saying that my statement, whether withdrawn or otherwise, should be enough lead to the security agencies and anti-corruption bodies to look into. Such opinion is what I expect from Nigerians and not just condemnation and condemnation as if we are in a war situation. I have learnt one or two lessons from this scenario and next time I know how to fire my salvo to get at the right chord. I thank Nigerians for the support and I thank my colleagues for the confidence they still have in me.