Posted by EMEKA MAMAH on
HOW do you see the strained relationship between the President and the Vice President and how do you think it will affect the nation's nascent democracy?
HOW do you see the strained relationship between the President and the Vice President and how do you think it will affect the nation's nascent democracy?
As politicians, we would like to regard it as the internal problem of the PDP. At the same time, we are also enlightened opportunists and naturally, we enjoyed these things happening in the camp of our opponents, particularly when we do not regard the PDP as a political party. We regard the PDP as a collection of opportunists and this was confirmed by even their star and President, Obasanjo who once called the PDP not a political party, but a rally. So naturally, we would like to treat it as their internal problem, but at the same time, we enjoy and benefit from their weakness. Their weakness has implication for our strength. But generally as Nigerians, who are interested in the stability of the country, we can put aside this idea of it being their internal problem and therefore does not concern us. We can also put aside the incidental benefits we can draw from this and regard the matter as a national issue, which it is because whatever happens, we have to face the reality that the PDP is in control of the Federal Government.
We are concerned about what is happening. We cannot do anything about it except distance ourselves from government and the participants in this crisis. We know the reason which is their own interest. The interest of the President and the Vice President are now in conflict. The President wants a third term and the Vice President does not want him to have a third term because he also wants to be president since he has been given the impression even by the constitution that he is the next in line. If things go normally and PDP contests the next election, what he expects is that after Obasanjo has had two term, PDP replaces Obasanjo as the presidential candidate with him. So he has this natural expectation which is in conflict with that of Obasanjo who wants to continue. So, we have a situation whereby the President sees his Vice as the most formidable opponent in his pursuit of a third term and therefore has to crush the Vice President by any means. That is why he couldn't be civil and polite by avoiding exposing their conflict.
If this continues, there may not be elections in 2007 and the President might take advantage of a state of emergency and carry on.
Clearly, we have been warning Nigerians that one of the tactics of Obasanjo is to bring about crisis in such a way that if he cannot have himself declared winner in an election, he can avoid having an election at all. If for instance, there is insecurity in the country, serious insecurity in such a way that there is violence, the President can decide that there will be no election because of it.
If there is no election and there is no elected president who has been sworn in, the Constitution of Nigeria says that Obasanjo can continue until there is an elected president. Even when there is an elected president, he must have been sworn-in before Obasanjo can hand over. So, he can disorganize things in such a way that either there is no election or the election ends up in dispute to such an extent that no one can be sworn. To that extent, he can continue.
In other words, Obasanjo has many ways of ensuring that he either has a third term or continue with or without the mandate of Nigerians. This fear is very real. However, Obasanjo really dares not hand over in 2007. Let us be realistic. There is this anti corruption thing. Now it has been found impossible to prosecute the governors, their deputies and the President because they have immunity.
But immediately they finish their term, they will face prosecution. Take for instance, the case of Dariye and the Governor of Bayelsa and many other governors who cannot be touched at the moment. After they are no more occupying that office, they can be prosecuted. At the moment, they can only be investigated. Even the investigation, those who are to investigate them have no courage to do so and this has been demonstrated quite clearly by the case of Obasanjo himself. Kalu made serious allegations against him.
Taking you back to the third term issue. You said that the President has about three options if he does not want to hand over. What is the opinion of the CNPP on this constitutional breach? Are we helpless?
If you look at the realities on ground, there is nothing anybody can do about this situation relying on the constitution, the law or any moral standard. You can't rely on the constitution because there is separation of power between the three arms of government. But everybody now knows that the President prevails. There is only one power and that is the power of the executive which has been personalized. So there is nothing you can do. Secondly, look at the law. People who swore to defend the constitution have violated the Constitution with impunity and nobody can do anything about it. At the level of the people, can you call on any Nigerian to do or not to do in the name of God, his family, his integrity or because there is any constitutional provision or any law?
The only two things you can rely on to prevail on Nigerians to do or not to do is to use money power. If today, there is disagreement between people and they are about to fight and possibly kill one another, you cannot use any of these appeal. But the moment you go there and throw money, those people trying to kill themselves will abandon the fight and go and get the money. Secondly, if there is somebody who is rich and powerful and he is a person who is used to dishing out money, the moment you ask them to stop, they will stop because they expect to collect money from you. So, we are governed by the power of money and you can see this in all aspect of public and private lives. Even in the family, the head of a family who has money has greater respect than the head of a family who is struggling to provide for his family.
Where and how did we go wrong?
You know, my reaction has been in the last four years to avoid any ritualistic comments on the anniversary of the Independence of Nigeria because I am fed up talking in a futile faction. Nothing has improved since October 1, 1960. When we say improvement, we want something fundamental. There is nothing you can say. Even if you look at the marginal improvement in our lives, you look at the opportunities we have had, and you take into account the opportunities available to us, we have virtually not achieved anything. Look at the quality of life and the dignity of leadership in the country as well as the level of stealing in this country which has now become disturbing. Before 1960, nobody could steal public funds and get away with it.