Posted by By LOUIS ODION on
Going by the various accounts of those in position to know, very few Nigerians can claim to be closer to President Olusegun Obasanjo than Dr. Andy Uba, his immediate past Senior Special Assistant on domestic affairs.
•Speaks on guber ambition •Allegation of criminality
Going by the various accounts of those in position to know, very few Nigerians can claim to be closer to President Olusegun Obasanjo than Dr. Andy Uba, his immediate past Senior Special Assistant on domestic affairs.
Now the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, Uba, with the privilege of working with the President for over seven years, has sensationally offered a rare insight on the man, Obasanjo.
According to Uba, Obasanjo, like every other human being, cries when he is overwhelmed by emotions. A case in point, he said was in November 2005, when his wife Stella died.
Speaking exclusively to Sunday Sun last week, Uba also dismissed perceptions that Obasanjo is a hard, mean and stingy man even as he spoke about the other side of the president which only few privileged ones know, what endeared him to the president, his gubernatorial ambition and a lot more.
Hear him: '. If you ever have the privilege of attending what I like to describe as the Obasanjo School, you can never be intoxicated with power. Obasanjo's ways teaches you to be humble. At his village in Otta, when he goes to level with the ordinary people out there, you would think he is a villager. He does not wear his crown for every one to see that ‘Yes, I am the President'."
Excerpts.
You have been cleared as PDP's gubernatorial flag-bearer in Anambra State, so how has it been hitting the road for campaign from being a silent power broker before now?
It is like one that has never been in the market before and all of a sudden you find yourself in the middle of the market with a lot of people around you. It is quite challenging and I find it interesting and exciting because you meet different kinds of people.
What motivated you to go in for the governorship race in Anambra State?
The first is the passion to help my people, the people of Anambra. Having been in the position of the highest authority in the land, having been a Personal Assistant to the President, having learnt a lot of lessons in leadership, I do not think I would be doing myself and my people any good to keep what I have I learnt to myself and just walk away and with the contacts that I have made. I have something to offer. That's why I decided to go back to my people, seeking their mandate to serve to bring about a positive change. Like I said in previous interviews I have granted, with people's support, I believe we can change the Anambra story. First, you have to realise the potentials of our people. Then, you design a clear-cut programme for the talents to be self-actualizing for the general well-being of the society. Our people are creative. That accounts for why they are great inventors. Our people are resourceful and enterprising and that is why they are great businessmen and women. My vision centres on the development of the human capital, empowering the people and creating a more conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive. In this wise, you are talking of a more secure environment. We have our blueprint for education, commerce, ecology, health, security, social infrastructure and so on.
Anambra has been a peculiar case since the return of democracy in 1999. We hear and see cash-and-carry politics at its ugliest. You have been an active player in the polity. What do you think makes Anambra's case different from other states?
Much as I would agree that our recent history is not something one is very proud of, I see it as a manifestation of a bigger problem which is the fact that, generally, we have those who see politics as an avenue to serve themselves and not pursue the welfare of the greater majority of the people. You are talking about those who came into public office without a second address. But then, you will also agree with me that the quality of those aspiring to public offices is improving when you compare contestants of 1999 with those of 2003. Now, if you check those on parade in 2007, you see more professionals coming on board. These are people you could describe as having a second address. With that, I believe the quality of politics will improve. When you have those who have a name to protect in office, you will see that they will strive to carry everybody along. They wouldn't see politics as a means to get rich quick.
Problems always come when you don't carry people along. They always seek to exclude popular participation in finding solutions even when there are problems. So, that way, you end up complicating the problem even though you may have a good idea. I believe in building consensus.
At campaign rallies and interviews you have granted so far, you seem to delight in speaking in flattering terms about past leaders of Anambra State in the last seven years. It seems you are playing politics?
I don't have to run others down to progress. That is my philosophy about life. I believe in peace, and I believe that for any state or country to progress, there must be peace and that is most important. I am not fighting anybody or quarrelling with anybody or believe that it is by destroying other people that my chances of winning people's votes will be enhanced. Rather, I am seeking the support of everybody. We want to put a stop to the politics of bitterness. We want to put an end to politics of retrogression.
Talking about unity, to what extent can you say you have achieved that even within your family now that we see some of your siblings saying one thing on the pages of the newspaper and you saying another thing?
It is all politics. Contrary to what you may think, the Ubas remain one family. Nothing can ever separate us. People try to magnify what does not exist. Children of the same parents have their own different characteristics. People are not bound to sleep and turn in the same direction. That does not mean they are divided. I tell you we in the Uba family do sit back and laugh at these stories of imaginary differences or war if you like. Like I did in another interview, I would explain this with a biblical allusion. Once, Jesus Christ was preaching and some people came and said they wanted to stone a prostitute in their midst. That she must be stoned and Christ said, ‘He that has not sinned let him cast the first stone.' I say this to even explain that it would have been wrong or hypocritical for anyone to say family disagreement is a new thing. It is normal. What is important is how you handle it. Definitely, in our own case, there is no problem.
Within Obasanjo's kitchen cabinet, you are seen as the last man standing today. I mean, in the last eight years, you have survived the entire hurricane and all that. What is your secret given the popular belief that Obasanjo is a difficult man?
The first was prayer. I held on to God. We were taught from my family that we should hold on to God, and I did. Secondly, President Obasanjo and I have had a very honest relationship. I was open and honest, and I dedicated my time working for him and for the nation. I didn't play any game. I was doing everything I did with all my heart. Don't forget that for more than seven years that I worked at the Presidency, I never for once went on leave. Just as the President himself has never gone on leave. I put in my all. Mr. President is a workaholic. He normally sleeps for a few hours. It meant that I also had to keep awake. Mr. President appreciates commitment and dedication to duties. That's why I was able to survive.
Secondly, he himself being a God-fearing person saw that I was honest with him. We worked like father and son. Everything that I did he knew. I never at any time hid anything from him. They don't know the man. While on trips or sometimes at diner, President Obasanjo likes to serve us his aides food. He would carry the kettle himself, bring plate for you. He is that humble. If you ever have the privilege of attending what I like to describe as the Obasanjo School, you can never be intoxicated with power. Obasanjo's ways teaches you to be humble. At his village at Otta, when he goes to level with the ordinary people out there, you would think he is a villager. He does not wear his crown for every one to see that ‘Yes, I am the President'.
He is really down-to-earth. People have access to him. He picks his phone directly when people call. He doesn't have that kind of protocol where it will take people two weeks to see him. He relates with people well. It tells you that power is not all about arrogance and ego. He taught me so much that having money or being in power is nothing. It is just how you relate with people that matter; that you must always see yourself as one of them. He is cool. If we all have that quality, everybody will be happy in the country.
While still at the Villa, some people say you were the most powerful Nigerian after Obasanjo?
No, I don't think so. I do what I am asked to do. It is a wrong impression.
Obasanjo is seen as mean, stubborn and tough. Are these perceptions real?
They are not real. It is only those who do not know him that would say that. He is a very gentle person to work with. He is kind and helpful. He is always ready to help people. It is a wrong perception to describe him in those terms. Most people have not been close to him. Those who hold such views don't know the real Obasanjo.
Is there any specific incident that you would cite to justify the claims that he is very kind and gentle?
There are so many incidents to cite that, honestly, I don't know where to start because I know he has called several times to say ‘help this person, help this family'. He cares for people. I can't think of anybody who has the kind of patience that he has to endure betrayal and treachery. You know, as the leader, all kinds of people come around him to knife others. But Obasanjo is ever willing to give the one being accused the benefit of doubt. He is ever willing to give you enough rope to hang yourself. So, if he later comes out to say anything about you, be sure that it is statement borne out of his own personal experience.
You worked for the president for almost eight years. Looking back now, when would you describe as your most trying moment?
(A contemplative silence) Well, there were many trying moments. But the biggest I would say is when the First Lady, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo died. I think that was in November 2005. I thought that was the end of the world, because we were very close. It was through her that I knew Mr. President, long before he became the president. That was the most trying moment. I am yet to recover from the shock of her death.
Did Obasanjo cry when she died?
Yes, he cried. All of us cried. Most people don't know him.
Your happiest moment with Obasanjo?
There were many happy moments. Our happiest moment was always each time we achieved victory.
What about his jokes?
He is very humourous, no doubt about that.
Is that his own therapy for defusing tension?
Yes, he never takes anything to heart. If it were other people, they would have been dead by now from the negative things they hear about them. He loves Nigeria.
The perception we get is that he hates the media?
No, no, no. He doesn't. He is very cheerful. He is blunt and calls a spade a spade. That is Obasanjo.
They say he is stingy?
Well, it depends on the context you are talking. If your own yardstick for measuring generosity is throwing public funds around, then Obasanjo does not fit that bill. He believes public funds should be well spent. If that means stinginess, then so be it. As a person, he is not flambouyant. He has taught us that, and it has worked for him. Every penny should be directed to the right place. If that is what you mean by being tight-fisted, so be it.
Since you threw you hat into the ring about two months ago, there have been all kinds of damaging allegations against you, that you were involved in money laundering, certificate scams and all that. True or false?
They are all lies and twisted facts. Sometimes, I just laugh. Well, it is all part of the political game.
Did they get to you?
Not at all. Am I embittered? Not all. I know it is designed to distract us from pursuing our goal. On the contrary, I nurse no grudge against the people who told such lies and rumour. I only appeal that they join hands with me so that all energies could be channeled to reinventing the wheel in Anambra. For me, that is what is important now. We will not be distracted. It is another leadership lesson I have learned from Obasanjo. He always advises that all you need do for the enemies to triumph is to get distracted. He teaches us to keep on to the ball so that you can get to where you are going and don't get distracted.
You seem to enjoy a lot of goodwill from captains of industry. Before your campaign started, many of them had even endorsed you. Is it payback time because you did them one favour or the other in the past or something borne out of genuine feelings?
Yes, it is borne out genuine feelings. I feel humbled by their endorsement. These are people who had already achieved long before Obasanjo came to power. You could not have bought their support. They are all financial heavyweights. It is borne out of their own conviction based on personal observations and experience. Some of them, I believe, have been around the president and the system and have seen the way that I worked. They have seen my nature and have watched me over the years. They have seen how I have served the nation, the sacrifice that I have made. I have never been on a vacation even for one day. The President has never been on a vacation for one day. So, they believe if such level of commitment is brought to the state level, perhaps a lot of things could be changed.
On a final note, what message do you have for the people of Anambra State?
The time has come for all us to join hands and develop the state. We all have to come as one family and not only restore Anambra's past glory but also ensure that it begins to achieve the kind of greatness befitting its God-given potentials. It has been a state that people associate with business, intellectualism and every good thing. It is time for us to bring the glory days back and develop Anambra and make it the No. I state it used to be in Nigeria. It's time for us to think about the future of Anambra State.