EDO PEOPLE HAD BEEN MERE SPECTATORS IN THEIR POLITICAL AFFAIRS - EKATAH
Sammy Ogbemudia Ekatah is a Lagos- based legal practitioner, human right activist and a contributor on national issues. In this chat, he spoke on the, Edo politics, insecurity in Nigeria and other issues.
Excerpts
Tell us your observation in the leadership of Edo State
What I observe in Edo State is that there is true democracy. The issue of 'godfatherism' is no longer there. Now, there is an air of liberation in the state, the people have been fully liberated from the hands of some people who decided to dictate what happened in the state. People of the state are now happy, and know that their votes count, because those the electorates gave the mandate are allowed to be in positions and responsible to those that voted them.
It is only when the political office holders are allowed to perform to the satisfaction of the people that development, growth and other democratic dividends could be achieved. With what I am seeing now, the electorates are sovereign and godfathers, they are to determine who goes there, and can recall any legislator that fails to perform to their expectation or decide not to elect such person in subsequent elections, unlike in the past when few individuals were dictating for people of the state.
What do you think the state has lost in the past?
I think Edo State had been muzzled. Their choice of candidates had not been given the opportunity to be in government. So, they have not been there in the process of election and putting the real people in power. In fact, the people of Edo State were side-lined, they were not electorates, but mere spectators. Even when the right things were not done, there were no opportunities for them to react.
They were afraid of being killed by those in power. Everything then, became few people's show. The situation therefore brought about bad leadership and total neglect of the people. But, fortunately, with God's intervention, we now have good leadership and a level playing field in the state. People now have access to the government and can dictate what happens without fear of being killed or intimidated.
Could you access the leadership of Governor Adams Oshiomhole?
Well, with I have seen so far, I think that he is doing better. You know that government is not one man's soup, there is separation of powers, checks and balances. So, the legislators are there to perform their oversight functions, and if the governor is not doing what he suppose to do , they should call him to order because he is not in a compromised government. Also, the electorates are there to check him to ensure that he is performing.
Kindly point out some of the new infrastructures you observed in the state
I observed that the roads are averagely okay. The markets are now better since the demolition of illegal structures. Schools and hospitals are being renovated. In fact, life has returned in Edo State because the people now have sense of belonging.
What areas do you think that need attention?
You see, a proper attention should be paid to education in the state. I learnt that the governor increased the school fees for Ambrose Alli University and that the students protested against it. Before such thing is done, the government should have considered the financial muzzle of the parents who are mainly farmers, they should not be overstretched. Many of them are not happy that they are not literate, vowed to train their children. So, any attempt to discourage them from achieving their desire will not be good. Increasing school fees is like throwing children of the poor out of school.
Also, I observe that the legal system in Edo State is okay, but like Lagos and some states, welfare of magistrates, judges and other judiciary workers should properly be taken care of, so that corruption could reduce. The courts should also be reconstructed to modern standard. In fact Edo state should emulate Lagos in the area of proper maintenance of the judicial arm of government. It is true that they may not compete with Lagos in term of finance, but they can do better than what it is on ground now
What would you say concerning the insecurity situation in Nigeria, especially as it affects the Boko Haram terrorism?
It is unfortunate that things are not done well in this country, and as a result, many people hide under that to commit one crime or the other. You see, the present insecurity situation in Nigeria is the product of long time mismanagement and exploitation by the political class on the less privilege. The people that are now called miscreants or street urchins are the children of those that were denied education and other necessities of life. Our leaders should sit up to the challenges of bad leadership, which is the cause of some of the security breaches.
They should do what is right and take good care of the people and stop stealing public funds trusted in their care. We have enough money to take good care of everybody, if only it is well managed by those in authority. We need good schools, roads, hospitals, jobs and other facilities that would make lives of Nigerians better, and I think if some of these things are met, the jobless would be engaged and these problems here and there will stop.