National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, South-East Zone, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, shares his thoughts with DANIEL AYANTOYE on the performance of the All Progressives Congress-led government and the planned merger of opposition parties, among other issues

The APC made several promises during its campaigns, one of which was to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. However, things appear not to be going as expected under the current government. What do you make of this?

 The Nigerian people should not behave like the Israelites, who expected magic to happen shortly after they left Egypt. When it took a while to get to the Promised Land, they began to criticise and query Moses, asking him why he brought them out of Egypt. It is important to know that there is a journey ahead of us as a nation. There are a lot of things to be done, and to change the trajectory of this journey, people have to be patient. As they say, Rome is not built in a day, and we must be aware of this, and consistently support the leadership and this administration to succeed.

I believe strongly that this administration is on the right path. We are on the right trajectory, and Nigerians will celebrate in the future that they elected us into power; they will celebrate that they brought Bola Tinubu to power, but we need to be patient and allow the policy handlers to implement the policies that will make life more meaningful for everyone in no time.

But Nigerians have been patient for several years now, and this has become a singsong for all previous administrations, yet things are becoming more difficult daily. What do you make of this?

 I appreciate the fact that people are going through very difficult times. The rain is falling on every roof. It is falling on the roof of the politicians and the roof of the common man. The situation has been tough on the masses, but we all know that the darkest hour is the closest to dawn, and Nigeria is moving towards the light. The issue that the government has to tackle head-on is the fuel subsidy. You and I know that Nigeria cannot survive the continuous funding of subsidy.

Everyone, including experts, agreed to these terms because we were aware of what was involved. You know the economic dynamics. The issue of forex at the parallel market is another aspect that the government is facing because this is an aspect that the wealthy enjoy at the expense of the poor. The country was heading towards a crash if Tinubu hadn’t resumed office and taken harsh decisions. There would have been no country to call our own if Tinubu hadn’t emerged, but when people look at it from a distance, they don’t know what is going on.

 What do you mean by we wouldn’t have a country to call our own?

As I said, we all know the dynamics of the economy. The removal of the subsidy was done at the right time to save our economy. To continue to pay such a huge amount for subsidy was not something that was sustainable, and we all agreed. That Tinubu came on board and suspended the continuous funding of the subsidy was done in the interest of the future of this country; I believe this and many people testified to this. You can’t be spending such a huge amount on subsidy when other sectors are there that need the funds for development and without development in a country. Where does the country stand?

When people look at the situation from a distance, they don’t know what is going on, and it is the job of the media to paint the right picture of what is going on. Several people sponsor negative statistics, and of course, it is a global phenomenon, and we are all used to it. To tell you the truth, President Bola Tinubu is doing what none of the other candidates would have been able to do, and these are things we must be aware of and get it right. The major problem we are suffering from is the lack of patriotism.

 Why do you say so?

 Yes, it is a lack of patriotism. For instance, you are aware that we didn’t know the actual consumption of petroleum products in Nigeria before, but when the subsidy was removed, within the first two and three months, we were able to see the actual consumption, and it dropped, but after a short while, it went up again. Why was it so? We had been subsidising the fuel consumption of neighbouring African countries, which we suddenly became aware of because people smuggled petroleum products to neighbouring countries while the subsidy was paid for by the Nigerian government. When the subsidy was removed, we had clear pictures, but the secret I will tell you is that there is still a gap in the pricing.

Petrol is still cheaper in Nigeria than in these neighbouring countries because before, it was a thing that people were smuggling one or two trailer loads of petroleum products through the border, but after the removal of the subsidy, we have the big players now smuggling 200 trailer loads at a time. After loading 200 trailer loads and giving bribes worth millions of naira, they are allowed to pass through. But in a bid to realise what they had spent on bribes, they added to the cost of the products in those countries, thereby increasing their pump price.

How sure are you that this is happening?

This is a fact. You can quote me because it is the truth. It is just that people are unpatriotic; they do not care about the effect on the government or the generality of people. The government can take the right steps, but sabotage is the problem due to unpatriotism. So, if Nigerians can’t desist from a lack of patriotism and take control of their lives and destiny, it will be difficult for any government to make a change. In a nutshell, the administration is doing its very best, but what you will now ask me is, why don’t they mount the border more?

This is a democratic dispensation; this administration cannot create a secret police to check on all these issues. Lack of patriotism is our major problem. We do not believe that what we are doing affects the lives of everyone, but we are quick to blame the government. All the policies that this administration has innovated and implemented are the best. Without those policies, Nigeria’s economy would have crumbled in months, and I can tell you that the other candidates would not have had the guts to do so.

If you are now asking why people were suffering the time that he (Tinubu) took over the office and the fact that he announced it on his inauguration day, there is no better time to announce it than that day that he did because it was part of our campaign promise. And if you look at what has happened between then and now, funds have been released for palliative and others to alienate the sufferings of the people. I believe that Nigerians will be happier soon. Rest assured that you elected the best president in Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

But the immediate past administration, which was also your party, did not fulfill most of the promises made in 2015 until it was handed over in 2023. Don’t you think Nigerians may face a similar situation this time around?

I don’t think so. I don’t also blame the Nigerian people for being skeptical about the political class and leadership, but I don’t think this administration is geared to fail on any of its promises. Even from the way the administration kicked off, it was clear that we were ready for work. So from all indications, you should rest assured that the Tinubu-led administration will deliver on its promises. The administration has every reason to succeed, and as I said earlier, Nigerians will eventually be happy that they voted Tinubu into power because he has what it takes to take this country to that promised land. The people just have to be patient.

There are concerns that the funds released may end up in private pockets, as it has been recently reported about the alleged corruption involving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu. Are you not concerned about this?

 I am concerned; it was part of what I said that such things are a lack of patriotism. The administration is also concerned, and every Nigerian is concerned. A lot of people are not thinking like humans; it’s all about themselves. On the issue with the minister you talked about, I would prefer to wait until the investigation is concluded. However, I don’t think any issue of corruption can be swept under the rug by this administration because the President will frown on anything that will hinder the success of this government. After all, you can see that some people have already been suspended while the investigation is still ongoing. So, the administration is determined to fight everything that may affect its success.

Following the economic situation of the country, experts have continued to call on the President to reduce the cost of governance, but the Tinubu-led government has recorded the highest number of appointees in recent times. How do you think this would allow him to achieve success?

 I think the government has set up a structure that would help it succeed. I don’t think the number of appointees is the problem. The problem we have is caused by the people, and that is the lack of patriotism. I think it is a prudent way to say that if you cut down the number of appointees, it will free up more funds for governance, but that is not a smart move. If you don’t create wealth, what are you creating? Wealth creation is important in the process of developing a nation, and the government is aware of this. It is an important area that we shouldn’t continue to blame. So, the administration is focused on wealth creation, and that is why you are seeing a very robust administration.

But is the level of spending under this government not worrisome? One of which is the acquisition of N160m SUV vehicles by each lawmaker. Don’t you think this is wasteful spending that shouldn’t have been allowed considering the current economic realities in the country?

 Who makes the law? Is it not the lawmakers? I do not answer for them; they made the law and the appropriation. So, if they allocate to themselves funds higher than those of other sectors, I won’t be the one to explain. I know that the only difference between democracy and other forms of government is legislation, because if you have the military rule,. You will have the executive and the judiciary. Every other form of government has those arms except the legislature. So, the legislature is a practical form of democracy. I am not in a position to query what they appropriate to themselves. Do you know that some people even argued that we should reduce the number of legislatures; my question is, who will make the law for the reduction? Is it not the legislature? Are you saying they should make laws to reduce themselves? Is that going to be possible?

Of course, some have called for the legislature to be a part-time job. What do you make of it?

 Who will make the law? They have to make the law. The President cannot just mandate that they scrap the House of Representatives or Senate. So, how do you want to achieve that because it is the lawmakers who will also make the law for legislation to be a part-time job?

Amid the bloated list of appointees, there are concerns that the South-East has low representation in the president’s cabinet. How will you react to this?

The President has assured us that we will be adequately compensated, and we believe him. We know he will do as he has said.

Recently, the APC National Working Committee dissolved the executive committee in River State, a development that is seen in some quarters as controversial. What do you make of this?

 I read them on the pages of newspapers, like most Nigerians. It is not within my jurisdiction.

But the suspension of the state executives was said to have been instituted by the National Working Committee, and according to the suspended executives, your party’s constitution empowers only the National Executive Council to dissolve state executives and not the NWC. Is this decision by the NWC not against that provision?

The NWC acted based on the facts that were presented to it. In the last NEC meeting, the power of the NEC was given to the NWC to make a lot of decisions, and it was this power that they exercised.

Does that mean both the National Executive Council and the National Working Committee have the power to suspend state executives?

The power of NEC has been handed over to NWC. There was a resolution that the NWC could take decisions, and that is what has happened.

The suspended executive members in Rivers State said they were not informed before they were dissolved by the NWC. Don’t you think this is wrong?

 What they are saying is all politics.

It was stated that the suspension was meant to allow the former River State governor, Nyesom Wike, to take over the structure of the party. How true is that?

 I don’t know about that.

Do you think your party would be ready to welcome Wike into the party since he is now a cabinet member of the APC-led government?

The party is open to everybody, and anybody can join.

A former Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (North-West), Salihu Lukman, blamed the ruling APC government for the political crisis in Rivers State. What is your reaction to this?

You are just informing me; I don’t know about it.

There had been criticism of the intervention of President Tinubu on the River State matter, as some said the agreement reached was lopsided and in favour of Wike. What do you make of it?

 I don’t know what you mean about that. The President is the President of the country. Whatever decision or advice he gave must be what was presented to him. He is not from River State.

What do you make of your party’s performance in the South-East during the election? Do you see your party taking over the South-East in 2027?

My party is doing very well in the South-East. As it stands, we are still the most popular party in the region. We have two states in the South-East governed by the APC, the other three states are governed by the Peoples Democratic Party, the Labour Party, and the All Progressive Grand Alliance. With that alone, we (the APC) are still the most popular and biggest. Also, we have more people in the Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly. So, my party remains the best in the South-East. And because of the successes recorded by the two APC governors in the South-East before the election, most states were eager to key into the government at the centre. So, we expect that in any election cycle going forward, the APC will make more progress.

After the November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa State, supporters of your party’s governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, and his running mate, Joshua Maciver, accused the national leadership of the party of abandoning their flag bearers at the poll. How true is this allegation?

Honestly, I just heard it from you. I have not heard that before. The leadership of our party can’t abandon any candidate during an election. In our party, we work together as a family, and any of our candidates is one of us. I am very surprised to hear that they will say we abandoned him to his fate. It’s surprising. I know he is in court to reclaim his victory, and that is all I know.

With the current economic situation in the country, do you see the APC-led government solving the challenges facing the country before the next election?

I see the APC-led government achieving more success before the next election, and I see Nigerians voting for us massively in the next election. There is no doubt that there are challenges, but the President, Bola Tinubu, is up to the task, and we can all see what he has done so far. I strongly believe that we will achieve more success before the end of the next election.

It was reported that the PDP is planning a merger with the Labour Party and some others. Is the APC not worried about this development?

 We are not worried at all because we know that most of them cannot agree on who will be the president or the deputy. If they agree, it is also obvious that most of them will not agree with the process, and they will eventually abandon them and join us. So, it won’t work against us. It can only be to our advantage not disadvantage. We are not worried about the rumour.

 Are you saying your party will still defeat the PDP and others if they merge?

 We will win and trash them. We are not worried at all about their rumoured merger because we have a very good administration in place in APC. Our structure is the best and we are more organised. The leadership and membership of our party are well coordinated. So, we are not afraid of any other party. We have beaten them before, and will we continue to do so?

Does that mean you share the same ideology as the former National Chairman of your party, Ali Modu Sheriff, who said in 2021 that your party will govern Nigeria for 40 years?

You see, right now, the leader of the party is a core politician, and he knows the strategy. For instance, my party is establishing a progressive institute, and it was contained in the speech delivered by the current National Chairman at the New Year visit we paid to the president in Lagos. We have it in our plan to establish a progressive institute where democracy will be taught. So we are not making noise; we are entrenching democracy. Holding unto power is not by rigging; it is by action and ensuring that the right structure is in place and the right things are done. If he (Sheriff) said we would retain power for 40 years, yes, I can see how we can achieve that.

We are not achieving that by rigging and intimidation, and we are not achieving that because we are the government in power. Yes, we are the government in power, and we are using that opportunity and strategy to develop an enduring democratic structure with our progressive democratic institute. The government is working tirelessly to ensure that development is achieved because it is not just about being a government. When development is achieved, the people will be happy and that is the true democracy that the APC believes in. So, I agree with him that it is possible to retain power because we know what we are doing.

You mentioned that your party will not engage in intimidation, but there were concerns when some states with the opposition party as governor were sacked by courts and replaced with your party’s candidate. Your party was accused of using the judiciary against the opposition. What is your reaction to this?

 That is not correct. Our party and the President will use the judiciary against anyone, and as you are aware, the judiciary is independent. People will always talk against such institutions when it is not in their favour and that is what is going on. I have a lot of confidence in the judiciary, and I don’t have any reason to doubt the institution. So I don’t think my party can use the judiciary to any advantage because we have also lost some cases. For instance, in my federal constituency, it was clear that my town with a voting strength of 20,000 was excluded because of insecurity, but a candidate was declared the winner with a margin of about 3,000. So my party is not in control of the judiciary, and I have confidence in the institution.

Will you say you have the same confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission?

 I have no reason to doubt INEC. I believe in any system that is established by law. So I believe that INEC is doing the right job.

Recently, a former Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition, Chief Ayo Opadokun, said that INEC chairman and committee should not be appointed by the President but should be employed through applications by interested Nigerians. What do you make of that?

 There is no way it will be done that the people will not complain. The announcement must be by the president, and that is the way it is across the world. Remember, they go to the Senate for clearance when they are appointed. So, I don’t see anything different from what he (Opadokun) said.

Former President Obasanjo had a meeting with the Igbo leaders, and it was reported that the release of Nnamdi Kano was at the top of the discussion. Why do you think it is difficult to secure the release of Kano?

 First, the case is in court, and it is against the court process to speak about it.

With the economic and security situation, several people have lost hope. What is your advice to Nigerians, especially with the current economic and security challenges?

 They should be more patriotic and support the government to make Nigeria great again. With time, we all smile again.