Chief Francis Okafor, an octogenarian from Umunya in Anambra State but born in Ilorin, Kwara State, is a staunch member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in state. In this encounter with BIOLA AZEEZ, he talks about his experience, challenges and other issues.
What do you expect of politicians in this period of COVID-19 lockdown?
This is no doubt a critical time in the history of our country and the world at large.
As we are all aware, well-meaning Nigerians have donated a lot of money to help fight this virus. All these monies should be spent on upgrading our health infrastructure to the highest level in order to contain the virus and other related issues of community health. On palliatives, government, through the organ of the party, should take up the responsibility of sharing. The party will definitely share the palliatives equitably and make things go round to the right people. This will enhance the fortunes of party in future elections. We thank President Muhammad Buhari on the way he sent palliatives to states that are worst hit by the pandemic. My honest opinion is that all tricycles, motorcycles and vehicle seized during the lockdown period should be returned to their owners without imposing any fine on them as they have suffered during the long period these items have been with the police.
What do you think of the ruling APC in the state?
Without mincing words, it is not well in the state as the governor and the party leaders are not on the same page. Those political veterans like Iyiola Oyedepo, Rex Olawoye, Professor Abdulraheem Oba, Dr Amuda Aluko and others who struggled and fought for ‘o to ge’ in the state do not know those appointed as commissioners in their very local government areas. This is affecting the party from the state to the ward level. This is a wake-up call as the people are watching. During the administration of Governor Mohammed Lawal, Governor Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Igbo were appointed as special assistants. But now, the marginalisation is obvious as no Igbo and the South-South people have been so appointed.
What do you think of the present party structure?
During the days of the defunct the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), the chairman of the party was the leader of the party, while the elected president, governors, senators and others took their seats as members. There was party supremacy, which made the party to exercise its powers and ensured internal democracy. All appointments made from the North were from Alhaji Shetima, Alhaji Ali Monguno; the deputy national chairman from the South was Chief Lulu Biggs, while the deputy national chairman from the West was Chief Ayo Ogunlade. This ensured equal distribution of appointments throughout the federation. The present party structure has caused our party a lot of problems, thereby losing some states like Zamfara and Bayelsa to the opposition. It creates room for unnecessary court cases as internal democracy was not in place.
There are agitations across the country over the presidency in 2023. What do you think should be the main criteria that should determine who leads Nigeria in the next political dispensation?
As you know, the COVID-19 has destroyed the world economy along with ours. So, we need an experienced, detribalised leader with vision who will put our nation back on track. Given our party’s formula and arrangements, the next president should come from the South-West. The only leader whose vision is very clear for our country is a former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed. He is our leader who patiently built the APC and he really understands the workings of politics. He is highly detribalised and he has built bridges across the country. As leader, he has never interfered in the affairs of the party with the national chairman, Adams Oshiomole. We all remember the road map he laid in Lagos that has made the state the only self-sufficient one. With a leader like him, coupled with his versatility, I believe he will lay a better blueprint at turning around our economic fortunes, not dependent on oil alone. At 68, we thank God for his life and the time is now for him to take the leadership of the country. He should not refuse us.
I also want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Kwara State APC chairman, Bashir Bolarinwa, who nurtured and built the party in the state. He has done so much in reconciling all the aspirants in the last general election in the state. Under his leadership, the unification and coming together of all and sundry was very unique. We are also very appreciative of the efforts of the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, whose contribution to the state cannot be quantified. He has played a major role in helping out at many difficult times. At this period of Ramadan, may Almighty Allah continue to guide and protect our country and state from the coronavirus pandemic.
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