Preparations for the 2019 general election are well underway. In the light of the above, how would you assess the state of the nation?
The crisis in the nation is a matter of godlessness in the country. When you talk about no negotiations for unity; when there are absolute violence and hatred, we can refer to that as people being godless, unrighteous and selfish. Why do we have problems here and there, with people moving from one political party to another when they have disagreements, and people becoming political prostitutes? Such cannot be tolerated in this nation anymore. What the nation needs to do now is for everybody to be contented and think about what to do to make Nigeria better. Moves for reconciliation as it relates to the 2019 elections, should not be on party basis. We are tired of party bases. We should talk about the personality and integrity of the people, not party affiliations because political parties have lost their values. I wish them well in reconciliation. What we need is that each person must find it credible to negotiate for peace. Let’s see how it goes, but let me tell you, Nigerians are tired of political parties. What we are interested in now is personality and integrity of individuals for them to make sure that things go well in Nigeria.
The country is in a state of anarchy; people are suffering. President Muhammadu Buhari may be doing his best, but the people supporting his government must be sincere. Buhari may be innocent, but the people who are around him are bad; they have no vision for this country to be better. The party members have to caution themselves and allow peace to reign; they should think about the populace, and how to make life better for them, particularly during this period of Lent. We must intensify our prayers this Lenten season for peace and unity. Unfortunately and fortunately, the Ash Wednesday was the same day as Valentine’s Day, and that tells you that God wants His love to prevail in our relationship. Our relationships should not be carnal; it should be divine. People should turn from carnality and immorality to things that are spiritual. That Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day fell on the same day signified that we should repent of our sins. Let us have a new heart and spirit, and see how we can move together to make Nigeria great.
Nigeria’s past leaders, General Ibrahim Babangida and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as other elder statesmen, have advised President Muhammadu Buhari against seeking re-election in 2019. How would you react to these statements coming at this time in the nation’s political history?
This is the time we have to stop calculating what is no longer effective. All of them are already expired. What we need now is a new Nigeria with a new spirit and elders like them should be advisers and consultants. We need leaders, not rulers anymore. These people you have mentioned have already outlived their usefulness for Nigeria today. They should stop disturbing us. We don’t want military democracy anymore. What we want is the democracy; people with new hearts, and young at heart, who are ready to make Nigeria great; people who are not selfish in government because some youths are selfish. Look at France, Liberia and South Africa today. Nigerians must be ready to accept leaders and people with the heart of forgiveness, sacrifice and unity of purpose, not rulers with selfish intentions.
Whether they talk of resigning or not, Buhari’s resignation may not be the answer to the problem. The answer may be who will take over, that will not continue to make the same mistake. Anybody coming to take over must have a new spirit. We must look for somebody who has a new thing to offer. Whether Buhari resigns or not, all the elders should stay aside and be consultants, rather than cause confusion.
Your comments during the interdenominational funeral service for Dr Alex Ekwueme have generated mixed reactions from members of the public. Do you still stand by your comments rejecting colonies for grazing cattle in Igboland?
Why shouldn’t I maintain my stand? I stand by the view. I just returned from Abuja and people met me and told me what I said was right. We don’t want cattle colonies in the South-East. A cattle colony is another agenda aimed at Islamising Nigeria. Forget about what they said. Once anybody or state has the colony, they will continue to impregnate people and begin to expand. We don’t want that. I have stayed in the North and have never seen where cows are reared all over the place. Cattle rearing is a private business. As far as I am concerned, no governor in the South-East will or should accept any colony for any cattle rearer, because they have become dangerous and we don’t know what they might become tomorrow. They are suspicious and I said they are even worse than the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and I have also said they should be described as a terrorist group. Therefore, we cannot have the colony for terrorists; people that are dangerous, who have guns and other dangerous equipment for killing and maiming our people, and who will make farming difficult. Very soon, farming will start. How can you have colonies, when you have farmers who are scared because of herdsmen? Something needs to be done by the government and security agencies to make everywhere secured and restore confidence in those who are interested in agriculture. Agriculture is replacing the crude oil, and if we don’t adjust as expected, we are going nowhere. So, I stand by it. Whatever I said that day was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and I have no apology to tender to anybody.
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