‘I wish INEC could restore fair, transparent electoral process’

What are your views on the present INEC and the 2011 elections?

I would rather keep my view of the present INEC to myself until the coast gets clearer. I would prefer work to be done and we can then make assessments based on the quality of work done or otherwise. But I will tell you what I expect INEC to do. Having cleared most legislative hurdles, and going by the support it is enjoying nationwide, it should get down to business and let its work speak for it. 

I expect the executive to release the fund requested to it quickly. I expect INEC to enforce obedience to regulations strictly both to the political parties and its staff. I expect INEC to break the jinx and give us a credible voter register that will form the foundation for reliable electoral data that will stand the test of time, long after it is gone. It cannot afford anything less considering the huge budget for voter register alone. We can afford that necessary sacrifice now, but cannot do that every time we are getting ready for elections. Let them do something that will be improved upon and updated as situation demands. More importantly, on a personal note, I wish this INEC to restore through fair and transparent process the beauty of politics that was once original to Anambra State.

How do you mean?

Of course, I mean that the best of politics in Nigeria’s history always had Anambrarians among the tops. The Great Zik was an asset in patience, speech and wisdom. Our Ikemba Nnewi was brilliant in the Army and has remained beautiful in politics. The late Chuba Okadigbo was very colourful, just to mention a few. And you know what, they are all Anambrarians. We are proud of them and will remain proud of them including so many others too numerous to mention here. Through a credible election, my people will prove to Nigerians that they are not centre of electoral war, but indeed real lovers of genuine democracy. Mark you; there are no better lovers of democracy in this country than the Igbo, because of our republican history.

The denial of additional states in the South-east: what do you think can be done in the circumstance or should the region accept the situation?

Accept that situation! Certainly not. What I insist should be done is that the country as one should revive the conscience that made that recommendation a national priority without opposition in the aborted amendment of the last Senate. Remember, there is a national newspaper that has as its motto, “conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it”. 

 Let us suppress the politics of “we too deserve more states” and heal this long open wound for the South East. It will not hurt anybody at all. In fact, for enduring this pain and denial for that long, the South East should get two more states to make up the loss overtime. And I honestly pray that you the media should help us to deepen this message. 

 The Senate will soon start another constitutional amendment process, and I will devote all my energy to this pursuit. In fact, we all should do just that.