2015: Let the electorate decide Jonathan’s fate — Ex-minister

In this interview with SEGUN OLATUNJI, a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Isola, bares his mind on the current political situation in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition and other sundry issues. Excerpts:Are you still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party?Well, there is a procedure for taking an exit from a political party. As I talk to you, I am still a member of the PDP. If and when I decide to leave, it would not be shrouded in secrecy. This is without prejudice to the fact that I am getting pressure from my constituency to consider other political parties. You know in contemporary times, all politics is local. Of what use is a political leader who cannot deliver the votes of his constituency to his party on election day?So, I am getting pressure from my constituency and other parties, especially the Labour Party. The consultation is still ongoing whilst a decision would be taken in a matter of days.Does that have anything to do with reports that most of your associates are now in LP?Like I said earlier, if I have cause to leave the PDP, it will be to public knowledge because there is a procedure you have to follow to join another party and that would be followed if I have to do that. A lot of my political associates are in LP and I cannot deny them.Do you see the recent merger of political parties as a threat to the PDP?This is democracy in action and after about 14 years of stable democracy in the country, you will expect politicians to exercise their democratic rights. There has never been a major movement out of the PDP at the national level. PDP has its challenges just like any other party, but time will tell whether the merger is a threat.How do you think we can ensure internal democracy among the different political parties during the forthcoming primaries?Internal democracy is necessary for the survival of our democracy. You’ll recall that in 1979 though Chief Obafemi  Awolowo had the opportunity to single handedly pick the Unity Party of Nigeria governorship candidate for Ogun State, he never did.He allowed 10 people from each senatorial district, because we had five senatorial districts then. About 50 people from across the length and breadth of Ogun State went into a house (the then Ogboye of Egba, Chief Kuti’s house) and had a collegiate primary.That was internal democracy involving 50 leaders. There were four candidates, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, Chief Soji Odunjo, Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, and Chief Jonathan Odebiyi. The four of them are of blessed memories. The interesting aspect was the fact that at the first ballot, no winner clearly emerged.They had to do a re-run between the first two and it was then that Onabanjo clearly emerged as the UPN candidate for Ogun State.  That was 34 years ago. Imagine if the people of Ogun State then really voted based on internal democracy, what do you think should be happening 34 years after?  This internal democracy may be through consensus, collegiate or involve all card-carrying members of the party.How do you think the problem in Rivers State can be resolved?Amaechi is first and foremost a PDP governor and there is no how you can take on the leadership of your party publicly.These are the kind of problems we have in this democracy. If you have issues that run in conflict with your party, you better resolve them because nobody voted for only your person on election day. It was the party that was voted into office. Even when you have issues with your party leaders, it is not the opposition parties that would now take up your challenges with your party. It is a very strange thing and that is why this crisis has been elevated to an unnecessary level.So, let him re-trace his steps; let him go back to the party, sit down and have it treated like a family affair. He has to appreciate the fact that his position is transient. Those shouting hosanna today would shout crucify him tomorrow. One does not expect that Governor Amaechi who went through the rigours of the democratic process to emerge as governor would not appreciate the need to respect constituted authority. As he expects other people to respect him, he should also respect others.The fact that you are the governor of a state does not make you more important and above everybody because the state is more important than the governor. So, he should re-trace his steps and make up with the party leadership. I heard absurd things that the governor is taking on the Presidency. That is a huge joke.How many council chairmen can take on a governor?If a governor should take on the President, it is the people of the state that would be at the receiving end. I am not aware of how much the Presidency requires from a state in the federation but I am aware that states require a lot from that Presidency. He should know that his position is being held in trust for the people of Rivers State. It is not about his person, it is about the people of the state. Nigeria Governors Forum is not even a constitutional creation, neither was it created through an Act of the National Assembly. Why should the fight for the leadership of the governors forum now make the relationship between a state and the Federal Government go sour? To me, he has not handled the situation very well and he should just re-trace his steps.What do you think the Rivers crisis portends for the country as a whole?What it means is that Governor Amaechi is a PDP governor, the party took a position and that is his party. Of course, the President is the leader of his party, so, within that context it should have been a family affair. You see that the people who have taken up his challenge are largely people in the opposition.You know the game in Nigeria; this opposition could not be people that are wishing him well. So, he should know that what it portends is unnecessary over-heating the polity. How can a governor that has the mandate of one state take on the President who is the leader of his party publicly?  If there are issues, there are always very good channels of resolving matters. But when you take an issue that is internal to public domain, it is unnecessary.Do you subscribe to the belief in some quarters that the President has marginalised the South-West in terms of appointments?The President has explained that the challenge that we have in the South-West has to do with the position of the speaker. The position of the Speaker by federal arrangement is supposed to come to the South-West and there is a national caucus where most of these things are being discussed and the South-West does not have a representative.I really sympathise with the people who sacrificed the speakership on account of partisanship over geo-political interests. We shouldn’t have given away that position of the speaker.  In terms of ministerial appointments, I believe that we have our people in government.  In terms of other appointments, there are issues and the President has promised to appraise and address accordingly.Why do you think President Jonathan should contest for a second term, given the barrage of criticisms that his administration has received in recent times from the opposition?The issue at stake now is not the barrage of criticisms. The issue is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If he is not barred by the constitution, he has every right to contest. It is only if that contest is against the law of the land that it becomes an issue. People in the Presidency have said that we should not be speculative. The court has also affirmed his constitutional rights to contest.However, the President has consistently maintained that his present preoccupation is good governance and service delivery. By 2014, he would have to decide whether to re-contest or not. If he is re-contesting, there is a procedure, from party nominations to the general elections. The Nigerian electorate would be the ultimate decider.Are you interested in the governorship race?As a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a declaration of interest could take place in 2014. Having served as a minister, I will not declare interest whatsoever two years into a mandate still being held by the incumbent governor. I will continue to contribute my quota to my state through my “Truth is bitter” releases to alert the state government to its responsibilities to the people. The issue is that, at the appropriate time for politicking, I will have to decide whether to run or not.