By Dickson Okafor
Emeka Beke is the Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State. In this interview, the Ikwere- born maverick politician said the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has not properly resigned his membership of the APC, noting that even if he resigns properly, his exit won’t affect President Muhammadu Buhari’s chances in 2019.
It seems APC is in crisis considering recent comment credited to the leader of your party and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, that governors don’t have the right to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari for second term. What is your take on that and the resignation of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar from the party?
There is no political party that does not have issues but what is important is how the issues are resolved. On the comment by one of the leaders of our party, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu that President Muhammadu Buhari won’t be given automatic ticket should he desire to run for a second term in office, the comment is noted by leaders of APC. Tinubu is entitled to his opinion and he never said that his comment or view is the position of the party.
On Atiku’s resignation from the ruling party, the party has come out to say that it has not been formally informed by the former vice President through writing that he is no longer a member of APC. Until that is done, Atiku’s resignation remains a rumour. But even if Atiku resigns properly, his exit won’t stop Buhari from staying in office beyond 2019. Except Buhari decides not to run, nobody will stop the President from continuing beyond 2019. But I want to assure you that there is no crisis in APC and if in future there is one, we will be able to resolve it amicably.
The NEC of your party recently passed a vote of confidence on Buhari; do you think it was necessary?
It’s just two and half years APC took over power and recently the World Bank report confirmed that Nigeria’s economy is 10th in the world. The report also said Nigeria is now environment friendly to do business. There is a great improvement in agriculture as the nation now export yam. We no longer experience fuel scarcity as fuel subsidy scam of last administration has been extinguished from the system.
The fight against corruption is at its peak as corrupt people are fished out even those in government are exposed and sacked which has never happened in Nigeria before. Buhari is leading by example, showing us through his lifestyle that leadership positions are not avenue to amass our commonwealth. Buhari lives a moderate life, so his subordinates have no option but follow the footsteps of their principal. It is no longer business as usual. Yes, Mr. President may be slow but he is gradually fixing the disconnection in the system. These were the reasons The NEC of my party saw that made it passed vote of confidence on President Buhari.
You mentioned that corrupt people have been exposed and sacked by Buhari but why haven’t any corrupt person been prosecuted?
The sacking of the former Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and the former Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo, is a sign that there is no sacred cow in the anti-graft war. As I speak with you, these men and others are facing prosecution. Today, it is clear to all Nigerians and the international community that Buhari is not corrupt and this is why people repose their confidence in him. There is nowhere in the world that there is no corruption but a system is put in place to check and bring to book corrupt people. No doubt corruption is fighting back but this government is working to ensure that before 2019 corruption attempts will be tracked. Don’t forget that judiciary is part of the problem in the fight against corruption because most of these corrupt judges are bribed to either delay judgment or to pervert justice.
Is there any sign that Rivers people have accepted APC?
The people of South-South are beginning to align with the APC- led federal government because we will be like fish out of water if we don’t align with the government at the centre. The railway project from the south west is coming to South South under the Ministry of Transportation and industrial park also coming to South South. Recently, approval was given for the commencement of Maritime University in the south south. So, with all these laudable projects in the zone, Rivers people and the entire South South have no reason not to support the APC -led government. In 2019, the people of South South will vote en mass for APC; not about party now but because the people of Rivers State are tired of PDP and the leadership style of Governor Nyesom Wike. Rivers State cannot survive with monthly allocation alone; we need the presence of the federal government.
Are you eyeing the governorship in 2019?
I don’t have intension to run for the governorship of Rivers State in 2019. I am an Ikwere man and we believe in equity. My brother and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi was governor for eight years, he is from Ikwere and Governor Wike too is from Ikwere. I think Ikwere have had its fair share in the governance of Rivers State.
APC promised during its campaign in 2015 to restructure the country but it seems your party has reneged on the promise. What do you think?
You restructure when the people are on the same page. Are the campaigners of restructuring genuine? Or are they pushing for restructuring based on their selfish interest? As a party, APC is not against restructuring, but it must be done in such a way that the unity of the country will not be threatened.
Will South South support South-East to produce the next President in 2019 if Buhari decides not to seek re-election?
South East is our closest neighbour and you know that Ikwere people are regarded as Igbo. You know also that former President Goodluck Jonathan became President by circumstance. The position was not given to us but because of the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, Jonathan took over since he was the Vice president before the president’s demise. So, we were not allowed to do second term, but at the right time we will make the demand. All I can say is that South South and South East are brothers. If the entire nation says it’s time for South East to produce the President we will support it.