…Says with Tinubu, new Nigeria will unfold
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Executive Director, Senator E.A. Lamai Foundation and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Richard Lamai, has said that the APC means well for the country.
Lamai also said that with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president of the country, a new Nigeria will unfold.
Speaking with Sunday Sun in Abuja, Lamai said that by completing projects started by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration and initiating new ones, APC has shown that it is not a self-serving entity and has been able to change the usual narrative of policy somersaults and saved the country from the brink of imminent collapse in 2015.
Among other issues, Lamai explained the idea behind the newly established Senator E.A. Lamai Foundation.
What necessitated the establishment of the Senator E.A. Lamai Foundation?
Our father, Senator Ekpemoriri Akhagbemhe Lamai, was a well-known humanitarian and nationalist during his lifetime. His foray into politics was a natural progression from his love for the improvement of his community, as evidenced by his numerous contributions. From adolescence, it was already clear that he stood for the upliftment of his fellow man and sought to defend and promote all issues relating to their wellbeing. He abhorred oppression and injustice and confronted any scenario or power that denigrated humans. From his well documented encounters with the then colonial authorities, his stewardship with Oba Akenzua in the movement for the creation of Midwest as Secretary General, his destiny was already visibly shaped. As a man who believed in compliance to lawful authority, but detested dehumanisation, this engagement could only be properly addressed via a political platform as it was in those days. Hence, he joined the Zikists to form the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) party. Today, in Nigeria, more than ever before, such ethos and leadership qualities are required to help stir the conscience of the citizens. It is for this, among other reasons, that our family established a foundation to support and mould selfless leaders who will stand for equity, justice and fairness in our collective quest to have a united and prosperous Nigeria.
What are those contributions your father can be remembered for?
There are quite a lot of them. Suffice to mention the petition he wrote against an overbearing British colonial District Officer (DO) that saw him recalled back to England and how he created an independent candidacy platform for the then Nigeria Ambassador to the United States of America when their party, NCNC denied him the House of Representatives ticket. My father’s independent candidate, Chief Jerome Udochi, went on to defeat the party’s unpopular candidate. This visionary stance is what Nigeria requires to have credible elections based on mass appeal and not imposition.
You had in the past tried to follow your father’s footsteps by contesting for legislative elections. Why didn’t you get it right?
Politics is a learning process, and you can only get better by being directly involved. Following my continuous involvement in the affairs of our community, I had been encouraged by the solidarity and support of my constituents who feel their interest will be best served by my pro-people ideology at the National Assembly. Though we are yet to have that opportunity, I am grateful for all the lessons my supporters and competitors have taught me. This has equipped me to be well positioned to serve the interests of my constituents and Nigeria at large if given the opportunity.
What is the idea behind your participation in politics, considering how people view politicians?
My late father lived a life of service to his community and country and I witnessed first-hand, what he was able to achieve for his people through the instrumentality of government and also as an ordinary citizen. A just society is founded on good laws that will positively impact on the people and what better way to serve the people than to ensure that you are part of the law-making process which can either better their lives or make it miserable. On how politicians are viewed, I would just say a few bad apples don’t spoil the whole bunch.
What, in your opinion, is the missing link between politicians of the first and second republics and contemporary politicians?
Every nation evolves. There has been remarkable improvement in self-determination and fundamental human rights, but we are yet to grasp human capital and natural resources management, which has resulted in a worrisome level of paucity of infrastructure and choking poverty.
How can Nigerians change the status quo?
The uninterrupted democracy since 1999 is a positive step in changing the status quo, and by strengthening our institutions and ensuring justice, equity, and fairness, Nigeria is on a sure path to greatness.
As a party man and ardent member of the APC, are you satisfied with your party’s achievements in the past eight years?
My party, the APC, means well for Nigeria and by completing projects started by the PDP administration and initiating new ones, it has shown it is not a self-serving entity and has been able to change the usual narrative of policy somersaults and saved this country from the brink of imminent collapse back in 2015. The party in its manifesto outlined their pathway for a better Nigeria and to a large extent, has performed creditably, but we must realise that Nigeria belongs to all of us and we all have a role to play in ensuring a better Nigeria.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, in the eyes of some Nigerians, will be an unpopular government. Don’t you think this will rob off on the country, particularly on the international scene?
On May 29, 2023, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be sworn in as the President of Nigeria. The elections may not have been perfect as no election is, but he got majority votes and I don’t understand how else you can determine popularity. Given the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s work experience in international blue chip corporation, a former senator vasted in law and policy formulation, combined with his successful eight years cutting edge executive administration modelling as governor of Lagos State, I am very positive that a new Nigeria where we will all prosper is about unfolding. I know he will appoint credible and competent people with capacity and hit the ground running. The international community will always identify with a country that works, and with Tinubu, Nigeria will once again be a destination for foreign direct investment in Africa, and our hope for prosperity will be renewed.
What relationship does Senator E.A. Lamai Foundation have with the National Assembly, as the guest list for the forthcoming memorial lecture has a host of current and retired Senators and honourable members confirming their participation?
Senator E. A Lamai was a senator in the first republic, and the National Assembly is his primary constituency. In his time, he had identified that for a society to thrive, they must have enabling laws that are people-oriented. Therefore, the foundation, in collaboration with civil society organizations and other non-governmental organizations, shall support the promotion of bills that will impact positively on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.