Nigeria is a maritime nation without a single vessel, says NAGAFF President

Chief Increase O. Uche, President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and Board Member of Governing Council, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria is an authority in freight forwarding and Maritime issues. He spoke with SUCCESS DAMIAN recently. Excerpt:

Let us get your view on the performance of the Maritime Sector in 2018

Well, it was not all that uhuru, 2018 has come and gone, but we thank God that we are alive today. Speaking from the perspective of the freight forwarder, an assessment of the Maritime industry as a whole, I will simply say that what we really experienced throughout last year was what I could term as uncompleted project. Because from the various sectors of the maritime industry, we witnessed a lot of initiatives that were not completely executed.

From the NIMASA that serves as the lead agency of the maritime industry, there were a lot of proposals, issues that have to do with fleet acquisition. You know Nigeria is a maritime nation that cannot boast of a single vessel. So they have been battling on how to re-establish a fleet. So this lack of vessel, there are so many areas we seem to be missing out in the shipping industry globally.

Now welfare of seafarers has been an issue, giving them sea time experience.

Looking again the cabotage act and the implementation of the cabotage law, still remain another area of concern to the extent that disbursement of CDFF Fund to assist local ship owners, to get back on track, as to develop the shipping sector, has remained uncompleted.

Then you look at NPA, throughout 2018 also what prominently dominated discussion was the issue of reviewing the Port Concession Agreement. Of course it is no more news how the terminals were concessioned, the so-called concession agreement, all the promises that were made before 2015 December, of enhancing shipping operations, the privatization of those terminals so that the port would be user friendly, Then getting the port to be competitive in the area of pricing, that is port cost which has to do with overhead cost of bringing cargo including the freight and then clearance charges, looking at the entire scenario you discover that instead of local shipping charges of clearing the cargo to be cheaper like before the port concession, we have not really achieved that.

All over Nigeria what we have are River ports, Apapa here is a River port, the same as Tin Can, we never had a deep seaport, the first one we proposed was in 2000, six years after the establishment of NAGAFF when Oba of Badagry was visited but right now that one is no longer feasible because Cotonou is already building one close to Badagry, the proposed area. Cargo landing in the port find it difficult leaving the port, so we have inventory building up at the port terminals, thereby causing congestion and delays that bring about demurrage and storage charges. The port is supposed to be a transit point.

If you look at Customs, we have seen from early 2000 to date there have been a kind of rearrangement of procedure, issues that subsist in the cargo clearance Procedure is still there particularly Customs Licensing Regulation, because of all the reforms Nigerian Customs procedure, the customs licensing administration still remains the same. Single window is still an issue. To the extent that we still discover smuggling through an approved border area, because if smuggling could be going on in such a place like seaports where a lot of securities are involved, there is a problem. I still term all these as uncompleted project in the maritime sector.

CRFFN, the reform benefit that freight forwarders gained from the reforms that started in 2003 to date was the establishment of the CRFFN. We believe with the current composition of that board, we have government appointees, elected members, we make sure all the 5 registered associations are fully represented in the council, it is an inclusive council. Within the first 82 days we made an indelible mark by the structure that is being put in place now, we hope that in the next 3,4,5 months now, that we cover a lot of grounds.

When you look at NAFDAC, it is another government agency, cargo clearance out of the port has to do with time, you need to go to Yaba, you stamp entry the first time, complete examination, you move to yaba again to do your second stamping. Though they have decided to build some office around here, but it is not working out well. A lot of issues that need to be trashed as it concerns NAFDAC operation, but SON is trying, they have gotten to a certain level.

Government should summon that political will to see that our ports are at a level to make the maritime industry competitive, port that require even the use of bigger vessels, big vessels that take up to 15,000 containers. No vessel that takes 15,000 to 20,000 containers can access those ports because of Drought.

When you look at the situation now, how would you compare it with what obtained during the time of Jonathan?

Looking at the time of Jonathan and this current period, it appears that the government seem not to understand the contributions of maritime industry to the development of the economy. What we are experiencing at the port today did not start today, it is a spillover of the wrong structuring of the port and poor port management.

The only government agency that is manned by professional is the Shippers Council and that is why they are doing well. So we need a reversal, let government go back to the drawing board there is no government that cannot get it right especially, if they want to use the Maritime industry for the diversification of the economy.

What have you done since coming on board of your administration to ensure professionalism in the business of freight forwarding sub sector?

I assumed office not even up to a year and half now, but I am an old crankshaft, I have been in the system and I very much understand the objective of establishing our association. We established an academy, Wharf Academy where we train our members. During my tenure I try to revive the academy, it is still on, again the radio programme we had before, the TV programme which was NAGAFF Cable Watch which was also moribund, we also revived it when I was still acting, when I was still deputy National President. Information service is part of the work we do as freight forwarders, we need to update our members, let them to know the current trends in carrying out their businesses as freight forwarders, because freight forwarding is an international business.

So since my tenure, we have been able to encourage that because these are the areas where the strength of the association lies. Human resource development, encouraging professionalism and the information dissemination, regular update of our members, belonging to some other networks, we are affiliated to Nigeria Economic Summit Group, we belong to NASIMA, then as member of CRFFN which is the regulatory body for freight forwarding in Nigeria, by that particular membership, we are equally member of FIATA, TIAKA, and others, So we have been doing a lot, holding regular meetings with our members through press releases, position papers. And again through our advocacy role, we have been making serious inputs in government policies, we criticize them constructively. 

We draw government attention to other issues, helping government agencies in organizing seminars, Shippers Council, Standard Organization of Nigeria, we go round the country to take part in sensitization and enlightenment of Nigerians.

For us if the government really understands the importance of the port sector, particularly the services of the freight forwarder, the freight forwarder serves as the economic nerve centre of the country, in fact what is actually impeding our progress is the fact that government is yet to acknowledge the critical role we perform, because generally and globally, the freight forwarder is referred to as the barometer for measuring the economic activities, from the manufacturing sector, to delivery of cargo to the market, to movement of raw material to the industries. Cargo movements nationally, locally, is the job of the freight forwarder.

How has the recent rehabilitation of roads around Apapa improve port operation?

We are still waiting because, the traffic gridlock is still there, instead of them maintaining one single lane as to where these articulated vehicles lined up on top of the bridge, it is now double, initially it was single lane, that was beginning occupied by the trailers, but even as the road repairs have gotten to an extent, because to me there are a lot of politics in this road repair, when they started, knowing fully well that the contractors behind it or financiers, Dangote, Flourmills and Nigeria Port Authority, NPA doesn’t operate fleet, but Dangote and Flourmill, they operate fleets, and even when the roads were still bad, and the issue of rehabilitating of the roads came up, then from the onset, there are dedicated lanes for Dangote and Flourmill vehicles there, they ply those routes unhindered. To other port users, it has been a serious problem that the haulage companies, the problem is still there, because the cost of moving cargo either 20 feet or 40 feet, to Ebuta Meta or Ladipo Market, ASPMDA, it is still the same, from N400,000, N600,000, N800,000 and above, it has not decreased, so for now we have not seen any change or improvement in the entire system.

Has government ploughed enough money back to the port, for its maintenance?

What government should be doing, like NPA, is semiautonomous, I don’t think they run a budget whereby the government move money and give NPA for their operation. Government is not supposed to again, plough money to the port because it has been concessioned, what they have now is private hands manning the terminals. NPA was collecting 7% surcharge on duty payable on imports, NIMASA is also semiautonomous, they equally generate revenue through the 3% charges on the gross registered tonnage of every vessel, so if all these agencies of government are already empowered, government don’t need to putting money apart from road construction which they said the ministry of power, works and housing because their operation is different from transport, the ministry that is in charge of construction  of roads should go ahead and construct roads, so it is not the duty of NPA to do roads.

2019: Election postponement has validated my prophecies, says Primate Ayodele

Act of prophecy is ordained by God and a prophet is known by the fulfilment of his prophecies. The announcement of the postponement of the 2019 Presidential and Assembly elections previously billed for Saturday, February 16, 2019 came to many Nigerians as a huge surprise. However to Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, Servant of the Most High God and Founder, INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church had earlier forecasted the postponement in his book, “Warnings to the Nations”. SUCCESS DAMIAN writes.

Servant of the Most High God and Founder, INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, has disclosed that the postponement of the Presidential and Governorship elections is in agreement with his prophecies.

Newworldnewsng gathered this in Lagos on Saturday.

Referring the public to page 51 of his book titled “Warnings to the Nations” (2018/2019 Edition) Ayodele also prophesied that there would be circulation of fake electoral materials nationwide.

While stating that his prophecies are ordained by God, Ayodele read the portion of the prophecy which states in part, “…I foresee that political gladiators will try to confuse the Independent National Electoral Commission. The election dates picked by the INEC will be debated because of the need for adjustments. I foresee that fake electoral material will be in circulation nationwide.”

He said the postponement is an indication that APC will fail.

Ayodele also referred to January, 2019 edition of City People, page 31, where he made it clear that the election looks uncertain even as he disclosed that many APC governors will lose their positions.

While stating that God is in support of Atiku, he added that Atiku should be grateful to Saraki who, he said, was making personal sacrifices to ensure Atiku’s emergence as president.

The servant of Most High God said he is scared about Lagos, “If APC wants to win Lagos they must take my advice, they must strategize, and that strategy is technical.”

Ayodele who disclosed that the people will fight security agencies if they involve themselves in the act of rigging stated that many catastrophes will befall APC in Ogun State, adding that APM will take Ogun State.

Ayodele said he is also scared about Ifeanyi Ubah’s Senatorial ambition, asserting that Ifeanyi Ubah should work with PDP if he wants to be governor of Anambra State.

In his words, Ayodele emphasized “PDP will shock Nigerians. Atiku will do better. God wants to support Atiku so that he will take the nation out of poverty, inflation. Any attempt to declare Buhari will lead to catastrophes, anarchy and serious unrest.”

Before the latest announcement of the postponement of the election Ayodele had last week called a Press briefing to speak on national issues.

Ayodele stated that President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) will be defeated in the presidential election.

He expressed fears that the ruling APC may retain power through rigging, saying that should that happen, he does not see Buhari completing his tenure. 

While noting that Nigeria will suffer for another four years should Buhari win, he expressed optimism that the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, will emerge next President of Nigeria if the Saturday’s election is free and fair.     

    

He said, "In this election PDP should follow APC bomber to bomber, else APC will rig it to continue in power.

          

"If it is free and fair, give it to Atiku, but APC wants to force their way. I see a change of government. If APC is defeated let them go. If Buhari wins I see him not completely his tenure. 

"They (APC) have failed. Nigerians will suffer another four years if Buhari wins. And if that happens, it is not real, it is stolen.

"There may be violence if care is not taking and I can see inconclusive elections in some places.” 

Incumbent President Buhari of the APC, and Atiku Abubakar, of the PDP and a former vice president, are the two major contenders out of several other candidates vying to become next Nigeria President at this Saturday's presidential election.

Enweruzo tackles El-Rufai over statement, urges Nigerians to vote for Atiku

Success Damian:

Dr. Victor Enweruzo, Lagos State Coordinator of Unit2Unit Initiative, a pro-Atiku/Obi campaign group, has tackled Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, the Kaduna State governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, over a recent statement credited to him to the effect that the Federal Government will deal with foreign observers who will be coming for the 2019 general elections.

Enweruzo, who spoke during a stakeholders’ meeting of his group on Saturday in Lagos, maintained that el-Rufai’s statement was a display of arrogance, saying such utterances were undiplomatic coming from a public official of a governor’s status and could provoke foreign nations against Nigeria.

He maintained that with such statement coming from el-Rufai, who he described as President Muhammadu Buhari’s close ally, if anything untoward would happen to any of the foreign observers during the elections, United States of America (USA) and other western nations would not take easy with Nigeria.

Enweruzo, who noted that US had already responded to el-Rufai’s statement, said, “The APC leaders should carry out their campaigns with wisdom and shun use of provocative words that tend to divide the nation. They should realise that after the elections, there will still be Nigeria and Nigerians to be ruled by whoever wins.”

He, however called on Nigerians to protect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and use it wisely by voting for Atiku Aubakar, who he said had good plans that would turn the nation around during his rule.

He also urged the electorate to shun the temptation of selling their votes, but should turn out en masse during the February 16 presidential election to enthrone Atiku and Peter Obi, his running mate, the pair who he said had all it would take to uplift the nation and make Nigerians live better life.

Atiku will defeat Buhari in grand style - Enweruzo

Dr Victor Enweruzo is the Lagos State Coordinator of Unit2Unit Initiative, a political pressure group canvassing votes for the Atiku/Obi presidential ticket. He spoke to SUCCESS DAMAIN on what the movement is doing to ensure the victory of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), among other issues. Excerpt:

What has your organisation, Unit2Unit Initiative been doing to ensure the victory of Atiku Abubakar in Lagos State?

We have done a lot by making sure that we get to the grassroots from local governments to wards, from zones to electoral units. We have been able to educate people on the need to keep their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), telling them how to handle the ballot papers, proper way to thumbprint so that their votes will not be voided. We have to work with the party, in this case, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the success of our principal. We also advise people on how to protect themselves during the elections, how they should comport themselves at polling stations as well as the act of self-defence.

Would you say that Atiku Abubakar stands a chance in Lagos State considering that long dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state?

The issue is that both Atiku and Obi will not only win in Lagos, but will do so in grand style. The margin will be very wide. Unit2Unit is making sure that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi will win in a scientific and unique way. They will win not only in Lagos, but also in other states where Unit2Unit is found. The Atiku/Obi ticket will win with a wide margin across the country. It will only be a pipe-dreamer that will think that because APC has dominated Lagos, it must win this time around.

Change is imminent in Lagos, the APClacks administrative abilities. The APC is selfish and self-centred. About 60 to 70 percent of non-indigenes no longer about APC, it is not issue of party, but character of the individuals. We do not want someone with memory loss or one who is not focused in control of Lagos.

Is Unit2Unit also working for the PDP governorship candidate, JImi Agbaje? If so, would you say he can defeat Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the APC candidate?

Jimi Agbaje has made several attempts. He was very close to winning in 2015. Many believe that he was rigged out. But, Lagosians are tired of one man who appoints and everybody votes. Lagosians are tired of APC leadership. We want to give the chance to Agbaje. We believe that he will not let Lagosians down. Lagos is very important to us, hence we want Agbaje to take over the Alausa seat of power this time around.

Would you say that Lagos really needs a liberation as Jimi Agbaje has been preaching in his campaigns?

It is obvious. Lagos needs to be liberated from the hands of one man. Lagos needs to be liberated from dictatorship. Lagosians needs true democracy. Agbaje is a dedicated democrat. He will not rule alone. Agbaje will be supported by Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, versatile politicians and the best team in terms of economic and business to make Lagos better.

The Ohanaeze, Middle Belt, Afenifere, and South South leaders recently endorsed the Atiku Abubakar presidency. What is your take on that?

I would have loved a situation where the whole South east will endorse Atiku. But, a lot of these people do not have PVCs, however, most people have seen that the APC leadership cannot deliver. They have seen what Atiku can do. So, everyone who has the interest of Nigeria at heart should come out en masse to vote for Atiku on February 16, not just endorsing him. They should use their positions to ensure that our votes are protected and that there will be no rigging. They should go to their town unions and tell their people what to do. 

PDP and other political leaders have been accusing the All Progressives Congress and the Federal Government of plotting to rig the elections. Would you say the allegations are real?

There may not be physical evidence. But, when people get information we act on it. Look at what is happening to the CJN. It is the duty of the PDP to get information. It is obvious tht the APC is not really campaigning. APC claims that they have already won and people believe that the APC-controlled Federal Government will not accept a loss. I call on the international bodies and countries like Unites States, France, European Union (EU), the United Nations, African Union (AU) and even the ECOWAS, to ensure that the choice and the will of the people are not threatened.

Why Nigerians Should Join Hands To Re-elect Buhari - Obi

Prince Goodluck Obi is the National Coordinator, Re-elect Buhari Movement (RBM) and the Convener, Centre for Civil Society and Justice (CCSJ). He spoke to SUCCESS DAMIAN on issues relating to the 2019 elections. Excerpt

Why is your group championing the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari?

President Muhammadu Buhari has been very important personality, his interest in anti-corruption fight, a personality you cannot try to influence. Going down history, nobody can say this is what he committed in respect of corruption.

One of the greatest men I have ever related with, the late Gani Fawehinmi, who was my mentor, recognesed and commended Buhari as an anti-corruption expert.

I did not wake up one day to start supporting Buhari. My support for him was based on conviction. As I speak to you, I am not an APC member and I am not ready to be one. I am a National Conscience Party (NCP) chieftain. I am the National Deputy Chairman for South East. My interest is only in Buhari. After Buhari, my loyalty goes to the party. It was through my closeness to the late Fawehinmi that I got to know Muhammadu Buhari.

A lot of people are in Buhari support groups. But, some of us have taken time to study him and decided to work for him for him to return and finish the good work he started during his first term. So, the interest of the Re-elect Buhari Movement (RBM) is in Buhari activities.

In 2003, Gani Fawehinmi contested election to be the president of Nigeria. Then, I contested for House of Representatives in Amuwo Odofin, Festac. Gani told me to pick a form, stressing that as vibrant young people like me should participate in the election. Thus, I became the party’s candidate. Out of candidates of 30 political parties, I came third despite the rigging in the riverine area of Iyape and Ward K in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government.

As I said earlier, I am not an APC. The defections in APC and PDP show that they are the same. Thus, our interest is in Buhari. Despite intimidations and criticisms, we have been standing firm like Rock of Gibraltar because we are fighting a just cause. Buhari is my man and I believe so many people want him back too.

What would you consider the major achievements of President Buhari that made you to be backing him?

President Buhari’s major agenda is based on economy, security and anti-corruption. The Boko Haram came up during the Peoples Democratic (PDP) rule. When he came on board, the Boko Haram had overrun the north east. In Borno for instance, the Boko Haram was in control of most of the local governments there. But now, through the effort of the Buhari’s administration, all the local governments in the north east have been taken over by the Nigerian government, What we now have of Boko Haram are pockets of influence. Those of us that are students of history know that once insurgency infiltrates a country, it does go easily. But, in Nigeria, it has been reduced to the barest minimum by the Buhari government. In UK a couple of weeks ago, there was an insurgency attack and several people died. In France, such attacks are still going on. In America, people can pick guns and shoot others. But, Buhari has been able to reduce it to the barest minimum.

In the area of the economy, the 16 years of PDP rule messed up the Nigerian economy to the extent that Nigeria went into economic recession. But, the Buhari government was able to bring Nigeria out of the economic quagmire.

When you come to anti-corruption crusade, through Buhari’s efforts, a lot of looted money has been recovered. He has been fair to everybody. When his closest friend, Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who has been with him in his ANPP days, was involved in corruption related matters, he was sacked. He believes that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. That is Buhari for you.

But, people had been accusing him of surrounding himself with corrupt people. What is your take on that?

Nigeria is a difficult country to rule. But, that should not make leader run away from the task of leadership. The people you mention now, to the best of my knowledge, may have one or two records with the EFCC. But, their relationship with Buhari has not stopped their case with the EFCC. Their cases are still going on. That is Buhari for you.

Nigeria is now regarded as the poverty headquarters of the world. How would you justify the claims of the APC government in the area of economy?

We know that before a good thing comes, there must be suffering. Remember that before this administration, the PDP was in power for 16 years. President Buhari cannot perform miracle within three and half years. I must tell you that before you get a pure gold, there must be a process and procedure for refinement. That is exactly what is going on in Nigeria. 

You are an Igbo chieftain, do you think that Igbo Presidency is realisable in 2023 through the APC as promised by President Buhari, when Babatunde Fashola, one of his ministers said it will come from South West?

That statement by Fashola was uncalled for and people were not happy over it. I believe that if Buhari is re-elected, the next president will come from South East as he has promised. That is why everyone has to team up to ensure that Buhari gets his second term.

Going by the strength of the two major political parties, PDP and APC, what are the strategies by the RBM to ensure that President Buhari is re-elected?

Our group has a powerful structure, an organogram. I am speaking as the National Coordinator of RBM in Nigeria. My colleague, Barrister Emmanuel Umohinyang, is the Convener of RBM. He is also the SSA to President of on Digital Service and Strategic Engagement. Besides these two positions, we also have national officers that represent the various interests, south-south, south east, south west and others. We have zonal coordinators for all the six geopolitical zones. We also have state coordinators in 36 states and Abuja. After the state coordinators, we have local government supervisors and ward overseers. So, you can see that RBM has structures in the 774 local governments in Nigeria and it cascades to the wards in the whole country.

In the zones, our leaders are there who will tell you about the states. If you go to the states, states would tell you about the local governments, if you go to the local governments, local government leaders there will tell you about the wards. So, with this type of structure, we are on ground everywhere in the country. We have grassroots spread. Our campaign is centred on the possession of the PVCs and how to use it well during voting. We have also been educating people on the achievements of President Buhari and why he  should be re-elected on the Saturday February 16 presidential election.

Nigerians are looking forward to a new nation - Aniebonam …Says APC’s body language shows there is a rigging plot

Dr Boniface Aniebonam is the National Chairman of All New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP). As the nation gets ready for this year’s general elections, he spoke to SUCCESS DAMIAN on his party’s preparation for the elections among other issues: Excerpt:

After over 20 years in the Maritime sector as the National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), you are now into politics. Why did you go into politics?

I have always been there. What I have just done is to move away from active involvement in the association activities as far as Maritime transport is concerned. But, I still remain the founder of NAGAFF. On politics, NNPP is the political arm of NAGAFF. This is time for politics and I am into active politics as the National Chairman of the party.

Why did you choose to form the NNPP instead of joining any of the established parties?

We did not register New Nigerian Peoples Party to support any other political party. NNPP is a registered political party. It has the same status as any other party in Nigeria, like the PDP, APC and the rest of them. As I always say, we are not in a hurry about anything. Power is not a small thing, unfortunately a lot of people depending on what they want, garbage in and garbage out, that is why birds of strange bedfellows flock together and that is the confusion.

You must have an ideology, be able to groom people that have the same mindset with you. We are not a new party. NNPP is of the same age with PDP. NNPP was founded in 2001.

As the elections are by the corner, how would you describe the strength of your party across the country?

Quietly, we are going. We have a lot of strength in the Northeast. That does not mean we are not in the South. We have contestants in places like Imo, Enugu states, we are Zamfara, Sokoto and all that. I think what people are looking at is where we are much stronger. There is no doubt that we have the capacity to win gubernatorial elections in some states. We are doing well in Bauchi and Gombe States also. So, we are growing from strength to strength. In politics, a lot is involved, especially financially.

In the Nigerian way, parties spend a lot to buy votes, bribe people, buy bags of rice, which they give to people. These are not what NNPP believe in. Such does not make sense. What makes sense is what you think you can do to improve upon the efforts of other administrations that have been in place. So, logistics becomes a major issue.

For example, if you are contesting the position of Nigerian president, you can see that campaigns are going on now. You can see some political parties like PDP and APC. The candidates visit two states in a day. That means you must have a private jet. Even talking to the media, the print and electronic media takes money. You have to move along with them so that people will know what is going on. All these involve a lot of finance. Then, have to open offices. You do know that INEC is no longer adding any value in terms of funds to the political parties. That is why you see those who may have stolen money behaving as if they have more knowledge. It is not so. But, the logistics aspect of it is funding.

Why are people talking about Atiku? He has the capacity. When you say you have capacity, it means you have financial capacity. It is not a tea party. But, you can still get up and say you want to contest for the position of the president of this country. May be you want to add something to your curriculum vitae. Nobody will stop you. What will it take to print thousands of posters? Indeed, I know I don’t have the capacity. If you want to play to the gallery, go ahead, that is the beauty of democracy.

You said NNPP is strong in the North. Apart from the North, what other areas like the South-South, South-East and Middle Belt, would you say your party has large followership?

We are in all the states of the federation. I told you we are doing well in Bauchi and we have the capacity to pick the governorship ticket there. In Gombe too, we have the capacity to pick some State Assemble seats, House of Representatives seats and Senate seats. In Imo State, we have the capacity, not necessarily to win the governorship. You see, Nigerians don’t want you to tell them the truth. That is why NNPP is different. Every Nigerian today is looking forward to a new nation where things are functioning, where things are done within the rule of law. That is how you build a new society.

Look at what is going on now, the avoidable constitutional crisis. The courts are shut down today (January 28), lawyers are no more there. What about Nigerians who are in prison, those who are awaiting trial, who would have gone for trial today to argue for their bail?

With what is happening now, would you say the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is actually ready to conduct a credible election?

I think we are distracting INEC. INEC is independent. But, with all these problems we are distracting them. They are human beings. That is the truth. You can see all the innuendos about INEC …These are nonsense. They are not adding value by virtue of what is happening. We are putting them into a tight corner. People obtain court injunctions on daily basis. This is happening when INEC is already printing materials. INEC has a master plan and you are distracting them.

How would you react to allegations from some Nigerian politicians that President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), are planning to rig the coming elections?

Their body language says it all. But, it may not really be. I recall he was former Head of State and he was toppled in a military coup and now that he has a second chance, would he allow you? Nobody considers that. He needs to protect myself. However, there should be equity and fairness to all. We should know that whatever we do today will have ripple effect tomorrow. 

The election seems to be centred on Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and President Buhari of APC. No one is talking about the younger presidential candidates. Do they stand a chance?

I have just given you analysis of what is involved. Nigerians have been made to be poor and you know what a poor man can resort to. You may wonder what I am saying. But, I am telling you the truth. A poor man will go for food to be alive before any other thing. That is the truth of the matter. These people, Atiku and Buhari, have financial back up. As a former vice president of the country, Atiku has the capacity. NNPP was formed in 2001. How old is APC that came up and amalgamated with parties and wrestled power from PDP? They have the logistics. People can go ahead and deceive themselves. I have also given you example that as the campaign is going on now, some of them can attend to two states in a day. Can you go by leg or motor from Lagos to Anambra? You have to fly so that in the next 45 minutes, you are in Anambra, finish up, lodge in a hotel. That is money. If you don’t have money, this is a capitalist country, you better shut up.

How sure is your presidential candidate in the 2019 election?

We had a presidential candidate. But, does he have the capacity to do it? Or as you are looking at me, do you think I don’t have the capacity to lead this country? I have.

What is the way forward as far as NNPP presidential vision is concerned?

We don’t have the capacity to contest the presidency of the country now. The young man who wanted to contest the presidential position of the country fulfilled the obligation of picking a nomination form, paid for it. Okay. To start with, you have to set up campaign offices throughout the federation. Do you have the capacity? If you don’t have, then you sit down. These are hard facts.

People are of the opinion that these parties that do not have the capacity should have come together just like other parties did to form APC...

(Cuts in): That we don’t have capacity today does not mean we may not have it tomorrow.

For this election?

No no no, we don’t have to do that. It is not a do-or-die affair. Our party don’t want to be polluted. I also want to tell you that NNPP is an offshoot of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF). This is a big organsation. Here (in Apapa), you have the headquarters of the association and the liaison office of the party. It is a family. We are moving on. Don’t forget that I am a logistics manager in the entry point to the nation, the economic routes that cut across state boundaries, sea ports, airports and land borders.

If you want to know also, some of NNPP members are found in other parties. We have identified what is our problem; that is finance. They know their root. They will come back at the appropriate time. You know, when there is a system collapse, tactics takes over.

Since they are in other parties, don’t you think they would have been polluted by the time they come back to NNPP?

No, they are children of God.

Sir, do you think there is any lacuna in our constitution that the president is exploiting in the suspension of the CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen?

You should know that no law is perfect. The only thing that is perfect is God. It is just probably the way some people look at power, the centre of attraction is Nigeria, and the Nigerian people. In politics you are positioning yourself for service to administer the constitution of the country, for the general welfare of the greater number, development of the states. But, the whole thing is turning to be another thing in Nigeria. So, we need a great leader who sees himself as a Nigerian, not as Hausa man or Igbo man.

In terms of market, Nigeria is large, and we have all it takes. Unfortunately, people are just dividing us based on their own interests. But, there is nothing that does not have an end. I would rather tell you that there is hope for Nigeria. Nobody should despair. There is nothing that does not have an end, and Nigeria will be greater for it.

What is your view on the issue of principles of Federal Character?

No law is perfect, all these issues of Federal Character and what is expected in line with the constitution, it is just the operators of the Act, which is human element problem. Things are not working well because the operators of the constitution are meddling with it for their own interests.

Many say the elections might not hold and that APC might not allow it to hold…

ICuts In): People can say anything, especially the online writers. Anybody can type anything and post online. I am optimistic that the elections will go smoothly. That is why I used the words ‘There is hope’. Whether we like it or not, all these propaganda cannot help us.

We need to be very objective. The only thing I can tell Mr. President is to understand that he is the father of the nation. We must apply the principle of equity. When laws have failed, apply service and equity. As it is now, the constitution has failed us. So, nobody is wrong; nobody is right as it is now. What do we do?

What does NNPP intend to do for Nigerians?

Is there anything one would say today that has not been said? The constitution has told you, the general welfare of the citizens of the country, and of course, protection of lives and properties. So, when you begin to see governors who do two kilometer road, people are clapping for him, does it make sense? Did he do that with his money? Or, somebody goes to a village and put two or three boreholes. He carried everybody to go there. What has he done when you are doing your responsibility? It doesn’t make sense to me. I keep telling people these things are not an issue.

Let me take Peter Obi for instance, the role he played in road construction and maintenance in Anambra State is an intangible thing people did not see. Anambra State in terms of performance in education has taken Number 1 from almost at the middle, because the whole schools are equipped with computers, libraries. He handed over schools to the missionaries. Discipline returned. This is the kind of thing that should be done. You do to rebuild a community, state or country.

If you go to Anambra State, it is the most connected state in Nigeria as far as road is concerned. Last Christmas I was in the village, I couldn’t believe it. All the roads, the villages and towns came closer. Asking me what would you do is like asking a father and mother, what to do to train your children properly; training them in good school where they will get qualitative education.

What do you think should be done to move Nigeria forward?

When you to talk about moving Nigeria forward, then we should be looking at the informal sector group. The informal sector is the engine of the economy, as opposed in what you see in the organised sector with their bogus data which confuse government in making trade policies. In other words, we should be looking at what do we should do to. Look at the Chinese and the rest of them, can’t we begin to think of improving the skills of Nigerians? First look at labour, do we have quality labour now? If we really want to search our conscience, we have to go back to technical education, where skills can be developed.

If I were to be a governor of a state for instance, I could go ahead and export labour, and that would mean I would invest on skilled labour, so that if Lagos or Enugu or any other state wants labour, they come to Anambra and take the labour and I would earn a lot of money. So, people need to think.

Then on issue of loans, how much does it cost you to get a loan in Nigeria? About 27 % or thereabout. How can you encourage a starter? So, we need to look at equity participation where banks can give you soft loans without collateral so that you can start something so that all these students coming out from school can start something.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo just endorsed a particular candidate. What is your take on that?

Yes, I am an Igbo man. But, remember that I am a chairman of a political party. I don’t really talk much on issues like this. We have Ohanaeze Ndigbo president, the Igbos agree on Ohanaeze. Whatever they say is the mindset of the greater number. But, there must be dissenting voices. That is the beauty of democracy. That is the way I look at it.

Politically, Ohanaeze is not playing the role they should play. I have been trying to get across that president of Ohanaeze to pass certain information to him. I am in position at the gateway of Nigerian economy and I know what is happening. Things are going wrong. Igbos are losing their investments, and those thing are very dangerous. I want to Ohanaeze rather than these things they are getting involved, that is alright, but there are what people expect them to do.

What is your advice to Nigerians as the elections approach? Again, some sections of the country are asking their people to boycott the elections. How would you react to this?

I don’t believe this thing you are saying. Most Nigerians are agog. Many have begun to see that their votes count. There is no need to stay at home because when you sit at me, decisions will be taken, that means voting will be carried out, counted and they will take over. The best thing now is to go and vote, protect your vote, finish. And I think that message is going down well.