MY GOOD WORKS ARE SPEAKING FOR ME
The present democratic dispensation dates back to 1999 when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was elected to lead the country. The elections of 2023 represents the 7th election cycle in the current democratic dispensation. Compared to many countries, our democracy can be described as young and fragile. However, after two decades of uninterrupted democracy, we can claim that the culture of democratic elections has come to stay. Over these years, Inter – Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has silently been playing a unique, important and selfless role in deepening our democratic culture. In playing this noble role, IPAC cuts the image of a loving mother who diligently and effortlessly watches over her child to ensure the child does not slip or fall. That is the patriotic role your noble organisation has been playing for our democracy for several years now, without a the deserved appreciation. In fact, If any group deserves to be rightly described as the Guardian Angel of our democracy, it must be the Inter Party Adivisory Council of Nigeria. Thus, I would start my paper by sincerely commending you for this, and urge you not to relent, but to keep the flag flying.
I am here, therefore, primarily to honour IPAC for what it stands for, the ideals behind its formation and its resilience in the face of daunting challenges. I appreciate IPAC for your patriotism and unwavering belief in our blessed nation, NIGERIA.
Secondly, I am here because I am personally excited about the subject matter of this summit, to wit: POLITICAL PARTIES, ELECTIONS AND CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY: EMERGING ISSUES AND NEEDED INTERVENTIONS. Going by this subject matter, it is obvious that only an organisation genuinely driven by patriotism can come up with such a confidence – building subject matter on the eve of the 2023 general elections. Ostensibly, this summit is targeted at ensuring the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections which most Nigerians will be happy with.
Again, I commend your fervent patriotic zeal which inspired this summit. Indeed, in an environment where people struggle for personal aggrandisement; in a culture where people are governed more by selfishness rather than selflessness, it is refreshing to find such a group that is primarily primed to campaign for the sustenance of our democracy, even when the members are not direct beneficiaries. I doff my hat not only for the leaders and members of IPAC, but also for the compatriots who created this organisation. It is my sincere wish that our country and the political space will be blessed by many more people who share your principles.
Let me reiterate that I am pleased to know that this particular summit organized on the eve of the 2023 general elections is aimed at getting members to commit “to free, fair, credible and all inclusive elections”. This is very laudable if only all of us would walk the talk in this regard. I say this because “actions prove who someone is, works only prove what they want to be”.
In my opinion, the theme of this summit serves as a clarion call on all political stakeholders and institutions involved in the conduct of the election to commit themselves to a credible election next year. We need to collectively intervene to achieve the kind of credible elections that will further deepen our democracy.
In this respect, I should say that in order to achieve the elections we desire, there are some critical variables we need to interrogate clinically because these are the variables whose dynamics could affect the success or otherwise of the elections in 2023. This includes three most important factors outside the people themselves. They are: The Political leadership of the country, The Security Agencies and The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). These three factors are key to the success of the elections. Let me now dwell briefly on each of these factors:
THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
There’s a widely accepted notion that a country can not claim to be truly democratic until her citizens are able to choose their leaders through a free and fair election. And for an election to be free and fair, certain civil liberties, such as the freedoms of speech, association and assembly, are required. Thus, the political leadership has a critical role to play in ensuring that elections are free and fair. This will include the President, Governors, National and State Legislators, Council Chairmen and Councillors, and, of course, the leadership of Political Parties.
Without the shadow of a doubt, the actions or inactions of these leaders will have a direct impact on the success or failure of the forthcoming general elections. What they say or fail to say in the electioneering campaigns, during and after the elections, will go a long way in determining the success or failure of the elections. The unfortunate events that occurred after the 2020 general elections in the USA have shown how powerful and dangerous inflammatory comments from political leaders can be, even in a country like USA with a long history of democracy. The world watched in disbelief and shock as the followers of one of the candidates in the 2020 presidential elections in USA turned violent in response to inflammatory comments by their candidate. Back home, it should be instructive that if our leaders make such inflammatory statements and present themselves as ethnic or religious warlords or bigots, who promote their sectional interests above national interests, they will simply be goading their followers to war and not elections. In like manner, if they concentrate on compromising the integrity of the electoral process instead of convincing the electorate to vote for them and their political parties, they will end up derailing the elections by their fraudulent actions. If they fail to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship, and refuse to accept the outcome of the elections, especially when they lose, they will ignite a post – election violence that could end up endangering our fragile democracy and even the country. So, we should insist that the political class should play to the rules, and should be reminded that the beauty of democracy is that it provides for periodic elections. This means that the losers of today can become the winners of tomorrow.
I must, however, admit that President Muhammadu Buhari has demonstrated an uncommon commitment to the ideals of democracy since he came to power. Recall that the President has superintended over one general election and scores of gubernatorial and legislative bye – elections across the country. In all these elections, the President, from both his pronouncements and body language, refused to interfere with the elections. In stead, he re-emphasised the directives that the elections must be free, fair, transparent and credible. Of recent, Nigerians hailed the conduct of the governorship elections in Edo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states. Out of these four contests, APC, the party at the centre, won only in one. The main opposition party, PDP, won in two (Edo and Ekiti), while APGA won in one (Anambra). What does this say about the President who is leader of APC?. No doubt this uncommon act of statesmanship by President Buhari is unprecedented.
More importantly, for the forthcoming elections, the President, has also openly committed himself to a free, fair and credible electoral process. At various times, the President has identified a credible election as one of the legacies he intends to bequeath to Nigerians. He has already demonstrated his commitment to this promise by endorsing the various reforms that would ensure the greater integrity and credibility of the 2023 elections. A case in point is the signing of the bill on electronic transmission of results by the Independent National Elections Commission. Thus, we all should join hands to appeal to all politicians, especially the leaders, to emulate this noble democratic culture of Mr. President so that we can have an unhindered credible elections next year.
THE SECURITY AGENCIES
We all know that our security personnel have a lot to do with the outcome of elections in the country. For instance, if they choose to be complacent, and allow thugs to hijack ballot boxes for the purpose of altering results, then your guess as to how the outcome will go is as good as mine. Similarly, if they collude with political parties or their candidates to compromise the sanctity or integrity of the exercise, you also know what will happen. In other words, an efficient, corrupt – free and patriotic security personnel can go a long way in ensuring that we have a free and transparent elections, whose results would also be judged as fair and credible. Therefore, it is to be expected that as the general elections beckon many Nigerians and election watchers will be concerned about how the security agencies will conduct themselves. I had a chance to discuss this matter with members of the top echelon of the Nigerian Police when they held a retreat in Owerri , my state capital, recently. From our discussions, I have no doubt that the Police is not just equal to the task ahead, they are aware and mindful of the concerns and expectations of Nigerians, as well as those of the international election observers. They are also aware of whatever new tricks our politicians could be up to, such as the new cancer known as vote buying.
THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC).
The role of INEC as an election umpire goes beyond just conducting the elections, but also includes the registration of political parties and eligible voters, as well as the monitoring of the finances and general activities of political parties, including campaigns. And the failure of INEC to rise to its responsibilities in any of these stages can undermine the credibility of the elections. Thus, INEC must be honest, transparent and fair in all its activities at various stages of the process. Above all, INEC should be free from any form of interference from any quarters. Let me ask? Do we have an impartial and truly “independent” election umpire that is not given to the shenanigans of the past? Can we have an INEC that is not susceptible to manipulation or intimidation from any quarter or groups or powers? These are the pertinent questions that ought to agitate our minds at this point
Happily, the current leadership of INEC has proven, beyond reasonable doubts, that it is both competent and credible and independent. The flashes of brilliance and patriotism from the leadership of INEC is quite comforting.
THE ROLE OF POLITICAL TOLERANCE IN THE CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY: THE IMO EXAMPLE.
Let me now go to the topic you assigned to me for discussion at this summit which is The Role of Political Tolerance in the Consolidation of Democracy: The Imo Example.
Political Tolerance has been identified as one of the key elements or principles of democracy. Others are citizen participation, equality, accountability, transparency, regular free and fair elections, economic freedom and control of the abuse of power. As a long-standing democrat, I had personally committed to these principles of this beautiful style of government which has been widely defined as “the government of the people, by the people and for the people”.
Democracy, as we know, demands the right to differ as well as the acceptance of such difference by all. It further demands respect for the plurality of opinions and allows for dialogue as the best means of conflict resolution.
Political tolerance, therefore, demands that we recognize and respect the basic rights and civil liberties of persons or groups whose viewpoints may differ from your own.
In a democracy, all citizens, especially political leaders, have a responsibility to practise political tolerance in their words and actions.
Democracy offers us the liberty to differ as well as the acceptance of such difference by all.
On the other hand, political intolerance is associated with a willingness to restrict the rights of persons or groups because they hold a differing viewpoint. Political intolerance has been widely described as a threat to democracy because it is a tool for discrimination which could be used to silence certain parts of the population because they hold opposing views or belong to a different political party.
By asking me to speak on the Imo example of political tolerance, you have invariably asked me to blow my trumpet. I note with gratitude that your letter of invitation states “in recognition of your impressive leadership style in opening the civic space for opposition political parties to campaign without hindrance, in Imo State is the reason for your undisputed choice among the governors in Nigeria to address this topic”.
To be honest, it is both a daunting task and an easy job. It is a daunting task because of the inherent danger of drawing attention to myself, which is something that I naturally loathe. On the other hand, it is easy because the strategy I have used in Imo to allow the opposition a free political space to vent their views is a sweet song I am eager to share with you. The strategy is simple: I allow my good works to speak for me. This way, I allow Imo people to be the judge. For instance, I allow the opposition to rant and indulge in their traditional act of diminishing the achievements of my administration. Then, I complete some people – oriented signature projects and commission them in the full glare of Imo people and Nigerians. Thereafter, I let the people judge who is telling the truth. This is why the titled of this paper is ; MY GOOD WORKS ARE SPEAKING FOR ME
As you are aware, some opposition figures openly threatened to make the state ungovernable for me, hence the contrived security crisis that was foisted on the state for some months. Here, again ,I .must commend President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies for thwarting the evil machinations of the opposition. It is instructive to note that the aim was to sufficiently distract me, to ensure that I did not have the time and resources to apply myself effectively to the job so that ultimately Imo people would brand me a failure. But, their plans failed woefully.
Yes indeed, because even at the height of that irritant manipulation, my administration remained focused on the implementation of our Prosperity Agenda anchored on Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery. The truth is that while the opposition has continued to flood the social media with falsehood and propaganda against my administration, I have remained tenaciously focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to Imo people, because I know that good works are the best way to silence the opposition.
To this end, I can proudly tell you that before I left Imo State for this summit, we had done more than 100 solid roads and still counting. This is in addition to the on – going construction of five kilometre road in each of the 27 local government areas of the state.
Worthy of special mention are the signature roads of Orlu – Owerri , Owerri-okigwe, Owerri – Umuahia and Orlu – Mgbee – Akokwa – Uga roads. These four major roads represent the economic artery of Imo State. Two of them, Owerri – Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe have been completed and commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari. Work is rapidly on – going in the other two and we hope to complete them before the end of next year.
The instructive thing is that all these four roads are “federal roads” which facilitate economic activities between Imo and surrounding states. Unfortunately, they have been abandoned for the past 20 years, thereby visiting untold hardship on our people. So we decided to do the roads to bring succor to our people. Today, associated economic activities are booming in the state and our people are overjoyed. So, the people are in a better position to judge.
Public taps in Owerri had been dry for over 15 years. We met them so on assumption of office. We swung into action immediately and resuscitated the Otamiri Water Scheme, which had been allowed to rot for many years. Today, potable public water has been restored in many parts of Owerri. Efforts are also in top gear to reactivate the Orlu and Okigwe water schemes . Soon residents there will begin to enjoy public water supply again. The beneficiaries of the restored public water supply will again be the better judges between the government and the opposition propaganda.
It is the same success story for Adapalm ,which was conceived as the largest oil palm plantation in West Africa. It was moribund for over 20 years. Through a private public partnership, my administration has now brought the company back to life. It now produces more than 100 tons of grade A palm oil, with plans at advanced stages to diversify into by- products. More than 600 workers who were laid – off have been called back to their duty posts, with the prospect of employing about 35,000 more workers when the company attains full productive capacity.
In the area of education, we are expanding the frontiers of learning. The construction of 305 model primary schools across the state is in progress while the rehabilitation of all secondary schools in the state has reached advanced stages. Under my watch, two new tertiary institutions have been established, namely the K. O Mbadiwe University in Ideato and the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in Ohaji. The Imo polytechnic has been successfully re – located from Ohaji to Omuma in a bid to give way to the new university at Ohaji. These strides in providing more tertiary institutions for our teeming population of education – thirsty youths, is in recognition of the fact that education is the biggest industry in the state and that our young ones need more opportunities to pursue their academic dreams. This also informed why we have made it a piont of duty to grant automatic scholarship to students who make exceptional grades in the West African Examination Council( WAEC). results. Again, the benefitting students will judge between my government and a senile opposition.
Currently, we are building 305 health centres in each of the 305 electoral wards in the state. The Imo State University Teaching Hospital, which was a ghost of itself when we took over government, has now been restored to life following the provision of modern equipment used for diagnosis and therapy. The College of Medicine was de- accredited for over 10 years has been re accredited. As a result, three sets of medical students numbering about 400 who could not graduate for over 11 years, have now graduated as medical doctors.
Our youth empowerment initiatives coupled with the state industrial policy have now created thousands of jobs for our people. The Imo Industrial Policy, which I launched recently, offers a clear road map on investment potentials in the state and also provides details of how all sectors of the state economy can grow following the rules of comparative economic advantage.
This is in addition to the Hope Green Revolution Initiative which I also launched a few weeks ago. This initiative is again aimed at exploring investment opportunities that present themselves through the global fight against climate change.
We are also blazing the trail in deploying digital economy for job creation. So far, Imo State is the only state that has established a Ministry of Digital Economy and e- Government. The ministry is currently training youths in digital skills with the aim of creating or providing over 10,000 jobs by early next year. We anticipate that in the coming years, we would have generated over 100,000 jobs for our youths through digital economy. As you know, we now live in the digital world and no serious government would want to be left out.
On assumption of office, we met a comatose civil service that had lost everything, including dignity and esteem. Knowing that human beings constitute the the bulk of investment a government can make, we quickly moved and repositioned the state civil service. We cleaned up the rancid rot called the State Secretariat and re -roofed the leaking roofs of the ten blocks in the Secretariat complex. We also rekindled the morale of staff by training and retraining of the workforce. We provided permanent secretaries with brand new vehicles and provided brand new buses to transport civil servants to and from work, free of costs. The payroll system, that was corruption personified, was cleaned up and automated. Civil servants now receive their salaries promptly, as and when due.
As I speak, there is a wild and sustained celebration going on in the state because I have just approved the backlog of promotion for civil servants. It will shock you to know that civil servants in the state have not been promoted in the last ten years. Last year, I paid them the 13th month salary, which has never happened before in the state. These civil servants will speak truth to opposition when they come with their falsehood and propaganda.
Indeed, in less than three years. we can boast of numerous achievements, that have impacted positively on the populace. They are simply too numerous to mention here due to lack of time. But, suffice it to say that we have been meeting our obligations as a government and that the infrastructural transformation in the state is there for people to see, and they are speaking for us against the opposition.
Indeed, I can beat my chest and proclaim that the widow in the village who has benefited from our free mobile clinic scheme knows the truth. The residents of parts of Chukwuma Nwoha road, Relief Market road and Lake Nwaebere road whose properties were saved by the construction of the roads and the balloon – driven drainage to checkmate flood, will speak for us. Equally, the transporters plying the state – of – the – art, dualized new Owerri – Orlu road and the Owerri – Okigwe road, will gladly align with my administration. So, our good works will continue to assail the opposition.
The several recognitions I have received from both international and national institutions on my administration’s achievements and my contributions to peaceful coexistence both in Imo State and Nigeria also speak volumes in my favour. These awards include the following:
1. a recent Award of Excellence by the World Bank States Fiscal, Transparency and Accountability Project ( SFTAS), given in recognition of my government’s strict adherence to accountable and transparent budgetary protocol.
2. United Nations Peace Award given in recognition of my contributions to promoting inter – ethnic peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, and (
3. An Award by Crime Reporters in Nigeria giving for restoring peace in Imo State. Yes, these awards and recognitions will also speak truth to the opposition
When a government has done very well as is our case in Imo State, do we need to be afraid of the opposition to the point of restricting the democratic space?. Of course, NO!. We have no reason to restrict anyone from talking. In Imo, we do not have need for that because our people are still with us and our performance is our Visa for re – election. Perhaps what may make some governments want to muscle the opposition is the fear that their failures could be exposed. It is only a non – performing government that can be afraid of what the opposition can say. Imo State is not one of those states.
However, the opposition will do well to focus on constructive criticism. Contriving insecurity and plotting day and night to make the state ungovernable, is not opposition but subversion, which is an offence under our statues. The opposition should not do anything to destroy a state or the country because the collective interest of a state or nation is always bigger and will always be bigger than the specific interests of a group or an individual. People and groups will come and go, but the state and country will remain.
So, the Imo example is encapsulated in my belief that the beauty of democracy lies in the free choice open to everyone no matter their political or religious inclinations. Infact, any attempt to breech such a choice is anti democratic and my administration would never subscribe to that just as we would not tolerate the desecration of democratic ethos or subversion, in the name of freedom of expression or association. While the Constitution guarantees both freedoms, I do know that the same constitution prohibits subversion or treason. So, the opposition must draw the line between constructive criticism and treason or subversion. Those who refuse to do so must know that they are willfully crossing the red line and must be ready to accept their fate for deliberately breaking the laws of the land.
I must confess that although I allow my good works to speak for me against the opposition, I also bring my God – given attributes of tolerance and resilience to bear. I believe this is where the subtitle of my topic comes handy.
By my nature I am a very tolerant and accommodating person. According to John Carmack, “tolerance is a fundamental character trait of great people and a part of the attitudes and practices of those we admire and respect. People without tolerance are diminished and poor”. Thus, I am slow to anger and I do not allow myself to be distracted through provocation. This explains why I have remained calm in spite of all the provocations and threats of the opposition to make Imo State ungovernable for me. Even when they took steps to incite a section of the public to embark on protests and violent criminality, I also remained calm. I was guided by the sporting principle that “you don’t kick a man when he is down”. So, I knew that the opposition elements were down and sulking from their defeat in the elections.
I remembered also the biblical story of two women claiming ownership of a child before the wise king Solomon. I remembered that while the fake mother wanted the child split into two and shared to her and the other woman, the real mother refused because she didn’t want her child to die. So it was clear to me that the opposition would rather see Imo State destroyed than accept their defeat. All they needed was to provoke me enough to join forces of thuggery with them so that Imo State could be burnt to ashes. But I resisted all the provocation and temptation because, as the Governor, it is in my interest that Imo State remains peaceful.
What I did, instead, was to approach President Buhari to provide more security personnel to quench the fire the opposition ignited in the state, through legitimate and lawful engagement. To the glory of God, the President granted my request. So, through the spirited intervention of security agencies peace was restored to Imo State as the security agencies naturally overwhelmed and flushed out the hoodlums. That is why we enjoy relative peace in Imo State today. That is why important and relevant institutions have been coming to Imo State of late to hold their annual conferences and retreats Such reputable institutions as the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police and the National Association of Accountants, have had their annual conferences or retreats in Owerri in the last three months. The conference of Catholic Bishops also held their annual conference in Orlu, Imo State, a few weeks ago. And just last week, the Nigerian Guild of Editors held their 2022, All Nigerian Editors Conference in Owerri also. By this weekend the prestigious annual Best of Nollywood Award, will be held in Owerri. So, for all intents and purposes, Imo is back to business. I invite you to come in your next outing and have a feel of our unbeatable hospitality industry so you will know why we are the hospitality capital of the South East.
But all thanks must go first to Almighty God who answered the fervent prayers of Imo people for peace to reign. And of course to President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies for standing firmly behind us in the face of mindless opposition and violent criminality.
Once again, I thank you for coming up with this refreshing initiative and for finding me worthy to speak on this all important topic. I want to personally give you my word that I will do all in my behest to ensure free, fair and credible elections in Imo State, come next year. As a democrat, I will also continue to demonstrate the exemplary tolerance of the opposition, within the limits of the law, so that Imo State will continue to be one of the leading political lights of the nation in political tolerance. I am sure nothing less is expected from me, not after you have described me in such glowing terms, as contained in your letter of invitation. May God bless the works of your hands.
Thank you all and God bless all of us
Long live IPAC
Long live Imo State
Long live the federal Republic of Nigeria
THIS IS A PAPER DELIVERED BY GOVERNOR HOPE UZODIMMA OF IMO STATE AT THE 2022 POLITICAL STAKEHOLDERS’ CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE INTER PARTY ADIVISORY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA(IPAC), HELD IN ABUJA ON NOVEMBER 29TH TO 30TH