Senate Leader Lacks Moral Authority to Complain of Flawed System
Col. Paul Edor Obi (Rtd) is the Board Chairman of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in this interview with he speaks on the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries and the tension around the country ahead of 2015 general elections. Ex
There appears to be complaints in certain quarters in Cross River State, specifically, the Central Senatorial District, what is your take on the recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries?
There have always been complaints in the past after primaries not only in the Central Senatorial, but across the country and in all the parties. The irony of the present complains from the Central Senatorial District is that the very beneficiary of a seeming imperfect system is the one that is crying the loudest. The motive is all about the self and the individual and not the state or the party. My advice is that those that live in glass houses should not throw stones. They should learn to see the big picture, accept the situation and move on, otherwise, they will be called to apologise to the people for having emerged through a flawed system themselves and risen to where they are today.
Were you in anyway angling or supporting change of batton and leadership in who takes over the senate seat in the central, are you comfortable that Owan Enoh will now represent the zone?
I have always believed in the principle of equity and fairness and the need for equal opportunities for all our people. To that extent, I very much support the emergence of Hon. Owan Enoh as Central Senatorial Zone candidate and by God’s grace the next Senator from the zone. This has been demonstrated by the way the people voted at the just concluded primaries. The lesson from this exercise is that, you do not take the people for granted and must stay connected with the people who elected you all the time.
The winner of the PDP senate primaries, Owan Enoh, from all indications had an overwhelming support, what is your understanding of the trend of things and what let to this landslide victory?
Owan Enoh is humble, connected to the people and available to serve his people and not just himself. He consulted widely and is a team player. If he continues in the same manner, he will always make us proud. That explains the overwhelming victory.
Do you share the Senate Leader’s complaints alleging a flawed process against him?
The Senate Leader should eat his words, as he himself emerged through the same process and has been there in the Senate for three terms of twelve years. He lacks the moral authority to complain of a flawed system as he is a product and beneficiary. It makes it more difficult when he is not only complaining of the system, but for himself. This is self-seeking and will not receive any sympathy as it is all about self. He should cast his mind back to how he emerged in the first place.
You supported the governorship of the state to be zoned to the northern senatorial district, we now have Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade as the gubernatorial candidate, are you satisfied?
I am an advocate of zoning because of its fairness and equity. I know Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade personally and believe that at this time in our state and the dwindling oil resource, we would not have had a better choice. Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade has an international track record, and also has a patented technology for environmental remediation, which has been used by most of the IOCs to clean up the environment.. He has contributed significantly to the development of the country, as he is an employer of labour and a big entrepreneur with big ideas. He is also focused. Cross River State is blessed at this point to have him and call on all of us to rally round him and move the state forward.
Given the poor condition of roads and lack of federal presence in Cross River State, do you think the people will support PDP at the presidential race?
It is incorrect to say that there is lack of federal presence in Cross River State, as the dredging of the Calabar Channel has since commenced amongst other projects that has been done in the state. On Monday, 8 December, the President announced the take-off of the $250M Gas Project in Calabar. As Oliver Twist, we can always ask for more from the Federal Government. It will make more sense for our people to support the PDP in the presidential race, as this will go a long way to benefit us more. We should not forget that the President, Goodluck Jonathan is a son of the soil who has done well so far and that charity begins at home.
What is your take on the signposts of violence ahead of the 2015 general elections given the threats from both PDP and All Progressive Congress (APC)?
This is not the first time in our political history when the polity is heated up before a major election. Moreover, it is part our political culture for tempers to heat up and that the skirmishes come and go. Our people should note, however, that it is the elites that heat up the polity that will flee the country at the sight of any crisis and so should not allow themselves to be used. It is important that we carry out our basic civil duties by voting for responsible leaders to lead us and not allow ourselves to be used and dumped.