Chief Modestus Umenzekwe is a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State. In this Interview with Southeast Bureau Chief NWANOSIKE ONU in his home town of Achina, Anambra State, the board member of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) explains why Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged victorious in the February 25 presidential election and what the President-elect needs to do to succeed
In your view, what is the way forward after the inauguration on May 29?
I must commend President Muhammadu Buhari for deepening our democracy. This is because he gave unfettered hand to the INEC to handle the election, even though ordinarily, he would have dictated the pace of the entire electoral process. Buhari despite certain criticisms against him and the party has shamed the nay-sayers by making sure that the election was held uninterrupted. Now, let me come to the question, I expect Nigerians to embrace peace, eschew violence, look forward to the future and be our brother’s keeper, so that the gains of this election and democracy will be properly consummated by all and sundry.
What’s your comment on the decision of the PDP and the LP to approach the court to challenge the APC victory?
They may have their reasons and it is their right to do so. People had been doing that in the past. Buhari himself challenged elections in this country up to the Supreme Court at different times. So, Peter Obi’s case and that of Atiku are no exception and no one should use it against them. But, I will also advise both of them to consider seriously the situation of the country. So, I will appeal to them to soft pedal and allow the process of swearing in the president-elect to go on. I’m not saying it because I am an APC member but because the peace and unity of the country are paramount. People may not like what I am saying, but God knows that I am happy for my brother, Obi (Okwute-Ndigbo) for what he has achieved. Why do I say so, it is because his participation as a candidate in the 2023 presidential election brought in a lot of changes in the electioneering process in this country. Every candidate was put on their toes; to the extent that no one could claim he would win any particular state; all of them campaigned vigorously, traversing all the states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) because no one wanted to be defeated. But, then, a winner must emerge whether we like it or not. Now that the winner has emerged, I want to borrow a word from former President Goodluck Jonathan, to advise anybody that lost to wait for God’s time. Unfortunately, we allow sentiments and emotions to becloud our sense of reasoning when approaching issues. That is why certain persons who do not understand that war is not a tea party go on making inflammatory statements to heat the polity.
What do you think of a situation where someone who came third is claiming that he is the winner?
I’m not INEC; I don’t have any figure saying authoritatively that he is right or wrong. The court must say so; luckily he has approached to decide. Such a thing happened in 1979 between Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Obafemi Awolowo which shook the country. It was managed and we had peace, and that is what we have been enjoying to date. So, the court has to decide who is right or wrong. Buhari had been accused of not campaigning or supporting the party’s candidate. This is because he said people should vote for a candidate of their choice. That was exactly what happened and the electorate made their choice. All these unnecessary tensions being created by some people are not necessary for the country. We don’t need it; we need peace and unity in Nigeria. The president-elect has started putting things together ahead of his inauguration on May 29 and Ndigbo are looking forward to getting some key positions like the Senate president or speakership,
Does the Southeast deserve such positions? The APC did not get much support in the region…
This question brings another angle to the election. I’ve said it before; I will not subscribe to anyone holding any section down because of what happened during the election. Ndigbo were highly emotional, not because they hated any tribe, but because it was the first time their son, picked a presidential ticket in a very long time. It was just like a woman looking for pregnancy for years, if she takes in, everybody will be interested in nurturing the pregnancy till delivery. But if it didn’t go well, they will come together to console her to brace up for the future. The way we see Asiwaju, he has a large heart; he is a good listener, a human developer and a seasoned political giant. In as much as I don’t know what the law says concerning the position, it will not be out of place for an Igbo man to ascend to any of such positions in the coming administration. Buhari himself did not get the support of the region in 2015 when they voted for Jonathan, but he gave the Southeast what the previous administrations could not give the Second Niger Bridge. That is maturity, that is magnanimity and that is governance. Therefore, I will be glad if Asiwaju toes the same line. After all, there are people in the Southeast who are ready to die for him; there are people who believe in his capacity, and who faced all manner of insults, intimidations and name-calling to canvass for support for APC in the Southeast, especially Anambra State.
In your view, why is the Southeast reluctant to embrace APC?
I disagree with you. I’m an Igbo man; I’ve never joined any other party in this state like numerous others. It is a matter of interest and that is the way I see it. I’ve never been a member of the PDP, the APGA or any other party. I was a member of the AD, the AC, the ACN and now the APC and there are many others like me in Igbo land. So, Ndigbo has embraced the APC but it is a matter of interest.
During the House of Assembly election, the APC did not get a single seat out of 30. What happened?
Well, to the best of my knowledge, the APC tried its best, but it didn’t favour them. The party won in Benue where nobody gave it a chance. It won in Imo State where the opposition was fierce and in many other states, including Ebonyi. Anambra’s case was peculiar, but watch out in the next election what will happen in Anambra; that’s the much I can say now.
What advice do you have for the President-elect?
First of all, I must say that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should be studied as an institution in politics. He is a master strategist; he has paid his dues in making sure that our democracy is deepened by putting his life on the line. He has built bridges across the six geo-political zones in the country. Now that God has given him the highest position in the land, let him stick to his agenda christened “Renewed Hope”; let him tackle the insecurity in the country, and let him recognize those who have worked hard for the APC and towards the opposition too, let him continue in his usual role as a father. His name “Jagaban and Asiwaju” must reflect in all his conduct. He has a broken shackle as his identity on his cap; this signifies “liberation” in all aspects of life. Let that shackle not be locked or sealed now that he is the president