In this interview with SUCCESS NWOGU, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Razak Atunwa, speaks on the inconclusive governorship election in Anambra State, proposed national conference and the New PDP

 In view of the much criticised Anambra State governorship election, what is your advice to the Prof. Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission?

It is disappointing that INEC could not conduct a conclusive election in one state. INEC did very well in the 2011 elections. Many of us hoped for improvement but, sadly, there is rather deterioration. My advice is that INEC should go back to the drawing board and ensure that all the modalities are there, so that Nigerians, who are anxious to witness free, fair and credible elections across the country, are satisfied, especially as we are approaching the 2015 general elections.

Does the lack of transparent and credible elections portend any danger to Nigeria's democracy?

Yes, it is extremely dangerous for our democratic existence, the reason being that the legitimacy of any government is at stake, if the election that brought it into power is faulty and can be faulted. It is extremely dangerous for the polity.

How do you see the continued recognition of the Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, as the Chairman of Nigeria Governors  Forum by the Presidency?

The fact is that the NGF conducted an election among its members, which the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, claimed that he won.  We also saw and watched the video that came out after the election. It is injurious for anyone to claim that Amaechi is not the properly elected chairman of the NGF. I should be disappointed if a contrary claim is made by the Presidency. Amaechi was validly elected.  If we continue along this line, it may reduce our politics to farce.  It started with the former Speaker of the Kogi House of Assembly, where 12 was said to be bigger than 13 to impeach the Speaker. Now, it has got to where they say 16 is more than 19. It is ridiculous, where Nigerians cannot rely on their leaders to follow simple processes and allow the due process to take its cause.

What is the current political situation in Kwara State?

The main factor is that we have continued to maintain a unique political structure, which is headed by Senator Bukola Saraki. It is a structure founded by the late Dr. Olusola Saraki and has survived till this day.  It is a misconception to say that Bukola 'inherited' the structure in a narrow sense. As a matter of fact, he emerged as a leader of Kwara politics by virtue of his overwhelming acceptability by the people. He inherited the structure, not as a son, but as any worthy successor would have.

What do you think will happen with the PDP in Kwara, given the factionalisation of the party, in which many politicians from the state are found in the New PDP led by Kawu Baraje and the overture of the All Progressives Congress to the PDP faction loyal to Bukola?

All is well in Kwara. The people of Kwara remain staunchly behind the leadership of Bukola Saraki. We believe in the cause he is fighting. He is simply agitating for an inclusiveness and internal democracy in the party. A party must have regard for the yearnings of its members and articulate the views of the masses. This is what we practise here in Kwara. The leadership considers opinions from all quarters and every level. Bukola regularly meets everyone from the ward level to district, to constituency, to the state level. That is the inclusiveness that he is agitating for at the centre and we whole-heartedly support him.

But recently, a former Minister for Sports, Isa Ibrahim Bio, was quoted to have said he could not follow Bukola, isn't that a blow to the structure?

Bio is a political lightweight in Kwara. All the offices he held were on account of the Sarakis. Bio should come off his proverbial high horse. It is his loss if he chooses to stop accepting the leadership of Bukola. He cannot make so much a dent to the structure.

How do you see the development?

The fact that he now turns round to (allegedly) peddle falsehood against Bukola, who supported and nurtured him to the peak of his political career, is surprising and unwise. Bio had been a commissioner, later he became a member of the House of Representatives in 1999. In 2003, he became the Speaker of the state House of Assembly. He was re-elected as Speaker in 2007. In December 2008, he became Minister for Transport and later Minister for Sports.  First, this shows that he has been a prime beneficiary of top political positions through the Sarakis. Secondly, it shows that Bukola stood by him. If Bukola didn't want him returned as Speaker, he would not have made it. Bukola nominated him to become minister and ensured that he got a 'Grade A' ministry. When the cabinet was dissolved in March 2007, he was one of the few, if not the only minister, who was returned to the federal cabinet. I was aware, as Bio was, that another name had been submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan from other quarters to replace Bio. But, Bukola stood by him and persuaded the President to reappoint him in April 2010. You will recall that at that time, the directive of the President was for the governors to submit three names out of which he would choose one. Bukola insisted that Bio was his sole nominee.  Seemingly, Bio has conveniently forgotten this very recent history.

As the 2015 general elections draw near, what is your advice to political parties and other stakeholders?

The first thing is for us to get the basic rights. We must follow the rule of law.  All political parties must have internal democracy. Then, parties must campaign on issues and not on personalities. They must focus on what matters to the masses. They should talk about issues of infrastructure, education, health, agriculture poverty and unemployment. These are the issues that matter to the populace. Thereafter, parties themselves must respect free and fair elections. It must be one man one vote, where each vote must count.

It appears that the scandal involving the Minister of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority is about being swept under the carpet.  Is this cheering?

I will be disappointed, if it is swept under the carpet. It is a serious matter, where a serving minister is being accused of impropriety.  The House of Representatives has wielded into the matter and is investigating it.  We are awaiting the report.  I am convinced that the representatives will not allow the matter to be swept under the carpet. The President should let the minister go. If a messenger becomes the news, then the message is lost.  She is now the news. She should go.  Without prejudice to the committee, if she is cleared, then she can always be reappointed. But for now, she seems to be the news and the aviation sector is a very sensitive one, where our safety and its operations must be of international best practices.  It appears not much attention is now being devoted to uplifting the standard of the nation's aviation. All we hear now is Oduahgate. For me, if it is true as it is being admitted that two cars were bought for $1.6m (N225m). It is mind-boggling that any minister in the Federal Republic of Nigeria should command such figures for cars. It is even further mind-boggling that a minister will seek to justify acquiring a car through an agency of the ministry.

Is the proposed national conference right and feasible now?

In concept, it is a welcome idea but it is ill-timed now. The concept may be fine but the timing is completely wrong. We are at the tail end of 2013. Before May 2015, there will be a general election. Therefore, we are moving towards electioneering period, where political parties will be locking horns in various capacities at various levels. I will rather advise the president not to embark on this national conference at this time when ideologies will be battling ideologies, pragmatism battling pragmatism at the state and federal levels. The best time for such a dialogue is at the beginning of any administration, there is a long time to prepare. To me, the president should forget about that idea for now. Instead of dissipating energies on national conference, issues of health, security, education and how the economy can grow should bother the President.  Rather than embark on national conference and engage in esoteric arguments, security issue ought to be handled, as it is being done by the President. There is the need for more concerted efforts to tackle the menace in those northern states that have been faced with wanton killings and reckless disregard for lives and property.