Obi would’ve handled subsidy matter better-Dr. Mani, ADC BOT Chairman
Dr. Ibrahim Mani, ADC BOT Chairman
Interview by Cyril Mbah
Fuel subsidy removal:
Many opposition political parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) went into last minute alliances with stronger parties just before the 2023 general elections for several reasons which included to enhance their performance at the state and federal levels, strengthen fragile electoral fortunes to remain relevant within the political theater. It is doubtful however whether the targeted objectives planned by the parties in alliance were attained especially as the outcome of the presidential election shocked many political actors and strategists apart from dimming the hope of the public in the ability of the electoral process to usher in good governance. It also greatly eroded public confidence in the neutrality of the election empire.
The Chairman Board of Trustees of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji [Dr.] Ibrahim Ahmed Mani dissected the problems which have beset the nation’s electoral process over the years and stated that credible elections are possible in Nigeria when the electoral umpire and politicians do the right things. In this interview with Cyril Mbah in Abuja, Dr. Mani also recommended strategies that should be adopted by the incumbent administration to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal and ensure better inclusiveness in governance.
Why was it necessary for your party to go into an alliance before the presidential election?
Our party had a commendable arrangement initially for the election but along the line, we realized that our presidential candidate was not very capable but that he picked our ticket to scuttle the ambition of better aspirants like Dr. Kingsley Moghalu and when the party saw that it was not possible to make headway in reconciling the people dragging the ticket, we went into an alliance to support the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi for the presidential election. By doing so, we contributed our quota in a very special way in the advancement of democracy and we have no regret.
Would you say that opposition parties were disappointed with the outcome of the presidential election and the entire general elections?
Initially the parties in opposition had planned to give the bigger parties tough challenge to change the style of governance and improve things in the country because of the inability of the People Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manage our economy. We were hoping that the majority of the people would see valid reasons to reject the two parties and embrace the personality of the Labour Party candidate and we felt it was possible in a free and fair election.
I would say that to a large extent, we were hopefully that positive changes would have been brought into governance by the 2023 general elections and by denying the two parties the opportunity of managing our economy further but the results were different.
Do you believe that Labour Party would have managed the economy better than the two parties that have tasted governance?
It is presumed so because the Labour Party looked like a party that can show responsiveness to the yearnings and expectations of the people and when we have a government that come into office by popular choice, the will of the people will always prevail. This is because we have not been having very credible elections in the past or electing people who can be held accountable on their words and promises. When leaders know that they got into office as a result of a cooked-up or crooked system, such leaders do not think they are responsible to the people or owe the people anything like improving the welfare of the citizens. However, when the candidate of a party emerges as a result of a popular will of the people and their desire for change, it will be full-hardy and a political suicide for such a candidate or his/her political party to fail the people by engaging in business as usual type of administration by not bringing a new paradigm into the governance system to bring happiness to this people. I believe strongly that if the Labour Party was in government, it cannot afford to fail the people. Even the management of the fuel subsidy removal would have been handled differently in a maturer manner by the party to reduce the hardship on the people.
Have you been able to resolve the internal crises in the ADC and how are you, as a party, preparing for the off-season election coming up in November 2023 in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States?
We have gone very far in terms of reconciling the different people who have grievances in the party. A lot of new people joined the ADC even before the general election and some collected tickets. Now that the elections are over, many of them have moved on. A committee was set up by the NWC on the disputes and the BOT will soon be submitting its report on the disputes resolved.
We are very mindful of the need to have a united party as we face the elections. We have concluded our primaries in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states. We have also produced candidates who are already consulting.
How would you assess the performance of this administration especially its body language and its ability to manage the economy?
I think many things have already been done wrongly without consultations and proper assessment of likely effect on the majority of the people and pre-emptive steps were not taken devise how to cushion the adverse effects of its policies. People have been thrown into more misery and hardship. A more human approach should have been used in achieving the same results and I believe that the Labour Party would have handled the matter better in a more humane manner. The present administration needs to reconsider its recent policies and do things with a human face. As it is now, the economy is nose-diving, our exchange rate has gone through the roof and the price of goods and services are becoming outrageous especially of the cost of petrol which has also pushed up inflation. I think that this is the most terrible period in the history of this country and I think any government that is responsive should be able to put in measures to cushion the effect of the current hardship in the country.
Are you surprised by the development and in-fighting in the ruling All Progressives Congress [APC] as a stakeholder in politics?
We are not surprised because whatever that was obtained from the back door does not last. There are so many lessons to be learnt from what is happening in the APC. We are just hopeful that as time goes on, the party will find a way to resolve its disputes. We are also hopeful that a time will come when politicians will grow used to democracy, so that the nation can have a robust political system and politicians, who are truly committed to serving the people rather than occupying political offices for personal goals, will emerge. It is a work in progress.
What really can be done by our lawmakers to deepen democracy and the electoral process to serve the people better?
Lawmakers have what it takes to make a difference and write their names in gold. I am looking forward to a situation where we can have a bi-cameral legislature like, Senegal where for financial reasons it was adopted. I will also urge the electorate to be more proactive in questioning some of the activities of their legislators and what types of bills and contributions they make rather than sleeping inside the parliaments. The presidential system is very expensive. We do not need two chambers and lawmaking should be a part- time activity with people receiving allowance to reduce cost.
What advise will you give to politicians on crossing from one party to another?
The caliber of people in the political system and the nature of politics will make it difficult for politicians to stop moving from one party to another. Maybe, when we have stronger political systems with unique ideologies, among others, then it will be easier to regulate and gradually it will be controlled.
What is your advice to the present government on how to move forward without mistakes?
I will advice them to do what is right even while the nation awaits the ruling of the Election Petition Court. They should not be used to do what is wrong. Governance is about the welfare of the people and the nation and any sitting president should be able to live above board and serve the people without bias. Ends.
Metro