Hon. Bernard Mikko is a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. In this interview with journalists in Abuja recently, he talks about zoning formula in his home state and the chances of his party in the 2015 election. Paul Chiama presents the excerpts
What are the chances of an Ikwerre man winning the 2015 governorship election in Rivers State?
Let me answer it this way! In the political calculation of any multi ethnic society, there is no specific variables or strategies for winning the trust and confidence of a greater number of people as expressed in their electoral votes. Since Bayelsa was excised from Rivers, there have been varying interpretations about the composition of the geographical entity called Rivers State. While some political analysts are comfortable describing the state according to her ethnic configuration, other social commentators are more inclined to the so called geographical context of Upland and Riverine dichotomy. To me, the entire Rivers and indeed South – South geopolitical zone is largely littoral, having both land and sea in a single cocktail of nature and would rather refer to it based on senatorial districts. In Rivers we have the East, West and South East senatorial districts. And all have both Upland and Riverine components.
Interestingly, the Ikwerre ethnic group is a subset of a larger East Senatorial district that had produced Senator John Mbata from 1999 to 2007; in the senate, Sir Celestine Omehia as a Governor from the Ikwerre axis of the East senatorial district from May 29 to October 2007. Senator George Sekibo from the Okrika axis of the same East Senatorial district from 2008 to date. Therefore, keeping justice, equity, fairness and zoning aside, no ethnic group can win or dominate the leadership of the state beyond building a consensus based on these same principles. To be modest, it will agitate the minds of spin doctors and critical political pundits to acquiesce an extended Ikwerre governorship in 2015.
But the Rivers PDP is in Wike's pocket…
Ordinarily, one will believe that party structures are like inanimate objects that could be traded and pocketed as commodities. However, political structures are intangible assets that cannot be warehoused or reserved in a closet for immediate or future use. I have no doubt that as a journalists, you have a better understanding that a political party is a basic institution of the political system. By institution, I mean a humanly devised constrain that structures the economic, social and political systems. They could be formal, informal, or both. Formal constrains on human activity include laws, statutes, constitutions etc, while informal constrains on human behaviors also include mores, customs, traditions, conventions, taboos, ideology and systems of beliefs.
Now, tell me if anyone in this world can pocket either the formal or informal constrain that make up the political structure of the largest party in Africa, the PDP? Or are political institutions tangible objects that can be hijacked or stolen? If so, this could be a new lesson in political theory.
Does zoning have any impact in PDP in Rivers State?
The Rivers State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party is not a legal entity in law, but only a branch or chapter of the PDP nationwide and I think the best person to answer that question is the national publicity secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metu who is not only a lawyer, but also a pioneer member of the National Working Committee of the party and versed in it's rules, ethics and regulation.
However, from my scanty knowledge of the principles of zoning, they entail rationing something valuable that is not enough or can immediately go round so that every person involved will have a sense of belonging and no one will be left out, feel cheated or dominated. It is a fundamental principle of equity and natural justice that promotes integrative political cohesion and peace. This concept is espoused in the general provisions of the 2012 PDP constitution, particularly sections 6(3&4), 7(2f& g) and principally 7(3b & C).
These provisions are supported by section 14 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria( as amended), particularly sub sections 3 and 4.
The highest decision making body of the PDP is the National Convention, while NWC is responsible for the day to administration of the party. NEC supervises and directs the work of the party an all its organs at all levels, ensures the party works effectively and democratically, and also carries out instructions of the National Convention. In my opinion, no political manipulation or legal innuendo can vitiate this process.
How true is it that Ikwerre people or candidate can win governorship election without other ethnic groups?
I certainly do not know, but can only say that credible governorship election in Rivers State is about building consensus around equity, justice and fairness and a greater participation of all groups in Rivers State to the exclusion of none. It is left to be seen how this will play out in 2015. We can only cross the bridge when we get there.
What are the imperatives of Upland and Riverine politics in Rivers State?
There are diverse opinions and theories on this, but my understanding is like the kind of argument used by Ku Klux Klan in the United States of America to discriminate and exclude black and colored people from the opportunities of life and providence in that great country. I hear this kind of tortoise logic based on Aristotelian syllogism that God created man in His own image, that God as everyone knows is not a Blackman, therefore the Blackman is not a man. This kind of minor or major premise is a dwarf argument leading to a faulty conclusion is no longer fashionable. This kind of racial epithet is meant to promote schisms for cultural or political gains is unacceptable. These are simply concepts based on dominance, discrimination, segregation, injustice and fraud.
As I said earlier, Rivers is a littoral state and all the senatorial areas are coastal. It takes only 4 hours in a speed boat through the Atlantic ocean
to Southern Cameroon from my village in Gokana. So also most of the communities in the State
What are your aspirations and programme for Rivers state in 2015?
From my brief introduction, you will notice that I have close to three decades of cognate political experience without bitterness, from Local government to the National Assembly. I have also participated in various political campaigns across the country but as the saying goes, every politics is local. My political program is designed to address the imbalance created by the extractive institutions and colonial adventure that has impoverished the Rivers people.My programme is guided by the PDP manifesto, taking cognizance of the directive principles of state policy as enshrined in chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( as amended).
No comments:
Post a Comment