Former acting national vice chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (South West zone), Mr. Deji Doherty, in this interview with ADELEKE ADESANYA AND OLUWATOSIN OBAJEMU, bares his mind on the intractable internal crisis rocking the major opposition party. Doherty also x-rays the ruling All Progressives Congress. Excerpts:
Recently, one of the leaders of the PDP, Chief Bode George, reportedly said that the Sheriff and Makarfi factions should fight to the finish. Does that mean he or the party has given up on restoration of peace?
I think Chief Bode George erred in making that statement. This is not the view of most of the party members in Lagos, it is not my view and we would like to dissociate ourselves from that statement totally. We are a peace loving party; we believe that peace should reign in PDP.
But it appears peace has not reigned in the party in Lagos in the last 16 years. What are you doing to correct this?
We would like a situation where there is peace and harmony in the party and in this regard, I would say that the committee headed by the Bayelsa State Governor, Dr. Seriake Dickson, should be taken seriously. Its recommendations should be followed to the letter. Findings and advice of this committee to the Board of Trustees should be the order of the day. I believe that a new convention should be planned and the list of those that have already been mentioned by the Dickson committee should take part in forming the committee to execute a fair and credible convention.
I also believe that for peace to reign, both Sheriff and Makarfi caucuses should sheath their swords and think about the party, think about Nigeria, come to the round table, resign their positions, and allow the convention committee to steer the party into a new set of leadership. I will also use this time to plead with the governors, especially the Chairman of the Governors Forum, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, to sit down with the committee and strategise on moving this party forward.
But as it is, both the Makarfi and Sheriff factions are awaiting Supreme Court judgement to determine who the real leader of the party is.
I must say this now, that the solution to the problems in this party will not and cannot be determined in a peaceful manner by the Supreme Court judgment. The Supreme Court judgement can only divide the party and it is a very dangerous antidote to this crisis. We should not allow this crisis to go on before the result of the judgement of Supreme Court.
I would implore the BOT and other arms in the party like the National Assembly caucus, the Governors’ Forum, past and present members of the NWC, former senate presidents, especially David Mark, former president Goodluck Jonathan, former Attorney General under PDP administrations, and former ministers to please wade in before the party that has made them crumbles. This is a time of emergency for the PDP. The Nigerian people will not forgive PDP for this. Whatever the case may be, whether Sheriff or Makarfi or whoever, the party is still bigger than anyone. The well-being of the PDP is more important than all we can think of. At this time, we should be thinking of getting ready for the 2019 elections. PDP has a very good track record. The mistakes that we have made in the past and the experiences that we have gathered in the past can and should only make us stronger in the future and not weak.
What can you say is responsible for the recent frictions between the Senate and the Executive arm of government?
Without mincing words, we all know how Saraki and Dogara became the leaders of both the red and green chambers. Nigerians are not stupid, they are not fools. We should all know that as politicians, once you are called to serve, service should be selfless. Bukola Saraki is already the President of the Senate; Dogara, the speaker of the House of Representatives, two years on. It is time the reality sets in on the APC government, so that Nigerians can enjoy the dividends of democracy rather than complete two years of distractions, crises, non-performance and failure of the Executive and legislature.
What is your view on the current administration’s campaign and fight against corruption?
It is okay to fight corruption, nobody likes corruption, but if you want me to tell the truth, this democracy supports corruption. Democracy itself has corruption in it. When you say the Executive should lobby the legislature, it is corruption. It happens in all democratic settings, but it is also the tool used by democrats, but it should not be the order of the day in our politics. It is important we fight corruption. The antidote to corruption in this country is strengthening of the three arms of government and abiding by the rule of law.If this is done, we will have corruption reduced in this country.
Lagos State is currently planning to celebrate 50 years of existence. Does this occasion really call for celebrations?
One thing that is the major problem over the past 18 years in Lagos State is that our people are under illusion by the farce of high catchy projects that do not have effect on the life of the masses. In the past 17 to 18 years, have we seen a modern primary school being built, I mean with modern technology and facilities? Have we seen a modern secondary school being built, I mean with modern boarding house and equipment? Have we seen a modern university being built over the past 18 years?
This is a time of emergency for the PDP. The Nigerian people will not forgive PDP for this. Whatever the case may be, whether Sheriff or Makarfi or whoever, the party is still bigger than anyone. The well-being of the PDP is more importantthan all we can think of
But the past administrations built houses for indigenes and residents.
Have we seen a decent low cost housing? If you have seen one, please tell me. For the masses, I have seen privately owned estates, government owned estates for the rich, which I myself can’t afford. Have you seen an estate like the Jakande Estate in Ikoyi? Have you seen a decent Lagos State library for schools, for children, for the youths, for those who want to enhance themselves? Have you seen any decent monumental park where children can go? I am not talking about Alausa, but parks that are definitely spread across local government areas, where people can go, sit and bond as families. Have you seen a decent fare service that has been built by the state? Have you seen an ultra-modern airport in this state like the one in Nassarawa and Jigawa? Have you seen even a mini airport being sponsored by the state like we have in Ilorin? Have you seen a tax structure that is business friendly to the community in the state? Have you seen a tax structure that is business friendly in Lagos?
Contrary to your view, past and present administrations in Lagos State are seen as role models by others…
What we have in Lagos State is a collapsed business environment, where the small and medium scale industries have either been closed down or shut down or being at the moment intimidated. What we see today is a higher, unfriendly business society. What we see today is a crippling business environment that is tax-ridden. What we see today is an intimidated citizenry and business environment. About 70 per cent of the roads we have in Lagos do not fall under grade C or B, except roads where you have the rich like Victoria Island or Ikoyi and others. There is no rural development programme for the masses in Lagos State today. There is no adequate land, sea or air organised transport. What we have today is an inadequate transport system. The Lagos State Government or the All Progressives Congress-led government has shown that it is a government that knows all and tells Nigeria that they don’t make mistake or they have the answers to everything. This is far from the truth! I would implore the Lagos State Government to look very closely. We know that the Lagos State Government is debt ridden. So, transparency, accountability is what we ask as citizens of Lagos State.
So, nationally, how would you rate the APC administration?
As far as I am concerned, they have not lived up to their promises after their second year in government. I believe they still have about a year and half to go. The success of APC is the success of Nigeria. Every politician who comes up knows what Nig e r i a n s need and as such is not only restricted to the APC and to PDP. Both the APC and PDP know what Nigerians want and there is no reason to fail in that respect. Promises are meant to be kept and executed by politicians when the electorate votes for you. A bad government creates a generational failure. If the APC does not achieve anything in four years, that means a whole generation has failed and that is the reason why we all pray that whosoever is in government succeeds, whether PDP or APC.
What are the short comings you observed about the current government?
The major problem with APC, from what I have seen, is that they haven’t come to terms or they are still confused as to whom the national leader is and I believe that should be where it ends in 2019.
Recently, the Oba of Lagos was quoted in the media as saying that there was no vacancy in the Lagos House in 2019. How do you see this?
Personally, I would say as a Lagosian and as a member of a great family in Lagos State that has also contributed to the creation of Lagos State and to the continuous existence of this state, I was highly disappointed that the Oba of Lagos would say that. The Oba of Lagos is a person that should be a father to all. If an Oba says there is no vacancy in government, what can we say? How would you put the governor on his toes? If that is the case, I do not think he should have said it. Maybe he didn’t say it, maybe it is a creation of the press, but I believe if he had said it, it was the wrong thing to say. What do you expect from those that are coming up? The youths that are coming that will even aspire to be governors? What would be the seed the Oba would have planted in their minds? Forget those of us that have been aspiring to be governor, forget those that may be having the intention to run in 2019. I don’t think it is right for the Oba to have said it, with all due respect.
