Owelle lauds Jonathan’s statesmanship, greets president-elect

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Total Aluminium Systems Limited, Frank Owelle, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan over his prompt concession of defeat hours before the full result of the presidential election on March 28 was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the step saved Nigeria from what could have been an anarchy. He also expressed optimism that the increased confidence level in Nigeria would lead to increased investment in the country.

Owelle, who spoke with BusinessDay, noted that President Jonathan had, by his action, written his name in gold and indeed, joined the rank of statesmen.

“If you look at the quality of campaign, the resources and everything that went into the President’s bid to return through the ballot box, ordinarily, many Nigerians would have expected him to vehemently oppose the result of the presidential election, but he stood his ground, despite pressures from various quarters for him to reject the outcome. He decided to follow the path of honour,” Owelle said.

“The President’s action has justified his oft refrain that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. Had he kept quiet until the results were fully released, there could have been violence in some parts of the country. He pre-empted those planning to launch into violent protest. I really commend him for that. I am also using this opportunity to congratulate the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), Mr. Zero-tolerance for corruption, on his victory.

“For me, the victory is for all citizens of this country, irrespective of party or religious leaning. I believe that what has happened is the will of God. My prayer is that God will direct the in-coming administration to move the country forward,” he said.

“Honestly, I want to commend the doggedness of the APC as a party. The party was determined to make a mark and it fought vigorously for it. At a point nobody gave APC any chance of making serious impact, particularly at the centre, but today, APC has turned out to be a major party. It all goes to show that everything is possible if we do not relent. All hope is not lost on Nigeria; the future is brighter. Today, the confidence level in Nigeria is increased and definitely, this will lead to increased investment in the country,” Owelle further said.

On whether or not the incoming Buhari government should glean from some of the policies of the Jonathan administration, the CEO of Total Aluminium Systems, manufacturers of high quality aluminium roofing sheets, said: “Granted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has its own programmes, I want to advise that General Buhari should look at the policies and areas of achievements by the out-going administration and be magnanimous enough, not only to identify with, but to borrow and continue with some of the programmes that can be of great help to his administration and in the overall interest of the country.”

He also expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the gubernatorial election in Lagos State, expressing the optimism that Akinwunmi Ambode’s victory will speed up the development that had been put in motion by the administrations in the state since 1999.

“I am satisfied with the emergence of Ambode as governor-elect in Lagos State. He ran a good and elaborate campaign. He visited all the nooks and crannies of the state with the message of continuity. I am very optimistic that his administration will take the state to the next level. The state has been lucky to have had leaders who worked assiduously for the good of the state; and I trust that Ambode’s emergence will be the icing on the cake,” Owelle said.

Speaking on the reported widespread violence that characterised the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections in some states, Owelle said it was condemnable by every standard.

“I was shocked at the level of destruction of lives and property in some places on the day of the election. I wonder why some people believe in taking the lives of others just because they (politicians) want to win election. It does not make sense. What is the motivation for vying for an elective post, is it service or for some pecuniary reasons? People must not take the lives of others because they cannot give life. We must respect the sanctity of life. My advice is that those who have one complaint or the other should channel it to the right quarters. I also expect politicians to emulate President Jonathan. I admired what Jimi Agbaje did in Lagos; he called Ambode to congratulate him. Nuhu Ribadu did the same in Adamawa; there are some other places where those who lost quickly conceded to those who won. That is the way to go,” he said.

On the early defection of many PDP members to the APC, the politician, who hails from Anambra State, said it would be difficult to make a blanket condemnation of those involved in the act because “people go into politics for different reasons.”

According to him, “There are those in politics who do not have another ‘address’; everything about them is politics, politics and politics. So, to those in this category, they don’t want to hear that their party has lost an election. It means that their source of income has closed. So, jumping ship is the only option. But having said that, what is happening now is not healthy for the advancement of the nation’s democratic experiment. The bandwagon effect may lead to a one-party state and it is dangerous for the country.”

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying, “In as much as we cannot say that the elections were perfect, we cannot also deny the fact that Nigeria has made progress with the card reader. The technology has come to stay. What is now needed to be done is for INEC to take a critical look at the challenges experienced with the card reader with the aim to effecting necessary corrections. For me, it’s so far so good.”