Kosedo Setonji, a former member of the House of Representatives and former chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos Sate, in this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, said Nigerians must jettison the idea of collecting inducement before voting for candidates during elections if they expect good governance. He also spoke on the Kogi/Bayelsa gubernatorial elections; attempt to regulate the social media by the Federal Government among several other issues in the polity. Excerpts:
What is your take on the move by the Federal Government to regulate the media?
It is a sign that something is not right; because if you are making effort to hide information that means that there are things going on that you don’t want people to know about. So, my response is that it is just out of the fear of the unknown, which is why such effort is coming up now. But this is not good for Nigeria, because this is same weapon the present government used against the previous government. They are fighting against it now, it does not speak well of the present government.
What is your take on the Buhari administration so far?
We are deceiving ourselves to think that this government is doing anything tangible; we would be going against the people if I say that. We are deceiving ourselves nothing is on ground; we have not seen the fulfilment of his promises to Nigerians, so far, that I know.
What is your take on the Kogi and Bayelsa States’ gubernatorial elections; are you confident INEC will deliver?
No, I cannot predict INEC. Let them speak for themselves, because INEC has disappointed Nigerians on many occasions, they have even disappointed me personally. We would wait and see them proving us wrong, that they are not the same people we used to know and they are now independent.
Do you think they are not independent?
Yes, they have to prove us wrong because they are saying they are. The kind of thing that is happening in the country should not be happening; if they want to prove they are independent they should prove it to us.
Vote-buying has become more pronounced in recent elections in Nigeria, what is the way-out?
Well, it is a good question, but I think nobody can buy votes without the approval of the people. So, the people should check themselves if they want a good government or not. The electorate need to rethink because there is nowhere anybody can buy votes if you are not ready to sell it. What I think is the way-out is complete reorientation of the electorate about the electoral process in the country.
What is your take on the Supreme Court ruling on the presidential election case?
I am not surprised at all; because the antecedent of this government shows that we should not be too anxious of anything good from the government.
Are you saying they are in control of the judiciary?
The judiciary would have to prove themselves to Nigerians that they are capable of handling the role that the constitution has given to them to handle effectively. So far, they have good side and bad side; but most of the judgments are questionable.
Restructuring has been advocated to be the way out of the nation’s woes, but some leaders have also said they don’t understand the kind of restructuring being advocated?
There is need for total national reforms, not only the judiciary, the leadership, even individuals need reform.
Power is expected to shift to the South in 2023; are you surprised that some people think otherwise?
Such talks are coming from greed and selfish egoistic individuals. Whoever is making such statement would not lead us and the nation to anything good. It is good to share, what about the Federal Character Commission? Zoning formula is in the political parties, it is for Nigerians to be happy and have peace. If anybody is talking contrary to what would make Nigeria peaceful, it shows that the person is after his own interest.
But the Igbos of South East say it is their turn to rule in 2023; what is your take?
Everybody has the right to contest for the nation’s presidency. If they think it is their turn to be given the position they can aspire, provided they can make themselves acceptance to all Nigerians because wining election is about numbers.
What is your take on the land border closure?
They are inconsiderate to the plight of the people. The government should be able to show empathy on the people; when you bring up a policy and realised that people are suffering from that policy, you reverse and stop it. In the first place, when you are about initiating a policy you should have done your homework enough to know the impact on the people and create some palliative measures, so the people would not suffer. The government behaves like it does not care about the welfare of the people; the people that elected them into office, and the essence of governance is about the people. I believe the government is not considerate enough on the border closure issue.
The security situation in the country has deteriorated in recent time; do you think the government doing enough?
We cannot continue to have a network of criminals and kidnappers; the government should be bothered enough to have a network of security strategy to deal with that too. We have different security agencies that can come together to find a solution to the issue. It is a sign of incompetence not to know what to do. Anybody handing any sector does not have to be an expert; but the person must be able to manage the human resources in that sector to succeed. That is what this government is lacking. It does not natter any name any body calls it, restructuring is about going back to the tenet of Nigeria’s creation. When we had the federal system that takes care of the problem we have now and it is because that is not in place that people are clamouring for restructuring. Whatever name anybody calls it is not the issue, but the issue is that; there should be liberty, free environment; people should live comfortably well in Nigeria without these problems. But if Nigerians are not suffering and having these issues, they would not agitate and demand that the government should do things well.
Some critics say the current National Assembly leadership is a rubber stamp in the hands of the Executive arm; how much, if it is so, would it affect their primary responsibility to Nigerians?
The constitution has stated clearly the roles of the National Assembly; they should focus on making life near perfect for the people of Nigeria. Anything else means that they are derailing out of the role given to them. They have a role to play in democracy and the constitution has given them power to play that role. It depends on their vision and creativity for them to achieve that role, but it does matter much. The House of Representatives has 360 members, there is no where a Speaker only can determine issues without carrying the House along. It would be difficult for anybody to rubber-stamp anybody; it all goes down to who are the people electing the legislators into positions? Are we really taking enough measures to put the right people into offices? That means the electorate matters; in a situation where you are given money to vote, every decision the person takes affects you.
You are an indigene and a leader in Lagos State; what is your assessment of the Sanwwo-Olu administration so far?
Well, you don’t expect Sanwo-Olu to do anything in Lagos State because, firstly, he has no idea or plan to become a governor, or maybe, I should say he became governor out of providence and maybe, that is not the word. But for him, I am of the view that he was not prepared for the office he is occupying; so I do not blame him.
But he campaigned and had a manifesto?
It does not mean he knew what he wanted to do. Anybody can campaign and make promises, say anything, but to accomplish these promises is different. He does not have anything to offer Lagosians.
Sanwo-Olu said the state is broke; they are borrowing. What does that mean to you?
He should have known that before promising Lagosians, heaven and earth. But among the duties of the governor is to find funds to work with. A creative and innovative government would know how to source for funds to finance its programmes. If they are saying that, it means they have nothing to offer simple.
