Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi is the Convener, Apostolic Round Table; Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Project Victory Call Initiative, aka PVC Naija, and CEO, Masterbuilder Communications. Akinyemi, an advocate of good governance and one united Nigeria, in this interview with EJIKEME OMENAZU, speaks on the 10th National Assembly leadership among other issues. Excerpt:….CONTINUE READING...CONTINUE READING
You have been convening the Apostolic Roundtable for some time now to proffer solutions to the nation’s challenges. What are your experiences so far in the project?
The response to and participation in our meetings by our constituency of faith is quite encouraging. Our views are respected, not for any other reason than because they are based on facts of our realities as a nation, and devoid of sentiments. Our last meeting was After The Storm (ATS) which was organised to lead Lagos State and the nation at large to the path of peace after a very stormy 2023 general election. The partnership of Civil Consciousness Global Initiative (CCGI) led by Rev Solomon Adegbolagun is a proof of our acceptance by generality of Christians in the country. It was graced via zoom by respected Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, chaired physically by His Eminence, Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church in Nigeria. Further proof of our public acceptance was confirmed by our invitation to Sheik (Dr) Abdullah Gumi to speak at ATS and he honoured us, though through zoom.
Several eminent Nigerians have featured on the Roundtable. What is your impression on their views on some of the issues in discourse so far?
Credibility is of essence when service to humanity is the goal. ART is a fellowship of leaders from public sectors, Christian organisations and the corporate environment within the body of Christ. But, for our stand against Muslim/ Muslim ticket of Tinubu/Shettima for what it is; the marginalisation of Christians and Christianity in Nigeria, it would have been difficult to tell the party that had our support as a group. My personal sentiment notwithstanding, our pragmatic politicking gave confidence to those who differ with us. Same dynamics is seen within the group. One of our core leader is a well-known BATist, and we never had issues, because at ART, all personal interests must be subsumed to our faith and God’s Kingdom. ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all other things shall be added’. This I think more than any earned us the respect we have with most Christian leaders and has greatly informed their view of us. These values we promise to maintain.
How have the nation’s leader’s been reacting to the issues being raised at the Roundtable?
Those at the receiving of our uncompromising stand are like, even ‘nuisance’ has its values, and for our value with the people, they are compelled to keep on putting up with us. Ours is to sustain our relevance with the citizens. In the past two weeks we have been engaged by respected Senators, some on the NCCE Bill 2022 to help correct the wrong impression about the bill owing to its mischievous presentation by the media as bill to regulate Christianity. We are up on this and we have also set up a committee to tinker with the bill and be ready for its public hearing to add value. Just last Friday, I was in a consultative meeting with another lawmaker who believed that the demarketing that the Muslim/ Muslim ticket suffered, particularly in Lagos and some predominantly Christian populated areas was due largely to our disruptive operations in the space. He wanted us to stay off the religious track with respect to National Assembly leadership election. Truth be told, what is at stake for us at the NASS is a leadership that will be reasonable enough to encourage people orientated programs and policies of the Executive, at the same time must be disciplined enough to say no to Executive recklessness. Those values have nothing to do with religion. I will even prefer a ‘sango’ worshiper who can call down thunder against the Executive where necessary.
The May 29 Inauguration has become controversial as it is believed that the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and the Supreme Court cannot conclude issues bothering on the 2023 presidential election by then. Do you think that the nation’s Constitution and the Electoral Act should be amended before the next elections to ensure that the election matters at all levels are concluded before inauguration?
In all honesty, no patriot should think otherwise. Allowing access to power of the most powerful office of the president in the world in controversial circumstances as we are confronted with is unhealthy for the institutions of the Judiciary. Where is the moral of justice when on May 29, the head of the Judiciary being the CJN, will invoke the powers of the constitution to swear in a man yet to be cleared by the same institution the CJN will be representing and then pronounce him the 16th elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when the legal dispute is on his not being elected by the people. Let us reflect on the political game that saw former CJN Onoghen ousted, we must amend the constitution to erase such persecution. If that was the case, Onoghen would have survived that storm. The allegation that he was removed in anticipation of election petition of the Presidential election in 2019 would not be gaining traction in public dialogues and currying sentiments. The amendment is a necessity going forward to our next general elections in 2027.
How would you describe the performance of the 9th National Assembly? People generally see the 9th Assembly as a rubber stamp to the Executive. To what extent would you agree to this assertion?
Their performance has been woeful. The 8th Assembly set the standard for Executive oversight. The 9th Assembly fell short of the benchmark of their predecessors. The manner in which Executive Bills were passed ran riot of an Assembly made for order. CAMA Bill is one out of many as an example. It was eventually thrown out in court. The rubber stamping of loans to which our unborn generations are enslaved is a fact of gross ineptitude on the part of the 9th Assembly. I am glad that some Senators I spoke with confided in me and admitted they disappointed Nigerians with respect to the loans. This for me is a major factor that will decide leadership of the 10th Assembly, if they live true to the pricking of their consciences.
How do you see the composition of the emerging 10th National Assembly, especially in its multi-party nature? Do you think the 10th Assembly will perform better than the 9th Assembly?
I am expecting nothing more than a better performance by the 10th Assembly over the 9th Assembly. The multi-party nature of the Assembly is a message from the people to our political elite. I hope they read and understand the hand writing on the wall and interpret same appropriately. If they do, nothing should stop Senator Ifeanyi Uba from being considered for leadership of the nation’s Assembly. He represents people’s approval of his quality representation. How do you explain a YPP win in a boisterous Anambra where PDP and APC gasp for breath. Would you say the sponsor of 17 strategic bill that that touches on critical sectors of our economy, security, health, etc, does not deserve leadership position in the 10th Assembly?
What is your view on the current controversy over the zoning of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly? Which region do you think should get what and why?
The duties of the National Assembly as structured by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as the House and Senate Rules should be kept in view. If that be the case, the issue of zoning is dead on arrival. Here is where both the Christians and Muslims in the National Assembly should learn a lesson from the President-elect who could not find a Christian fit in the whole of Northern Nigeria as his running mate on the ground of competence. The opportunity before the National Assembly is to weaken religion by playing it down in this engagement. Competence must have their votes and integrity their honour.
Do you think the interference and involvement of the party leaderships, the President, President-elect and several other stakeholders in the choice of National Assembly leadership is right? What do you think should be the proper thing in this regard?
It is the natural propensity of all Executives to crave control over their control. Pastors want to have Elders on their side. Chairmen desire a grip on their Board. It is part of the mundane nature of humans. It is understandable that Tinubu is showing such traits. The question, however, is: Does the very essence of democracy allow it? No! Capital no, I will say! Separation of powers for control is the reason democracy was created. Without prejudice to Tinubu, no elected president must be forgiven for an open endorsement of the leadership of the legislative arm. It is political arrogance taken too far. Independence of the 10th Assembly or otherwise will be communicated to us by the outcome of NASS leadership election.
How do you see the recent request for fresh foreign loans by the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari administration which has already plunged the nation into very serious indebtedness?
Buhari administration is a nightmare or a dream we wished to wake from. There was just no sense in some of the reasons for the loans. Where in the world do you take a loan to run welfare programmes? Loans for subsidy palliatives? Who does that! If for employment and creativity of our citizens to trigger contributions to our economic growth, may be. But, to think of a loan to bridge the gap the removal of subsidy will create for commuters is unthinkable and unworkable. What are the indices that will decide eligibility for collection?
What type of cabinet should Nigerians expect from the President-elect and how soon do you think such a cabinet should be ready?
First and foremost, a balanced cabinet. I was particularly disturbed that not a single Igbo person made his Transition Committee. This, and his rejection of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as Senate President is for me a bad sign of what the future may hold for the people of South East region. Tinubu was of course the first state governor to appoint South Easterners into his cabinet. But, deviating from that magnanimity on his Transition Committee at a time that some uninformed Yorubas were up at war in Lagos against the Igbo was not a good one from him. Leadership is held in trust for God and the people. He must accept the nature of God who gives rain to both wicked and good people. A rich cabinet in competence, integrity and qualifications is not just the need of the nation at this moment in time. It is equally the need of his brand, given the challenges of many allegations facing it….CONTINUE READING
