For Senator Arthur Nzeribe, it appears playing politics is what he enjoys doing most. During an interactive session with journalists at his Apo residence in Abuja, recently, the frontline politician did not mince word on how he misses the upper legislative chamber.
It would be recalled that Senator Nzeribe represented Imo West senatorial zone from 1999 to 2007, during which he was very visible on national issues, sometimes throwing up dust. The Oguta chief is one man that more often than not makes good George Orwell’s axiomatic expression that “Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear”.
Judging from his submissions at the media session, he is not too satisfied with the quality of debate in the Senate, especially those concerning key national issues, thus: creating in him a deep sense of “If I were there”.
When asked whether he is missing the Senate, Chief Nzeribe answered with an emphatic yes, noting that the upper legislative chamber should have shown more vibrancy in approach to issues before it.
Speaking separately with Sunday Pilot he blamed low performance by public office holders on their insatiable quest for enriching themselves which he noted makes them place personal interest higher than the good of the country.
The dominant role money plays in Nigeria’s politics is also affecting the quality of people that are elected into public offices in the country. Nzeribe, added that for Nigerians to truly benefit the dividend of democracy those representing the people must exit themselves from the current emphasis on personal gains.
Besides, he said that should this continue the much talk about “Better days ahead” might elude the nation. Expressing worries that money politics had also entered the psyche of the younger generation of Nigerians whom the onus lies on to carry on with the Nigerian project.
Stressing that “Nigerians must shun money politics for the country to move forward”, while calling on the electorates to vote credible candidates in future elections with a view to entrenching best practices.
Nzeribe, in statement issued at the session with journalists in Abuja recently, said “With the frightening level of insecurity in our country, it must now be obvious to every body who believes in the corporate existence of Nigeria that the era of political grandstanding is over. We need not remind ourselves that what is needed today is total commitment to Nigeria project by all stakeholders, not just in word but in deed. We must walk the talk.
“In 2014 it will be 100 years since the South and Northern protectorates came together as one. Thankfully, no critical section of Nigerian is taking of marginalisation anymore. The only injustice existing today is rather “Political Injustice, which can be sorted out with proper alliances and negotiations by political actors. The political space is wide open to accommodate all shades of opinion. Suffice to say that without Security, Peace and Stability in Nigeria, no progress can be made”, he enunciated.
In what looks like what Chief Arthur Nzeribe would have said if he were still in the Senate, the statement also read part that: the solution to what he described as structural corruption being perpetrated by most state governors rest squarely on the shoulders of the National Assembly and Judiciary, federal lawmakers should not wait until the constitution is amended to stop the on-going looting of looting of local government funds by governors.
According to him a resolution backed by 2/3 majority of members in both houses requesting the conduct of elections in affected local government areas, will do the magic. Should the governors fail to act rightly, the president should be requested to release funds only for workers salaries.
However, Nzeribe said that if the elite in Nigeria are interested in preserving and protecting Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan’s efforts at ensuring peace must be supported. Governors must also ensure that democratically elected local government administrations are in place, so that the youths can be actively engaged.