Nov 11 Guber: INEC Mustn’t Allow Politicians To Dance On Grave Of Innocent Deads, Write Result – Madumere, Ex – Deputy Gov Warns

…Says battle for Imo Is Always Unpredictable, To Speak To Political Family

Former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, is a household name for good reasons mainly for his roles under Okorocha’s government, his stance on State and National issues

Speaking recently, he enumerated his fears for the forthcoming Imo State governorship election, the chances by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in retaining power, and how economic challenges is stagnating the progress made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Prince Madumere equally gave suggestions on how to solve the insecurity in the Southeast, the controversial purchase of official cars for the National Assembly members and the chances of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, succeeding in his new assignments.

Excerpt:

1. The Imo governorship election is already at hand, what are your fears?

One thing is sure, the election day will come and go like any other elections in the past. However, I have my fear over the condition of our people who are in  the troubled areas in Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta, Oru East, Orsu, Okigwe zone some parts of Njaba local government area of Imo State. 

I also have fear that there will be voters apathy except political parties and leaders of thought go back to reassure our people. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the problem. They say one thing and do another.

I just hope that somebody would not dance on the grave of the dead innocent brothers and sisters who were mistaken identities by writing results from those areas. Again, the institutions or the electoral umpire that will be involved should not ever scuttle the will of the people. Again, it will be heart breaking to have another electoral robbers on the prowl. I believe the security agencies have the capacity to chase these people far away.

Those are my fears I have.

2. What are the factors that will decide the final outcome of the election and which party do you consider the biggest threat to your party?

Imo election is unpredictable. Looking at the history, there is no super power in Imo election. Since 1999, to the last election. For those of you in political science, journalism and history, you should have been able to generalise that the battle is always open. in Imo State, it is neither for the rich nor for the poor nor for the strong but we can only wait for the outcome.

Putting as the Wise man, King Solomon put it in Ecclesiates 9:11 -… “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but tile and chance happeneth to them all”.

You know the Bible remains the greatest Book that you cannot fault. I leave it at that. That’s Imo State for you.

3. What are the chances of your party retaining the seat after the election considering the misgivings from Imo indigenes on the current administration?

I am out of that predictions. I decided to recuse myself for reasons best known to me. I have worked for the party and I have given all for the party. Nobody can doubt that. 

4. How much of trust do you have in INEC to conduct a free, fair and credible election, especially after failing to transmit the February 25 presidential election results real-time?

INEC is peopled by human beings and I believe they can make amends if they wish to; if they have not been hit by the curse of reprobate mind to continue in corruption, then it is a game for the highest bidder.  Let’s not preempt them. 

For February 25, 2023 presidential election, the matter is already before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, hence my opinion may not matter at the moment. Talking about it now is serious dereliction if not a breach.  

5. Only recently, your party vowed to capture the entire South East, how possible can that be sir?

For a political Party to win election is determined by the unity, cohesion and the achievements vis-a-vis the work done for the people. If the people feel used, they will vote otherwise. Any other thing you Labour to do in the guise of winning election outside of the people is corruption and criminality punishable by civil disobedience, lack of confidence in the polity and restiveness in whatever guise because nobody believes you.

6. You have been following the administration of President Tinubu, what are the areas he has impressed you so far?

So far, it has been at the stage of reset. Let’s hope for the better. He is working but I know the economic issue has been the real issue; and I believe in no distant time, they might find the missing link. I wish them the best.

7. What do you tell Nigerians feeling the pangs of the effects of subsidy removal by your party’s government?

I feel for them. I, too, feel it. I can only speak to everyone to take it easy and begin to get creative. Management is all about it and creating other streams of income, otherwise, people are going through hell.

8. What are the practical ways to arrest insecurity ravaging the South East?

Jump start the economy. Get into production. Have food security and make agriculture and agribusiness main stay of the economy. Even if our money is a tissue paper but let it be valuable enough to buy our local produce to feed the families.

Meanwhile, there is agitators and criminals. We need intelligence to separate the two. What are the reasons behind agitation, solve it. Why are we breeding more criminals in the zone. We must ask questions. Again, those whose loved ones and bread winners were carelessly and mistakenly killed must be appeased one way or the other. It is not about power show. There are procedures towards attaining peace.

We have had other regions give amnesty to criminal elements, militants and what have you. The real agitators in the South-East, what have we done to reassure them they are part of us as Nigerians.

Nnamdi Kanu’s issue must not be allowed to linger because we need to know those who are the criminals and the real agitators.

9. The Industrial Court ruled in your favour that your statutory income and fringe benefits be paid, has the Imo government obeyed the court ruling and what is your next move to recover your money?

Imo State Government chose not obeyed the order of the court for them to pay me and my aides our benefits after serving the government meritorously. They procured a fake Order and arm twisted the Bank not to pay before going to the appellate court to secure leave to appeal based on overriding public interest.

We saw how the government thugs in collusion with the police operatives manhandled court officers who had gone to execute court ruling, beat them up and detained them, even when the Garnishee Order was absolute. That was the height of irresponsibility on the part of the government.

We will continue to pursue the case because it is only the court that I know, I believe strongly in the Judiciary and the Rule of Law.

10. What shall your former principal, Rochas Okorocha do for you to forgive him?

I have no axe to grind with Okorocha. I just want to let him be. I bear no grudges. I am carrying my cross just like I am in and out of court to recover my statutory benefits and that of my aides who suffered untold hardship serving the state. Their statutory benefit is not paid. As a father, I cannot go home and soundly. 

This one is no longer Okorocha’s problem because government is a continuum. Like I said, I bear no grudges and I had already forgiven everyone. My brother, I have moved on with my life and I have God.

11. How much of confidence do you have on the current Minister of Works, David Umahi, to fix the deplorable Nigeria roads, especially South East roads?

Engr. Dave Umahi is the man with the Midas Touch. If given the needed space to operate, he has the capacity and capabilities to deliver . We saw what he did with Ebonyi within eight years. He is a strong performing man from the east. We are proud of him. I repose confidence in him and if given the tools to work, he will deliver.

12. Can you tell your political supporters curiously waiting for you on what will be your next move?

I have already begun my political move. Though still in the incubator. I will also speak to them in no distant time. They know I am not on the ballot but they have been patient waiting for my direction even for the November election. I will speak to them. I have a special way of reaching them and by the special grace of God I have a special relationship with my political family. I will speak to them at the nick of time and that time is now.

13. The purchase of cars to National Assembly members recently is causing ripples, what is your take on it sir.

We all need tools to work with. Cars are part of the equipment needed for the smooth running of the offices of lawmakers. 

However, their choice should not be such that will blow off the roof of what is left in the coffers. Let’s think more about the people we claim to be serving irresponsibility on the part of the government.