Social critic, sportsman and Head of Soul Winners Chapel, Lagos, Rev. MOSES ILOH, in this interview with Assistant Editor, South West MUYIWA OLALEYE, speaks on the challenges facing the nation, the recent national conference, the 2015 elections, among other issues.
Nigeria at 54
There is nothing to celebrate, but regrets all over. Actually, it is very sad; this is not the kind of Nigeria I was born into and really played my role in the struggle for its independence. I was in the Zikist Movement, NCNC (National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons), Bokoro Jos Plateau. I was the president of NCNC Network Alliance. I was involved in very active trade unionism. But all we are seeing today breaks my heart. For me, there is nothing to celebrate. We really need to pray very hard for the return of the original Nigeria.
Path to a new Nigeria
Nigerians who brought Nigeria from the British were great people. In those days, there was the slogan that we came to a Nigeria, where no man is oppressed. A good slogan, and the government respected it. But what we have today is a country that is in the land of rabbits. It is very sad. So, it is going to need a revolution; not revolution where you shed blood. But there should be a revolution. Somebody must start something to get the youth understand that tomorrow belongs to them. This is not my original Nigeria.
We have to write books, as well as organise lectures, seminars and conferences to talk to the youths and teenagers to see what is responsible. Today, religion in Nigeria is corruption. Corruption is everything that comes every day. That is why I think we need a revolution that is not bloody. I know that one day Nigerians will come out to the streets and stop all this mess. They don’t need to kill anybody. Our youths should get themselves together and then we decide what next to happen.
Type of Nigeria envisaged
During my period, we planned for a Nigeria that was peaceful, and where things would be according to merit; where the poor would have priority in certain aspects; where the elders would be respected. It was the foundation of Nigeria. I recall that in those days, to encourage young boys from the North to come and work in the South, you would have to pay them extra, treat them nicely to know that it was their country. The government was so kind at that moment. This is the kind of Nigeria we are looking far, not the kind of Nigeria that the rich have to steal from the poor. The Nigeria of today is characterised by people stealing from the blind, the leper, beggar and the widow. Nigeria has no future unless it repents.
Youths as a wasted generation
I think the youth should refuse to be a wasted generation. The youths should go forward to fight a war that can salvage this country. The youth should decide now their fate and change this country.
President Goodluck Jonathan and pledge of not disappointing Nigerians through transformation
Medical science says, with what you know, you prove what you do not know. Jonathan is a failure. How can his next four years be a success with what we know? He has handled Nigeria badly. He brought us to a country that can be called a nonentity. So, what is the hope of tomorrow? In fact, let me tell you; everything is terrible. We are in a regime of corruption. You know that what normally happens at the eve of election is bribery and corruption. It is politics of bribery. You have to bribe people by giving them scholarship before they could vote for you. If you listen to their manifesto, they tell lies to convince the people to vote for them. Some give out money and material things. You don’t build a future on fraud.
Ekiti crisis
Well, I think National Judicial Council (NJC) should wake up and save us from shame. Do you know that during our days, you cannot converse with a judge? You could not see judges easily. You were having an election and you took all the army and police to frighten the electorate. Look at what the president said in Ekiti during campaign. He said, if he wins, he will develop Ekiti. That is corruption. It is also a terrible language to use in politics. The whole thing in Nigeria smells. It needs a surgery.
Confab as pathfinder to Nigeria’s future
What happened to the last confab? You discover that gradually, it will die. My feeling about that confab is that if Jonathan does not win the election, somebody will just come from nowhere and say Nigeria should disintegrate because he is not sure of winning. Today, we have a conference that has no meaning to Nigeria. Do you know how much it cost them to organise that conference? So what are you saying you are expecting from it? What are the documents? Nigeria is in the horn of a dilemma.
Belief in 2015 election
I do not believe in it because it is going to be full of fraud and corruption. It is going to be terrible, raped, rigged and problematic.
Views on Nigerian constitution
I do not believe in the current Nigerian constitution because it gives excessive power to the president. That is wrong. I have never seen a constitution in the world that gives the president absolute power. That is what the military did, and it is a big shame that we are still operating that constitution. It should be changed. We are in a country where the commissioner of police is not under the governor. He can arrest the governor if he likes. What kind of constitution is that? That is not constitution. That is why the constitution must be changed.
PDP endorsement of Jonathan as sole candidate
That is what I have been telling you concerning autocracy in a party like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not having primary elections. That shows it has internal problem which does not go in line with democracy. That is why I said earlier on that Jonathan’s government has failed the whole Nigeria.
Assessment of Jonathan’s administration
His administration is full of antics and corruption. Bloodshed is very common in Jonathan’s government. Lawless people are raping women like nobody’s business. People are stealing oil money. Bunkering is thriving like nobody’s business.
Advice to the electorate on 2015 election
My advice to my fellow Nigerians is to vote for the candidate of their choice who has unquestionable character.
