Deacon Iheanyichukwu Echewodo, the founder, Fountain of Joy Outreach Ministry and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Vote Okezie Again (VOA) Umuahia North, in this interview with Assistant Politics Editor, Daniel Kanu, explains his grouse with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, as well as his assessment of the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.
He also gave kudos to some of his representatives at the federal level, particularly, Senators Theodore Orji and Mao Ohuabunwa among others.
Excerpt
What is your take on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress government?
The truth is that the situation is a sad one today as nothing seems to be working. It is only government that is insisting that things are working but we, the common people, are not seeing positive result on ground. There is this saying that every product that no longer meets its purpose becomes irrelevant and I think it is same with this APC government in terms of relevance.
We have not had it so bad if we must tell ourselves the truth. Buhari seems to have frittered away his goodwill. Do you remember the way he was heralded to become the President? It was unprecedented but what do we have today?
If this government wants to be relevant it must sit down and critically look at all the promises it made to Nigerians during the election in 2015, particularly President Buhari.
It is not contestable that Nigerians are suffering today, that Nigerians are dying with great hardship in the land.
Let’s look at the promises that Buhari made like: On security, economy, anti-corruption and infrastructure.
Could we say in all sincerity that the security challenge has subsided since Buhari took over? Can you say Boko Haram has been subdued? Imagine the Dapchi story where Boko Haram had the courage to return the kidnapped girls in a broad day light, I mean, during the day at the full glare of the people including security. Look at what the Fulani cattle helmsmen are doing with the lives of others, killing them with impunity, sacking villages. Look at the unimaginable killings going on in Kaduna and still government is denying it and in some cases justifying the atrocities. So you cannot say that the security situation today has been properly addressed.
What of the Economy? Could you say the economy is better today?
I read that this government has taken more loan than the loan the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took in 16 years. Our total debt according to economic experts as at today is: foreign debt ($18.9 billion), domestic (N15.9 trillion) and that amounts to $21 trillion. There is no doubt that Buhari was handed a growing economy but what do we have on ground today? My grouse with the Buhari leadership is that his government has not been able to transform its promises to reality, the reason Nigerians are facing serious hardship now. Buhari must sit up as Nigerians are dissatisfied with his government today.
So you are saying that things are bad?
No it’s not me saying it but the data on ground. Have you been to the market to know the high cost of things? How much is the cost of a bag of rice? And government will be telling us they are producing enough local rice, where is the rice? Where is the garri and how much? This government has gradually made former President Goodluck Jonathan a hero. Can we say that the anti-corruption crusade is on track when they are using it for witch-hunt exercise on the PDP members? How many APC members have been tried and convicted? I can tell you that over 80 percent of APC leadership were former members of PDP, how many have been convicted?
Can we say we are better today on infrastructure development?
as power generation really improved? Do you have constant supply of electricity where you are staying? When Jonathan was there they said fuel should sell for N50; how much are they selling fuel today? This government said subsidy under Jonathan was a fraud, how much subsidy has this government paid out. For me this government is more like: the more you look the less you see. You cannot continue to rule Nigeria with deceit.
IPOB did not go about killing people yet they were declared a terrorist group and the Fulani herdsmen are having a field day, terrorizing, dehumanizing and killing people.
But what of in your state, Abia?
You can always give kudos to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu; he is trying and doing great considering the fund at his disposal. He has really touched all sectors. I am happy on what he is doing on the agriculture sector, you know I am a farmer. Although I have not benefited as I speak but I know it will get to my area. I give him credit for what he has been able to do. He is focused and adding to the legacy of his predecessor. Even in education and road construction he is not relenting. If you go to Aba now, you will be happy with what he is putting on ground. He took from where the former governor, Theodore Orji, stopped and is soldiering on solidly. Why I support Ikpeazu is because he is doing his promises.
What is your assessment of your representatives?
Well they are trying but I must also use this medium to give kudos to the senators representing us particularly, former governor Theodore Orji (Abia Central) and Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North). They are doing so well on their empowerment programmes. They are grassroots people and they are not relenting in their promises. Why I singled these two out is that I have been consciously following their activities and I can attest that they have done well and in fact deserve another tenure if they are interested. Both of them vowed to ensure that they would not disappoint their people and given what they have done so far, they have done well and I command them.
