Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the national
chairman of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), has clarified issues of discord in the
party.
In an explosive interview with Premium
Times, the APC leader also explained why
the ongoing trial of Senate president, Bukola
Saraki, must continue and why the party is a
little bit constrained.
Read excerpts below:
Almost one year after your party came to
power, there is still public outcry. There is
hardship. Are you aware? What’s your take
on this?
Oyegun: It is very unfortunate. But Mr.
President is determined. It is unfortunate
that the problem is much worse than we
expected; much worse in the sense that we
have to develop process that will truly
produce jobs; that will truly produce
progress. We really want to avoid blaming
the past because people no longer want
that; they just want these conditions to
change. But we still must face the reality.
For instance, I don’t think there is one
Nigerian that is not aware of heavy
expenditure on electricity that did not result
n improved supply. Sixteen years of
mismanagement added to the collapse of oil
caused the problem. But I assure you the
president is very determined to bring the
change.
But you can’t blame Nigerians for the
outcry. The wife of a man who was bringing
N100 home before but now brings N40 will
fight. Every single member of the family will
feel it. That’s the situation with Nigerians.
But Nigerians must also be aware that that
those people who hold the country to
stranglehold are fighting back. Corruption is
fighting back very massively. Look at the
issue of fuel scarcity. Even as a party, we
had to call the minister of state for
petroleum resources. We asked “how do we
explain all this?”
Tinubu and APC chairman, Chief John
Odigie-Oyegun
The revelations were frightening?
Yes, frightening! But I was elated by that
fact that in another few years, even before
our first tenure ends, we could even become
a net exporter of refined oil. So, the Buhari
administration is not just planning that
people don’t queue again; we already
planning for full availability of products. But
beyond, we will ensure refineries go back to
work. And other refineries from the private
sector are coming.
So we appeal; our new orientation is that
Nigeria changes to a producing economy
from a consuming one.
So, you are aware Nigerians have not felt
the change you promised?
We are aware. But you know change is a
process. Change is progressive. You see, by
the hardship people are going through, if you
start explaining what “change” is, it will be
like you don’t have feelings. Change is not
just about fuel. Change is about how we
think; our approach to issues. It is a
massive undertaking. When the process fully
completes, we will have a totally new
Nigeria. One doesn’t want to use all these
words our people have abused – “I am not a
magician” and all that – but look at the fact
of total mismanagement of resources, added
to collapse of oil price. The reality is that
change is a process. It’s not just about fuel
queue has disappeared. It is our
determination to combat forces which are
ready to see people cry to make money.
That’s why we have to go through the
challenges but just for short moment. How
we explain this to Nigerians is what I don’t
know?
Members of the APC in a crunch meeting.
You keep talking about the past. Nigerians
knew all of that before they voted your
party. Why can’t you just move forward?
Isn’t that the situation? We will move
forward. But the aches and the pains by the
PDP must not be run away from. You can’t
close your ears to it. It is fact and reality.
Please help us explain this to the public. Oil
price dropped from over $100 to over $20 at
some time. Where do you get FOREX when
oil accounts for 95 per cent of your foreign
earnings?
Will the budget, when signed into law, make
things improve?
Yes. At least a little snippet of what is there
has come out to the public; Lagos-Calabar
rail project and so on. These are heavy
projects. These are projects that will bring
hope. People will say “well, I am suffering
now but I have hope” when these projects
begin.
APC chairman says Saraki’s trial must
continue to effect the change that Nigerians
crave.
A major issue currently is the trial of the
Senate President, Bukola Saraki. A section
says political solution should be deployed.
Do you want to talk about this bearing in
mind that the PDP is planning to take the
position if Saraki is removed?
We don’t take anything for granted. As they
are planning, we are also planning. The
situation is under control. The whole
situation is unfortunate but it is real.
What political situation in a legal matter? Are
the judges politicians? The President is
certainly not the type who will interfere in a
judicial matter. I think we know him well.
Everybody must know him. Things must be
done normally.
And that is part of the change mantra that
we must play by the rule so that we don’t
truncate processes.
People don’t seem to internalize what
change is. If the President says “court, free
that man”, the same president can say
“court, imprison that man.” Is that the
Nigeria you want? No! Change means
allowing the law to take the proper course. I
can tell you the President won’t interfere.
The President is straight definite, straight
and firm in all facets.
So, you are not bothered that you can lose
the seat of President of the Senate, should
Bukola Saraki be removed because of your
narrow majority?
Well, I don’t think we will lose that position.
But sometimes, for change to take place
there is price you have to pay. So losing the
position may be sacrifice for change.
Oyegun says there are differences in
ideologies in the party.
Is there any infighting in APC?
There are differences in views. Interests
differ. Some feel they are not sufficiently
rewarded or consulted. So, it happens. We
are just barely one year in power.
We ask this because Timi Frank, the deputy
publicity secretary of your party, will issue a
statement today making some allegations
and tomorrow, you will see the national
secretary of the party issue another
position.
(cuts in) hahaha… Timi Frank does not
represent or speak for the party. He is a
nice young man but unfortunately, he has
interest which goes beyond the party. And if
you have that you can’t speak for the party.
We want somebody who is totally loyal to
the party.
Can’t you call him to order?
That is being done in a way. If you can’t toe
the party line fully and you think on certain
issues you can speak as individual, it’s not
done. You can’t do that. I am the Chairman,
I can’t do that. Otherwise, people take it for
party position. And that’s what the press is
doing today. Timi Frank talks about his
personal views and they still put that tag
that APC deputy national publicity secretary
has spoken, which is not.
Why is it difficult to replace Lai
Mohammed?
Lai Mohammed for that job is first class.
That’s what I meant the last time I spoke on
this.
Alhaji Mohammed did a great job and getting
a replacement is difficult.
And so he is indispensable.
I didn’t say he’s indispensable. How can I
say any human being is indispensable?
These offices are zoned. Lai Mohammed is
from the North Central and we have to look
from that zone to replace him.
What’s the issue surrounding the
chairmanship of Board of Trustees of APC?
There is no issue with chairmanship of BoT
or no chairmanship of BoT. It’s just that we
have had a rethink that having a BoT of
about 200 will mean another rally. We just
need a group that is small in number but
consists of very strong people that will be
able to contribute to the policies of the
party. We are already looking at legal aspect
and redrafting the constitution to make the
BoT a lot less in term of number but much
in term of quality.
There are reports that the disagreement
between Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu
over who should be the chairman between
the two is affecting the BoT?
No. You see, there are people with interests.
Atiku has not said he wants the position and
the same thing goes to any other person.
But people who are behind the speculations
are the persons involved. It is not Atiku.
People are just creating scenarios. So, it has
nothing to do with Atiku or Tinubu or
whoever else might be interested or
considered.
It was reported that Tinubu was making
moves to impose the BoT Chair.
Oyegun says Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is
not imposing any BoT on the party.
I am not aware.
People are saying the party is cash-strapped
because the President does not fund the
party. Is this true?
Please, gentlemen, understand what change
is. We can’t continue to throw money. We
can’t go into public treasury to take money
for funding the party. That’s change. So, we
have got to be innovative to find means of
raising funds. Of course, we are constrained,
but we have had to be inventive. People are
now saying somebody is not funding the
party. That is normal. If tomorrow you hear
the president is using public money to fund
the party, won’t you scream? So, the change
is even affecting the party.
Is the party buoyant?
We are getting back. We are not buoyant in
terms of throwing money around.
Meanwhile, recent reports surfaced on how
President Buhari may have started a move to
parley with Tinubu, the national leader of the
APC , ahead of 2019 presidential election.
The report showed that the president is
making attempts to woo Tinubu following
calls from some quarters that the former
Lagos state governor is unhappy with him
over his recent appointments, which sources
say were against the party leader.
It was also gathered that prior to the
president’s recent moves, the relationship
between the duo had not been rosy but
Buhari decided to reach out to Tinubu to
seek his support for the control of the APC.
chairman of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), has clarified issues of discord in the
party.
In an explosive interview with Premium
Times, the APC leader also explained why
the ongoing trial of Senate president, Bukola
Saraki, must continue and why the party is a
little bit constrained.
Read excerpts below:
Almost one year after your party came to
power, there is still public outcry. There is
hardship. Are you aware? What’s your take
on this?
Oyegun: It is very unfortunate. But Mr.
President is determined. It is unfortunate
that the problem is much worse than we
expected; much worse in the sense that we
have to develop process that will truly
produce jobs; that will truly produce
progress. We really want to avoid blaming
the past because people no longer want
that; they just want these conditions to
change. But we still must face the reality.
For instance, I don’t think there is one
Nigerian that is not aware of heavy
expenditure on electricity that did not result
n improved supply. Sixteen years of
mismanagement added to the collapse of oil
caused the problem. But I assure you the
president is very determined to bring the
change.
But you can’t blame Nigerians for the
outcry. The wife of a man who was bringing
N100 home before but now brings N40 will
fight. Every single member of the family will
feel it. That’s the situation with Nigerians.
But Nigerians must also be aware that that
those people who hold the country to
stranglehold are fighting back. Corruption is
fighting back very massively. Look at the
issue of fuel scarcity. Even as a party, we
had to call the minister of state for
petroleum resources. We asked “how do we
explain all this?”
Tinubu and APC chairman, Chief John
Odigie-Oyegun
The revelations were frightening?
Yes, frightening! But I was elated by that
fact that in another few years, even before
our first tenure ends, we could even become
a net exporter of refined oil. So, the Buhari
administration is not just planning that
people don’t queue again; we already
planning for full availability of products. But
beyond, we will ensure refineries go back to
work. And other refineries from the private
sector are coming.
So we appeal; our new orientation is that
Nigeria changes to a producing economy
from a consuming one.
So, you are aware Nigerians have not felt
the change you promised?
We are aware. But you know change is a
process. Change is progressive. You see, by
the hardship people are going through, if you
start explaining what “change” is, it will be
like you don’t have feelings. Change is not
just about fuel. Change is about how we
think; our approach to issues. It is a
massive undertaking. When the process fully
completes, we will have a totally new
Nigeria. One doesn’t want to use all these
words our people have abused – “I am not a
magician” and all that – but look at the fact
of total mismanagement of resources, added
to collapse of oil price. The reality is that
change is a process. It’s not just about fuel
queue has disappeared. It is our
determination to combat forces which are
ready to see people cry to make money.
That’s why we have to go through the
challenges but just for short moment. How
we explain this to Nigerians is what I don’t
know?
Members of the APC in a crunch meeting.
You keep talking about the past. Nigerians
knew all of that before they voted your
party. Why can’t you just move forward?
Isn’t that the situation? We will move
forward. But the aches and the pains by the
PDP must not be run away from. You can’t
close your ears to it. It is fact and reality.
Please help us explain this to the public. Oil
price dropped from over $100 to over $20 at
some time. Where do you get FOREX when
oil accounts for 95 per cent of your foreign
earnings?
Will the budget, when signed into law, make
things improve?
Yes. At least a little snippet of what is there
has come out to the public; Lagos-Calabar
rail project and so on. These are heavy
projects. These are projects that will bring
hope. People will say “well, I am suffering
now but I have hope” when these projects
begin.
APC chairman says Saraki’s trial must
continue to effect the change that Nigerians
crave.
A major issue currently is the trial of the
Senate President, Bukola Saraki. A section
says political solution should be deployed.
Do you want to talk about this bearing in
mind that the PDP is planning to take the
position if Saraki is removed?
We don’t take anything for granted. As they
are planning, we are also planning. The
situation is under control. The whole
situation is unfortunate but it is real.
What political situation in a legal matter? Are
the judges politicians? The President is
certainly not the type who will interfere in a
judicial matter. I think we know him well.
Everybody must know him. Things must be
done normally.
And that is part of the change mantra that
we must play by the rule so that we don’t
truncate processes.
People don’t seem to internalize what
change is. If the President says “court, free
that man”, the same president can say
“court, imprison that man.” Is that the
Nigeria you want? No! Change means
allowing the law to take the proper course. I
can tell you the President won’t interfere.
The President is straight definite, straight
and firm in all facets.
So, you are not bothered that you can lose
the seat of President of the Senate, should
Bukola Saraki be removed because of your
narrow majority?
Well, I don’t think we will lose that position.
But sometimes, for change to take place
there is price you have to pay. So losing the
position may be sacrifice for change.
Oyegun says there are differences in
ideologies in the party.
Is there any infighting in APC?
There are differences in views. Interests
differ. Some feel they are not sufficiently
rewarded or consulted. So, it happens. We
are just barely one year in power.
We ask this because Timi Frank, the deputy
publicity secretary of your party, will issue a
statement today making some allegations
and tomorrow, you will see the national
secretary of the party issue another
position.
(cuts in) hahaha… Timi Frank does not
represent or speak for the party. He is a
nice young man but unfortunately, he has
interest which goes beyond the party. And if
you have that you can’t speak for the party.
We want somebody who is totally loyal to
the party.
Can’t you call him to order?
That is being done in a way. If you can’t toe
the party line fully and you think on certain
issues you can speak as individual, it’s not
done. You can’t do that. I am the Chairman,
I can’t do that. Otherwise, people take it for
party position. And that’s what the press is
doing today. Timi Frank talks about his
personal views and they still put that tag
that APC deputy national publicity secretary
has spoken, which is not.
Why is it difficult to replace Lai
Mohammed?
Lai Mohammed for that job is first class.
That’s what I meant the last time I spoke on
this.
Alhaji Mohammed did a great job and getting
a replacement is difficult.
And so he is indispensable.
I didn’t say he’s indispensable. How can I
say any human being is indispensable?
These offices are zoned. Lai Mohammed is
from the North Central and we have to look
from that zone to replace him.
What’s the issue surrounding the
chairmanship of Board of Trustees of APC?
There is no issue with chairmanship of BoT
or no chairmanship of BoT. It’s just that we
have had a rethink that having a BoT of
about 200 will mean another rally. We just
need a group that is small in number but
consists of very strong people that will be
able to contribute to the policies of the
party. We are already looking at legal aspect
and redrafting the constitution to make the
BoT a lot less in term of number but much
in term of quality.
There are reports that the disagreement
between Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu
over who should be the chairman between
the two is affecting the BoT?
No. You see, there are people with interests.
Atiku has not said he wants the position and
the same thing goes to any other person.
But people who are behind the speculations
are the persons involved. It is not Atiku.
People are just creating scenarios. So, it has
nothing to do with Atiku or Tinubu or
whoever else might be interested or
considered.
It was reported that Tinubu was making
moves to impose the BoT Chair.
Oyegun says Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is
not imposing any BoT on the party.
I am not aware.
People are saying the party is cash-strapped
because the President does not fund the
party. Is this true?
Please, gentlemen, understand what change
is. We can’t continue to throw money. We
can’t go into public treasury to take money
for funding the party. That’s change. So, we
have got to be innovative to find means of
raising funds. Of course, we are constrained,
but we have had to be inventive. People are
now saying somebody is not funding the
party. That is normal. If tomorrow you hear
the president is using public money to fund
the party, won’t you scream? So, the change
is even affecting the party.
Is the party buoyant?
We are getting back. We are not buoyant in
terms of throwing money around.
Meanwhile, recent reports surfaced on how
President Buhari may have started a move to
parley with Tinubu, the national leader of the
APC , ahead of 2019 presidential election.
The report showed that the president is
making attempts to woo Tinubu following
calls from some quarters that the former
Lagos state governor is unhappy with him
over his recent appointments, which sources
say were against the party leader.
It was also gathered that prior to the
president’s recent moves, the relationship
between the duo had not been rosy but
Buhari decided to reach out to Tinubu to
seek his support for the control of the APC.
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