Igbos Are Better off with APC, Says Madumere

Imo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Eze Madumere

Gubernatorial Interview

Imo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Eze Madumere, in this interview with Amby Uneze, addressed some recent developments in the state. Excerpts:

Having been the Chief of Staff to Governor Rochas Okorocha for about two years and now as the deputy governor, which office is the most challenging?

I have been the Chief of Staff to Governor Rochas Okorocha even before he came into office as governor, and the experience then was quite different. Coming into government as the Chief of Staff to the governor for about two years, the experience was very challenging. This time, you see different issues coming to your table. My own Chief of Staff was like an engine room of the state government; it was a sort of clearing house because everybody comes there for every issue. Not because of the office but because of the type of individual that I am.

I opened up my office for everybody and that was one of the reasons why the governor agreed to make me his deputy because this government belongs to the people. There had been so many complaints from the people about not having access to the Government House. The first thing I did when I came in as the chief of staff was to demystify the office by making it easily accessible. I made Thursdays my visiting day from 11am to 5pm.

However, coming in as deputy governor, I did not think of it. It was challenging initially but to God be the glory the difference is that I have a statutory function. Of course, the office of the Chief of Staff is not constitutionally recognised, but it depends on how the governor wants you to function. The governor can make his Personal Assistant as powerful as anything, depending on what he wants if he finds you worthy and comfortable. So, my days as Chief of Staff were entirely based on a unique understanding between me and my boss.

Now as deputy governor, and having statutory function, most importantly everything I do as deputy governor comes as a directive from the governor. I’m at his beck and call as he directs every minute of the day on what to do and where to go. This is basically the duties of the office of the deputy governor. But on my own because of the type of system we run, I also try to overlap and assist here and there. We have a
very good working relationship. We run the system as a family and that’s synergy and that takes away some headache from the boss.

What do you think is the unique selling point of this administration?

The most important is working with a leader who is an extraordinary person; a leader who has a vision. And that leader who has a vision is Owelle Rochas Okorocha. From the outset, he knew what he wanted to do and these were the burning desires. These Rochanomics we talk about which has become the rescue mission of Imo State is something that the governor has put together as far back as 1998/99. You know, he once ran for governor, he won the primary and today people never expected that he would come into government up and running.

But we were prepared! As soon as he was inaugurated as the governor, he was all over the streets, directing on what he wanted and what he just needed was the support of the State House of Assembly, and that is why it is good to deal with a man with vision. Any day, anytime, I will be with Rochas Okorocha.

But this runs in contrast with what people say out there; that the governor has no laid down plans and does whatever comes in anytime, anyday?

Some of these statements or remarks are coming from his detractors. These are people who cannot be part of the system because they are used to the same way of sharing money and in this government, we don’t share money. There is nothing that we do in this government that does not pass through the state executive council. They are well-thought out programmes, even if they are the governor’s ideas and once he throws it out, the Exco will chew it, bite it, and debate it and if it goes through,  it is carried out and if it does not go through,  we move on to other programmes.

Another allegation is that the governor is dictatorial and most of his programmes do not pass through the State House of Assembly, how true is this?

I like to deal with specifics, however, when we came in we sought the understanding of the House of Assembly and declared state of emergency on infrastructure. The House of Assembly gave an approval and under that approval, the governor created a special task force in the Government House and you will notice now that every project we have in the state today is because of the special task forces, and it was approved by the Imo State House of Assembly.
Let’s talk about the registration of APC, what do you think is the future of Ndigbo in the new party?

This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that all the progressives in the country are converging in one house under the name All Progressives Congress (APC), and everybody leaving their individual interest to be one. The Ziks, Awos and Belewas tried it but could not succeed. And today history is made. All the progressives are under one umbrella. Here in Imo State, we were elected under APGA but today we are part of the merger.

Rochas, as a person, and his clout has driven the acceptance of APC in Imo state and in all the South-east states. So Rochas being the leader is the driving force of the APC in the South-east and the enthusiasm and the response and the way people have reacted about the registration will tell you that this is the party to beat in 2015.

What is your advice to the South-east on APC?

Over the years, the South-east has been deceived by the PDP. The governor  will tell you this; that we are joining the APC for the interest of Ndigbo and that is why we are doing that because it will not be proper to see a political party of all segments of the country and the South-east is not there. The main reason is to have equal opportunity, equal share with other Nigerians.

As one from the executive arm in Imo State, it looks as if the state and the federal government are having some frictions, can you comment on this?

To the best of my knowledge, the governor of Imo state has a very cordial relationship with the federal government. We have synergy with all the federal system, so we are working and we are in a relationship for the betterment of democracy and for the people of the state.

How do you see the idea of zoning in Imo State in 2015?

You know all of us are from Imo and anybody has the right to climb up and agitate for whatever he/she feels is his/her right. However, to be a governorship aspirant is a right. To be governor is a privilege given to you by the people of Imo State. My own view is that what Imo wants is the leader who has the pedigree to deliver and who has the quality as well as who has done what people can see.

If you want to be a governor come and tell us what you have done; what is your pedigree and what you will you do for Imo people. It is as simple as that. It is not about zoning. If the best man that governs this state is from Okigwe, Orlu or Owerri, let him be. What happened in 2011 was a revolution; it actually destroyed the zoning idea in the state. Just as I had said, it is all about quality and contribution of the individual.

What is the implication for the governor who was elected under APGA and defected to APC?

APGA will continue to be what it is. Bearing in mind the fact that the governor led the party in this state to victory; without him, it would not have been possible. He has also deemed it fit for the interest of Ndigbo as the only way we can survive in this country for the future is for us to be part of the revolution; the new progressives called the APC.