JUDE ISEI-IDEHEN is the member representing Ikpoba/Okha state constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly and an aspirant for the Ikpoba/Okha and Egor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Idehen who belongs to the aggrieved Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu faction of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State in this interview, spoke on the recent congresses of the party in the State now tearing the party apart. Excerpts

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

WHat is your comment on the recent outcome of the ward and congresses of the APC in the state?
The APC crisis started from the membership registration of the party and then followed with the conduct of the ward and local government congresses.
They were done very poorly, it was not organized properly and I don’t know if it is the national body of the party or the state that should be blamed.

But I believe both of them should be blamed because the national body ought to have given a clear directive on ways of conducting the membership registration and the congresses; unfortunately, there were no directives, materials did not arrive at the centres on time for the registration and when it came, people were hoarding the materials; They said the governor ‘say’ the governor ‘say’ and they always use the name of the governor in every thing they do when they are committing all sorts of crimes which is very bad and unfortunate.

And when it was time for the congresses, it was even more unfortunate when members of the same party started to fight themselves even for positions that do not attract the payment of salaries i.e, ward chairmen and executives, local government chairmen and executives. It is so unfortunate because this is the first time in my political career that I have seen such things happen.

I am really disappointed in the way things were handled right from the national body of the party down to the state and I only hope that they can do something very quickly  about the whole thing; if not there are a lot of disenfranchised members of the party who are not happy with what is going on.

Some of the members that belong to your group are threatening to defect to other parties; do you think this is the way to resolve the issues raised by them?
That is definitely not the way to resolve the issues raised but if you are aggrieved and the problem you complained about are not resolved properly, then, they have no option than to leave because if their agitations are addressed properly, I don’t see any reason why they would not leave. But unfortunately, a lot of people are saying that these problems are not being addressed, so they are weighing other options.

Your group within the APC in Edo State recently met with President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Tony Anenih and other leaders of the PDP. Can you tell us what may have influenced the meeting?
It was just a familiarization visit to our leaders and it is always a welcome thing to be able to meet with the president of a country even if it is just a hand shake, but it is always a privilege and honour to meet with the president of your country. As a Nigerian, it is an honour to meet and talk with him one on one.

Oshiomhole

So, it was just a friendly visit and Chief Anthony Anenih is a national leader in Nigeria and it does not matter what political party that he belongs to, he is a leader in his own right and no matter how you look at it, he is a national leader. He welcomed us very well, lavishly in his house and we were well entertained. That is all that I have to say for now

What is the inspiration behind your bid for the Egor/Ikpoba Okha seat in the House of Representatives?
There are so many things I believe that the federal government can help us to do if I get there. I believe that I can do more for the people of my constituency if given the chance. I believe that I will be able to influence more things from the federal government to Edo State in collaboration with my colleagues in the National Assembly.

Ikpoba/Okha local government remains one of the most underdeveloped local government councils in the country and if I am there, I believe that I will be in a better position to monitor resources accruing to the area are utilized and assist in providing other sources of funding to the constituency and address issues that are beyond the state government.

Would you say that your local government and constituency Ikpoba/Okha has benefited much as an oil producing local government?
I cannot really say whether the local government has not benefited from oil revenue accruing to the local government or not, but for me it is mismanagement of fund because if you read the newspapers and see the revenue that comes to Ikpoba/Okha monthly, it is only second to Oredo local government in the state.

So, the money is coming, but it is just the mismanagement of fund from the local government all the way up.

You have represented your constituency in the House of Assembly for over seven years; would you say your representation has impacted meaningfully on your constituents?
Yes. I will give myself a pass mark.

What is your rating of the Edo State House of Assembly of which you are a member?
Well, I will give the House of Assembly a pass mark. I cannot say that we have not done well. I cannot shoot myself in the foot and say that.