By George Onah
MR Peter Elumelu, a political stalwart and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State, is the eldest of Elumelu brothers, which include top banker, Tony Elumelu and lawmaker, Ndudi Elumelu. In this interview, he speaks on the politics of Delta and why the electorate should hand Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan the governorship mandate at the forthcoming re-run polls. Excerpts:

What is your position on unfolding political events in Delta, especially the governorship re-run election?

My opinion is that Uduaghan should be given another opportunity. A lot of people may criticise him here and there, I would appeal to Uduaghan, if given the opportunity a second time, to  continue the way he carried on in the past, that is, to carry everybody along. He should know that there is no way you can please everybody. The agitation here and there is normal. I would like to quote from Uthman Dan Fodio, who said ‘conscience is an open wound and only the truth can heal it.’ He should stand by the truth and do the right thing because of prosperity and leave those agitators to their conscience. I also want to appeal to all Deltans to give him the opportunity to come back.

Some people from your area, Delta North are claiming that the area had been thoroughly marginalised by the Uduaghan Administration. Were you marginalised?

I would not say that Delta North is marginalised because from his time we have Secretary to the State Government and commissioners. So, to that extent I would not say we are marginalised. People are simply asking for more, that is all.

Why do you think an elder statesman like E.K. Clark is against former Uduaghan?

To my mind, Clark has his reasons and to that extent I would like Uduaghan to carry everybody along and just put the cards on the table. He should invite leaders like Clark and other opinion leaders and let them see the situation from his perspective. Let Uduaghan talk to them in the manner that they would make them shift their paradigm.

The major problem we have in governance in Nigeria is that sycophants are too many around telling the governor what he wants to hear. But behind the governor, they are the ones killing the governor. Most governors have good intentions for their people but people who go there to curry favour tell lies to the governors, thereby ruining them. In my opinion, dialogue can do a lot of things and I am talking about communication. So the more you communicate, the more people see things from your own perspective.

Let there be interactive monthly meetings, seek their opinions and some of them may have better views than your other advisers. All you need do is make time for them and by the time you carry them along for six months, they would spread the message.

How you see suggestions that E.K. Clark’s attitude towards Uduaghan is a transfer of aggression from former Governor James Ibori to his cousin, Uduaghan?

Partially, it could be. The way I see it is more of transfer of aggression from Ibori. On the other hand, he may have his reasons for doing what he is doing. That is why I am emphasizing on communication. Even though the person might look difficult but by the time you give him the opportunity to see things from your own view he may have a change of mind towards you.

How well you would say Uduaghan performed before he left office?

A lot of things will come to play regarding that. I would say he has done creditably well but may need to improve on what he had done. For example, the airport project is a laudable one. We need to encourage him to complete it because it is going to be of commercial value to the state. He is also into road and power projects and these are gigantic projects.

That is one reason the people cannot immediately feel the impact of the projects because they are gigantic. So Uduaghan must necessary embark on communication with these political leaders to see reason with him. On the whole Uduaghan has done well when you consider the meagre resources he receives. I will therefore encourage the governor to increase his revenue base, see how he can diversify and cut down on these gigantic projects because you must not use your money to do everything. He should also indulge in what they call BOT, that is build operate and transfer.