By Simon Ebegbulem,
Benin City
Dr Chris Ekiyor, a former Presient of the Ijaw Youth Council(IYC) and Niger Delta activist, was a candidate in the last House of Representatives election for Bomadi/Patanni constituency in Delta state on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

He lost and he is now alleging rigging by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with Saturday Vanguard, he speaks on the alleged plot to disrupt the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan, and bares his mind on the conduct of the election, the post amnesty programme among other issues.

Excerpts:

*Chris Ekiyor...Jonathan was the only candidate that went through the entire geo political zones and states.

Almost every Ijaw man seems to be glad that finally, one of his own is President. How would you review the entire election and the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan?

I think in the history of Nigeria, we have seen a system where, from the day one, a sitting President decided not to interfere in the activities of INEC and put himself through the crucible of an election process. And we have seen a President who campaigned in a manner that is unprecedented.

Other presidential candidates especially Nuhu Ribadu, Buhari, Shekarau spent sums of money doing media campaigns and mass mobilization. And that is the beauty of democracy. And without being sentimental, Jonathan was the only candidate that went through the entire geo political zones and states. I am impressed because, in the past you heard them say it was do or die. And that was what we expected from governors. We are lucky that in Imo state the citizens are civilized enough to resist what the PDP wanted to do there.

Rochas has won that election but they thought they could arm twist INEC to do otherwise. Jega has demonstrated to Nigerians that his name is more important than any thing. We are also appealing to Jega that as some of us are going to court due to what we suffered in the election, those found guilty for election malpractices should be prosecuted because they swore to an oath not to compromise the process. I am glad that there is introduction of biometric machines now, materials are serialized and we have all those information.

Looking at Jonathan’s presidency, this is one year since Yar’Adua died. I have seen a man who has continued to be fair to all Nigerians. A humble man. For instance when the massacre in the North took place after the announcement of the presidential election, ordinarily he should have ordered outright arrest of some personalities but he took his time to down play it so that the facts could emerge.

I could have my boys to beat up people or unleash mayhem on my opponents because I had the boys, but they were clearly briefed. We expected some of the leaders in Buhari camp to have also briefed their supporters. Things went out of Buhari’s hand. I can see a country that is poised to remain together. And it is on that point I also called clearly that this NYSC scheme must be reviewed such that persons serving the country must be posted to their communities.

The scheme should be like community service in America, probably a one year compulsory military service . It will ease the pressure of low pay and accommodation and even the fear of being killed.

Do you think President Jonathan has handled the amnesty programme well?

The amnesty programme has succeeded as far as we are concerned because it was aimed at reducing the tension in the Niger Delta. That has been achieved and then building capacities of young people. The only caveat to it is that government must not narrow down the developmental agenda to militants. Government must open its scope now through the Ministry of Youth or Labour and Production to now begin to build capacity of young people across the country.

Otherwise a scenario will be created where the reward system will be that you have to be a militant first before you can now benefit from international training. And then, others will now tow the same line to make trouble for them to benefit. While I agree that the amnesty programme is a very good move, government should immediately begin to itemize and document unemployed youths in Nigeria and see how they can engage them.

Government need to open the power sector, set up a programme that every establishment must engage a particular number of youths from that locality. I am impressed with the N50billion earmarked in this year’s budget for job creation. I hope it flies. Amnesty is on course.

What else should the President focus on?

I think there are five basic things we must look at. Winning confidence of Nigerians and I think he is doing well in that direction. He needs to do more on corruption, open up the economy such that even those who don’t know any body can access business opportunity.

Because right now, we have a system where you must be influential, before you can do business. You need to open up the economy so that any body can compete favourably. The Petroleum downstream should also be addressed.

The health and educational system must be broadened. Public schools and our health system are a sham. The President should address these issues and tackle corruption seriously. I am one of those who believe that Obasanjo fought corruption. Ribadu fought corruption and I respect both men for that. Now Goodluck must also do the same so as to send a message that this government will not condone corruption.

There are reports of a threat to the May 29 inauguration

Whoever is planning that is wasting his time because we will resist it. Nigerians will not take that rubbish. It is now clear that some characters want to disrupt the peace in the country. They have been indulging in bombing but it must not repeat itself. Violence is not the sole right of any body. We in the Niger Delta have shown that we can withstand any force. I am praying that we should not have a reason to go back to the creeks.

I pray we don’t have a reason to go back. However, I don’t believe those things will happen Goodluck is the President and he has the capacity to check the excesses of any body or group. This country belongs to all of us and people must learn to accept that fact.

JTF and Gen. John Togo

What John Togo is doing is not worse than the crime Boko Haram and others hiding behind religion to cause trouble are doing, killing innocent people. Why has the JTF not gone there to kill any body or bomb their communities? I have always maintained that the use of force cannot solve the Niger Delta problem.