BY DAPO AKINREFON
BENSON Enikuomehin represented Ondo State on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. In this interview, Enikuomehin states that the reconstitution of the NDDC board shouldn’t be a continuation of the former board. He also bares his mind on why he is canvassing for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to become the next chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Excerpts:

How do you react to the reconstitution of the NDDC board?

My take is that the new board must have a fresh beginning. It shouldn’t be a continuation of the former board. The live wire of the third board of the NDDC came to an end on September 13 as soon as Mr. President dissolved it. If one or two members had been removed or even one was left, it is understandable that the former board was continuing.

Enikuomehin....To be a councillor is better than to be a presidential aspirant

I think that we should get this straight. While the president may have acted in the interest of the country, the National Assembly should set the record straight so that we won’t be having problems with court cases in the future on the tenure of the new board.

The members should serve out their four years and that is my major concern. I am not interested in going back to the commission. I have told everybody that I only want to serve out my term and return to private law practice. I served for one year and eight months and I am fulfilled. I have done my best and I leave posterity to judge my membership of the board.

Now that you are out of the NDDC, are you considering taking a shot at the governorship race in Ondo State like some youth groups have been clamouring?

There is nothing bad in trying but I believe you must strike when an iron is hot. Striking a cold iron will mean you will exert more energies and efforts. My take is that while one is eminently qualified, one must not also be seen to be swimming against the tide. My party is still in a state of comatose and different factions are fighting for the soul of the PDP.

The party in Ondo is like a doll with different parts in different hands. So, if I want to contest, who will I work with? Is the structure strong enough? I don’t just want to contest for the sake of contesting. To be a councillor is better than to be a presidential aspirant. I don’t want to be a governorship aspirant for the fun of it. And, in any case, Governor Olusegun Mimiko is doing some good works though he is not a member of my party. It is the same with Governor Fashola in Lagos. So, since I believe Mimiko is doing some good works, I may not be opposing him to get second term.

This is why some PDP members are alleging you actually belong to Labour Party (LP)…

(Cuts in) Because I said the governor is doing some good works? Am I also of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) because I acknowledge Fashola is working? Because I acknowledge Amaechi is working, then I am also of the PDP in Rivers? When we see good governance, we should own up even when the performers are not of the same party. Let’s face the fact. I am not of the LP but of the PDP.

You aspired to be PDP national legal adviser in 2008. Are you contesting at next year’s national convention?

For now, the coast is not too clear. I am aware that the national secretary of the PDP has been zoned to the South-west and many gladiators are coming out. Between now and next March is long. Only God can determine who will be alive then. If I am offered the post after due consultations, I will take it. But, before then, the head of the fish determines how good the fish will be. The head of the party will determine how the party will perform. Of all the gladiators coming out, I find out that Dr Bamanga Tukur stands out. He was governor of old Gongola State, chairman of NEPAD and Africa Business Roundtable. He had made his name and money. If he comes to the party, he is making a sacrifice. He has character and will not be begging governors for contracts as party national chairman. He has connections and pedigree. His name opens doors anywhere in the world. I think PDP needs a man like him now.

Does the PDP need a recycled politician like Tukur?

One of the arguments against former Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, was that he did not recycle some of the players and we lost the Nations Cup ticket. You don’t change a winning team. You only remove a dead wood. When a wood is still working, you make use of it. Awolowo was 78 and actively involved. If something can be recycled and it works, then go on. Is he a dead wood? Did he not do well in NEPAD or Roundtable? If he is not a dead wood, then let’s recycle him.

Shouldn’t the PDP be looking for fresh blood?

Yes, we need new breeds but we cannot dispense with experience. The young ones must continue to learn until it is their turn. We need the wisdom of elders. As long someone is useful, you keep using him.

Are you contesting for the PDP national secretaryship?

The consultation are still on and, like I said, I will strike when the iron is hot. If I study the terrain well, I will jump in. It is an idea you must work out well. Those who have declared can move on. If you are going to Maiduguri and someone else took off earlier with a bicycle, you just watch until midnight. Then, you can take a flight and get there much faster. It is not when you declare but the network involved. I will be prepared for anybody when I am fully convinced of contesting.