CHIEF Rita Lori-Ogbegbor is a leader in the Niger Delta and also the Igba of Warri in Delta State. In this interview, she bares her mind on the state of the nation just as she laments the current trend of events in the country. She also comments on many other burning national issues.

SENATOR Uche Chukwumerije representing Abia North Senatorial District has dismissed the PPA as nothing but an extention of the business empire of Chief Orji Uzor Kalu. Announcing his resignation from the party, Chukwumerije cited alleged lack of interest in the party.

I met them. I was ADC to Zik. The Sarduana, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Zik, had no problem. All the Okparas, Ibiams and others didn’t have any problem with each other. They were all wonderful people. So, looking back, there were no problems with the leaders. But Nigeria was in a kind of hurry. That was why the military came in, thinking they could do things faster and change things overtime. They believed they could change people by forcing them but you don’t do that.

I think it is unfortunate. But having said that, you know parliaments do engage in that kind of brawl. The Japanese parliament and parliaments of many other countries engage in it. It is not something to be concerned about. Definitely, it is nothing to be worried about. But I do think that the House of Representatives should find a better way of sorting out of their differences and I don’t think the best way to do it is to suspend the members who disagree with you. It is not democratic if you say a member accuses you of corruption, you should suspend him.

In the beginningTHE political crisis which has engulfed Abia state following the strained relationship between Governor Theodore Orji and his political mentor and former governor of the state for eight years, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, will no doubt affect the governance of the state either positively or negatively.

It was like it will never happen. That Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State will never ever part ways with his party, the Progressive Peoples Alliance [PPA], and by extension his political mentor and the founder and BOT chairman of the party, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu. They were seen as being too close, having worked closely for long and shared a lot of confidence.

Nigeria is on the march again. The nation is on the move again in full preparation to decide who will lead the country for another four years. Nigerians have been debating on the type of leaders we deserve and demand as we journey on the golden jubilee of our fatherland. It is however important to note that the nation can only achieve greatness if all the sub systems ( the states) move along in the same pace as the federal.

Governor Theodore Orji is about the only governor so far whose deputy has shown interest to take over his job even when he (Orji) is eyeing second term like other governors. In this interview the governor spoke on his plans for the 2011 race even as he said that he was not aware of his deputy’s ambition o run against him. He also spoke on other issues affecting the state . Excerpts:

His Highness Anabs Sara Igbe is a foremost Niger Delta activist. He was special adviser to former governor Peter Odili on security matters. In this interview he makes it clear that Ijaw elders have decided that President Good luck Jonathan should contest the 2011 presidential election.

Mohammed Abdulrahman is a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Arewa Consultative Forum and the Secretary of ACF’s Political Committee.

This is the story of the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Peremobowei Ebebi, who had been involved in the politics of impeachment three times before last Thursday when he was himself impeached.

Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Senator Yisa Braimoh (PDP, Edo North), speaking in an interview in Abuja says the Senate has done well so far and the National Assembly is committed to electoral reform.

Mr. Akinsola Jimoh, a chartered insurer and former lecturer at the University of Lagos, is now aspiring to go to the Senate from Ondo South Senatorial District. He says the basic motivating drive came from friends, associates and believers in his passion for expanding the current frontiers of progress and prosperity. He is a member of the PDP.

In every democracy, the key words are justice and true representation because that is the only way to put the right persons who enjoy the mandate of the people in positions of responsibility. Anything short of justice and true representation actually makes democracy a worthless exercise and senseless venture.

“Indeed, what happened was a shame. We’re are sorry. We promised it won’t happen again. We over did it.
“What happened could have been avoided if the suspended members had walked out quietly as expected. We have rules in the House. We are not sweeping anything under the carpet. I have acknowledged that we overdid it. We are not protecting anybody. The suspended members have earlier petitioned the ICPC and the EFCC and they are investigating and will come out with their reports at the end. Everything will be sorted out.