SpicyTricks

A session between The Beam Magazine and its guest for the week, Mr. Victor Dagogo-Jack, a scion of the popular Dagogo-Jack dynasty of Abonnema, in Akuku Toru LGA of Rivers State.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: Please may we know your background including politics?

A: Thank you very much. I am Victor Dagogo-Jack, from Abonnema, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Govt. Area. I do politics.

Once, I have been elected a Councillor, I have been a member several committees both at the state and local government levels, notably amongst them are: Member; Rivers State Technical Committee on Water Needs and Member, Sanitation Committee in Akuku-Toru amongst others.

Q: Do you think the Governor of Rivers State has performed well in terms of governance and politics?

Governance as you will agree with me is a continous process. But that, doesn't end with one administration alone. Governor Amaechi came, and has done his bit in areas of Education, Health, Roads Infrastructure, Security etal. And to me, those bits are enough to say he performed. On politics, I give it to him because, but for him, our state Rivers would have been totally neglected in this in-coming federal government. Governor Amaechi saw it coming, delved into it with all that he has, in the process he was accused, harassed, abused but he was focused. Today, Rivers State I think is one of the prominent states or front line states that Gen. Buhari will pay special attention to when he assumes office in terms of development despite the fact that the governor would be of the P.D.P. I think Rivers People should commend Governor Amaechi for the foresight and connecting us once again to the centre.

Q: Why were you not part of the struggle to ensure zoning and rotation particularly with regards to the contentious issue of governorship of the state?

A: Actually, to be honest with you, I am not a core believer of zoning of elective offices. To me, zoning breeds mediocrity. But considering our country, Nigeria and particularly, Rivers, I think zoning and rotation are necessary because of the evolution of our political process. We are not yet mature politically as we should. So this zoning principle reduces tension and unnecessary acrimony. Again, to put it clearly, our politics now whether you like it or not, is majorly being played based on religion and ethnicity.  So to answer your question, I also joined others in the struggle in my own little available space to say that the Riverine group should be given the opportunity to govern the state this time around.

Q: What is your take on the just concluded elections both federal and state?

A: To me and I think to so many well meaning Nigerians including observers, local and international, the elections were better than the 2011 general elections. In so many parts of the country especially the South-West and the North, the elections were more successful. The successes recorded in those areas were enhanced by the usage of the Card Reader devices. Unlike in the South-East and South-South where the devices failed. In the case of Rivers, it was something like a war and even some of the candidates like Prince Tonye Princewill and Hon. Dakuku Peterside have said so.

Q: The Rivers issue has been on the front burner. The closure of the Courts, the impeachment saga, the appointment of the Chief Judge and the strained relationship between the President and the Governor. What is your take on all these?

A: ‎Firstly, on the issue of the strained relationship between the President and the Governor, I will say it's very unfortunate and to me it was caused by external forces and you can see the consequences on both parties. I pray such a thing shouldn't happen to our state again. The impeachment couldn't stand because it was illegal abnitio. Five (5) members cannot impeach the Speaker of a thirty- two (32) member House of Assembly. The Constitution says “two-third majority of all the members of the house”. So five cannot be two - third of thirty- two. The Constitution is very clear on this. But let me suggest something that can serve as a deterrent, sanitizer, stabilizer of the polity. The suggestion is that anyone or group of persons who subvert any provision or section of the Constitution under the guise of carrying out constitutional function of impeaching any officer illegally should be prosecuted. I think this will sanitize the polity. On the issue of the closure of courts, the Constitution, I think is also very clear on who is qualified to be a Chief Judge, the processes of confirmation and finally the appointment to be made by the governor. I wouldn't like to talk much on it because the matter is already before a judge for adjudication.

Q: The oil wells in your area were ceded to the neighboring Bayelsa State, yet, your people kept quiet while the governor fought back. What has happened to the Kalabaris?

A: I don't think it is fair to say that my people i.e the Kalabaris kept quiet on this issue. The Kalabaris talked, protested, demonstrated and they are still talking and protesting. But you should know politics is involved and some of our sons because they probably are not in good terms with the governor saw this "Oil Well" issue as an avenue to attack the governor by not saying truth to some of our people and took sides with the other party probably for political patronage. To me, the governor didn't fight rather he did what is constitutionally required or expected of him. As the governor, it is his responsibility to protect all human, material or immaterial asset(s) of the state. So, the governor didn't do anything out of the ordinary. He simply did what is expected of him and I say kudos to him. Before I forget, let me also remind you that Kalabaris chiefs and elders including the likes of Alabo T.O. Graham-Douglas and A. K. Horsfall protested. So to say that the Kalabaris kept quiet wasn't correct.

Q: Do you think Buhari will do well or perform better than Jonathan?

A: President Jonathan has done his bits and will be leaving Aso Villa by midnight of May 28. His prayers, I think, should be that the in-coming government should perform more than him, just as he also claims to have performed more than his predecessors. But as for me, I think Gen. Buhari will perform better considering his track-records.