Chief Patrick Ogochukwu Egolum is a
political scientist by training and a product of University of Calabar. In 2010
he contested for the governorship election on the platform the platform of New
Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and lost to the former governor of Anambra State,
Mr. Peter Obi. But he is not giving up. Now, Egolum has lowered the bar himself
and is going for the House of Assembly seat instead. In this interview with
Daily Independent Correspondent Chukwujekwu Ilozue,Egolum speaks on his
latest political ambition to represent Anaocha II in the House of Assembly.
Egolum who hails from Nri also talks about the position of APGA in the next
election and his thinking about Chief Victor Umeh’s political ambition, among
other issues.
Excerpts:
What actually motivated you to
contest for the House of Assembly, Anaocha II constituency; after all, there is
already a representative for the constituency?
As you had contested for the
governorship race and now, you are joining another phase of the contest, House
of Assembly, how do you reconcile the two?
Thank you. I was born to serve and
it must not be only as a governor. Well, in 2010, I ran for the governorship
election in Anambra State under New Nigeria Peoples Party. I contested for that
position in order to encourage the youths in Anambra state that now is the time
for the good ones to come into politics and strengthen some dynamic issues in
the state. The former governor, Mr. Peter Obi did marvellously well in the
state and that was why, after that governorship election, I gave him my full
support and consequently joined APGA. Beyond the basics, I am in the race for
the state House of Assembly just to add more of my support to the present
governor, Chief Willie Obiano, whom everybody has the confidence to take the
state to another enviable height of development. I still believe that Obiano,
judging from the impact already made in the state will surpass what his
predecessor did during his eight years in office.
We have also joined him in drumming
the support for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
Actually, this particular support for Jonathan by APGA family could be
described as total commitment to Jonathan’s brotherly tie with Ndigbo and a
further push to deliver the full content of his transformation agenda. So, no
going back for Jonathan and that is our stand, my stand. Coming to my
aspiration for the state legislature, I don’t think it is a desperate end for
me to be in position. Rather, even if it entails going to the local level to
serve my people, with all honesty and moral commitment, I will go wherever the
wind of change takes me to which will eventually better the lives of my people.
I want to show my people what leadership is all about; I don’t pray to be a
ruler but a servant leader.
You said that your national
chairman, Sir Victor Umeh, is coming out for Senate, but from feelers we learnt
that most APGA members are not supporting this project?
You see, there are a lot of gossips
in politics. Chief Umeh is a great fighter and he has been holding APGA
together for more than ten years. A young man of his type should be encouraged
to go and give us proper representation for Anambra Central Senatorial zone at
the Senate. We have supported the federal government so much and without APGA
in Anambra State, President Jonathan wouldn’t have gotten the amount of votes
he got from the South East in his last election. What are we saying? We are
saying that APGA family has tasted Chief Umeh’s doggedness and that predicated
our trust in him. No matter what anybody says, he is ripe and mature for such
political calling.
Is there anything more exceptional
you have in mind to deliver for your people if you are given the mandate?
Thank you once more for this
singular question. As I said earlier, I am a practical person, maybe in line
with my academic as a political scientist. I know how policies are gathered,
formed and put into full implementation. Though, I wouldn’t like to boast or
start building castles in the air on what I will likely perform if given the
mandate. But what I know that is more paramount in our lives is to deliver life
assurances. These involve creating the basic policies on housing, food and shelter.
With these provisions, crime rate in the society will reduce drastically
because life will be worth living when you are no longer dependant on anybody
to give you money to do the right.
Most of APGA members are so
enthusiastic about victory at the polls when it seems that APGA’s house is
collapsing. About four members of the House of Representative have defected to
PDP and former governor, Mr. Peter Obi, resigned as BoT chairman. Now, we are
hearing that Governor Obiano is also contemplating joining PDP. What gives APGA
the confidence that it will not lose in the elections?
Gossip and gossip in every nook and
cranny; I am here to re-assure you that APGA still has solid foundation even in
the absence of those rumoured to have defected to PDP. Ordinarily, we should
all know that Governor Obiano is still the face of APGA and solidly behind the
party both in mobilisation and logistics. And by the special grace of God, he
is going to take us farther to the next level within the period of eight years
expected of him to be in office. Having said this, considering the short time
he has spent in office, Governor Obiano has jealously shown the propensity to
execute his four cardinal developmental agendas within the promised time frame.
To this effect, he has already
taken the bull by the horn by disengaging all manner of criminal activities in
the state. No doubt, this has boosted the business web of the state by creating
an enabling environment for both indigenous and foreign investors to come into
the state and establish their businesses without any security threat.
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