A MUST READ: The Original Interview by Dr Theodore Okonkwo...

Injustice is wrong, no matter who is involved.

Recently there was a media attempt to tarnish the image of Dr Theodore Okonkwo by political jobbers, who are becoming uncomfortable with the gentleman's towering popularity.

The hands behind the misguided effort tried to pitch the vibrant aspirant against the First Lady of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano and the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, Sir Victor Umeh by publishing concocted lies which they claimed to be from Dr Theodore.

Barr (Dr) Theodore Okonkwo, has publicly rebutted the malicious publication saying, “it is a failed and poor attempt to bring me into hatred, ridicule and odium…”

However, more details just got uncovered.

Below is the original interview granted by the sound APGA aspirant from which the mischief makers twisted the facts to suit their nefarious act…

Anambra State has over time remained a pace-setter in many regards especially in the area of politics and of recent, the State is in the news again. This time, the defection of ex Gov. Peter Obi to PDP and issue of automatic ticket to Chief Victor Umeh . In this interview with ABUCHI IFESINACHI, Awka,  a renowned Chieftain of the Party, Philanropist and Legal Practitioner, Dr Theodore Okonkwo speaks on the issue as well as other matters of public interest in the State and the Country.

 

Excerpts

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What do you think of the automatic ticket given to the Party’s Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, to run for the Anambra Central Senatorial Seat which some quarters are saying is undemocratic?

I think he who works should also reap from where he has worked. It is Biblical too. Chief Victor Umeh has worked. In times of crises, he has been the bridge between the two disputing factions in APGA and he has always found a way to broker peace, so he deserves the honour. APGA members should rally round him. I do not need to speak on his personality and his capabilities but I just know that he has all it takes to contribute meaningfully at the Senate.

Recently, APGA saw the defection of Former Anambra State Governor, Chief Peter Obi to People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Does this pose any worry to you as a Chieftain of the Party?

I would want to approach this issue from the Biblical angle. Saint Paul in 1^stCorinthians 3 verse 6 said, “I plant the seed, Apollos watered it but God makes it grow”. He also said in verse 10 of the same passage “by the Grace God has given me, I laid the foundation as a wise builder and someone else is building on it but each one should build with care”. Translating this down to Anambra State, one would want to ask, who is Peter Obi and who is Willie Obiano? And my answer is- Peter Obi planted the seed for a greater Anambra State, Willie Obiano is watering it but only God brings the increase. By the Grace of God, Willie Obiano is building on what Peter Obi has started. Willie Obiano will surely surpass Peter Obi because that is the prayer of any good father, that his son will be greater than him. So, Willie Obiano will be greater, he is doing well and we should all support and encourage him.

You are a frontline Chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and recently, the Party expressed its willingness at a rally, to adopt President Jonathan as its Presidential Candidate for the 2015 General elections, a move that has come under criticisms, what is your take on the move?

The adoption of President Jonathan by APGA as the Party’s flagbearer for the 2015 Presidential election has not in any way, contravened the law or any known standard rules of politics. Instead, it is a proactive and beneficial step that conforms with the Party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 As Amended. According to Article 24 of the APGA Constitution, the National Executive Council of the Party wields the prerogative to accept and adopt credible and nationally-acceptable candidates for the purpose of running for political positions.

However, it is pertinent that the Party takes further threshold steps in compliance with Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010 As Amended, which stipulates that there be a National Convention of the Party to formally and statutorily ratify such adoption. In a nutshell, what APGA has done was that they have acknowledged that President has genuinely shown his love for Ndigbo and as a result, has extended to him an invitation to continue with his transformation agenda that has faired the people better.

Some people are of the view that having not produced a Presidential Candidate for the 2011 General Elections and not producing one again in 2015, APGA does not qualify as a national political party…

(Cuts in) I would want our people to disabuse their minds from the notion that a political party is just a vehicle for contesting elections. No. A major essence of the Political Party is political education and mobilization to enthrone credible and visionary leadership and which to the best of my knowledge, APGA is doing very well. The mere expression of interest to work with President Jonathan does not in anyway, affect the status of APGA as a national Party, rather it goes to manifest the true spirit of politics in a democratic setting which is hinged in giving power to the people.

As a politician, how do you view the proposed creation of additional 30, 000 Polling Units by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC?

I strongly identify with the stand of the National Assembly on the issue. Even before they said it, I had countered the move as unpopular. It did not comply with the principles of equity and fairness and an analysis clearly reflects that the South-East, the South-South and even the South-West Geo-Political zones were shortchanged. It was not a popular decision by the INEC and should be rescinded immediately for a very peaceful general election come 2015.

Recently, the Supreme Court delivered a judgement giving credence to the earlier verdicts of the Justice Ishaq Bello-led Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal which upheld the election of Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano. Having been a part of the Governor’s legal team at the Tribunal, what is the judgement to you?

The Supreme Court judgement which I think is a victory for continuity in delivering democracy dividends to people of Anambra State, is also one that has convinced co-contestants with Governor Obiano that there may be one winner in the election but the actual victory belongs to the people. Considering the concurrent findings of the two preceding courts which were in favor of the Governor, it is not therefore surprising that the Supreme Court ruled in his favour. It is only in exceptional circumstances where clear evidence of non-compliance has been established that such preceding judgements can be overturned.

I want to commend the Judiciary for once again, remaining steadfast in maintaining its stance as an unbiased umpire and the last hope of the Common Man and it is my hope that the judgement should end all hostilities and avail the Governor the much-needed atmosphere of conviviality for the smooth administration of the state. It is a good thing that Governor Obiano has extended a hand of fellowship to those great sons of the state who contested alongside him and I would implore them to accept the offer and join hands with him in building a new Anambra of our dream.

Six months into his tenure, what do you see as the highlights of the administration of Governor Obiano so far?

Security! The Governor’s acknowledgement of security as a precondition for the development of the state is highly applaudable. Some parts of the state which had hitherto been dens of criminals have been sanitized. This has not only returned nightlife to the state but has also attracted within a short period, flocks of investors into the state.

Statistics from the newly established Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA, which revealed that the state has received over 120 enquiries from investors across the world, has buoyed the state government to set a target of 1.9 billion US dollars on investment by the end of 2014. Aided by this sanity and friendly business environment, the state was able to pull off a Memorandum of Understanding with 3 establishments in the area of Agriculture and Tourism totaling about 148 million US dollars. This and other deals capable of creating thousands of jobs and reducing the state’s food supply deficit by 99%, are landmark achievements.

Also, the Governor’s explicit articulation of the cardinal points of his development agenda namely- Agriculture, Trade and Commerce, Industrialization and Oil and Gas as well as the enablers that will drive their achievement, points to a man who knows his onions administratively. The state capital of Awka, Onitsha the Commercial hub and Nnewi are all witnessing massive infrastructural upgrades. In fact, Anambra State is simply on a fast lane towards aggressive multi-sectoral development.

Rumours are making the rounds that you want to run for Idemili North/South Federal Constituency Seat, what is your reaction to this?

I would want to draw the people’s attention to Psalm 62 verse 11 and it says “Power belongs to God. One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard, that power belongs to God”. Yes, I Barrister Dr Theodore Okonkwo, (Ph.D Law), am running for Idemili North/South Federal Constituency Seat. I seek my Party, APGA’s nomination to contest for the Federal Constituency seat. But as I said, power belongs to God. Wide consultations are ongoing as to why I want to vie. My reason for running and my focus is effective grassroot representation, youth empowerment and holistic approach to constituency development projects in line with the giant strides of our amiable Governor, Chief Willie Obiano. You cannot send a shoemaker or an Engineer to go and make laws for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am a lawyer with a Ph.D in Law and with my experience at the Bar spanning over 27years, I offer myself most humbly to APGA and to the delegates from Idemili North and South Local Governments to nominate and select me as the APGA Candidate for Idemili North/South Federal Constituency election come 2015. I am on a rescue mission. Idemili North has been marginalized in the area of representation be it at the Senate or the Federal House of Representatives so I am coming to make the difference. This is no political talk. Those who know me can attest to my pedigree but as I said, power belongs to God and it is only the people that can say. I am equally delighted that Governor Obiano has said that there will be a level playing ground for all contestants and that there will be no imposition of candidates. It is on this premise that I stand to contest and promise my people that if they elect me, my representation will be people-driven.

This interview was published by 247Ureports.com