BY EFE MODESTUS
Over the years, the people of the South East have consistently complained about been relegated in the scheme of things in the country. However, there is none agreement on how to address the marginalization.
While a school of thought say the creation of an additional state in the zone will assuage the feeling of the people, another school of thought believe that ceding the presidency to the zone will go help to address the marginalization.
Nevertheless, the member of the House of Representatives, representing Enugu South/Enugu North Federal Constituency of Enugu State, Honourable Chimaobi Atu, say creating at least an additional state and more local government areas for the South East and allowing the zone produce the President of the country are necessary to address the marginalization of the zone
Atu, who spoke in an interview with our eporter, also called for the amendment of the Electoral Act to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) to be able to disqualify candidates for elections, who parade fake credentials. He also spoke on other issues.
Excerpts:
There is repeated cry of marginalization by the people of South East. But while some persons believe that creating an additional state for the South East is necessary to address the marginalization, others think a President from the South East is the way to go. What you think?
Both of them. I stand for both of them. One, if we say South East is part of Nigeria, we should be able to produce a president for the country, in the spirit of fairness and oneness. Then creating additional state and local government areas. In all ramification, you can see that the South East is marginalized. We have five states, while some zones have seven. Also,we have fewer local government areas.While a particular state has almost the same number of local government areas we have in the five states of the South East.
For instance, in Enugu State, we have 17 local government areas. But you know that some states, they have 40, 44 local government areas. Abia how many do they have? 17. Ebonyi 13; Imo, 27; Anambra, 21.
If you check all these things you will see that we are marginalized. They should work towards addressing that. So that we can have equity in the country.
Talking about equity, it is up national Assembly to correct this inbalance? Are we likely to see anything in that direction from you by way of bill?
Yes. We are working in that direction. But we are asking our brothers from different zones to join hands together with us; because we will move it, but they will say majority carries the vote. How many are we? We are just few!
It is this thing kind of things that is fueling agitations. We are been marginalized. Look at the Nnamdi Kanu issue, a court of competent jurisdiction has said he should released. But they are still holding him.
And we know that South East people are very industrious. Law abiding citizens. But when you are not fairly treated; you feel bad. We believe in rule of law. We plead that the federal government should do the needful by releasing Nnamdi Kanu, unconditionally. It will help the zone.
Recently you marked your 100 days in office as a member of the National Assembly, how has it been?
I will say it has not been all that easy, but to the glory of God, Within the 100 days, I have been able to move motions, concerning the erosion problem in our area, installing street lights, grading roads and empowering my people.
I have also sponsored 13 bills including the bill for establishing a Football Academy in my constituency.
For the Football Academy, we said we must engage our youths, to bring out the best in them. And we believe that sports is one of the things that can unite the nation. That is why we are proposing a bill for the establishment of a football academy in my constituency, to take the youths away from the street. When I say street, I mean crime, drug abuse and other social ills.
Then the Federal Medical Center Bill. We need to enhance the health of our people. Successful societies need to have a functional health system. And many other bills, which we are pushing. Some of them have gone for first reading.
The football academy is more of a special school. But it doesn’t take them away from education. You can be in academy and be attending your school. Because we are proposing that they are going to live in the academy. They will have time for their education. They will have time for their sports. Because whatever you do without education, I don’t think it is going to work very well.
We will start with football and move to other sports. Football unites a nation. You can see when Nigerian football teams are playing against other countries, the unity among Nigerians is so thick.
You are the chairman of the Nigerian-Greece Parliamentary Friendship Group, what should Nigerians expect from the committee?
The Nigerian- Greece Parliamentary Friendship Group is aimed at fostering robust relationship between Nigeria and Greece. The speaker of the House of Representatives saw the need for us to have cordial relationships with other parliaments, so that we can exchange ideas.
You know that there are many Greece businesses in Nigeria. We know how they are operating in Nigeria. Nigerians also have their own businesses in Greece. So, we will come up with initiatives that will benefit Nigerians and what Nigerians can import to Greece. You know that Greece was a democracy before us. We can learn from them and they will learn from us too.
From the outcome of the last elections, the judgment from the tribunal that, which part of the Electoral Act, do you think should be amended?
The Electoral Act needs to be amended. You can see more of forgery in our society now. When you apply for job in MDAs, they will tell you to bring you to bring your NYSC discharge certificate, ten years experience, Bsc or equivalent, but for elective office, you will see someone that will tender primary school certificate or a forged certificate. It looks that people that went to school, it is just a waste. Education should be encouraged; not killing our educational system, like what we are seeing in the society.
Are you saying that INEC should have power to disqualify?
Yes. INEC should have power to verify the certificate tendered to it. And if eventually the person forged its certificate, it should disqualify the person, irrespective of the person involved. It kills the spirit of people in school- universities and secondary schools.
Either it is said they forged the university certificate or secondary school certificate. They don’t even know where they attended schools. It is killing our educational system. That is my take.
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2023-10-27
