SDP Committed Blunder By Endorsing Jonathan – Kaka

Senator Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka, a former Deputy Governor in Ogun State represented Ogun East Senatorial district in the 7th National Assembly. The chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in this interview with Anthonia Duru spoke on some issues that borders on national development.Excerpts… 2015 election was adjudged to be free and fair. As one of the contestants in that election who didn’t win, what are your thoughts about the conduct and outcome of the exercise? Globally, there is no absolutely free and fair election. What we do is comparative assessment. When we compare what transpired in 2015 with that of 2011, it was generally believed that it was better off. That is not to say we don’t have flaws with the electoral system. With the electoral Act there are issues. With the conduct and the process which led to the conduct, there are problems. There was massive financial inducement in the last election. That is not the fault of INEC or the electorates who are extremely poor and some of them are destitutes with unemployment. The hunger is everywhere and it is the politician that created that. Many had thought you will challenge the outcome of the election in court The defeat I suffered, I can identify the sources. The rigging that took place is not such that you can easily substantiate. The most important aspect is financial inducement and you can’t defend that in the court. The pre-election voting is difficult to substantiate. My party SDP committed a blunder of announcing the adoption of Goodluck Jonathan which was against the change mantra that was ongoing. This really worked against the party at the polls. I have been in and out of government for the past 28 years. I think it will be out of place if I go to tribunal just because the exercise didn’t favour me. I am thanking my God because I satisfied the expectations of my people within me. I satisfied my conscience during that period. I don’t have any form of ill-feeling or regret any action I took while I was in government. If given another opportunity, I will still do all I did. I won’t induce any voter with money, I will go into it to expose the shortcoming of the system. I was very active during NADECO days and we weren’t expecting anything other than fighting for justice. I will still fight for justice as often as circumstances demand. SDP to some is a child of circumstance which was formed as a result of crack in Ogun APC. Can this party stand the test of time? SDP has being in existence before the election and it will exist after the election. We have representatives in the House of Representatives. It is a party for the future. What is your next line of action in politics aside party politics? To set the record straight, I am a farmer by profession and by vocation, so I am not idle. I have a farm established over 20 years ago and the profit there is enough to meet all my financial expectations. On that note, politics is an hobby for me, because it has been promoted to a level of business and to some it is a matter of life and death I don’t believe I have to be there at all cost. The only thing is that once you have passion for enthronement of justice and for ensuring the development of growth of the society, you just have to be interested in what is happening around you. What is your view on the recent upsurge in Boko Haram attacks? What is happening in the country has been like that for many years and it is very frightening. I know our security operatives are trying but I think their best is not good enough. They need to redouble their effort to ensure we stop the carnage we are witnessing every day. Initially we missed the point when we attributed their activities to religion; it took us four years to understand that they have no religion motive as no religion preaches violence. If we don’t identify the problem then we won’t get any result. We need money to repair all the settlements that were destroyed by this sect. we are also spending money on the security and there are internally displaced persons that must be rehabilitated. Without properly identifying the problem, we will be glowing in darkness and we won’t find solution to the problem. Cost of governance is still very expensive in the country, as someone who once collected for many allowances; Don’t you think there is need for lawmakers to cut down on the cost of running governance in Nigeria? If you check my previous submissions, I believe the cost of government must be drastically reduced. Noting stops us from going back to the parliamentary system of government that is more cost effective, accountable and that is more evolving. I believe in it and I am an advocate of it. The National Assembly is also not doing enough to give a clearer perspective of what amount; I also believe that the work of a legislator could be accomplished done on a part-time basis. These are all area of cost-savers for the country. The issue of enumeration by our legislators was enshrined by some wise men who crafted for our constitution. Unfortunately we have been abusing it. The overhead cost at all the levels is just too much and if we really desire development in Nigeria, we need to reduce it. Of what effect do you think the recent bailout President Buhari gave to states to pay salaries will be? The most important positive thing about the bailout is that those who labored and whose sweat must not dry before they get their entitlements will be paid. If only for that I commend the president, I pray the affected governors will not divert the money. We have an inflationary economy; the naira is getting to an unprecedented level to the extent that our naira is now N230 to a dollar, which is unheard of in the history of Nigeria. The local industries we want to protect will not increase their capacities. The effect will be galloping inflation which we are already experiencing. Do you think political office holders who cut their pay be applauded? Psychologically it may have effect but in real term, where is the money going to? Have the abolished the security votes that is gulping most of the money? Has the allowanced being reduced? Are we stopping the white elephant projects that are scattered through the country? There are many abandoned projects all over the country and these are because the projects were not well thought of. Have we blocked the loopholes and have we punished those who committed the offences? The three tiers of government have not done well for the country. Don’t you think there may be a kind of frosty relationship between the executive and legislature at the federal level in the dispensation? I don’t think so if they have patriotic spirit. Our acts and deeds must be in the overall interest of the nation. If for whatever reason all the people involve are patriotic, they should be able to work together. Interest of the country must supersede all primordial motives so we can move the nation forward.