Dr Theodore Okonkwo’s Interview: Okonkwo Is A Lawyer And Stalwart Of The All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) In Anambra State. See His Views

When the Niger-Delta militancy problem was resolved through
amnesty, Nigeria enjoyed a relative peace but that peace is completely eroded
with the recent bombings of various sorts in many parts of the country. From
the inglorious kidnap of schoolgirls in Chibok, the situation has worsened,
eliciting the people’s condemnation as well as suggestions on the way forward.

In this interview with odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com  a lawyer and stalwart of the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) in  Anambra State, Dr Theodore Okonkwo spoke on the negative development , the need for concerted efforts towards
addressing the problem and other sundry national issues.

 odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com asks Dr Theodore Okonkwo, what is his assessment of security situation in the country now?

The security situation in the country is one that every
well-meaning citizen should be concerned about. Whether you are from the East,
the West or the North, we should all know that insecurity in one part of the
country is insecurity all over the country.

This is because what is happening
in the North at present can get to any other part of the country. It is more
so, with the freedom with which citizens can move from one part of the country
to the other, for either business, religious or secular purposes. From my own
perspective which I think is also shared by many Nigerians, the security
situation in Nigeria is worrisome.

This is in view of the recent happenings
across the country. No right-thinking Nigerian is happy that over 200 innocent
schoolgirls of Chibok are missing and are still in captivity. The other week,
football lovers were killed at a viewing centre, a shopping mall at Abuja was
equally bombed, and we can go on and on. More worrisome, is the realization
that these terrorists have penetrated the nation’s capital and one would ask,
“if Abuja can fall, where else is safe”?

What  do you think is the implication in the country, asks odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com?

Whenwe talk about insecurity, we all must bear in mind
that whenever it occurs, no place serves as a safe haven. The Churches, the
Mosques, business places, the government seats and you can go on and on. But a
major source of concern to me outside the huge loss of lives and property that
this canker worm brings, is that it drives away investors from the country.
Everybody is talking about the high level of unemployment  or
underemployment as the case may be, but have we asked ourselves, what are the
driving factors? 

 When industries are built in the country, openings are
created for jobs and it is our youths that will fill these positions. But if
you will agree with me according to business principles, no sane person would
want to establish industries where he is not sure at least to a reasonable
extent, that his business is secured. So, one major adverse effect is that
investors whose investments would have contributed in securing a better lease
of life for the citizenry, are now on the run.

Secondly,  it deepens the division in the country. Nigeria
has over the years, struggled to sustain her unity, amidst various challenges
and bottlenecks. At this point when we are beginning to relish the benefits, we
cannot allow insecurity to take us back to the yesteryears. When an Easterner
cannot comfortably live, work or do his business in any part of the North and
vice versa, then we need to watch it. Same applies to the West.

 The massive relocation from the North by people from other parts of the country does not portend positive prospects for the unity of the nation. There is also the
wanton destruction of property which of course, brings capital flight and so
many other negative effects. The conclusion is that insecurity is an ill-wind
that blows no one any good.

Security falls majorly under the exclusive list, although the
States share in the responsibility, what is your take on the efforts of the
Federal Government towards checking this ugly trend especially in view of
criticisms that the President is rather too weak in addressing the issue, odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com asks further?

One fact Nigerians must not lose sight of is that this is not a
federal issue, that is, it should not be left for President Goodluck Jonathan
alone.  Like I said earlier, this is a problem that affects us as a nation.
I cannot say for example, that because I come from the South-East geo-political
zone where it is still relatively calm, that the happenings in the North is
none of my business.

No. That is not patriotism. I would want to acknowledge
and appreciate the efforts of President Jonathan in finding lasting solution to
this imbroglio, especially the initiative of attracting the assistance of the
International community in fighting terrorism in the Country. The President, in
his 2014 Democracy Day broadcast, expressed his determination to protect the
nation’s unity, democracy and stability by waging a total war against
terrorism. He further noted that while the Federal Government will be pursuing
security measures, it would explore all options, including readiness to accept
unconditional renunciation of violence by insurgents, thus ensuring their
rehabilitation and re-integration into the broader society.

This to me, is
evident to his commitment towards fighting terrorism to a standstill. It is
appalling that the whole issue is being politicized at this point when Mr
President needs all the support he can get, from the political class, the
Legislature, the Judiciary, the security agencies, the international community,
the traditional institution and all stakeholders.
              
What is the way out of this situation?

  Security is not a one-man affair and you don’t play
politics with human lives. There is the need for concerted efforts from
everyone involved in ensuring that our country is secure. What I think our
people have not explored is that avenue of synergy irrespective of our
political, religious and ethnic affiliations, to tackle the insecurity
question.

And I would tell you, President Jonathan has shown his commitment to
addressing this problem. The problem is that we have done more politics with it
than proffered solution. Our efforts should be to undertake steps that will
reflect support and empathy for the President and the security agencies and not
capitalizing on the situation to score cheap political points. This is time to
cement the unity of Nigeria, not a time to balkanize it.

The President should further take proactive steps to security
loopholes and moles in the nation’s security apparatchik, including a complete
overhaul of strategies and missions to quell the insurgency
I also think the legislature and the judiciary should sit up in
terms of initiating and enforcing laws that inhibit terrorism.

It would be
recalled that the US position as contained in Nigeria’s Reports on Terrorism
2012, was that one of the weakest aspects in the report is the delay in the
trial of suspected terrorists. It cited the example of the trial of the
suspects behind the Christmas bombing of St Theresa’s Catholic Church in
Madalla, Niger State in 2011 which was still ongoing as at the time of
compiling the report late in 2012. In the light of this, the two arms of
government must sit up.  

Given your perspective on the issue, do you think Nigeria will
survive this insecurity scare as an indivisible entity?

I have always read it, seen it and believed that good must always
triumph over evil. Maybe part of my optimism stems from my belief in God and
his supremacy. Also, is the fact that Nigerians are peace-loving people, with a
history of all manner of conflicts that had torn many nations apart, yet the
country still stands. We equally have religions that inhibit such vices as
terrorism and killings.
Moreover, we are beginning to see more support from developed
countries of the world in the fight. One of such countries is the United States
of America which had witnessed one of the world’s most fatal terrorist attacks,
the 9/11 bombing of the twin towers, which was masterminded by Osama Bin Laden.
The US survived and now they are more alert security-wise. We have also seen
uprisings in many countries, some of them sponsored by terrorists groups but at
the end, these nations survived and are now better for it. Yes, they did
survive! And if they did, why won’t our dear country?

What’s your take on the 2015 general election, preparations by
the INEC and the second term bid of President Jonathan, asks odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com?

I think 2015 is critical for Nigeria .It is critical in the sense that if the
nation gets it wrong then we are in for trouble. With the massive public
enlightenment and advocacy initiative of the INEC, I think the onus is on the
Nigerian electorate to go out and elect visionary leaders to administer the
affairs of the nation for the next four years.

Also the electoral body is
really doing a great job in repositioning the nation’s electoral system. We are
not there yet but I think we are making progress. On the second term bid of
President Jonathan, that is a sure deal and we are strongly behind him.

But with what is happening at present and the oppositions here
and there…..

Cuts in …..There will always be criticism my brother. Jesus was criticized even
by his own people. So, politics is all about overcoming challenges and
criticisms to deliver the true dividends of democracy to the people. Without
opposition and constructive criticism, some politicians may derail. So you may
find that criticisms are required to keep our Leaders on track, and the beauty
is that at the end, our leaders are up and doing and the people are better for
it.

The challenges we are experiencing today in the country, President Jonathan
did not start it. We should give him the chance due him as a citizen to contest
for second tenure and that is where I stand.

You are a lawyer by profession and this July, the Nigerian Bar
Association will hold its national election, are you comfortable with the
guideline released for the exercise?

To be frank with you, I'm very sad and also angry. As a member of
the NBA and International Bar Association, my grouse is that NBA has been
bastardized.NBA has been politicized.  Look at the campaign of calumny
going on among the contestants because this time, the presidency has been zoned
to Western Nigeria. A lot of meetings, a lot of intrigues, a lot of insincerity
is going on.

The high cost of the Presidency is a major issue hampering the
process and members have been kicking against the guideline that has been
brought out for the election particularly the Lagos branch of the NBA of which
I'm  a strong member. The guideline is characterized by many irregularities
that are against the true wishes of the members, part of it being the directive
that branches submit bank tellers as evidence of payment of annual practicing
fee as at April, 2014.

” For me, this requirement is uncalled for as all full
and detailed information of all lawyers and the all branch members who have
paid practicing fee as at March 31, 2014, is already in the custody of the NBA
National Secretariat. What we are saying is, let democracy prevail and let the
best candidate be elected to administer the affairs of the NBA.

If an
association of lawyers, who ought to know the law and uphold it, can be
bastardized, then there is no hope for the common man. So let there be
limitations to our interests so that we can move the legal profession and the
judiciary forward, too. I call on my fellow lawyers who are delegates to the
election, to vote according to their conscience.

The National Conference is on now and lots of reports are
coming, what do you make of the whole exercise, concludes odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com?

I think they have done well, within the confines of their capacity. What am
suggesting should be done, is to put their reports to referendum, not to even
the National Assembly ,let the people of Nigeria confirm what they have said
and then we move on as one Nigeria. We are not going to breakup.