• PDP has been revived, re-engineered to reclaim lost glory
•Governors, others rushing to APC won’t turn Nigeria to one-party state
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Former deputy governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has for a long time become a household name in many ways, especially as an elected officer who gave up his mandate for a peaceful Imo and got a historic reward for his entitlement after a a long legal battle.
An entrepreneur, management consultant and administrator, Madumere was sworn in as deputy governor after the impeachment of former deputy governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, by the Imo State House of Assembly.
In an interview with Sunday Sun in Abuja, he spoke on a wide range of issues, including his recent defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He claimed that the ruling party receiving defectors into its fold would not translate to APC turning Nigeria into a one party state.
Why did you leave certainty for uncertainty in your decision to defect to the PDP from the APC?
Politics is a dynamic game and must be approached with dynamism. I believe in inclusivity, people oriented governance and collective interest.
The PDP for now represents the basic platform for me to serve my people and numerous supporters. In life what is constant is change. I can tell you for free, politics is full of dynamic disposition, where you expect the unexpected.
So, let’s keep our fingers crossed and watch out for the rejuvenation of our great party the PDP. My defection from the APC to the PDP was not leaving certainty for uncertainty as you alluded to in your question. It was not a mistake but a decision I thought over before taking.
Having decided to join the PDP, which many politicians consider a carcass of a party the question will be, which faction of PDP did you join?
I am in PDP to join hands with like minds to rebuild the system. I am a firm believer in reconciliation, rehabilitation and recovery. My party has bright prospects to bounce back into limelight. I am in PDP as part of the efforts of the stakeholders to create history, in refocusing and rebuilding the party for viability, visibility and posterity.
The founding fathers of the party did a great job in bringing people and professionals from various backgrounds and ethnicity together.
When I decided to join the PDP, the least thing I considered were the factions. Yes there is bound to be misunderstanding in even among family members but the good news is that the party is inches away from becoming a united family.
I urge the people to watch out for the revival and re-engineering of the PDP into it’s lost glory. This we are determined to approach and accomplish and together we shall be victorious.
Many politicians feel that APC will provide you with brighter chances of winning elections but why did you turn your back against the ruling party?
On the surface, the assumption looks very correct but I am an incurable optimist and a believer that my season and time is firmly in the hands of God and with God all things are possible.
We are on the journey of divine favour and grace, and divine grace works with divine sustainability. As we march on, things will begin to unfold positive. I believe, I have built solid reputation, working in synergy with my people and the testimonies are numerous.
The desire to serve my constituent is a continuous process and no matter the party, I am confident they will vote for me going by my track record.
What is your understanding of the speculations that APC leaders are turning the country into a one-party state?
My people have a saying that when an instrumentalist is playing, one is free to choose his dancing steps. You called it speculations, and I will rather discuss facts.
However, APC is on the throne as the ruling party and the people are free to join the train. The stakeholders have various reasons to woo people to APC and considering the volume of politicians joining the party, people are right to think that the APC is on a mission to make Nigeria a one-party state.
But, you will notice that the various political parties have set up machinery encouraging people to come over to their fold. Let’s watch out as events unfold.
Yes, considering the numbers of state governors that defected to the APC and the elected legislators and opposition party chieftains joining APC in droves, but it is easier said than done. Nigeria will not slide into a one-party state.
The most credible alternative to the APC is the ADC. Why didn’t you consider it a more viable option to join than the PDP?
The world is full of choices. I have my vision and focus, coupled with the right to associate with any group of my choice. In party politics, inclusivity, cohesion and public trust matters.
One is not expected to force oneself to a group that does not value your capacity and capability. You rather romance with people that value your acumen and dexterity. This is key and very important.
What are your fears for the 2027 general elections, particularly the presidential poll?
I perceive from the way you are sounding that certain scenario is playing around your subconscious mind. Relax. I operate from the standpoint of cautious optimism. All hands must be on deck to behave according to the rules and regulations.
We must all support INEC and other personnel to perform effectively in delivering a transparent, credible, free and fair elections next year.
One may be tempted to conclude that there may be danger signals or red flags judging by certain factors playing out in the build-up to the poll like the new Amended Electoral Act from the INEC among others but we have crossed this road previously. We will certainly overcome.
Did you also see desperation on the part of President Bola Tinubu to retain his position beyond 2027?
Desperation, you said? I have not seen any. This appears like your perspective. I advise you open up and educate us further, since you have the details.
I am sure you may be referring to the allegations in many quarters that he wants to crush the opposition to ensure he contests unopposed or with a weakening.
There is also this allegation of his sponsoring the leadership crisis rocking the opposition parties, but there is no credible evidence to prove these claims beyond any reasonable doubt.
Considering the fact that politics is local, what are the mathematical chances of your rebranded party, PDP resurrecting in your home state, Imo, currently under the APC?
As you are aware, every political party operates with a strategy. Don’t forget that everything is possible in politics. And as far as every politician is concerned, there is no impossibility in his dictionary.
We have our strategy and methodology very close to our chest. Our game plan on how to bounce back is wrapped up and it will be improper to disclose same publicly.
As a general does not disclose his tactics to his opponents, I will rather say that when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it.
Will it be right to say that APC wasted and killed your political career with the several years you spent with the party?
As I told you earlier, I operate with cautious optimism. Never! APC never killed my political career. they rather made me stronger and forward-looking.
I gained valuable experiences the duration of time I spent with the APC and that I have left the party to seek political fortune in another party does not mean that APC wasted my political career.
Watch out because I will launch my blueprint soonest and open up on the direction I intend to navigate in the current dispensation. I am still a force and I don’t need to make noise about it.
Does it bother you that the country is collapsing under the weight of insecurity and economic stagnation yet the APC government is more preoccupied with retaining power than redirecting the sinking ship of the country?
I wish you could direct this question to the appropriate authorities. However, I believe security is everybody’s business. We must be vigilant, come together and be our brothers keeper.
As someone outside the corridors of managing security, I may not speak authoritatively, however, I also know that Mr President is doing his best to tackle insecurity and end the activities of the non-state actors.
We must give him more time because security is a big challenge confronting mankind across the globe. As I said earlier, we must individually and collectively contribute in solving security problem in the country.
What is your objective assessment of the performance of your state governor, Hope Uzodimma after almost eight years in power?
What do you want to hear from me? Honestly, the masses and populace are in a better position and disposition to answer your question and to give objective assessment of the government of Imo in the number of years he has lasted.
However, it is imperative to note that performance is relative and differs from person to person. I will submit that in terms of federal roads rehabilitation, the governor, Hope Uzodimma, has made significant impact.
I think a lot needs to be done in terms of rural roads construction and rehabilitation. Consequently, human capital development and job creation should equally be given priority.
Are you among many opposition party members not too comfortable with the amended Electoral Act as it concerns the 2027 general elections, particularly the challenge of digital membership register and conduct of party primaries?
I believe the National Assembly did its best in the amendment of the Electoral Act. They have done their best given the prevailing circumstances. I am not in a position to determine if their best is good enough.
On the issue of digital membership , and conduct of party primaries, the leadership of the various political parties are in a better position to answer the question.
What will be the defining factors of next year’s general elections especially with the impression that APC has set machinery in place to clinically rig it?
I am not a soothsayer, neither am I a prophet, I will advise you to direct your question appropriately to the right quarters.
However, I will say that regardless of the outcome, we must always have at the back of our minds, that no election anywhere in the world is perfect.
Do you think that the APC government should take more blames than the Middle East crisis in the excruciating economic woes facing Nigerians today?
I think the present administration under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu has put modalities in place through structural reforms aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of the masses.
But this is not time for blame game, it is time to find lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the nation.
Are you among those that believed that what will be the greatest undoing of the coalition ADC will be the inordinate personal ambition of political gladiators like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and other leaders jostling for the party’s presidential ticket?
I am a member of PDP and can only discuss my party’s methodology. ADC has its modalities and instrumentality. I can only highlight that when they get to the bridge, they must find a way to cross same. It is however instructive to note that I cannot speak for ADC.
Have you forgiven your former principal Rochas Okorocha over his maltreatment to you and has the present administration paid you the money ordered by the court of law?
His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is my boss and still remains my boss. I have nothing against him. During his tenure, we worked together cordially.
It is instructive to also note that I have not been paid by the present administration, after taking all necessary steps. I believe a labourer deserves his wages and I appeal to the present government to do the needful.
The post Why I dumped APC for PDP, shunned ADC – Madumere, ex-Imo deputy governor appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
