My options for elective office are open- Bobtee

(Being an interview granted The X-ray Newspaper and published May 31st, 2010.)

The X-ray: Recently, the Yakurr caucus headed by Mr. Bassey Ewa of the House of Reps was inaugurated and has started work. The caucus has taken the first major step in Yakurr politics by zoning the chairmanship position in Yakurr. Without explanations, the caucus has commenced the zoning arrangement with Bikobiko and it is settling the councillorship across the council area. Could you comment on the Yakurr caucus and what it is doing so far?

Thomas Ofem: Well, I am not a member of the Yakurr caucus, but information reaching me has it that the members voted and zoned the chairmanship position to Biko-biko. In my own opinion, the idea of setting up caucuses is in itself an aberration. Basic democratic tenets require that a level playing ground be provided all aspirants irrespective of where they come from. Such aspirants could therefore be reduced to one candidate through an open process of party primaries. Who does the caucus represent? What happens to potentially viable candidates that are not from Biko-biko? Our concern as Yakurr people at this stage in our evolution should be how to put the best candidates into leadership positions and how we can collectively hold such persons accountable to us. The caucus arrangement detracts from this and allows imposition through the back door. You can see for yourself the level of public outcry and dissatisfaction that attended the zoning exercise.

The X-ray: Your Ijom council ward has just lost its second bid to grasp the chairmanship position in Yakurr as the only ward in Ugep urban yet to get it. How do you feel?

Thomas Ofem: Naturally I feel sad about it, but I am not sure it is over yet. I hear some Ijom sons (about 3, I think) have bought the intent form of the party. Since they have bought the form, the party cannot afford to ignore them. A “primaries” would be held and it is left for Ijom people to close their ranks, present a common front and mobilize intensively and extensively for support at the party primaries. It is not enough to aspire to be Chairman, you must work hard for it as nobody is willing to give you power on a platter of gold. Let me use this opportunity to register my concern on the way politics is played in Ijom… Ijom is currently too porous for comfort. For a ward that has the largest pooling votes in yakurr and prides itself as the most educated unit, it is disheartening that Ijom cannot get what it wants politically. Where is Chief Obeten Okorn Obeten? Where is Chief Wilfred Inah? Where is Chief Wilfred Eko? Where is Chief Ikpi Okoi Onen to mention a few? These men are seasoned politicians with the necessary experience to provide the Ijom man a sense of direction, but they don’t talk to each other for reasons known only to them. Until these men and others not mentioned here abandon their personal interests and selfish inclinations, and come together as one, Ijom will continue to remain the whore that every politician can have for free.

The X-ray: We hear the decision of the caucus of zoning the chairmanship to Bikobiko is generating some controversy to the point four or more Ijom sons have gone ahead to purchase their intent forms. They insist on the point that the opportunity to produce the next chairman of council has to be given to Ijom. What is your comment?

Thomas Ofem: I am an Ijom son. I identify fully with the dreams and aspirations of the Ijom people. I salute the courage of all Ijom sons who have gone ahead to buy the intent form- It is proof of the Ijom man’s believe in due political process. But the Ijom people must evaluate all aspirants against a pre-agreed criteria in order to eliminate and present only formidable candidates who can stand a chance at the party primaries.

The X-ray: In 2007 when you ran the Yakurr council chairmanship election and lost, you came up as the only man challenging the PDP. This time around, we may not have any opposition. Why in your opinion do you think that all our people are fighting and ready to kill themselves in the PDP rather than trying themselves in other parties as you did?

Thomas Ofem: What happened in 2007 is enough to enthrone a one-party state in a poverty-infested community as ours. I spent my life’s savings in mobilizing Yakurr communities for the elections. I and my supporters transcended the 13 council wards of Yakurr more than three times each and by the time the elections came, we were sure of victory at the pools. The PDP-government thought otherwise…the decision of who should be Chairman had been made a long time ago…so Yakurr people were not allowed to vote. Election materials were carted away under police protection to Ekori and other areas where lackeys where paid pitiable amounts to thumb print ballot papers…You know the rest of the story. Today we are in the PDP and a lot of people have questioned why I should take this decision! My answer is that having watched the way the PDP operates, it will take an insider to change it for the better. Yakurr people deserve to benefit from this democracy, but a few bad eggs in the PDP have decided to hold the people hostage while they steal our commonwealth. They capitalize on the poverty and ignorance of our people. We have decided to fight this cabal from inside. We know them and we are watching and waiting. They cannot sideline us forever- for the dominance of evil over good can only be temporary.

The X-ray: How do you feel about the gradual emergence of Yakurr as a one party community despite our level of education? Is it the best for us?

Thomas Ofem: A one party system is not the best for any people. A young democracy like ours requires checks and balances and this can only be provided by positive deviance. But like I said, we still have key persons in the PDP that are so afraid of opposition that they can do anything to kill the opposition. This should not be so. PDP having been in government for all these years has what it takes to endear itself to the people, and win any elections without recourse to rigging or strong arm tactics. All we need to do as a party is to make the development and advancement of our people our number one priority…provide them the basic amenities and infrastructure… create opportunities for the actualization of their life dreams and ambitions.

The X-ray: If the National Assembly cuts down the 59 political parties in Nigeria to two, what difference do you see coming to Yakurr politics?

Thomas Ofem: I support that recommendation. It will reduce the confusion associated with having to contend with lots and lots of party logos and identities. Two political parties would allow for a clear cut ideology between party A and B and people can easily recognize this and choose which to follow.

The X-ray: With the apparent confused state of the PDP in Yakurr, are you satisfied that you recently declared for this party?

Thomas Ofem: I think through my actions before I take them. I am satisfied that I am in the PDP. I don’t think there is confusion in the party… the party leadership knows exactly what it is doing and what it wants. The issue is that some of the recent decisions taken by the leadership have not gone down well with the generality of the people. It is the responsibility and moral obligation of the party leadership to listen to the agitations of party members with a view to addressing same. After all, politics is mostly about negotiations and horse trading.

The X-ray: With your present job, what do you want in politics?

Thomas Ofem: I have put in 20 years since I graduated from the University. I have spent 17 of these 20 years designing and implementing health and social development programs- This level and kind of experience is needed as we strive to move our community forward. Politics provides one an opportunity to work directly for his people and it will be a disservice to my people if I refuse to show sufficient interest in politics.

The X-ray: Now are you going to run any elections again?

Thomas Ofem: I will keep my options open and see how it goes.

The X-ray: Last word?

Thomas Ofem: Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. I also thank all my supporters for their loyalty and faithfulness. Let’s keep it together in the interest of the Yakurr people.