Sir, may we meet you?
I am Mr. Obanor Augustine. I’m a retired civil servant of the Edo state government.
At this moment, what are you into?
Well I’m into politics. I decided to go into politics because I feel the system is very bad and we need people that will come and rectify this situation. You see that a lot of things are going bad, students are even at home instead of schools, the cost of living is so high. So many things, crime, banditry and all that. So it’s too much. We cannot all fold our hands. If we do that, it won’t get better. So I have to come out.
Specifically, what are those things that you want to do differently from the old order?
Well it’s in the area of legislation because I’m going for the senate. The legislatures seems to shy away from the problems of this country. They don’t care about the welfare of their constituencies. They seem not to bother about Nigerians because the law is supposed to control Nigerians, their characters and their way of life. But these things are not there. Rather, you see people going there to amass money without even coming up with a bill and take charge of some areas. Some of the laws are obsolete and they are not making any attempt to correct it. They just go there and sit down. Whatever is passed to them they take it hook, line and sinker. Which is not the best thing. So, I will do my best to change the narratives.
What are your cardinal points?
Proper legislation. Good representation of the people.
Specifically, what senatorial district do you want represent in the senate?
Edo South senatorial district. We are assisting the state government because the senatorial district is part of the state. Perhaps when others see what is happening in Edo South senatorial district and would be tempted to do same.
How bright are your chances?
I have a very bright chance because one, I’m the national coordinator of the Nigerian Youths Movement For Good Governance. So in the Edo state branch, the people are waiting to hear what I will do or say. They are my foot soldiers, they move around and canvass for support and votes for me. Besides that, I belong to so many other groups like my association, alumni association, University of Nigeria, University of Benin Alumni Association and some other groups. So I think I have good chances.
What’s the name of your political party?
The National Rescue Movement, NRM.
Can you tell us about your educational qualifications?
I have my First School Leaving Certificate. I have an NCE from the institute of education, University of Benin. I have a degree in Mathematics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I also have a degree in Public Administration, University of Benin. I also have LLB Hons in Law.
As a politician, does it bother you the way people spend money or bribe people to vote for them?
It bothers me a lot and it’s not the right thing. You see, until we set it right, this country will just be heading towards the abyss. People use money and it’s not supposed to be so. When you use money is when you are doing things for your people, not when you are bribing them to come and vote for you. At the end of the day, you abandon them, stay away in Abuja and nothing is done. I told somebody sometime ago that if somebody bribes you with #10,000 for four years, that means you’ll be getting #7 a day.
What is your advice to those that give and those that collect money for voting?
My advice to them is that they should desist from that. Sell yourself to the people and they will vote for you without you giving them money. Those that collect money, I just gave an analysis. You get #10,000 on Election Day and just find out that you got #7 per day for four years and you would not see them until the next election period. So, what are you using the money for? You can’t even get biscuit of #10. So, you see that someone is just being stupid somewhere.
Why do you think people descend so low to collect peanuts to vote?
Because they have been impoverished. The system is so bad, everywhere you go, things are so expensive, some can’t even feed once a day. You’ll see gentlemen dressed in suit corner you in ring road and ask for transport money. After you give them, they’ll cross the road and wait for someone else. This country has degenerated to a situation where everybody is thinking of himself or herself, not even for the children.
But contrary to your opinion, there are people who believe that it’s not poverty but greediness because they know that the money given to vote won’t amount to anything, yet they collect such peanuts —?
It’s impoverishment. You see, they make life difficult for you so as to make you accept whatever they give to you. When you have no job, nothing you are doing and nobody is caring, when one of these guys come to the village, you hail them because you need money from them. When they give you money, you kneel down and do anything they tell you to do, even if it’s to kill.
You know Nigerians are suffering; what would be your contributions, if you get to the senate to remove them from poverty?
Empowerment. Some of these children not in school, you empower them to learn some certain skills or trade and give them the machinery that they will use by the time they acquire that skill, whether it is tailoring, salon, whatever. If you don’t empower them, then they’ll be in the street and when that happens, you and I cannot sleep.
Some of the major problems facing Nigerians are bad roads, no electricity, refineries are not working, etc. These are basic areas that Nigerians would want a saviour to address. As a senator to be, what do you think you can do to tackle these issues?
Government is divided into three parts. The executive, legislative and judiciary. All work together for the good of the country. The legislators are to make laws. They don’t have one particular project to start executing. It is the executive that will do that. So if the refinery is not working, they have to draw the attention of the executive to it. They can do it by sending a bill to the house. When it is passed, there will be a document to show that this project is to be done and then it will be done. If it isn’t done, then the fault is with the executive. The same applies whether it’s refinery, water, food or electricity.
As a mathematician, what do you think Nigeria can do as a nation to overcome the high rate of corruption?
This is not the function of the legislation but at least we can advise. I have it in my manifesto when I was aspiring to be the president of the federal republic of Nigeria that if you want to curb corruption, first and foremost, let Nigerians not be hungry. Declare a state of emergency on agriculture. Declare a state of emergency on health. Declare a state of emergency on education. These three aspects are very key. When you do this and the system is working, corruption will reduce. Then, set up agencies. Empower the EFCC. Empower the ICPC. Create room for investigations not to last more than three months. Any corrupt official should be prosecuted and tried within three months. Build special courts to try offenders.
Finally, what’s your message to the electorate?
The message I have to the electorate is that they should not look at party to vote. They should look at the individuals and what they are capable of doing. Those that were there before, if they had done nicely, nobody would be complaining. So I think there’s the need to change them. Let them go. They have given their best. I thank them for doing their best which is not good at all. So let other people come up and try their hands. That is the only way that Nigeria can come up. If we continue recycling the old hands and parties, it means that we are not prepared to move forward.
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