You were the first person who led a protest against perceived injustice in the state assembly over acts of imposition, which has not seemed to end. Do you feel vindicated that such protest was not selfish and how did you survive the backlash so far?
Let me begin by giving thanks to God Almighty for keeping us strong and alive till this moment. Yes I am vindicated for what happened between when we were inaugurated and now, everybody has his conscience and conviction, I thank God almighty for giving me the courage to stand by my conviction which I am sure is responsible for my present status.
You were initially strongly opposed to the leadership of Rt Hon Momoh jimoh Lawal, why the sudden change?
I had already made up my mind to work for the unity and good legislative functions that would lift the people of the state from the doldrums and shackles of underdevelopment, anything contrary to that was not my idea before contesting and being elected to represent the people of Ankpa 11. The people know our worth and for them to give us the mandate, we cannot afford to disappoint them. I discovered injustice against Momojimo Lawal and the entire Honourable members, that informed my sudden change.
What exactly can you say is the problem with the House of Assembly?
Imposition of leaders on the Honorable members of the House without their imput is the problem. In the current dispensation, nobody can say has the monopoly of knowledge, nobody can do it alone without the support of others, nobody can do it without respect for constitution and the rule of law. Right from day one of the Assembly, when it was inaugurated on June 3 2015, there was a serious crack amongst members. There was extreme impunity where there was no regard for constitutionality. Until the members agree to come together and chart new course for the way forward, the end is not in sight. Nobody can force any member, or being coerced into any action. It is the election which brought Mr A that brought Mr B.
The House is no longer what a state House of Assembly should be. It’s a House that is in crisis, the House is in disarray. If a State House of Assembly should be committed to constitution scrutiny, Kogi Assembly should have been disbanded since. I feel ashamed to belong to the Assembly.
Are you saying that the problem will soon be over, now that the state is just vegetating.
The courage we have is an inborn thing, nobody buys courage from the market and I thank God for giving me the courage in my life to stand against injustice anywhere I notice it. When I saw injustice being perpetrated against anybody, I stand against it. But if I discover that it is for personal aggrandizement, I back out. We started the crusade against injustice meted to us as elected members of the House of Assembly, we said no, but compared to what a section said had the monopoly of understanding and can impose their ideas on others, we said no. Definitely the water will settle and the truth will prevail and the House will come up again.
What would you want to do differently in House ?
I would want to attract meaningful projects to my constituency so that I would not be forgotten in Kogi State. I have seen what contributions which others before me have contributed in the House from there I have learnt alot and seen what our people need from there I will build my own forte.
How would you impact on the people
Having elected me to the State Assembly, I see it as a big responsibility given to me, therefore the people’s interest will be articulated and we’ll be defended.
We would ensure that Kogi story is heard everywhere. There are numerous intervention we want for Kogi from the Federal government. Ajaokuta and Itakpe are cases that we cannot sleep over. There are several mineral resources in the State that need attention for the general benefit of the State and the country at large.
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