Hon. Charles Odedo, a member of House of Representatives representing Idemili Federal Constituency, Anambra State, in this interview, explains why he parted ways with his mentor, Senator Chris Ngige. He says he is returning to the PDP from where he joined the defunct ACNand contested election into parliament. Odedo also speaks on his chances in the 2015 polls which he aspires to contest.
Why did you dump APC?
I resigned from the APC because I feel my ambition to return to the House of Representatives may not be realized in that party. I have fallen out of favour with Sen. Chris Ngige. Ngige gave me the opportunity to return to the House of Representatives in this 7th Assembly; so when I noticed that the relationship was not as good as it used to be, I knew it was time to go.
He is my leader; I will not stay in his party to fight because he gave me a chance when nobody wanted me. I will rather go away quietly. I have fallen out of favour; I am no longer his favourite. I want to use this opportunity to thank Ngige for giving me that opportunity. I am most grateful.
My ambition to return to the House of Representatives is very popular among Idemili people some elite want to frustrate the will of the people. Only Idemili people can decide my fate.
You are seen as one of the foot soldiers of Ngige in Anambra. Don’t you think that your resignation would affect the senator’s political career in the 2015 elections?
Not at all. I do not think my exit will affect his political career in 2015. Mind you, before my entry into politics in 2005, the senator was already a governor. Remember also that in 2011, he was elected a senator against Dora Akunyili who was supported by Governor Peter Obi. I benefited a lot from Ngige’s goodwill and the good works he did in Anambra Central especially in Idemili North and South.
Not at all. I do not think my exit will affect his political career in 2015. Mind you, before my entry into politics in 2005, the senator was already a governor. Remember also that in 2011, he was elected a senator against Dora Akunyili who was supported by Governor Peter Obi. I benefited a lot from Ngige’s goodwill and the good works he did in Anambra Central especially in Idemili North and South.
I think I will struggle to make it on my own. But I am willing to take my chances. My experience with PDP in 2007 was a bitter one because, after winning the PDP primary election ahead of the general elections, my name was removed. I fought all the way to the Supreme Court before entering the House of Representatives in July 2008. I lost about one year and one month.
I was already a member of the House of Representatives before I joined Ngige in ACN in 2011. I was to be denied the ticket of the PDP, that is why I left for the ACN where I won the election. Now that I perceive that I may not get the ticket of APC, I have to take action.
What really happened between you and Dr. Ngige that made you to quit?
I really do not know what my offence was, but I noticed that some people around Ngige were no longer happy with me.
I really do not know what my offence was, but I noticed that some people around Ngige were no longer happy with me.
They constantly criticized all my actions. They managed to get close to Ngige more than anybody else. Let me give you a few examples of what I am talking about. The signs that showed I have really fallen out of favour with Ngige.
I was not allowed to put an acting Chairman in my ward, one ward out of 326 in Anambra State. When in 2012 my ward Chairman was removed for disciplinary reasons. I actually appointed an acting Chairman pending the time of election for proper replacement.
One of our members from my ward invited Ngige to his house, collaborated with the suspended Chairman and convinced Ngige that the appointment I made could not stand. I was summoned and directed to reverse that appointment. Two, the people that followed me from PDP to ACN were never fully accepted and were always marginalized in the scheme of things.
For example, very senior members of my campaign organization were never invited to critical meetings despite my consistent demand. One of my senior directors got angry and went to one of the meetings uninvited. He was thrown out.
Three, during my 2012 empowerment programme for the constituency, Ngige called me to explain the 10 people I had empowered with vehicles. My critics had reported to him that I was only interested in those who followed me from PDP. After an audit of the distribution, to their shame, it was discovered that the vehicles had been shared 50/50 by me.
Four, during our governorship flag-off, I offered to bear the expenses of the event in my constituency. This offer was rejected despite the fact that the campaign needed funds at that time.
Five, four days to the 16th November, 2013 governorship election, Ngige changed his security. A brother to Ngige prevented me from going to his suite to see him. I was turned back. This act was most unfair and humiliating.
Six, there was this very important assignment that I was given. After I carried it out to the best of my ability and with great cost to me financially, I did not receive appreciation. When I asked his Excellency, he told me that my report was sub-standard.
Seven, the Chief of Staff to Ngige called a party meeting to announce that he was going to contest election for the House of Representatives and announced to everyone that H.E has zoned my position to Idemili North effectively zoning me out.
Other aspirants from the zone have been calling similar meetings for the same reason. I protested to H.E. This matter has never been addressed in an open forum, rather I was told not to worry about it.
Eight, during the ward and local government congress of our party, a person I had opposed was made the Chairman of the party in the local government by eight members. These are people who clearly opposed my ambition to return to the House of Representatives.
These people are now being put in strategic positions of the party. A situation that led me to conclude that the conspiracy against me had been perfected and I had no choice but to leave the APC.
Which political party are you planning to defect to and why the choice of that party?
Point of correction, I came into the 7th Assembly on the platform of ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria) and not the APC (All Progressives Congress). ACN merged with some parties to become the APC. So I did not come to the House on the platform of APC.
Point of correction, I came into the 7th Assembly on the platform of ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria) and not the APC (All Progressives Congress). ACN merged with some parties to become the APC. So I did not come to the House on the platform of APC.
I really do not believe in the APC as I see it as a gang up against the President. The Constitution allows me to leave if I am uncomfortable with the merger. Section 68 (1) (g) affirms this. Now I am returning to the PDP, my original party.
The PDP is broad based and, with the effective leadership of Mr. President and the enthronement of internal Democracy by the National Chairman, I am confident that the PDP will win the 2015 general elections.
Does your defection have anything to do with the believe in some quarters that APC does not have a firm root in the South-East?
My defection has to do with the fact that APC in the South-east revolves around some personalities and is more or less a one-man show; it is almost a dictatorship.
My defection has to do with the fact that APC in the South-east revolves around some personalities and is more or less a one-man show; it is almost a dictatorship.
What is your view on the state of insecurity in Nigeria?
This country is under serious threat because when citizens are attacked and killed, when school children are attacked and kidnapped, when places of worship are attacked at will, you will agree with me that we are in serious trouble.
This country is under serious threat because when citizens are attacked and killed, when school children are attacked and kidnapped, when places of worship are attacked at will, you will agree with me that we are in serious trouble.
At the beginning of the 7th Assembly while contributing to the debate on the legislative agenda of the 7th Assembly I made some suggestions as the way out of this situation. I asked that we should focus on some critical areas because of the state of insecurity in Nigeria.
I asked that attention should be given to agriculture for mass production of food to reduce hunger. Agriculture also creates employment opportunities. The insurgency is fueled by hunger and unemployment.
I made it clear that unemployment is the biggest problem confronting this country today.
I said government should focus on areas of development that will create job. I made it clear that government should set a deadline to stop fuel importation.
I said government should focus on areas of development that will create job. I made it clear that government should set a deadline to stop fuel importation.
All these measures will create jobs for our youths. I pointed out that it was crazy for us in this country every year to set aside up to 70% of our budget for recurrent expenditures, while the budget for capital is less than 30%. Even the capital is not implemented in full; sometimes the implementation of the capital is as low as 25%.
I pleaded for security of lives and property and welfare of our citizens.
I asked that our security agencies should be reorganized especially the intelligence arm for a proactive approach to securing lives. I made the case that our security agencies should be well funded and exposed to foreign training so that their capacity and efficiency will improve.
I asked that our security agencies should be reorganized especially the intelligence arm for a proactive approach to securing lives. I made the case that our security agencies should be well funded and exposed to foreign training so that their capacity and efficiency will improve.
I said insecurity must be fought with compulsory free education up to SS 3 level.
What is your take on the 2015 general elections?
I think that benefit of doubt should be given to INEC. They seem to have started well. We at the National Assembly have appropriated necessary funds needed by the electoral body. The media should educate the public on the need for peaceful conduct during the elections.
I think that benefit of doubt should be given to INEC. They seem to have started well. We at the National Assembly have appropriated necessary funds needed by the electoral body. The media should educate the public on the need for peaceful conduct during the elections.
Government should provide a safe environment during the elections and, most importantly, INEC must ensure transparent, free, fair and credible elections. This can reduce tension and bring peace to our land.
Source Vanguard