Obemiasor Olusengu Abebe is the Executive Director, GEJ 4 More Years, an organizations campaigning for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of 2015. In this interview with BODE OLAGOKE, he speaks on the activities of the organization, what informed their choice of projecting President Goodluck Jonathan for 2015, among other national issues
There is the belief in many parts of the North that President Jonathan had signed a pact with PDP not to seek a re-election in 2015. Don’t you see this as an impediment to your mobilization campaigns, especially in the North?
My question is, who did President Jonathan made that promise to? Did he promise Nigerians that he’s going to contest for one term or did he promise just a few people that he was going to contest for just one term? This is hearsay, we all don’t know. The president has not come out openly to tell Nigerians that he promises us to contest one term. This is just what some of his detractors are saying.
And looking at the North, don’t forget this administration created 12 universities; nine of them are located in the North, while three are in the South. If you look at the North, there are massive road constructions in the region. The Almajiri schools that were established are helping the North with the educational imbalance comparative to the South. Do not forget that even some Southerners are complaining about marginalization. So, everybody is complaining and that is the beauty of democracy. Everyone has a say; everyone can say what he/she wants to say.
What informed the choice of projecting President Jonathan for another four years; some would say the administration has little to show in terms of achievements?
The President’s achievements are numerous. Where do I start from? Let me start from the transformation agenda of this administration; what this administration has done in the terms of the economy, making it the destination for investment, especially in Africa and why it is now the biggest economy in Africa. Take the diversification in the economy; there is a move not to depend on the oil sector any more. So, there is massive road construction going on across the different states of the country. This administration is making giant strides in the oil sector, in the economy, road, health, agriculture, power sector, education, all over the places based on the transformation agenda.
But there is the growing challenge of insecurity?
Please do not forget that most of the insecurity problems facing this administration are inherited. Boko Haram is not one’s figment of imagination, this is real. There are security challenges all over the world, even in America, the Middle East, Ukraine and all over the places. And this Presidency has tried to curtail the insurgency and terrorism in this nation, but we need to do more. This administration is trying its best and it’s not easy, even America and other countries are finding it difficult to curtail insurgency and terrorism. The president is doing the best possible to make sure that Nigerians live a better life. So, things are improving. What this government needs right now is the support of all Nigerians.
What structures does your organization have on ground to be able to deliver this mandate of having Jonathan re-elected?
We have grassroots support all over the country, we are well organized. We have coordinators in all the six geo-political zones with our headquarters in Abuja. We have offices in the United States and the United Kingdom and most of our works will be at the grassroots, helping and sensitizing the people to exercise their civic responsibility and their rights to vote and to vote for the right person.
GEJ 4 More Years is basically an organization that wants him to contest the 2015 elections and rule this country for the next four years, which constitutionally he is entitled to. We have contacts with Nigerians in the Diaspora who know what is going on in the country and are ready to contribute. For instance, Nigerians in the United States remit at least 12 billion dollars to the country every year. So, they have a say on what is going on in this country and we are now concentrating more on working at the grassroots level.
How do you convince Nigerians that the Presidency is not behind this campaign and how does your organization get its funding?
First and foremost, I have not met anyone in the presidency; I have not met with the president. This is just something that we believe in; especially those of us in the Diaspora. We are seeing gains in the economy; we are seeing gains in this country. We are moving forward, we cannot afford to rock the boat at this time. That is why most of us in the Diaspora are supporting this president and his agenda. Also, regarding funding; we are self-funded. We’ve not received a dime; we’ve not received a penny from anyone from the presidency. We have our patrons; we have members who are supporting us. If the presidency decides to support your organization with some funds, will you reject it?Oh! Definitely not, why would we want to do that? As a matter of fact it will assist us in reaching the people that we want to reach, especially people in the grassroots; the poor people in all the states.
Your organization is also mobilizing support from Nigerians in the Diaspora; considering the fact that there is no legislation in Nigeria for Diaspora voting, what is the essence of this whole exercise if your members cannot vote at the end of the day?
Well, for 2015 we cannot vote, but don’t forget we have the economic power to influence how our relatives, friends and colleagues vote in this country. Like as I said before, Nigerians in the Diaspora, especially in the United States remit at least 12 billion dollars ($12bn) into this country; so, we have to have a say on what goes on in this country. And most of us in the Diaspora, don’t forget, are dual citizens. Like myself, I am a dual citizen; am registered to vote and I can exercise my right to vote in this country in the next elections. And from my conversations with some Nigerians I have spoken to, some of them if not most, plan to come here in February and participate in the elections.
What if President Jonathan refuses to declare for 2015, what would be your organization’s immediate reaction or next line of action?
If Jonathan refuses to contest this forthcoming election which he has the constitutional right to, most Nigerians will be disappointed. But he has the fundamental rights after consultations with his family and close associates, if he wants to contest, he can contest. If he doesn’t want to contest, that is his own prerogative; there’s nothing we can do about that. But most Nigerians especially those of us in the Diaspora will be hugely disappointed if he doesn’t contest this forthcoming presidential election.
How many of your members are PDP card-carrying members?
I don’t have the specific number, but I can tell you that majority of our members are PDP card-carrying members. But even at that, GEJ 4 More Years is a national body and not just PDP canvassers. Our membership cuts across the divide with coordinators in all the six geo-political zones, we have offices in the US and UK.
