Ebere Ifendu is the first female National Publicity Secretary of a political party in the history of Nigerian politics. She has been National Woman leader of Labour Party before her new portfolio on the same platform. In this interview with BODE OLAGOKE, she revealed why LP is not contesting presidency this time, the party’s chances in this year’s general elections
You moved up from being the National Women Leader to Publicity Secretary of Labour Party. What would you say has brought you to the present height in politics?
Being the National Women Leader of the Labour Party was very fulfilling. It gave me an opportunity to bring to fore gender issues in the party. It brought out the best in me as a gender activist. Labour Party today is the most gender-sensitive party in Nigeria, having exceeded the 35% affirmative action at the levels of National working committee, the National executive council of the party and the Board of Trustees. As the women leader, I made sure that women were given their right of place. I took seriously the capacity development of women. I never believed that women can only participate in politics as cheerleaders. To make women relevant, I exposed them to different programmes with the support of International Republican Institute IRI, and UNDP/DGD. The women had the opportunity of listening to some international speakers like – Craig Smith, Deborah Grey, former member of the Canadian parliament, Michaela Mojzis-bohm – campaign manager and former general manager of the Austrian People’s Party (OVP); Christine Abia Bako, member of the Ugandan parliament, Peter Mac Manu, Vice President of the International Democratic Union (IDU) and former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ghana, Peer Aritua, WDN, Uganda amongst others.
My greatest achievement as the National Women Leader is, giving the women a sense of the direction. The women in Labour Party are now more equipped to participate in a positive way in politics. As the Publicity Secretary of my party, I will bring my experience to bear. I understand what is expected of the office of the publicity secretary of a political party, I don’t think it is going to be completely different from my role as the women leader. I am expected to project the image of my party and bring out those salient issues that are unique only to the Labour Party. I foresee an interesting tenure and God willing, I will not disappoint my supporters, the party, mentors and Nigerian women.
How are you coping with the challenges of publicity?
It’s been a wonderful experience working with the media both print and electronic. They have been very supportive and interested in my activities. They have made the job very interesting and stress-free. I will use this opportunity to advise women in politics to build a relationship with the media; you can’t do much without publicity. So far my relationship is cordial and most encouraging.
Do you see your role change as having to do with the agitation you have been spearheading at the Women in Politics forum?
No not at all. I believe it is about competence. This is actually the first time any political party in Nigeria is giving the position to a woman. If my party is not convinced that I am qualified to hold the position I don’t think the convention would have voted for me. This is a critical time in Nigerian politics and it is important that every party brings in competent people irrespective of gender to hold very sensitive offices, and Labour Party is not an exception, we are actually the pace setters. This is to confirm that women are gradually coming up in politics. We are beginning to convince the people of our competence and we can do better if trusted with the opportunity.
What would you call the major different between your party and others?
Labour Party is the party for the masses. The only people oriented party in Nigeria. Equal opportunity for all irrespective of their social status and gender. Our focus is to remove the majority from poverty, concentrating on industrialization, quality and affordable health care, education, security of lives and property, employment and people oriented urban renewal. The civil servants are the bedrock of our existence as a nation, their welfare is very important to us. Most of all, Labour Party is interested in building a Nascent Democracy. Our candidates have pledged to conduct their campaigns based on issues and not attacking personality. The unity of the country is not negotiable and Labour Party will do everything possible to promote peaceful co-existence. Our strength lies in our diversity. Political parties should know that this country is bigger than their individual interest. Any party or person(s) promoting violence during or after the elections will be consumed. We should allow the will of God to manifest in our Nation.
Women are hardly given sensitive positions such as publicity secretary within the national executive of many of the parties; can your ascension be taken as a subtle revolution in the days ahead?
I don’t want to see it as a revolution; it is more about my capacity to hold the office. In Labour Party women are equipped to hold any position. We believe so much in capacity building and that is paying off. I am conscious of the fact that I am the first woman to hold this position in any political party in Nigeria. I know that whatever I make out of it will be either a plus or a minus to the cause of gender equity. Nigerian women are looking up to me and I promise I will not let them down. I’ve been agitating for gender equity, it means that competent persons be given the job irrespective of gender. My coming on board will change the face of politics in Nigeria as only issue of national interest will be my focus.
How would you rate the party’s chances in 2015 and would you say it is a new beginning for Labour Party even after the exit of your one and only governor Mimiko?
I’m very optimistic. Our chances are very high. We have tried, tested, trusted, committed and credible candidates across the country. Yes it’s going to be a new beginning for us as a party. Whatever successes are recorded in Ondo state, are basically the successes of Labour Party. Governor Mimiko followed the Labour Party manifesto, and all our candidates are committed to upholding the Ideals of the party across the country as enshrined in the manifesto. We are not a regional party. Our party is visible in all the Zones of the country; with the calibre of our candidates, we are a force to reckon with.
There has been anxiety in your party after the defection of the only Labour Party governor, Governor Mimiko, what exactly is the situation?
It will be a lie if I say that the exit of Dr. Mimiko from the party did not create a vacuum. But as a political party, we are re-strategizing and we have taken it in good faith. The party is already welcoming new people, God willing, come 2015 we are going to have some governors and parliamentarians elected under the platform of the Labour Party. It is important to state here that we are not in conflict with Dr. Mimiko. He will definitely take the good things in Labour party to the PDP, they have a lot to learn from him. He is an astute politician, a role model. The decision to leave the party was really a difficult one for him, but some elements within the party created an imaginary crisis. Those are the people to blame for his defection. Be that as it as it may, we will continue to move on as a party. It is forward ever, backward never.
The recent convention in Akure was also riddled with controversies, especially with some of the state chapters declining to participate, how are you addressing the development?
There were no controversies. All the states, including the FCT participated at the convention. Earlier I talked about people who created imaginary crises in the party, the same group started the rumour that some states did not participate. They are not members of the party, having been expelled from the party before the convention, and the convention ratified their expulsion. The press covered the convention and it was indeed a huge success.
What would you say is the fundamental difference between your party and others?
Labour Party is the party for the masses. The only people oriented party in Nigeria. Equal opportunity for all irrespective of their social status and gender. Our focus is to remove the majority from poverty, concentrating on industrialization, quality and affordable health care, education, security of lives and property, employment and people oriented urban renewal. The civil servants are the bedrock of our existence as a nation, their welfare is very important to us. Most of all, Labour Party is interested in building a lasting democracy. Our candidates have pledged to conduct their campaigns based on issues and not attacking personality. The unity of the country is not negotiable and Labour Party will do everything possible to promote peaceful co-existence. Our strength lies in our diversity. Political parties should know that this country is bigger than their individual interest. Any party or person(s) promoting violence during or after the elections will be consumed. We should allow the will of God to manifest in our Nation.
Labour Party is known to have “unwritten” working alliance with President Goodluck Jonathan with the eventual ouster of Gov. Mimiko, will the working relationship with PDP be sustained?
There is no any unwritten working alliance with President Jonathan or his party. What we believe in Labour Party is to be constructive in our opposition. You cannot say that we don’t criticize when there is the need to do so, and when we do, we also proffer solutions. What you experience is that some opposition parties do not seem to see anything good in the present administration. I thank God that the Ebola incident was one that irrespective of party we all celebrated the government. Generally, what we want to achieve is good governance for the common good of the majority; after elections, leaders irrespective of their political affiliations should come together to build the nation. Yes, Nigeria is not a one-party state, but we should know when to draw the line between politics and governance.
Is there still a plan by Labour Party to field a presidential candidate in the general election?
Labour Party’s endorsement of the president during the 2011 elections was basically a collective decision of the party, we didn’t have a presidential candidate, and because we needed to be part of the decision of who becomes the president we decided to endorse President Jonathan.This is 2015 election, it is for the party to review their previous position and take a decision. If we have a person of capacity to run for presidency under the platform of the Labour Party we will field a candidate; if not, the party will decide on the next step to take.
The APC and PDP appear to be more active in dishing out information to the media much more than any other political party. Is there anything you are doing in this direction?
I just got on board as the publicity secretary. And so far I have tried to work with the media. I am going to be having a media parley with key print and electronic media houses. I intend to expose them to the ideals of the party. I want to state here, that I will not be attacking personalities, but will dwell on issues that will help build a lasting democracy for the common good of the masses. I mean issues that will help bring out policies that will give governance a direction.
Some see your party as not-so-popular in comparison to the rest of Nigeria’s political parties?
I will like Nigerians to know that Labour Party is the only progressive party in Nigeria with an ideology. It’s a party for the masses and the workers. It is only in Labour Party that you can find equal opportunity for all irrespective of gender or social status. My dream for Nigeria and indeed African women in general is to see that they are appreciated and given their rightful place as strong, intelligent and hard working women.
