28th May, 2010
The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Democratic People’s Alliance (DPA) in the April 2007 elections, Mr. Joseph Olujimi Kolawole Agbaje, here speaks on his activities since he lost the election and why he may not contest the 2011 election. The pharmacist cum politician and Lagos indigene also speaks on the new President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and other topical issues
Q: What has been happening to you after you lost the 2007 governorship election?
A: Iâ€
Q: Do I address you as Chief or Honourable?
A: No. Iâ€
Q: Are you saying that as a politician, you donâ€
A: I donâ€
Q: You and some people were not picked as the Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in 2007 and this made you to defect to another party. Were you aggrieved or did you feel betrayed?
A: From experience, I donâ€
Q: But most of them went back to AC and they are now benefiting from the present administration?
A: Well, we are different people and thatâ€
Q: Okay, thereâ€
A: I think youâ€
Q: Do you intend to go back to AC?
A:Â There is still a lot of work going on in terms of realignment and the truth is that at this point in time, nobody knows what would happen. We hear talks of alliance, we hear talks of changing the party platform, changing the party name, even dissolving the structures and building new ones. I think I must say I would be part of a political structure that will share common ideology.
Q: 2011 is fast approaching, what is your ambition?
A: To remain in politics, but in terms of running for an office, I think there is still an unfolding scenario of different options. Until we see how they unfold, it will be better to just say that I will remain in politics. As to what option, if Iâ€
Q: Will you still contest the governorship seat in 2011?
A: Well, we are looking at events. It could be anything else, I donâ€
Q: People are clamouring for the implementation of the Justice Uwais’ electoral reforms but nothing has been done, whatâ€
A: I am quite disappointed at the reforms that the National Assembly has put together, in the sense that they are not far reaching enough. But then, we are running a democracy and I wish we get more far reaching electoral reforms, because what they have done does not go far enough in terms of ensuring that the votes of the people count. There are some fundamental issues like that of the umpires (the chairman and commissioners), the kind of ballot system we are going to have; whether it is modified open ballot or not. These are some of the things that we need to look at. But there are some good points made on the electoral reform which I think is worthy of note. For instance, the issue of finance, where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will get its money direct and not from the executive. The challenge the new President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, faces now is to bring about credible elections in 2011 or else, he will have no legacy to leave behind.
Q: What advice do you have for Goodluck Jonathan?
A: That his messages on the electoral reforms must not be by words but by action. It should be very clear that all those involved in electoral malpractices would face the law;Â that the people would not be protected or encouraged by the presidency or government. Therefore, this government must be very hard on these enemies of democracy because that is the only way we can have credible elections. And, of course, one of the reforms that did not come to pass, was that of the electoral offences, that is, the electoral commission to bring electoral fraudsters to book.
Q: What jail term do you recommend for those found guilty of electoral malpractices?
A: I think it depends on the level of the offence. It should be between one and 10 years, depending on the severity of the offence.
Q: How would you want to describe Chief Bode Georgeâ€
A: It is unfortunate, unfortunate because Chief Bode George is, first and foremost, a Lagosian, so to that extent, it is not something I should be proud of. But then, I keep saying that you cannot be preaching the rule of law and then begin to object to some issues. So, it is well the law, in terms of due process, has found him guilty at this point in time, but the same rule of law allows him right to appeal and should be able to prove at the Appeal or even at the Supreme Court that he was wrongly sentenced. I am definitely not happy that he was jailed.