Mr John Osifo is an Australian based marketing expert, a major player in the real estate industry for the psst 25 years,in this interview with Francis Ogbuagu,he bares his mind on the just concluded September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo State, President Muhammadu Buhari’s 5 years in office and other issues.
Excerpts.
How do you assess the just concluded September 19 governership election in Edo State won by the incumbent Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki ?
Without mixing words the September 19 2020 governorship election marks a major milestone in the struggle for true democracy in Edo State and to a large extent, Nigeria. You see, it is one thing to say we have democracy in Nigeria, because the military are no longer in power,but it is a different thing to claim that we have a democratic society.When you look at the way election have been conducted over the years. September 19 election have now set the standard by which any future elections can be judged and measured. In spite of the hype surrounding the election and importantly the echoes of chaos and rumours of purported rigging and vote buying, Edo people were resolved to get out there, cast their vote and defended it. This is the freest and and fairest election on record in the entire country. My congratulations go to the voters, to INEC representatives and more also to the various aspirants for doing the needful when it was most needed.
What are your expectations from the Obaseki’s administration in the next four years?
As you know Rome was not built in a day, for that reason it will be unrealistic to expect our amiable governor, no matter his good intentions to turn Edo State to a city like Paris or Geneva overnight. But one thing is certain, I have no doubt in my mind that this governor will continue to deliver on his promises and manifestos. The evidence are there, looking at his performances in the last last four years. Governor Obaseki ran on the slogan of good governance, one that delivers on meaningful infrastructures, improved standard of health for the people of Edo State, pays civil servants their salaries promptly, provide reliable and efficient electricity, but more importantly do whatever is required to improve the standard of security in the state. These were his promises and the issues that need critical attention, he has started working on a lot of this matters since he came to power, with the current mandate, we are going to see massive progression and results in the coming years.
How do you think the government can benefit from Edo people in diaspora, especially from experts and businessmen like you?
You know I left Nigerian some 30 odd years ago, and I know of many people, in fact peers who have been out of the country for even much longer. If things were better back home, trust me not many of us would like to remain in diaspora permanently. Truth is that we love our country. I do not need to tell you why many people are reluctant to return home because the reasons are quite obvious. Hopefully, if the government of the day can provide that enabling environment, one that will guarantee security to lives and property, before long you will see mass exodus of Edo people in diaspora heading home. Now with a goodand innovative governor like Obaseki in charge, many of us are prepared to collaborate in ventures that will further enhance development in the state. We are prepared to use our connections and relationship with foreign governments and our business partners in our respective countries of resident to attract foreign businesses to Edo state. In fact as the election preparations and campaign were going on many of us have stated making plans to bring home foreign investors to Edo State with the prospect or conducting feasibility studies and mapping ways to work with relevant stakeholders. These are investment that will not only help to provide employment for our youths, but help to raise our economic profile nationally.
There is this opinion that the Governor has not done well in the area of security, looking at incessant kidnapping and cultism in the state, what is your opinion?
The problem of insecurity is not particular to Edo state,it is a general thing in Nigeria, do you expect him to perform magic with the Federal Government controlled security apparatus? The governor does not have total control over security agencies in the state, however we have seen efforts being made by him to enhance security of lives and property of Edo people.I know he will work on it.
What is your assessment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in the last five years?
The government of General Buhari hasn’t been a pleasant experience for many Nigerians in my opinion. My recollection of the president is one of a head of state who was very resolute, heavy handed and disciplined, because of what he did in partnership with Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon in the 80’s, when he was head of state and commander-in-chief. Then he was a no nonsense leader. Sadly, as a president now, under a democratic system of government, I do not think he has done enough to advance the course of a united Nigeria. Firstly, the primary responsibility of any government is to protect and guaranteed the security of lives and property of its citizens. In this respect, when you consider the rate of sectarian killings in parts of the country and the constant cases of kidnapping across the land, the havoc perpetrated by the so-called Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram, my conclusion is that this federal government of General Buhari has been a complete failure. Under this current federal government, we are witnessing corruption of an unimaginable and monumental proportion, especially from government instituted agencies that have been empowered to hold others to account, youth unemployment, ridiculous drop in the value of our currency, high petrol price just to mention but a few. This are issues that sets a nation backward economically. Giving that he still got 3 years left in his administration, we can only hope that he starts to make good on his election/campaign promises by effecting positive changes so that history can judge him favourably long after his departure.
Once again, my congratulations to Governor Obaseki and his Deputy P. Shaibu, and even bigger congratulations to the people of Edo State home and abroad for standing up against godfatherism and staking their support for a progressive governor that meant well for the state.
