Hon. Simon Mwankwon represents Riyom/ Barkin Ladi Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives. In this interview with RUTH CHOJI in Jos recently, he alleges that the lingering Jos crises is being sponsored by people from outside. He also shared perspectives on other topical issues
Recently, the UN office in Abuja was bombed and this has amplified allegations that Nigeria has become a terrorist nation. Do you share that view?
It is rather unfortunate and I see it as an affront on the entire international community. The UN House is just located in Nigeria, but it belongs to the entire united nations, it comprises citizens of different nationalities. I heard that the Boko Haram sect has claim responsibility, it is pathetic. I see it as an act of cowardice, for you to attack the UN House. It is an attack on other nations, because you are now telling people that Nigeria is unsafe for everybody. People from Asia, Russia, America and other nations come there for their activities, if Boko Haram, an Islamic sect from Nigeria will do that, they are painting our country black within the comity of nations. It goes to show other nationalities that they cannot come and do business here; they cannot even trade with Nigeria. It has actually marred our foreign polices and damaged our relations with other nations. We heard that Boko Haram is linked with Al Queada, the government should not just look at this as an affront on the UN alone.
But how did Nigeria get to this stage as a nation
I cannot say how we got here.
So who should take the blame?
We cannot blame the government solely; we are to blame the so called religious leaders within the Islamic world. They say they are a sect within Islam. If the love of nationhood has been instilled in this people and they take Nigeria as their own country, they will not be doing this. They are supposed to teach them that it is wrong for one person or group of persons to take a life; because nobody can create a life. It was created by God. All these attacks are without any form of provocation. In what way did the UN provoke Boko Haram? In what way did the police and others attack Boko Haram? I believe the government has done its best. Civic education is taught in our schools; the churches teaches good morals, sanctity of life; even in the mosque. But I don’t know whether Islam allows taking of lives.
How should government tackle these threats before it gets worse?
The way out is that religious leaders must have a rethink. They must understand that the day of reckoning? is coming and they must appear before the supreme judge to give an account of what they are doing now. Therefore I think they should moderate their teachings and inculcate good moral values into their followers and also come out and condemn the activities of Boko Haram. Secondly, government must also take drastic action against this sect so that we can minimize the loss of lives. Thirdly security is the responsibility of every Nigerian citizen because the police, SSS, NSA, SIB and other crime agencies are not angels. They are ordinary people like us, and the only way they can perform is when we the citizen avail them with information on how they can cope the activities of this sector to thwart other violent crimes against the nation.
Don’t say because this man is from my tribe or religion, I cannot report him; a day will come when he will strike and it will affect you or somebody close to you. Dialogue is another way of solving this problem. The unfortunate thing is that we don’t know the Boko Haram. It is possible I even shook hands with them today, or bought fuel in the filling station with them today. The only way is attitudinal change.
Your constituency in Plateau State has been experiencing violence. Some people have blamed the state governor, what’s your position?
I don’t share that view. The problems in Plateau State started in 1994 and has continued until 2011. Since then, no governor has sat in Government House without any crises. The plot to bring down the main market started in 1994. Why is it that it is the economic base of the state that is the target. Can a governor destroy his economic base? Coming to 2001 when ex-Governor Dariye was in power – will a governor sit down and institute a crises that will destroy the lives and properties of his people. That crisis even lead to state of emergency that upsurpped his powers as governor?
I? don’t think any sane person will do that. Coming to the present governor, how can one ever reason that the governor will instigate crises in? Plateau. If you look at the trend of event s since 1994, you will know that Plateau State is under siege and the sponsors of this crises in Plateau are not from Plateau State. The problems we have today are imposed on us by our so-called neighbors and fellow citizen of this country. You recall when there was crises here after the 2008 local government elections, some governors were celebrating the removal of federal presence in Plateau.
The Court of Appeal was temporary moved to Gombe, the governor celebrated it and was eager? to give them a place. If that governor was sincere, he would have been sympathetic with his colleague and supported him. Now I heard on the news that some prominent Nigerians are pitching for? Plateau State be shared among other states bothering it. They pitched that parts be given to Taraba, Bauchi and Nassarawa States. I want to say without mincing words, that those are the sponsors of the crises. I don’t want to call their names. They bring sentiments and zero it on the Beroms.
Governor Jang has being accused of being an ethnic begot, and you happen to be Berom; what is your take on that?
I don’t know what the Berom agenda is all about. Is there any executive that doesn’t have an agenda for its growth and development; is this agenda inimical to the growth of Plateau State or not? If that agenda is for their education, social and political growth, then what is wrong with that? Don’t the Hausa people have an agenda? Why have they been clamoring that the presidency goes to them? Is that not an agenda? If something is shared at the national level, they will say it is for the north; when it gets to the north they will say there are for the core north. The Yoruba have their own. If not , what is the Oduduwa for? What is Ohaneze for; what is Arewa Consultative Forum for?
Recently, the President of the Court of Appeal was suspended and another put in acting capacity, this action has drawn the ire of some Nigerians. What is your position on this?
I am not lawyer, but as a layman I know that once a case is in court, you have to stay action. The rule of law is clear; you should follow what the law says. But I believe that the law empowers Mr. President to act the way he did. If it hasn’t, then he has erred; but if it is according to law, then he should stand by it. Many people have questioned Mr. President’s action but I believe he is someone that listens to the people because he was popularly voted by the millions of Nigerians.
What is your take on the single tenure proposal by the president?
The question is that, is he going to be a beneficiary of it? I am a member of the House and I was elected to serve for four years. So as long as we will not backdate it to suit us, then it is okay. As the president of this country, if he had found out that a six-year term will benefit this country and strengthen our democracy then its okay. He has given some reasons.? One, the crises that comes up after every elections, the loss of material and human resources is great. So if a six-year term will reduce this, it will be better for the nation. Billions of naira is used to contest elections in Nigeria and it drains the economy, look at the huge resources that were given to Professor Jega, and we know what this colossal sum could have been channelled into another section of the economy. So he has good reasons for bringing that suggestion as long as we are not beneficiaries of the new law, then it is okay.
The two anti-graft agencies are seen to duplicate each other’s functions. Do you think they should be merged?
During the Obasanjo era, the agency fought corruption using different? methodology. They violated human rights and so on, but today nothing is being done to this people now. But I can’t see that zeal in this government. Merging EFCC and ICPC will not help us in any way, although we have seen in some instances where the two agencies will be charging the same person on the seam charges. There should be synergy between the two of them, that might help them explain why some people will want them merged. Their functions are the same but I think their duties should be streamlined. They should not be merged.
Your constituency has been under siege for some time with so many lives and property lost, what are you doing for your people to help them?
The fact is that my constituency is under siege. What is happening today is that, some people are aggrieved that power has shifted; therefore they want to make life miserable. They want to make the place ungovernable; so this is not restricted to my constituency alone. All these incessant bombings are an attempt to make Mr. president unpopular by some people who feel that, it is their birth right to govern the nation. As a representative, I know that it is my duty to defend my people at the National Assembly. I am also expected to tell my people what is happening at the national level. I know that I am supposed to lobby for federal presence? in my constituency. I? am thinking? of how to provide scholarship, create job opportunity for them through skills acquisitions. I have also encouraged them with seedlings, fertilizer and other farming equipment to help them in their agriculture. These are some of the things I intend to do for them.
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