Hon. Usman Bello Kumo is the member representing Akko Federal Constituency of Gombe State and in this chat with journalists, the lawmaker stated that Nigeria will not disintegrate in a thousand years. Ruth Choji was there for LEADERSHIP WEEKEND. Excerpts:
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What are your plans for the people you represent in the House?
I intend to carry my people along in most of the developmental programmes. In so doing, I think I have every reason to believe that my constituency would be well taken care of and the dividends of democracy would get to them.
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As one of the House members who met with the President over the removal of fuel subsidy, what was the outcome of your discussion?
No vote of confidence was passed on the President whether formally or otherwise.? I was privileged to be in that group and that was the first time I had the privilege to sit with my President close-up and hear him talk on things, but believe me, I was not happy with what he said. I expected him as a leader and President to take up issues in their order of priority. He spoke on three issues which borders on deregulation, subsidy and security. He started discussion on deregulation first before security, which annoyed me greatly. I believe security should be more paramount as it is what will make him comfortable to sit as President. If the country continues the way it is going now, then he will not be able to sit and discuss deregulation or its implementation. So from where he started his discussion and his line of argument, it shows that the government is insensitive to the plight of the people. I agree that he is aware there is insecurity in the country and it is believed that, when you acknowledge something, then you will do something about it. On the issue of subsidy, I think he was ill-advised, even if it is a well understood and right program, I think within the context of what is happening today, this is not the time for him to present or even introduce it.
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Was any room given for questions from the legislators?
We were asked to react, but we believe we were not invited to interact. We were invited to be informed. We were hearing it for the first time and we deliberately informed ourselves not to react, particularly the members of the House; we did not ask questions because there was no room for questioning. If we engage the executive in question and answer, they will form a resolution that you have accepted their argument which is blackmail.
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Is the six-year single term part of the PDP agenda?
I cannot talk for PDP because I am not a party leader; I can only speak for my constituency and the aggregate opinion of my constituency is that, this did not form part of our electioneering campaign. First term or single term, I think the President should concentrate on what he was elected to do for the people. He should alleviate their sufferings, when you deliver the dividends of democracy; the people will support you even for a hundredth term. It is all about doing the right thing.
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The North has become very volatile, how did it get to this stage?
It is very unfortunate, the North used to be peaceful and accommodating, I am very sad because I am a true Nigerian and I believe that whatever happens to the person in the West or East, also affects the person in the North. If there are problems in Damaturu and the person in Ekiti or Delta sees it as a cause for jubilation, then he is stupid. This country belongs to all of us.
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Why are some people and groups calling for disintegration as it was reported to be the agitation of the Boko Haram and other sects?
I see Nigeria being united in the next one thousand years to come. If anyone thinks he can short change the other, then that man is crazy. So many countries exist without oil, but no country can exist without agriculture. Every part of this country is important; our main problem is that, we are not harnessing our resources. But there is no way Nigeria can be divided.