Hon Innocent Z. Tirsel is the member representing Shendam/Mikang/Qua’an-Pan Federal Constituency of Plateau State. In this interview with FRED ITUA, he urges President Jonathan to be more proactive in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. Excerpts:
How would you react to the call by the Speaker of the House of Representatives asking the executive arm of government to grant amnesty to the Boko Haram sect that has been terrorising Nigeria ?
This issue of Boko Haram keeps occurring every now and then, and it is becoming worrisome. But one thing I am not clear about is the issue of granting them amnesty. I don’t really know why the Speaker suggested it; because I am very much aware of the reasons amnesty was granted to the militants from the South-South region of this country. They were agitating for compensation; these were people who felt that about 80 to 90 per cent of their land and water have been badly devastated and were agitating for compensation; so it is completely different from terrorism. This is war if I will call it so.
Why are they doing this? Is there something special they want to achieve? Let us call a spade a spade. If these people are not happy about this administration, they should come out and say it. They shouldn’t use either religion or whatsoever they call it to destabilise the peace and unity of this country. We all know where this terror attacks are coming from because we are all Nigerians. If you grant them amnesty, are you now negotiating peace or war with this particular set of people? Why should we suggest that amnesty be granted to these criminals? Whatever is their problem let them come out and say it.
Let’s look at the name ‘Boko Haram’ which translates to mean ‘the practice of western education is forbidden.’? In other words, we shouldn’t speak English because it is western; even in the floor of the House of Representatives, the presiding officer should not speak English Language because it is western. So we should abandon the western ways of doing things and watch our country go back to Stone Age. I think there are more to it than what we are seeing. I think there is a hidden agenda to these terrorists’ attacks on innocent Nigerians. The president and his security team need to be more proactive on the fight against terrorism in this country.
What is your notion about the Nigeria Police on the arrest and sudden escape of a Boko Haram suspect, Kabir Sokoto?
I cannot say exactly what happened, but God knows better. If I give you money to keep for me and when I ask you to give it back to me and you fail to do so, on the grounds that the money got missing, you will be held responsible. Thorough investigations need to be done to ascertain the true picture of what happened. I can imagine how that man escaped from the custody of the Police when people who are accused to have stolen 20 Naira are still in detention for more than five years and have not escaped.
The removal of fuel subsidy by Mr. President has been an issue that has generated a lot of controversies; do you think Mr. President is right in his actions?
Well to the executives, I think it is a policy they intend to bring in or have already brought in; but for us as citizens of Nigeria, we are entitled to our opinions. As a citizen, I look at the subsidy issue as an issue that have a long and short term effects on Nigerians. Why Nigerians reacted is a look at the short term effect of the policy; and what are the short term effects? Of course, if the price of petrol goes up, it would automatically affect every sector of the economy. But the long term effect as I know is going to have a positive impact on Nigerians in the near future. You may want to ask, ‘why is the government doing this? Is it that the government has a very good plan for this country? Going by the policies and programmes of vision 20: 2020 which they want to make sure becomes a reality by putting our hospitals, education, roads and other infrastructural facilities in good conditions; you would agree with me that some measures need to be in place.
Look at the rate of unemployment in Nigeria, jobless citizens are all over the streets. Since oil is the source of our revenue in this country, we have to make sure it is properly utilized for the near future. If we don’t benefit from it now, our children will do. This is a price we all have to pay for the development of this country. So I see the issue of the removal of petroleum subsidy as a very good intention by the government and I must commend President Goodluck Jonathan for giving a listening ear to the cry of the masses which made him revert to 97 Naira per litre.
Recently, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State dissolved the offices of all the local government area chairmen and that raised a lot of issues; what is your take on this?
To the best of my knowledge, the tenure of local government chairmen in Plateau State has come to a terminal point. I am very much aware that they were sworn-in on the January 21, 2009 and by January 21, 2012, they have completed the three-year term as stipulated by law. The only issue with regards to the governor’s action the litigation by three local government chairmen; but there is a better way of handling this issue other than going to court. It is a matter of meeting with the state governor to discuss the issue.
We are living in a political era; sometimes dialogue helps considering the nature of political crisis in Plateau State. I believe this issue is supposed to be given a peaceful approach. I heard people saying that the governor terminated the tenure of the local government chairmen, but that is not true.
Governor Jonah Jang has tried and he is still trying to make sure that Plateau State regains its former glory. He is a man that has respect for the rule of law; he respects court order and he has equally constituted a management team that will see to the smooth running of the local government areas in Plateau State.
How far have you gone in sponsoring Bills motions that will better the lives of your constituents and Nigerians at large?
Well, I have quite a number of motions I am proposing to present to the floor of the House. I have already presented one which has to do with our federal roads known as trunk ‘A’ road that is the Lafia/Shendam and Ibi road. This motion was overwhelmingly supported by my colleagues and as I speak with you right now is already in the 2012 budget. I believe the federal government is working towards that. The other motion I have which is likely to come up soon is the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic in Plateau State. It may interest you to know that in all of the 36 states of the federation, it is only in Plateau State that the presence of a Federal Polytechnic is missing. I am looking forward to have the support of my colleagues to see how the federal government would establish one in the state. The other one has to do with the Jos Steel Rolling Mills and so many other motions.