In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Oscar Okhifo, the economist-turned-politician speaks on a wide range of issues, including the state of the country, the concept of a shadow government, among others.
Excerpts!
It appears you are out of the country at the moment. Are you on vacation?
Not at all! I haven’t been around for some time now. I’m out of the country, in the United States, precisely preparing for the launch of my new book. My team and I are making preparations. Any moment from now, I will be due for another meeting here with some people.
Some Nigerians might be thinking you are on the run- the fear of the Department of State Services (DSS) based on recent events
(Cuts in) Not at all. There’s no reason to run. Even if I were being accused of any crime, I wouldn’t run. I would simply defend myself.
The federal government and the DSS are seriously miffed by your decision to form a shadow cabinet. The DSS is in court to abort it. This is a presidential, not a parliamentary system of Government. Are you not infringing on the laws of the land?
It’s just much ado about nothing. This shadow government thing has been in existence. I don’t know what the present fuss is all about. There’s no law broken, and we will not break any law. The courts will not stop citizens from gathering peacefully to seek and proffer solutions to the problems of the country. The government of the day has been happy because there’s no active opposition to challenge its obnoxious policies or to offer alternative views. That citizens are up now to play that role is what has unsettled them.
In the past, Dr. Leke Pitan was our shadow Minister of Health. His views were excellent. He would later serve as Commissioner for Health under Governor Tinubu in Lagos. His impact was notable. There was another great Nigerian, Dr. Jerome Okoro, a man so knowledgeable in power matters. He was the shadow government Minister for Power. He is an asset to this country. He is presently in that same position in the shadow cabinet.
We are fishing out great Nigerians to man various positions and play various roles in the shadow government. It is simply about constructive criticism, proffering solutions and better alternative views. The government is just afraid of the impending awakening of hitherto docile citizens and a possible ballot reaction. Many will be educated by what we do and by what we are going to be doing through the shadow government. Have they not been boasting from their high horses that there’s no shaking? Why are they shaking now?
We mean no harm, and we will never mean any harm. We just want a better Nigeria, and there’s no law stopping us at all. Parliamentary or presidential, good governance should be the ultimate goal. If we are not getting it, we should demand it. It is our right as citizens”
So, you are not afraid of arrest?
(Laughs) “Not at all. They will have no reason to do that. I have broken no law at all. I’m a law-abiding citizen.”
Why do we find it difficult to do the right thing in this country?
My friend, I understand the disillusions of Nigerians. There has never been a dearth of ideas from Nigerians on how to make Nigeria work. The political will to make it happen is the elephant in the room. Those who find their way to power don’t have it. Dig more into the past. My views, even in my early 20s are there. In my books and in the newspapers and magazines, they are many. I had things written a long time ago. Some were very prophetic. They captured what we are suffering from now. As painful and disappointing as this reality is, we must keep our eyes on the ball. A working Nigeria is very possible. A new constitution is a major key to unlocking Nigeria’s greatness.
Talking about a new Constitution, billions of naira have been plunged into the project already and things are not looking up. At every political dispensation, the green and red chambers get to work. It has not been successful. The State Assemblies are at the mercy of the governors. If they are not independent in deeds, how can a new Constitution come to be?
This is very true. We must keep pushing. It is possible to have independent minds in politics and political offices who will not be tied to the robes of state governors or even the president. We must not give up. Look, it is never an easy road. Christianity as a religion did not take off immediately after Christ died, rose and ascended. No! The resistance and persecution were fierce. The adherents face untold cruelty from the era’s rulers. It took over 300 years to accept the religion in Rome. We will get there eventually.”
Nigerians are losing hope and patience. How much longer should we wait to get to the promised land?
The change we seek is possible. I have said this before. The time frame depends on how early we decide. In February 2026, I will be 70. I have gone around the country and around the world preaching democracy and good governance. My views are very clear. The young people should rise up to take their country. If it stays destroyed, they will be the ones to suffer from it. At 70, do you think I will not slow down? I will. My generation will step aside for younger people to run the race. God knows I have tried my best. I have never sought personal gains from anybody or from the system. Everything I have said or done, I did with the bigger picture in my mind. It will be up to them (young people) to say ‘we are tired! We want change! Let’s make it happen!”
Is the Coalition dead on arrival? The ruling class says so, while some Nigerians are saying that the presence of Atiku Abubakar is a bad omen
I don’t think the coalition is dead on arrival. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the same of the coalition that eventually ended its 16-year reign. Nigerians really should be ashamed of the bottom that the country has hit and embrace new ways to change this ugly situation. I feel ashamed when people outside of Nigeria make jokes out of our bad governance and failures. You hear Patrice Lumumba and even other African Heads of State mocking Nigeria directly or indirectly in their speeches. We should all be ashamed of our situation. If a coalition can unseat these people who can’t fulfill their campaign promises, who are not receptive to better ideas, who are intolerant of opposition, who are not ready to cut down waste, who are not at home with the pains and suffering of ordinary people, then let the coalition come and all sane Nigerians have to make it work and put to shame those who are saying it is dead on arrival.
What’s your final message to Nigerians?
It’s simple! we need to leave this place. It is not befitting. The young people, especially, should be serious about taking their country from our generation. Let them demonstrate their powers through the ballot. End this reign of impunity and bad governance. You have the education and the number. Make this change happen. Don’t allow the older generation to leave behind a dead country for you. Take it from them and make it a country of your dreams.”