Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, speaks on the recent developments in the seven-month-old strike by public university lecturers, the rising spate of insecurity, and other issues in this interview on Channels TV ‘Sunrise Daily’ monitored by DAVID LAWANI

What sort of advice can the state governors or governments help resolve this lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)?

The state governors through our forum, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) have been intervening from behind the scene. There is a limit we can take certain responsibility and it will appear you have your interest. Before you know it, the ministers are quick to accuse the governors that go and fix your states. I think the NGF has been making every effort to ensure that on behalf of all the governors they discussed with ASUU and the stakeholders.

What is your take on the conversation the minister had that maybe students should sue ASUU?

I think the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, should have been more serious than making such a statement. We all know how huge we place value on education. I think he should have been more careful with such a statement.

Are you saying that the Federal Government can’t meet ASUU demands?

Sometimes when you think of money in terms of naira and kobo, and you hear certain figures, being displayed out there, especially about those in government, how much they have looted from misplaced priority, up and down and here and there, you wonder which money are we talking of. Is it that it is not available or what? I think it is not just a one-off but certain billions that will have to be expended every month as a good manager of resources you have to take a second look at it. A good party should come together and ensure that this problem is resolved.

Are you blaming the President for the failure of the ministers of education and labour/employment to resolve this issue?

I am not accusing Mr President. He is such a person that if he gives you responsibility he will want you to display and show who you are to Nigerians. That is people’s style. That cannot be my style. I will give you responsibility and if you don’t do what is expected to, I will deal a hell out of you no matter how highly placed or close you are to me. I expect that certain things should have happened by now. And let us put this problem behind us. We cannot solve all the problems once and for all. Those that are responsible to negotiate on behalf of the federal government are not giving satisfactory reports. Do the needful. I think the Executives of ASUU are not reasonable enough. Show them the way out. Because of the future of this country. The ministers and ASUU representatives are not bigger than the future of these students. Take a decision. It might be right or wrong. But a decision has to be taken.

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Do you agree with the view that this ASUU strike has made insecurity more frightening?

It is not just the security of now, but of the future. Now, we have not fixed anything yet. You are looking into the future, six months, keep a child that is active at home and you don’t allow him to go anywhere and see the amount of destruction. Either to himself or the house, you kept him. Not to talk of the Nigerian youth or children that are so exposed to the world now. You keep them at home for six months and there is no end to it do you think they are comfortable? Either as leaders or Nigerians is an act of injustice in this country. If you say we are toying with the security of the country, it is an understatement sincerely speaking.

This issue of state police, what are the governors doing about it?

Certain decisions are taken at the NGF and not necessarily that everybody will subscribe to it or such a decision. First of all, I was not in the meeting of the NGF. And, I have not gone through what was discussed that was reached. But in terms of security, I have always said and will maintain, that security is the responsibility of all Nigerians and everybody. And not just the federal government alone. State, local governments, you and I. So, whatever decision that will be reached that will improve security is highly welcomed. But the issue of state police I am afraid I don’t think I will support wholeheartedly for now. Because we have not matured enough for it. We are not strong enough to be able to maintain it. Some of us can be very ruthless or reckless when it comes to using state apparatus. But, support system and collaboration in terms of intelligence sharing and pointing out loopholes or areas that need improvements to ourselves and collaborating to solve the problems I think is welcome.

Why do you think this government has not been ruthless with the terrorists? Right from the presidency to security agencies?

It is just unfortunate what is happening, but in the end, people will blame it on Mr President. It is a long decay. It is a long one such that some people in high authority are still politically handling the issue of security. They are politicising it. It is not unknown to authorities in power and even onlookers. And, even the security agencies themselves. They are doing excellently well with their powers. But there is still some lack of political will to deal with this menace.

What is the issue of politicisation of security issues with the recent development of the traditional ruler in Ajaokuta, you had to suspend him and gave a warning to others, can you explain it?

Some persons will consider firing that traditional ruler or any other person that is involved within the state will be considering the political implication on it. Remember that a traditional ruler will have one or two persons in control within. He is looking at the next election.

You don’t have anything to lose because you are not going for another election?

I have elections even those who will succeed me. I need to deliver for my party. I need to deliver all the candidates that we fielded in the next coming election. So many people are reaching out to me. Telling me that he is their traditional ruler. Highly influencer people. And, I have asked the police that whoever comes for his bail, arrest the person. And, if you cannot arrest him for whatever position he is occupying, let me know. And, when he is coming let me know so that I will be there. I will make sure I hand-cupped the person myself. And lock him up there.

FG’s threat of no-work, no-pay to striking lecturers is blackmail –Osodoke, ASUU President

What is the issue with him, and what did you find out?

He is deeply involved in the crime that festers.

Some people will say the rule of law should be allowed to take its course.

Right now, that is what we are doing. Right, investigations are still ongoing. And a lot is being revealed. So, that is still the rule of law. An investigation is still ongoing. So far so good he is being implicated.

Do you support the idea that other traditional rulers should be investigated across the country?

No! Why should you investigate a traditional ruler that maintains law and order in his domain? It is only when you are raced to any crime that I believe you should be brought to justice.

Why can’t the president be seen leading from the front?

Who told you that Mr President is not leading from the front?

So, why do we still have several directives not being carried out?

Sometimes, when you are outside the government, you don’t know what is happening or how the instructions are carried out. The issue of insecurity, you cannot discuss and exhaust it within the media. There is a lot that goes under that you cannot discuss openly.

Why can’t it be done?

The situation could have been worse than this. The Nigerian security situation could have been worse than what we are seeing today. And probably because he is leading from the front, a lot of the worst calamities that would have happened to the country are averted. I am sure he will not be in the media to be telling the whole world. Certain things are averted and if it is known to the world, or 00000.1 per cent, it will cause lots of panics. Sometimes when there are security situations, then there will be hysteria. A lot of outcries. But what goes under is a lot.

There has never been a time that terrorists will have to attack the advanced convoy of the president. What happened?

Unfortunately, Mr President’s convoy or his elite guard was attacked. Let me tell you that this is not the first time that the president’s convoy has been attacked. Presidents are being killed even openly. Shot at, at close range. And, they have been killed. God forbid we will never experience that in this country.

Given the President’s pedigree, that shouldn’t have happened to him. Or do you feel differently?

Out of 100 instructions given if 1 or 2 are not carried out, I think you should not just give it a low mark. And a lot has been carried out and we are enjoying relative peace in the country. Security varies from state to state and region to region. It depends on who is in charge. That is why I said don’t blame Mr President. Wholeheartedly. I would listen to conversations about terrorists. I would not know where they are. But, in the next hour, I will be there and that is why I am handling the issue of insecurity in Kogi state differently. No politics, no grandstanding, and no media show. But the result is there. And, that is why I have to call captains of industries and corporate citizens of my dear state and every well-meaning citizen of Kogi state to get together that we must fight this fight together. And, we are coming up with a different template now that will make Kogi state too hot for criminals. As we speak, the cockroaches, crickets, and termites are in other places outside Kogi state. And, I urge my neighbours to do the same so that Nigeria can be secure. I don’t like to make so much noise about it.

What is this call for the removal of the national chairman of your party APC?

I thank God I have thrown my heart into the ring and the result has come out. But, I will continue to say that I have learned a lot of lessons from that escapades. And, thank God our flag bearer has emerged in the person of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And, I think the party is stronger. I don’t agree with the call.

Should he resign?

Why?

Those who voted for him said he should resign, are you cool with that?

What has he done? And even those asking that he should resign, what is their interest?

They are saying if the Muslim-Muslim ticket will survive there had to be some sacrifice made to show there is some acceptance to pacify the Christian bloc within the party.

Those accusing him of high-handedness are not saying the truth. You see in this country, this crop of politicians is indisciplined. If you have somebody who is going to instil discipline in them, decorum, law, and order they don’t like it. I am not surprised such persons are saying such. In terms of his administration, I think so far, he has done well. So, we should give him a chance.

You were not happy with the roles he played leading to the presidential primary. Do you still say that he should stay?

That was part of the lessons I have learned. If anybody should be talking of bias, I should be the one to say that he is biased. Why will he favour his colleague in terms of age? And, leaving those of us that are young behind? I am talking of the flag bearer, Tinubu. When politicians speak listen very well. In this issue of Muslim-Muslim tickets, the media should send the correct narrative. Today, we are living our lives some are big and small. Some are rich and some are not. Dangote is rich today because he is what he is. Or he is only surrounded by Muslim-Muslim. If we continue to play these politics sentimentally, we will remain where we are today. Who told you that it cannot be a Christian-Christian ticket?

A lot of statistics have been read out as we are today in terms of how many governors and their faith today. How many deputy governors are Muslim and Christians? And, how many state governors are Christian? Religion is personal. It is personal to you.

But you cannot hold the media for religious sentiment when the politicians have been the ones doing it over the years. Can you?

Let me make it clear. We are confusing Nigerians ad deceiving them. Politicians are the ones even they are like with media. I think Nigerian politicians should be more mature. Let us take religion out of politics. Senator Ahmed Tinubu and his Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima is a perfect match. You have to have one on one with this gentleman and you will know that surely we are coming up with a combination that Nigerians will be happy with. I will expect a certain departure from happenings now.

FG’s threat of no-work, no-pay to striking lecturers is blackmail –Osodoke, ASUU President

How will you react to inflation rising to 170 per cent in seven years, and unemployment spiralling to the highest level?

The performance of the government economically I think will be the duty of those who will be giving certain explanations to Nigerians when the time comes.

How is Kogi state fairing in terms of your successor?

We have had politics of tribalism and sectionalism in the past. And, that has divided us largely in the past. When I came on board, I played my politics differently. By ensuring that those who can do the job are hired. Those who are patriotic are allowed to serve and make input. And, that has helped us. That account for the successes that we have recorded today across the length and breadth of Kogi state. Even when one of my predecessors acknowledged openly that all the past governors put together didn’t record half of what we have achieved today in Kogi state. Kogi state has completely departed from that forms of tribes, and sectional politics. Today, I have been able to mentor a lot of people most especially young leaders who are eminently qualified at any point in time to hold any office or take over from me. So, that the legacy we have put on the ground, they can build on it. And, that qualities of education, togetherness, and infrastructures. And, whoever is going to do that, with sentiment with Kogi state, this time around will not work. Because of the hospitals, and roads, since the existence of Kogi state, even from the then Kwara state to Benue state, there was certain development that has never been witnessed in all of these areas for whatever reasons. But, they are witnessing it today. And, they say no to whoever is going to bring that sentiment. So, I will allow the people to choose whoever they feel among these patriotic young leaders I have been able to mentor.

Even if the person is not your preferred choice?

In Kogi State today, all of them are my preferred choice. Because we have done all we did together. So, who will I choose and not choose? The people will have their say when the time comes.