Nze Elvis Agukwe, former commissioner for information and Strategy, Imo State, is a firm supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan. A former national director in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he has been deeply involved in the campaign to re-elect Jonathan. In this interview withASSISTANT EDITOR, Joe Nwankwo,he speaks on what he considers political deviations Rochas Okorocha, and makes a case for Jonathan’s reelection.

Are you saying that Jonathan’s chances in the South-East are very bright?

Nze Elvis Agukwe If in 2011, President Jonathan secured 80 percent of the votes cast by the people of the South East, this time around, he will garner between 90 and 99 percent. The people have seen with their own eyes what the President has done in Igboland in the last three and half years. The traders from Aba and Onitsha now go to Enugu to board International flight to Dubai. Before Jonathan there was no international flight from any part of Igboland for 43years after the war. The people of the South East know of appointments given to Igbo citizens in Jonathan’s time. Have we been Chief of Army Staff before Jonathan?. Our roads are no longer death traps. He has restored our confidence in Nigeria. Which President would have given Ojukwu a state burial and still attend in person? Jonathan did that and he also honoured our illustrious son, Prof Chinua Achebe, by being present at his burial. Jonathan has given the Igbo a real sense of belonging and it will be difficult for any Igbo man or woman not to vote for Jonathan in 2015.

What about APC which claims it is making an inroad into Igboland?

Do you know what our visits to the hinterland have opened our eyes to? We are having almost a refugee problem in Igboland. People are returning from Maiduguri, from Mubi, from Kano,from Bauchi, and other Northern States because of the activities of Boko Haram. And do you know what they told us? That Boko Haram and APC are one and the same? They believe that sponsors and supporters of Boko Haram arein APC. They have not also forgotten that the leaders of APC are still the same people who threatened to make the country ungovernable if Jonathan won the 2011 elections. They also know that APC does not have the interest of Ndigbo at heart. That is why they rejected their most beloved son, Dr Chris Ngige, during the last governorship election in Anambra, because he joined the APC. So, the remnants of APC as represented by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State will soon receive the Fayemi treatment. We are happy that wise Igbo sons like Senator Annie Okonkwo are deserting the party. Very soon, APC will not be populated by any true son or daughter of Igboland.

But somebody like Governor Okorocha is highly popular and may have the capacity to ruin the chances of President Jonathan in 2015?

That is false. Governor Okorocha is not in the good books of Ndigbo because he has desecrated all the values the Igbo hold dear. He was elected under APGA, which is the symbol of Igbo strength. What did he do? He betrayed APGA and abandoned the party. He dethroned a whole Chairman of South-East traditional rulers, Eze Ilomuaya, and the next day, he went to Kano to bow to an Emir-elect. You know that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has publicly disowned Rochas and stripped him of all chieftainancy titles? He does not have respect for Igbo elders. He does not have respect for the Igbo intelligentsia. Rochas cannot represent the interest of Ndigbo. Currently he is at a crossroads. He is a drowning man.The message from Ekiti is already haunting him. Imo people cannot wait till 2015 to pay him back for the treachery and betrayals. Did you not hear how he was disgraced at late Justice Oputa’s funeral? He is an accidental governor on his way out.

Coming back to Jonathan’s chances in 2015, do you think he should make it with all this insecurity and fear in the land?

First of all, the insecurity we have today is purely politically motivated. Boko Haram is a tool by Jonathan’s opponents to cripple his government. It is a manifestation of their threats in 2011. But I am here today assuring you that whether insecurity or not, Jonathan will still be re-elected. Nigerians are looking beyond the terrorists and their sponsors. We shall over come them. In spite of the insecurity with all the distractions, the President is still performing. Anybody who carries out an objective survey in Nigeria will tell you that Jonathan has done betterthan all his predecessors. For the first time, Nigeria’s economy has overtaken that of South Africa. In spite of the insecurity, Nigeria remains investors’ preferred destination in Africa. During the recently concluded world Economic Forum, it was agreed that the country’s economy is on the steady growth. Secondly, terrorism is a global phenomenon which is not restricted to Nigeria. Syria, Iraq, Israel, Sudan, Kenya and other countries plagued by terrorism still run their countries, conducting elections and catering for the welfare of the people. So, Nigeria cannot shut down becauseof terror. While the Federal Government and Nigerian troops are gallantly combating the terrorists, our democracy should also be growing. I am happy that Prof. Jega and INEC have assured us that the 2015 elections will be conducted across the country. So, we urge President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately declare publicly his intention to seek re-election. Now is the time. We know that every time that the nation makes any gain in governance, the terrorists will start bombing places to take the shine off government’s achievements. President Jonathan should ignore them and make Nigerians happy by seeking re-election.

But are you not worried over the negative perception of Jonathan’s government, both locally and internationally?

That is the handwork of a tiny cabal manipulating the media to achieve the pre-determined objective of tarnishing the image of government. They are people who populate the opposition APC, who lack the temperament to govern a complex nation like Nigeria. Such a warped perception is the product of elite conspiracy. It happened to President Obama and some had doubts about his re-election. But because he was working for the people, rebuilding the economy which the Republicans damaged in the first place, Obama’s re-election was with a wider margin. President Khatami of Iran had the same experience and he still triumphed. So, I am assuring you that President Jonathan will win in 2015 because the masses appreciate the transformation he has brought in the country.

What do you think of the Ekiti election which PDP surprisingly won with a large margin?

To me and many Nigerians, the Ekiti election is the beginning of a new order. It is also the beginningof the revolution we have embarked upon in the South East.Some notable chieftains of PDP in the South West like Kashamu Buruji and Olabode George went underground to challenge the impunity and hegemony of Obasanjo and his cohorts who thought that they will upstage President Goodluck Jonathan in the South West. So, the people of the South West demonstrated in Ekiti that they don’t believe in APC. They rejected the pseudo-democrats who have been operating in the South West, especially their emperor, Bola Tinubu. So APC lost 16/16 becausewe saw a people’s movement in Ekiti. I salute Kasamu Buruji, BodeGeorge, and the lion himself, Ayo Fayose, for leading Ekiti people to victory. Remember that APC also lost in Ondo where it came a distant third. It also means that they will lose Osun.

Do you see what happened in Ekiti happening in the South-East?

Sure, sure. What happened in Ekiti will be a child’s play compared to what is going to happen in the South East. Those fake leaders without organic leadership will be politically wiped out. Our campaign is not political party-based. It involves Igbo globally, that is why we have concluded plans for the launch of the South-East Amalgamation for Jonathan/Sambo 2015 in Houston,Texas, this week. We intend to mobilize the Igbo globally. That is why we are urging our people to move to the grassroots and ensure that we capture the hearts of the people.

. In fact, the strategy of South-East Amalgamation for Goodluck Jonathan centres on grassroots appeal. We are however reaching out to other Igbo outside the hinterland through the media and social network. We are talking to Igbo establishments in Lagos, Abuja and America, for the South West, North and Diaspora respectively. We have functional offices and coordinators there. We want to use the 2015 elections to restore the confidence between the people of the South-East and South-South. We want to use the election to tell our enemies that they can no longer divide us. Today we have the South-South, South-East traditional rulers council and also that of the governors. We shall consolidate on that. So, we are working very hard to renew our ties and unity with the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015. President Jonathan has reinvented and re-branded the PDP for electoral victories through his transformation agenda.

http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/07/okorocha-betrayed-ndigbo-agukwe/

Rochas did not betray Igbos.The clown is in APC doing his legendary political prostitution.
Igboland is too big for one man to decide her faith, not even a clown called Okorocha in the first place.
Ojukwu was regarded as Eze Igbo but he never for oneday acknowledged being an Eze Igbo or called himself that but went by his "Dim" title because he knew Igbo society is a very complex and sophisticated one.

One can never be a king in Igboland, you can only be good in whatever your doing but not in Igboland in general.

So sounding like Rochas or whatever is even popular is manifestation of lies, he is a mere noisemaker and a governor living in delusion of granduer and residing in fools paradise.

Nigeria is nothing but a dreamkiller that is why people like Rochas will become a governor in Igboland.

PDP and politics of tribalism...

See ethnic bigot. I respect igbos a lot and what they represent.I however disagree wt them wt d way they play their politics.they should realise they need to be very strategic by having good representations in various fomidable parties.in southwest,we are well represented in both APC and PDP and that is good for yorubas.if opportunity arises in any of d parties,we are well positioned.why must u castigate a person because he joined a party of his choice having realised regional party can take him nowhere.people say he abandoned APGA to join APC ,a decision they consider anti-igbo,but T.A orji can abandon PPA to join APGA and later move to PDP and wud stil be applauded and not considered political prostitute ? Chris anyawu also defected 4rm APGA(a platform 4rm which she was elected) to PDP and yet she is being commend. Ndi igbo,if rochas is delievering dividends of democracy to imolites,why shd he be castigated 4 being strategic?ok,assuming APC wins d next presidential election,d traditional rulers and technocrats 4rm southeast wud now be pledging their loyalty to d APC president and possibly pay homage 2 him in abuja ? My pertinent questions are these: why. Can't we hav an igbo president in 2015 instead of suppportin an ijaw man, if really d s-east is interested in occupyin aso rock? How has ethnic bigotry impacted positively on our various socio-political lives? If 5 out of 6 zones are building an alternative party to PDP,why shd igbos stand aloof? Why must ndigbo eggs be kept in one basket instead of negotiating your terms and Interests in an alternativ platform? This is my take.God bless Nigeria.

But somebody like Governor Okorocha is highly popular and may have the capacity to ruin the chances of President Jonathan in 2015

, Maybe na this line Rochas dey take deceive APC, Rochas can't even tell 1% of igbos what to do. Rochas has no power or authority over igbos, not even GEJ has that type of authority infact no one does have such powers. Not even with money will anyone be able to convince igbo voters to vote for them.

IT WILL SURPRISE THE IBO THAT GEJ WON'T HANDOVER TO THEM

#WHEN GEJ LEAVE OFFICE WHAT WILL BE THE FATE OF IBO?

But somebody like Governor Okorocha is highly popular and may have the capacity to ruin the chances of President Jonathan in 2015?

That is false. Governor Okorocha is not in the good books of Ndigbo because he has desecrated all the values the Igbo hold dear. He was elected under APGA, which is the symbol of Igbo strength. What did he do? He betrayed APGA and abandoned the party. He dethroned a whole Chairman of South-East traditional rulers, Eze Ilomuaya, and the next day, he went to Kano to bow to an Emir-elect. You know that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has publicly disowned Rochas and stripped him of all chieftainancy titles? He does not have respect for Igbo elders. He does not have respect for the Igbo intelligentsia. Rochas cannot represent the interest of Ndigbo. Currently he is at a crossroads. He is a drowning man.The message from Ekiti is already haunting him. Imo people cannot wait till 2015 to pay him back for the treachery and betrayals. Did you not hear how he was disgraced at late Justice Oputa’s funeral? He is an accidental governor on his way out.

ewwoooo

"Governor Okorocha is not in the good books of Ndigbo because he has desecrated all the values the Igbo hold dear. He was elected under APGA, which is the symbol of Igbo strength. What did he do? He betrayed APGA and abandoned the party. He dethroned a whole Chairman of South-East traditional rulers, Eze Ilomuaya, and the next day, he went to Kano to bow to an Emir-elect. You know that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has publicly disowned Rochas and stripped him of all chieftainancy titles? He does not have respect for Igbo elders. He does not have respect for the Igbo intelligentsia. Rochas cannot represent the interest of Ndigbo. "

Agukwe.

Sometimes I feel ashamed at the kind of disgusting words that come out of supposed Igbo political class all because of money. It is absolutely stupid for an old man of Igbo extraction to stake his life against the emergence of another Igbo man as President. The funny thing is that this man is not alone but a whole lot of Igbo politicians are this stupid. In a situation like this where your kinsman is involved it is best to play neutral and take a side after several considerations. I can tell you what this same man will say in 2019 assuming Jonathan continues till then. He'll be quick to remind us that PDP believes in zoning and that since the South has ruled for an interrupted 20 years, the Presidency will be zoned to the North. Like I've always stated and will always do, every Nigerian including Igbo, Ikwerre or Efik has the right to vie for Presidency and the best should be chosen. Beyond all the blackmails and gimmicks, Okorocha remains the best thing to come out of Igboland in the last 3 years. Orji Kalu tried but Igbos killed his political career. Ekwueme tried but Igbos also killed his political career. They also did same to Mbakwe when he was alive.

500GP: IT WILL SURPRISE THE IBO THAT GEJ WON'T HANDOVER TO THEM

#WHEN GEJ LEAVE OFFICE WHAT WILL BE THE FATE OF IBO?

Just cry for yourself, leave Igbos to plan for their future. Will buhari hand over to Igbo if he wins? (God forbid). I know the headache of yorubas, if Buhari becomes president with Yoruba as vice, the possibility of Yoruba vice completing the term as the result of death of President is 50/50, if that fails and the north complete 8 years, the next eight years will be for Yoruba. Following a party like APC that lack internal democracy is like jumping into a bottomless pit.

Common phuck away from here idiat.
Why must igbos bring theirs on the table for you clonwns to feast on, why didnt you goons bring your ACN and CPC for APGA to swallow it, must we give you idiats handshake, what happened to youe leprosy infested fingers, bring it for igbos to cut it now.

We are not aligning with anybody, you bloodthirty fools that want to have an emirate in igboland will never succed.
You animals will never have an Ilorin in Igboland, we are not a conqured territory and every attempt to islamize igboland politically or violently will be meet with vehement resistance.
Go and be with your slavemasters, if kowtowing to uncircumcised terrorists will give us the presidency, to hell with your presidency and uncircumcised swines marruading terrorists.

No mnore hankshake to any slowpoke, APGA is a village and clanish party yes we are happy with it, go and embrace your congregation of terrorists and bloodsuckers and leave us with our clannish party, our village party dont kill corp memnbers, we dont break beer bottles, we are not religious bigots and fanatics, we dnt allow godfathers and family tree business to flourish, we dnt protest with bombs and ogre of killing innocent people.

Abeg attache na by force ?

kunle4toyeyaho: See ethnic bigot. I respect igbos a lot and what they represent.I however disagree wt them wt d way they play their politics.they should realise they need to be very strategic by having good representations in various fomidable parties.in southwest,we are well represented in both APC and PDP and that is good for yorubas.if opportunity arises in any of d parties,we are well positioned.why must u castigate a person because he joined a party of his choice having realised regional party can take him nowhere.people say he abandoned APGA to join APC ,a decision they consider anti-igbo,but T.A orji can abandon PPA to join APGA and later move to PDP and wud stil be applauded and not considered political prostitute ? Chris anyawu also defected 4rm APGA(a platform 4rm which she was elected) to PDP and yet she is being commend. Ndi igbo,if rochas is delievering dividends of democracy to imolites,why shd he be castigated 4 being strategic?ok,assuming APC wins d next presidential election,d traditional rulers and technocrats 4rm southeast wud now be pledging their loyalty to d APC president and possibly pay homage 2 him in abuja ? My pertinent questions are these: why. Can't we hav an igbo president in 2015 instead of suppportin an ijaw man, if really d s-east is interested in occupyin aso rock? How has ethnic bigotry impacted positively on our various socio-political lives? If 5 out of 6 zones are building an alternative party to PDP,why shd igbos stand aloof? Why must ndigbo eggs be kept in one basket instead of negotiating your terms and Interests in an alternativ platform? This is my take.God bless Nigeria.

.

Abagworo: Sometimes I feel ashamed at the kind of disgusting words that come out of supposed Igbo political class all because of money. It is absolutely stupid for an old man of Igbo extraction to stake his life against the emergence of another Igbo man as President. The funny thing is that this man is not alone but a whole lot of Igbo politicians are this stupid. In a situation like this where your kinsman is involved it is best to play neutral and take a side after several considerations. I can tell you what this same man will say in 2019 assuming Jonathan continues till then. He'll be quick to remind us that PDP believes in zoning and that since the South has ruled for an interrupted 20 years, the Presidency will be zoned to the North. Like I've always stated and will always do, every Nigerian including Igbo, Ikwerre or Efik has the right to vie for Presidency and the best should be chosen. Beyond all the blackmails and gimmicks, Okorocha remains the best thing to come out of Igboland in the last 3 years. Orji Kalu tried but Igbos killed his political career. Ekwueme tried but Igbos also killed his political career. They also did same to Mbakwe when he was alive.

YOUR BRAIN DAMAGE IS UN CONTROL . KEEP LIVING IN DELUSION'S . JUST SHAME ON YOU . YOU KNEW YOU WRONG . GRAND DELUSION.

Hmmmm Rochas.....a name i detest so much.

Aligbo has betrayed itself by playing seconding fiddle to an Ijaw Zoologist just for crumbs.

Our roads are
no longer death traps. He has restored our
confidence in Nigeria. Which President would
have given Ojukwu a state burial and still
attend in person? Jonathan did that and he also
honoured our illustrious son, Prof Chinua
Achebe, by being present at his burial

This is the highest height of sycophancy!! Lolz!

egift: Aligbo has betrayed itself by playing seconding fiddle to an Ijaw Zoologist just for crumbs.

It's better than to play second fiddle to illiterate terrorists.

PhockPhockMan: It's better than to play second fiddle to illiterate terrorists.

What we need is to play the politics of equals. The day we do that, things will be better. Stop fiddling the Zoologist for a start.

egift:

What we need is to play the politics of equals. The day we do that, things will be better. Stop fiddling the Zoologist for a start.

So, this is politics of equals abi? Ooh my Gaaad.

OkijaAmaka: Rochas did not betray Igbos.The clown is in APC doing his legendary political prostitution.
Igboland is too big for one man to decide her faith, not even a clown called Okorocha in the first place.
Ojukwu was regarded as Eze Igbo but he never for oneday acknowledged being an Eze Igbo or called himself that but went by his "Dim" title because he knew Igbo society is a very complex and sophisticated one.

One can never be a king in Igboland, you can only be good in whatever your doing but not in Igboland in general.

So sounding like Rochas or whatever is even popular is manifestation of lies, he is a mere noisemaker and a governor living in delusion of granduer and residing in fools paradise.

Nigeria is nothing but a dreamkiller that is why people like Rochas will become a governor in Igboland.

You're right.

Rocha's has very few supporters in S.E. Those fews are either afraid of him or eating from him.
He should not bother to try his popularity on free and fair election come 2015. He either rigs it or loose out.
Just like in anambra, the hate Igbo have for APC is stronger than the love for Rochas and Ngige!
Ask buhari why he never campaigned in S.E!

@ abagworo, those leaders in south east have been through so many things, and they are wise than you, it is obvious to them that they can get the presidency for now, and they cant align with those that have been victimizing them all this while(the north). For over 40 years its only gej that broke the statusquo to develop the south east, now they have international airport and the ogwuta seaport and i dont know if you have travel from ore to imo state and see that they have reason to align with the man that is thinking of them, yes they need to present a presidential candidate but it is obvious they cant get it now except if they just want to play damage card giving the opportunity to those who feel it is a must that power must return back to their slave masters