Salifu Oguche Usman is a legal practitioner. He is the candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the recently restored Ogugu State Constituency in Kogi State. In this interview with NIGERIA PROJECT; the National Legal Adviser of Ogugu Development Union (ODU), speaks on his chances, the role he played in restoring the constituency, as well as his plans if elected into Kogi State House of Assembly.
How did you prepare for this assignment?
Yes, of course. I can say that I’m well-prepared for it because I have been around, and fully participated in politics and general wellbeing of our people. I had both my primary and secondary education in Ogugu before proceeding to Kogi State University, Anyigba; for my decree programme. So, I can say that I’m well-prepared for this task because the electorates, who are the major stakeholders, know me very well.
At this phase of my life, I felt I have learnt the rope and gathered the requite experience to represent my people (Ogugu State Constituency) at Kogi State House of Assembly. Because I grew up there, I’m aware of their concerns in the area of developmental challenge. That was why I decided to make myself available to change the narrative. Law-making and oversight functions are the two major responsibilities of the legislators. As a lawyer combine with my exposure, I would be able to make vibrant contributions on the floor as well as making robust laws for the betterment of my constituency, and overall growth of the entire Kogi State. I have all the needed experience to do that – in the area of education, exposure, credibility and legal background.
The State House of Assembly is believed to be at the mercy of the Executive, how do you think you can succeed?
The major challenge is that majority of the members in the State House of Assembly, don’t know much about their roles and duties as legislators. Maybe they look at the State House of Assembly as an Arm of the Executive. It seems majority of them don’t know the spirit and purpose behind the creation of that Arm by the Constitution. Once a purpose of thing is not known, abuse becomes inevitable.
Majority of those in the State House of Assembly don’t know that they are separate and autonomous arm of the government, which has a responsibility of making laws for the administration of the state, as well as holding the Executive Arm of government accountable to the people. Majority of them don’t even know the power they have. This is why someone like me is vying for the position. If I get there by God’s grace, the people would see the difference.
You’re running on a new political party. Do you think you can compete well with formidable parties especially the ruling APC?
My political party may be new but I’m not new to my people. As a political party, we have our plans on ground on how to market our candidates to the voters. We have a very good manifesto and fantastic candidates; right from the president, governor, senator, House of Reps to the House of Assembly. We are very close to the voters, and by God’s grace, we will win. The campaign is easier for us because we have popular candidates. We may not have the resources like our competitors, but the good news is that we are very close to the people. We have been with them over the years, they will do the needful; there is nothing to worry about.
In the area of coalition for the opposition parties to produce one presidential candidate, what is your take on that?
Yes, it’s not a bad idea. Politics is all about negotiation and alignment. If the oppositions can come together to close their ranks and produce one presidential candidate, it’s going to be a good idea. I’m aware that there are ongoing discussions on that. I can assure you that the outcome will benefit Nigerians. My party, NDC has a very formidable team, and I’m very sure Nigerians will give them the needed support at the polls.
How do you want to handle the issue of vote buying?
Vote buying has been a challenge. It’s not peculiar to Kogi State. But the trend is gradually reducing. We will continue to educate them, and I’m very sure they will do the needful in 2027 general elections. If you have popular candidates at the grassroots like myself, and our senatorial candidate High Chief Peter Ameh, it makes the work less stressful. We have candidates that are easy to market to the voters; therefore, there is no cause to worry. Nevertheless, we will continue to educate them and create more awareness on why they should not sell their votes.
Did you play any role in the restoration of Ogugu State Constituency?
History will, of course, be kind to some of us. As far back as year 2013 as a relatively young lawyer, I authored the first letter to INEC requesting that Ogugu State Constituency that was suppressed be restored. We had that constituency in 1993 before the military junta, led by late Sani Abacha, overthrew the government. When we returned to democracy in 1999, the constituency was suppressed. In 2013, I was the first person that wrote a letter to INEC to restore the constituency. In 2014, I took INEC to court on behalf of Ogugu people at the Federal High Court, Abuja. While doing that, my learned Alhaji Onoja; a Lokoja-based legal practitioner filed same suit at the Federal High Court, Lokoja. Because of the busy schedule of activities at the Federal High Court, Abuja; the Federal High Court in Lokoja delivered its judgment before our own; ordering INEC to restore the constituency. Since the judgment had been delivered in our favour, we had to withdraw our own case at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Since that judgment was delivered, we have been writing series of letters to INEC to obey the Court judgment. Thank God, recently, it was restored. There is another issue we are currently pursuing. In 2002, Kogi State House of Assembly passed a law creating Ubele Local Government for Ogugu. It was passed and assented to by the then governor, late Prince Abubakar Audu. As I speak to you, the local government secretariat which they commenced building, is still there. Though, in the eye of the law, we have a local government but is not functioning. By the special grace of God, if I’m elected, I will take it up. We have been part of Ogugu history.
The man that is currently representing Olamaboro in Kogi State House of Assembly is from your community, don’t you think that may affect your chances?
You see, except people that are not familiar with political history of our people that would bring such issue. Ogugu usually put first competence, credibility and capacity; not where one comes from. For instance, between 1952 and 1983 (that was close to 30 years). The political leader in Ogugu was late senator Andrew Abogede. He was a senator, House of Assembly member and first Chairman of Ankpa Local Government. As a matter of fact, he was the one in-charge of political leadership in Ogugu for about 30 years. In 1983 when he didn’t go back to senate, and we had to elect someone to go to House of Reps; who did we elect? Dr. Eleojo Abbah – same from the same community of Emoyoku where Andrew Abogede comes from. We have not been bothered where an individual comes from. In 1979, Bala Onoja ran for this Ogugu Constituency (we were then under Benue State). In 1983, he was not re-elected but Dr. S.S Ameh from Emomoka was re-elected before the Buhari coup terminated that. In 1991 when democracy returned, Andrew Ekele (big boy) from same Emomoka took over the seat.
Let me also remind you that between 2003 and 2006; Majority Leader of Olamaboro Legislative Council was Gowon Emakpe Audu. In 2006, his biological immediate elder brother – same father, same mother was elected as Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government.
We, the Ogugu people have not been concerned where an individual comes from, instead we considered competence and credibility. So, those championing such rhetoric should check history – we’re not such people. If we’re to talk of competence and credibility; with all sense of humility, I’m more competent and qualified than all my competitors. Also, let me quickly remind you that for the past 80 years, Emenega where I come from didn’t produce a councillor. It is now we have a man that is in the House of Assembly for nearly 8 years; deduct 8 years from 80 years, you will know what I’m talking about.
What is your message to your people?
I want to congratulate my good people of Ogugu for the restoration of their state constituency. They should look at competence, credibility and track record before voting for the one that will represent them at Kogi State House of Assembly. By God’s grace, I have been with them and they know me quite well. I solicit for their support by casting their votes for me, and get me elected. I promise them that I wouldn’t disappoint them.
