Barr. Mrs. Georgina Aye Dakpokpo, is the National Chairman of Young Democratic Party (YDP), she was the Deputy Governorship candidate of the party during the last Edo State gubernatorial election. She recently spoke with EVEREST EZIHE in Owerri on issues bordering Nigerian Politics and state of the nation and seriously canvassed for the nation’s restructuring anchored on True Federation as the only way forward for Nigeria ambition of being a great nation.
Ma May we know you?
I am Barr. Mrs. Georgina Aye Dakpokpo, the National Chairman, Young Democratic Party (YDP), one time Deputy Governorship candidate of the party in Edo State.
As a woman what is the challenges you face as the National Chairman of a political party in Nigeria?.
It has been interesting and challenging too, before now, I use to restrict my movement within the confines of my friends, relationships, well-wishers and business associates but now, the entire nation is my constituency. I have now built a broad spectrum of relationships anchored on political activities. The position has enabled me to know and under stand Nigeria better. I have established more contact. I can feel the true pulse of Nigerians. I have come to understand to a larger extent the true problems of the nation and how poverty have strike this nation. The platform have truly exposed me and challenged my leadership acumen.
So far, what do you consider as the strength and challenges of the party?
Our strength is in our memberships who are mainly young and vibrant men, committed to bettering their lives and that of their future generations. The patriotism of our membership is encouraging. Nigerian youths are tired of seeing old but re-cycled corrupt politicians piloting affairs of their nation.
For now, the greatest challenge of the party is funding. The party is constituted by compassionate young Nigerian graduates who are tired of sitting idol, complaining against the ills of the society as masterminded by their leaders. Expressing their willingness to participate in the nation’s building. We are pushing on
Another challenge, I noticed, is that most Nigerians especially our young people have sold their minds and souls to the devil due to poverty, no one is ready to hear your message except money is given. People are not willing to make sacrifice for greater tomorrow.
My experience as Deputy Governorship candidate in Edo State during the last gubernatorial election is amazing and shocked. When you are given them message of hope and liberation, a message to improve their esteem, they are only interested on immediate gains, their focus is money. When I talked to some of the youths on what will improve their future, they seems not being interested as all they wanted to hear is how much are you givens us now. It really pissed me-off, seeing nation without conscience and moral. These are the two greatest challenges I have noticed, thus there is need for attitudinal change, if we as a nation must move ahead like other advancing nations.
What then is the vision and mission of your party?
I will not answer your question in one sentence because the problem of Nigeria is myriad and hydra-headed. Basically our concern in the party is service delivery, improving the lots of our people. Serving humanity with patriotism and fear of God, obviously, as leaders, we are not called to oppress the people but we are called to serve, with all our heart and passion. Basically to understand, the peoples plight and proffer solutions. To restore human dignity and appreciative of good governance rested with compassion.
That is the mission of YDP, we want to restore the people’s dignity and confidence in governance. We know Nigerians can pray, we have all we need, we have enough manpower, we have abundant natural resources and we have all it takes to be a great country. All we lack is visionary leadership, purposeful governance and compassionate leaders that will help the nation achieve its potentials. This is where YDP makes the difference.
How prepared is your party towards 2019 general polls? Is your party likely to stir the nation’s political storm?
Obviously, we have all it takes to achieve our mission and vision, but be it known to you, that we are not regular or typical Nigeria politicians, we will not tell you lies thinking that tomorrow the lies we told will see us through. We intend to shake and sensitized Nigerians against the money being given to them by dubious politicians just to buy their votes is an insult to their personalities and future, as part of our preparations towards 2019, the party has asked its NEC members to go to the 36 states of the federation and conduct state congress of the party. The out come so far is amazing and successful; we have observed that Nigerians are clamouring for a realistic and radical change. We are building foundations for good governance in Nigeria. Honestly, in 2019 our party will be dogged to win some seats in the National and State Assemblies, we will vigorously pursue Governorship seats with our credible candidates.
We may not waste our energy and resources vying for the Presidency but definitely, we will make inputs in who so ever will be the President of the country.
We are strategically positioned with our networks. In each of the states, we have conducted our congress, we normally interact with the people, understand their peculiar problems, gives them hope and restores their confidence. Our primaries will be open and people oriented. We meet the stakeholders and holds a mutual meeting with them.
Definitely, Young Democratic Party (YDP) is new in the nation’s political history, how many States in the Federation can you rightfully say your party have noticeable structure?
Apart from Abuja, we have a stronghold in 28 states of the Federation and I assured you before the commencement of the next political dispensation our presence will be overwhelming felt in the entire 36 states of the federation. We are seriously working on this. We have conducted free and fair congresses in the North West, South East and we are moving to North East and North Central, the South-South geo-political zone will be the last
So far, what is your experience like in most of the states you supervised and conducted their congresses?
The experience are wholesome and overwhelming, here you see and face the political realities. I am simply rediscovering Nigeria, for instance at Enugu, we were at Nike Resort, I discovered tourism potentials of the nation. That place is amazing and lovely, I saw opportunities for tourism there, but the problem of Nigeria is that nothing is being done on a large scale. In this country, we don’t have innovative leaders, we only have people that go in there only to share and milk the resources of the nation. We need creative leaders and strategic thinkers.
Nigeria is blessed that if we have leaders as Governors who can look inwards, there are so many opportunities and potentials we can get expect from oil. I and some of the NEC members were privileged to visit the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Enugu state during the last general election, honestly, the plans that man have to transform and revolutionized Enugu state if given the opportunity was impressive and touchy. The plans were amazing. The tour has offered me the opportunity to know that there are still good and patriotic Leaders that if offered the opportunity, that Nigeria could be great again. It re-enforces my belief in greater Nigeria.
Apart from bad leadership, what do you think is the major problem of Nigeria?
Restructuring Nigeria is the key to true development, growth, and transformation. The restructuring is not the kind that will propel federalism, let the centre be less attractive, let every State have an autonomy to run its affairs and build their economy within their capacity. If there is no more centre, were will you on monthly basis come to collect subvention, every State will work hard to meet her needs and this will fast track healthy competition and accelerated development. The present idea of making the centre strong and attractive is the more reason politicians are struggling to be in the centre and milk our collective resources dry. Why do you think people are interested in going to Abuja? All they want is free money. Thus why, Young Democratic Party (YDP) our strength is in the wards i.e. the grassroots. Our party is grass root based, the centre is not where you come and say I want to be a national Chairman so that I can make money, you can’t get nothing. Everything in the party is at the ward level.
What then is the manifesto of your party?
My Party is a great party with an intimidating but realistic manifesto, however, I am not going to give you 7 points or 8 points agenda. We believe on the need to build our strength in diversity. The last general election was the worst outing for the nation; we were so divided in ethnic nationality. We can harness our diversity for the overall interests of the nation. Why can’t a Hausa man be the Mayor of Port-Harcourt, let’s do that. For instance, in our party, we have nothing like state of origin in all our transactions, we believe Nigeria is one big family. Hoe come, if you want to vote you can vote anywhere you resident and registered, but when it comes to seeking political appointment or elections, you go to your state of origin. This is wrong. America and Britain we borrowed their Presidential democratic System does not operate like that. Meanwhile, you have spent all your life in that state of residence. By virtue of your years of residence, you know a lot about the state than the state of your origin I think, it makes more sense if you are allowed to contribute your quota in that state of resident than your state of origin where you know little or nothing about the state.
Let us have the privilege of having the Resume of Barr. Mrs. Dakpokpo?
I am a lawyer with over 16 years at the bar, a wife with three children, deputy gubernatorial candidate of the party at the last governorship election in Edo State. I grew up in Oyo State, I am from Edo State and served in Katsina State. More so, I am a detribalized Nigerian and a bridge builder. I have friends from every geo -political zones of the country. I passionately love Nigeria, I have series of tempting opportunities to preside abroad, I boldly and bluntly refused because I believe in my country, I am proud of being a Nigerian. I am proud of my heritage and above all I am a devout Christian.
What do you think is wrong with Nigerian politics?
Most Nigerians are power thirsty and drunk, secondly you have people that have been suppressed, so deprived of knowledge and opportunities, they don’t know that power does not line in the hands of politicians but power belongs to the electorates.
What is your message to Nigerians?
Nigerians should stop compromising with their values. Every Nigerian must be an architect of integrity and of building Nigeria of our dream. It is a collective responsibility. We have seen how things are done in advanced and developing countries; our film industry has proved that it is possible here. It is only Nigerians that can do it.
our dream. It is a collective responsibility. We have seen how things are done in advanced and developing countries; our film industry has proved that it is possible here. It is only Nigerians that can do it.