Our guest this week is a man known for his frantic views when it comes to political issues. In this interview with our correspondent, Christy ABOGHE, Hon. Jeffrey Ezeagwu spoke on critical issues affecting his group and the state at large.
Let’s meet you, sir
My name is Hon. Ezeagwu Jeffrey, an indigene of Ezi in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. I am the National Coordinator of Liberty Alliance, a political pressure group that has covered the whole states of the South-South region.
Why do you choose to be an advocate of good governance?
To ensure that the people who voted the leaders enjoy the dividend of democracy, because politics is all about citizenry. Looking at people that voted for you, it is important to ensure that they are well represented and feel the impact of the persons they voted into leadership. The dividend of democracy must not always be in the form of money but in quality representation of the people who voted them into power; putting personal interest aside so that in the coming election they will turn out en masse to give same leader their votes. Failure to fulfil their electioneering promises can deprive them from returning to power, irrespective of the position they are vying for.
So how has it been championing the political pressure group?
My years of experience in the leadership of pressure groups made it easy for me to coordinate over 7,000 members in the whole six states.
What are those challenges you had as a leader?
You know, trying to blow the trumpets of good governance and the need for people to queue behind good leaders comes with challenges. For instance, an aspiring candidate with quality score card reaches out to you to mobilise support for his or her election, it makes it difficult to project the candidate. This is why in my pressure group; we do not support anybody until we see his or her scorecard. To show us the candidate’s performance, projects, and empowerment that qualifies him or her for our support.
Scorecard does not necessarily mean that you have contested in an election before, but a proof of the qualifies you have and show evidence of your work in your community. This explains who the aspirant is in his or her community and the name he or she has made. After assessment, our group can now decide if you are fit to earn our support. Some persons may assume it as pride, but not so, because I know what we passed through to get this platform
So narrowing it down to Delta State, have you gotten encouragement from leaders who supported in the past?
That’s a very fantastic question. I am working for people and with God on my side I have done a lot. I was fortunate to become the State Coordinator of Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization, (APCO). I registered over 236 support groups in the last election. However, nothing like compensation ever got to me, but it did not stop me. I’m not discouraged. I know most of the people who are coordinators of the support groups I registered, some of them are appointees now. To me it is all about connection.
I will be happy to see about five or 10 persons as government appointees under the pressure group. This will encourage others to give their support when you call on them, as some persons will not want to be working for those who will not appreciate them.
Talking about good governance, how would you describe the extent the dividend of democracy has been spread to the masses?
I must say the former governor extended the dividend of governance to all sectors in the state. This is why he is called the ‘road master’, because of his construction of road networks which helped the citizens, mostly from the rural areas to be able to bring out their farm produce to sell, which at a time was not easy for them. He also built market in the riverine areas, boosted education, health, and other sectors. At least all those things are dividends of democracy, which the masses want to feel, it’s not always about money.
I must commend the present Governor, the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who is also trying his best. However, there is room for more performance. With many months to the end of his first tenure, I feel he has to improve in the delivery of the dividend of democracy to Deltans. In line with his MORE Agenda, we have higher expectations from him as our governor, and I pray God help him and other political leaders to deliver.
What is your advice to the Governor?
I urge him not to be distracted, but work in line with his set vision for Deltans. He should pursue peace and reconciliation with aggrieved leaders and members of the party. If they feel that there are no aggrieved leaders, it’s a lie. There are people who are aggrieved; they pretend that all is well. If I were to suggest for the state government, I will insist they set up a peace and reconciliation committee that will unite members.
