Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, a foremost politician spoke to MAURICE OKAFOR in Enugu on the political crisis in Anambra State

 

You said you have a gentleman agreement with Governor Peter Obi; may we know the nature of the agreement?

 

I sold an intellectual property. I filed a prospect in court. Those who are familiar with proceedings in court know that somebody can bring an application in court and the adversary will say, I am not opposing the application. It is done within the ambits of the conditionalities of due process of law. I filed a preliminary objection, being a layman, I'm not a lawyer. I raised objections to destroy Peter Obi's case, they approached me and paid me N10 million. It was an intellectual property that I sold. I am not a fraudulent man because the court gave nod to my withdrawing that preliminary objection, knowing full well that Governor Peter Obi has no appeal. If I am a criminal, all those justices defending Peter Obi in the cots those issues to be thrashed out. So we can see to the conclusion, that is the only way we can bring development.

 

I am an intellectual; I sold an intellectual property. I have the right to sell it. It is my knowledge that somebody paid me for. I was not paid for withdrawing of my case. That is the different. When you remove a man's name from a case, that is a different thing. I told them  you cannot  remove  my name from the  case, that  would kill  your appeal abnitio. And the Supreme Court did very wrong and has continued to be wrong.

Show me where I offended the law. It wasn't a bribe. I cannot take bribe.  I am not a public servant. I am not a contractor. A lawyer represents a person in court as an agent. If it was done by a lawyer, it was criminal. A brilliant man went to court to represent himself. He finds out something and you want to pay him money. After all, they have been stealing in government house. Why wouldn't I seek benefit of my knowledge and also remain afloat. It is my right to make a living.

 

It was said you are political stooge of Andy Uba in his innate ambition to become   governor of Anambra State.

 

I have a lot of respect for Andy Uba. I don't know Andy Uba except by seeing him on pages of newspapers and television. The man, who paid me N10 million is Peter Obi not Andy Uba. If I am a political stooge, I am that of Peter Obi, if you said so. Andy Uba never paid me any money. How can I be working for him? It is the man who paid me N10 Million that I am quarrelling with, that is the issue you should enquire after, paying me money, why is it now that we are fighting. There is something behind the screen. And that is what I am trying to unveil through the due process of the law.

 

If governor Obi gives you more money will you withdraw the case?

 

We have gone beyond that; it is no longer pounds, shillings and pence issue. I have been called a crook and the whole world knew; they said it and they have not refuted it. So how can I go and collect money. We must see to the end whether Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo or governor Peter Obi is a crook.  Very soon the Federal High Court will resolve it.

 

How would you react to the statement that the elite in Anambra State are responsible for the political crises in the state?

 

I don't think the problem in Anambra State is that of the elite.  The problem is with the leadership. If any person calls himself a product of the people, your business is not to stay in court. Your business is to find   tranquillity, to find a union with the opposition. If you have a higher knowledge, it is easy to transmit it, is easier to smoothen out rough edges. That is the essence of education. The way the man (Peter Obi) has been operating, he is afraid of people, who are more knowledgeable than him. So nobody should say that the Anambra elite are the cause of the problem. Afterall, how many elite in Anambra State are into politics? You should talk about greedy people who have money, who are trading on human beings as political stooges not people who contested election.

 

The Anambra problem arose from inadequacy of those who are in power. It is not all about getting power but how are you able to work out a synergy even with the opposition? Politics is about dialogue. Politics is about dos and don'ts. Politics is about dynamism. Politics is about human nature. Some of those who have found themselves in positions of power are people who are crawling. They are politically dwarfed; intellectually dwarfed. They will be finding it difficult to interact with superior thinking. That is the problem.

 

Finally, what do you want in Anambra State?

What I want in Anambra state is to see a synergy. I want to see an intellectual blend of politics where those with ideas will form a union. The other day, I was watching television, when the five eastern governors were looking like morons before Mr. President to asking him to be favourable in creating a state for them. I wept. Power is not given to a naïve man. Power is given to a man who will know how to use the power. Is it President Yar'Adua that will create an additional state for them? The constitutional provisions are clear. We have representation from the eastern geo-political zone. Have the governors consulted with our representatives that work with the federal government before they went to see Yar'Adua. They cannot be my governor. We are now in a battle of wits with those who are more knowledgeable. We must learn how to work democracy. We don't work democracy with crawling. We must learn how to make demands from the system. If need be, we go to court to demand what is right. I don't believe in begging my enemy. You confront your enemy.