Dr. Tunde Elebute, the Deputy Director, the Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIFON), Lagos State chapter, is a developmental economist, human rights promoter, a public affairs commentator and an educationist. In this interview with , he speaks on the sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, recent crisis in the Lagos House of Assembly and the recent Supreme Court ruling on Rivers State crisis, among other crucial issues. Excerpt:

I join other Nigerians to con­gratulate former President Oluse­gun Obasanjo. His living up to 88 years is by the grace of God. There are several things one can say about Obasanjo, although he is not an angel. When he was a Mili­tary Head of State, he introduced Universal Primary Education (UPE). Some of us by then were secondary school leavers. He intro­duced free tuition and sponsored young school leavers to be trained as teachers for the success of the UPE scheme. Obasanjo’s policies favoured many Nigerians. He was the first military leader in Africa who was easily handed over to a democratically elected civilian government. That gave home a lot of respect and recognition lo­cally and internationally when he came back as a civilian president he liquidated the country’s debts. He brought in many experts into his administration who contribut­ed immensely to the success of his government especially in the area of economic growth. Obasanjo did not consider the ethnic group peo­ple came from. He was not a tribal leader, but a nationalist. His cabi­net, and his Economic Team, was very strong. Even his people, the Yoruba hated him for being nation­alistic. He searched out Nigerians experts from everywhere, like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Dr Dora Akunyili, Dr. Idika Kalu, Olu Falae, etc, to buoy up his government. That helped him to put the Nigerian econo­my on a strong footing. He saved a lot of money for the in-coming administration. The nation’s for­eign reserve was very good, even as he had a very strong foreign policy. His administration is the best so far. Obasanjo, through the introduction of the GSM brought communication to the grassroots. This added a boost to the econ­omy as well as saved many from road accidents as it reduced the rate people go out. The use of the GSM has helped to boost business through online banking and mon­ey transfers. He performed greatly for the country. Obasanjo could be described as a true father of the nation. Today, he is a free man anywhere he goes in and out of the country as he established good relationships with people in every part of Nigeria. Obasanjo is a learned man. As he clocked 88, we pray that he will live longer so that leaders will be consulting him for the good of the country. He was not afraid to speak to leaders, both military and civilian. Current leaders should learn from him. They should reduce borrowing and bring down their debt burdens and be nationalistic, eschew ethnicity. We should learn to accommodate one another. In every tribe, there are experts like Idika Kalu, Olu Fa­lae, and Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Ku­ti, who he used to uplift Nigeria in his tenure.

I see them as the conscience of the nation. At the appropriate time, they spoke out about nation­al issues. They were bold nation­al builders. They had courage to speak out on what they believe to be true, not looking for govern­ment patronage. I have not heard of anybody accusing them of em­bezzlement. I believe that the state and Federal Governments should immortalise them. Nigerians will never forget them in a hurry. They are great names that cannot be for­gotten in a hurry.

The Lagos Assembly crisis shows that our elected leaders are being controlled by some powers outside the government. They are not allowed to act freely. What is happening in Lagos Assembly does not show real democracy. It shows that we are still learning. We are still at the low level of de­mocracy. It is indeed an indication that cabals still control the arms of government in the state and by extension the country.

If such a crisis continues, it can lead to disintegration of the All Progressives Congress (APC). What is happening in APC strengthens other political parties in the state. As it is, Lagos has been a one-party state. There is no oppo­sition in Lagos. Even in the coun­try, the only opposition against the current administration is the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), but the government has already silenced it. The trend of someone being a demi-god in Lagos and in Nigeria, or few people controlling the arms of government is not good.

The Senate President Godswill Akpabio should control himself. This is not the first time he is be­ing accused of sexual harassment. Mrs. Joy Nunieh, former Acting Managing Director of NNDC claimed to have slapped him over alleged sexual harassment when he was the Minister for Niger Del­ta. For someone at such an exalted position of Senate President, Ak­pabio should control himself. He should change. He should exercise and not throw decorum at the dogs. His behaviour and attitude are not acceptable in a sane society.

There is a freedom of associ­ation in the country. People are free to go where they like. There is nothing bad in what they are do­ing. They are not doing anything il­legal or committing a coup against the president. They are democrat­ic. The onus is for the APC and Tinubu to buckle up and look in­wards and see the areas they need to make adjustments and carry everybody along. Anyone can make a mistake because we are all human beings. But whatever is the case, North should allow South to complete the eight-year tenure. Tinubu is not a novice in politics. He knows what to do. He did not start politics today. He knows what people want and he has powerful structure across the country. He knows Nigerians very well. By 2027, a lot of things will happen. As you can see, the price of fuel is coming down. But, I think the politicians will use these moves, associations to get his attention. Some of these politicians may have selfish motives. But, before 2027, many of them will be silenced one way or the other, or they will begin to sing a different song.

Sometimes, it is essential to in­crease tariffs. But, when it is ex­cessive, it becomes injurious and can work against the purpose. No­body runs away from the use of electricity, communication or use of petrol. If the government can be transparent in the use of the mon­ey so accumulated, people may not feel the hike in tariffs or charges. But, the government should not make the tariff increase regular. When we talk of tariff increase for electricity, outside those who use Pre-Paid metres, it can lead to corruption. People will be doing illegal connections. If tariffs are too high, people will be looking for ways to corruptly get the services, especially electricity. Increase in communication tariffs may also lead people to make less use of the services. The hike in bank charges can discourage people saving their money in banks. Even the ATM and POS charges are discouraging people. It can discourage savings. These policies are adversely affect­ing SMEs, small businesses and in­vestors. Only big companies and investors will not bother over all these increases because they must make use of the services whether they like it or not. Government should watch the current tariffs for between three and six months. If there is a need for adjustment, they should do so. There should be policy evaluation and possible adjustment within six months.

I disagree with the action. it is not good for the education of young ones. Some of them will for­get what they have been taught by the time they resume. Some may not like to return to school. This is not good for the North where chil­dren are even forced to go to school. Nigeria is not an Islamic country. Every student is not a Muslim. The governments are depriving non-Muslims their right to educa­tion. Such action is anti-Constitu­tion. They are denying people their right to education. Such policies should be discouraged.

I have not really read through the Supreme Court ruling on the Rivers State crisis. But, under a democracy, laws should be obeyed. Supreme Court rulings are laws. People should allow the rule of law to stand. I learnt that some people in Rivers are protesting against the ruling. The governor, Simi Fubara, should obey the ruling. When a de­cision is reached at the Supreme Court, it should be respected and obeyed. After the Supreme Court judgment, there is no other option, no matter how painful the ruling may be. We should not allow anar­chy. Rivers State can burn if they fail to follow the Supreme Court ruling. This is the time for Rivers people to make peace and unite. The elders should wake up. They should call reconciliatory meet­ings for peace to reign. They are not babies. The Mothers, Fathers, Big Brothers and big Sisters of Rivers, including those in Diaspo­ra should hold meetings between Gov. Simi Fubara and Nyesom Wike to reconcile. If Fubara fails to follow the path of peace, anarchy will follow and every Rivers people will be affected.