A leader from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Chief Ayiri Emami, discusses politics in his home state in this interview,...
A leader from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Chief Ayiri Emami, discusses politics in his home state in this interview, looking ahead to the 2027 election. He also highlights that many Nigerian politicians lack a specific ideological stance before entering party politics.Adedayo Akinwale brings excerpts:
A rapid wave of governors from the South-south region switching allegiance to the APC has occurred. What caused this shift? Is the ruling party planning to gain control of the region in 2027?
I am a genuine advocate of Asiwaju. My support is not driven by financial gain, but rather by my belief that Asiwaju has the potential to bring about positive change. Given the direction the country was heading, some of us realized that the nation was on a path to collapse. Therefore, some of us were the quiet voices speaking out. We faced significant challenges in the Niger Delta region while supporting Asiwaju, but we are grateful for the outcome.
The most crucial aspect of life is when you are certain about something and hold a conviction, then you act upon that belief. Many individuals lack a specific ideology regarding their political views or lifestyle choices. However, some people still succeed in maintaining their own personal ideology and convictions.
Therefore, I have faith in the individual, I trust his character, and I believe in his moral qualities because, as a young person, I have been by his side. I have heard him speak and observed his actions.
I strongly believe that if Asiwaju becomes president, we can make significant changes. However, in our region, many people opposed Asiwaju, not because he wasn't a good individual, but because he knew too much. I've had several discussions with many people from my area. They admit, for instance, that they prefer people from the North since they aren't as familiar with our region. If Asiwaju were to take office, he would know everything, and many hidden opportunities would be closed off. That's why you see people upset.
They are not only lamenting that Nigeria is not progressing but also due to the questionable activities they engaged in, Asiwaju starts to address them. He had promised us that he would get Warri Port functioning. Within two years, he has already allocated funds for the Port, and even the Omadino-Escravos roads that will go through Gbaramatu. There are numerous developments happening before the formalities between NNPC, Chevron, and NDDC are completed. Therefore, there's a lot happening.
And when people observe this, they realize he genuinely has our interests in mind. Therefore, I believe these are the beliefs behind his policies that caused governors from the South-South to respond negatively. If we didn't back him earlier, now the man is taking actions that will benefit us, so there is a necessity to support him. I think his performance has convinced those individuals.
For me, I'm pleased that they are arriving because the kind of work I was involved in during 2022 and 2023 will allow me to be more at ease. We have observed one or two developments in our region. That's sufficient. Just that is enough for the South South governors and any governor to switch sides, having recognized that he is a forward-thinking individual. These were some of the qualities I noticed in him that led me to back Asiwaju.
We were informed that when the current governor of Delta state became a member of APC, many of you did not accept him. What is the current condition of the party, and how much progress do you believe Asiwaju will achieve in the region and the state by 2027?
You mentioned that when the current governor joined the APC in Delta, many people did not accept him. I was not involved in that. I, Ayiri Emami, was not part of it because my main focus is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And if this person claimed he was coming to support the President, who am I to oppose him? I only had a minor disagreement with him. The issue was that if he was coming, those he met there should be included and supported. That was my concern. My stance has always been that if Sheriff was coming, the President and party leaders should make sure that those already present are not treated unfairly.
Let's create a method that allows everyone to collaborate. From today, I am aware that there is much discussion among the leaders to ensure that all work together. Whatever actions I need to take, my backing of the Sheriff is because he also supports the President. In 2023, I did not back the Sheriff. I supported Ovie Omo-Agege, but the Sheriff won. However, the President also won the election. Therefore, the Sheriff is now supporting the President. So, I have no alternative but to support the Sheriff. I have never been involved in efforts to undermine him. I am not a flatterer.
Individuals view the Labour Party as the most powerful in Delta, based on its results from the previous election. Has this opinion shifted?
Who are the members of the Labour Party? The Labour Party is composed of PDP, APC, and various other groups. It doesn't have a specific structure. It's not just about Labour; it's a political strategy.
But I don't believe that will occur in 2027 since we are all in one location. All the actors are currently in the same boat in Delta. Although, as I mentioned earlier, discussions are still taking place among the leaders. However, I am aware that at least 80 percent are in agreement right now. I can't say that the remaining 20 percent isn't significant. Therefore, we must do everything possible because the 20 percent or 30 percent that remains is still crucial, as in politics, everyone matters. No one should be left behind. So far, things look more promising than what occurred in 2023.
Are you implying that the LP lacks any presence in Delta state?
No, I stated that the Labour Party is an "all" party. Any disgruntled politician from any party can be a potential LP member, as I have checked those who were part of the LP and they are either from APC or PDP. It doesn't have a formal structure, but it attracts disgruntled individuals from APC, PDP, anywhere. They are simply dissatisfied and don't know why they are joining the LP.
How would you evaluate the work of the Niger Delta Development Commission since Tinubu took office?
If I choose to discuss the NDDC, some individuals might assume it's because Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director, is my friend. However, if he fails to deliver, I will openly point out that what he is doing is incorrect. That said, I believe for the first time, the NDDC has a clear vision and a solid structure. Due to the leadership of the NDDC, including the chairman and the MD, I think they are performing exceptionally well.
This is the first time you have the opportunity to witness a collection of projects throughout the region, which will proceed to commission impactful initiatives such as the Omadino-Escravos road. This initiative was made possible by the NDDC - a collaboration involving some oil companies - Chevron, NNPC, and now the state government. Therefore, we can now have a road connecting Warri to Escravos, and you understand what that signifies. It requires a strong leader to possess such vision and know how to guide their board. What we previously knew about the NDDC, all our funds used to end up in Abuja. However, today marks the first time you will see the board chairman and the MD working as a unified team. I can share information about my own area, specifically the Itsekiri region. With his own vision and approach to the board, they have managed to illuminate almost every community, with road projects currently underway. If he isn't performing well, I will let him know. But from what I observe today, I believe the individual is doing well.
So, if he is performing, where are the demands for his removal and the claims of conspiring against the president originating from?
I will use myself as a case study. My younger brother became involved in a questionable cannabis-related activity. At this moment, I am not acquainted with any NDLEA official. The reason for this is that I do not engage in such matters. I could possibly know a military officer due to our location's security issues. However, I have no connection with the NDLEA. Nevertheless, according to various media outlets and social media platforms, they claim he is the brother of Ayiri. Therefore, when someone has a connection somewhere, others tend to exploit it. When that unfortunate event occurred, many people claimed that Ayiri had been taking this boy around in a private jet. But I was completely unaware of this.
It surprised me that my brother became involved. I told them, he should be held accountable by the law. So, if they now claim Sylva is connected to a coup attempt, what do you think politicians will say next? They'll probably say, "Oh, he's Sam's friend!" Even if the man is asleep, they'll find a way to connect him because people are envious and jealous of this young man. I'm not his representative, but I'll speak the truth.
What are your thoughts on the current status of PDP, and do you believe the Ibadan convention will bring the party back to life?
I am not part of the PDP, so occasionally I don't appreciate being interfered with; I prefer to focus on my own group. If the PDP collapses, it benefits me. If I can find a way to make sure the PDP disappears so I experience less pressure, I will do it. I hope the PDP does not come back to life.
Aren't you aware that your stance comes off as self-centered?
Even God emphasized loving yourself before loving your neighbor. If you're on a flight, you must put on your own mask first before assisting others. So, if PDP is struggling, why would I revive them when we are in the same competition.
What's your opinion on the debate regarding the stadium project in Delta state?
I will never allow myself to be part of it.
Because the person behind it is not my friend. He used to be my brother, but as someone who used to tell the truth, I will share what I know. When Amaju Pinnick introduced that project with a courtesy visit to the then Olu of Warri and said he wanted to build this stadium in Ugborodu, I spoke to him as a brother and a friend. Then I suggested something to him: if you want this project in a remote area, as you described, people want it closer to the community, closer to those without access. Take this project to Itsekiri, where the logistics are more manageable, just about 10 minutes from Warri. The money you're talking about would be entirely spent on logistics. As things stand today, I don't speak to Amaju. I don't see any reason for me to do so. But when you ask me this question, I have to address it. Let me tell you, the terrain and the funds they brought show that Amaju only wanted to claim, "I built the stadium in the community." I don't know what you're trying to show people when you know the funds in question were insufficient for the project. So today, the project remains abandoned. It was a great idea. Some of us knew the money wasn't enough for the project.
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