Venerable Chris Orajekwe, a clergyman-politician, in this telephone press interview with our Senate Correspondent, Abbanobi-Eku Onyeka, says Nigeria no longer practices democracy, warning that the Judiciary and legislature have become rubber stamps, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains caged. Read the excerpts.
Can we meet you sir
I am Venerable Chris Orajekwe, a clergy of the Anglican Communion and a former State Deputy Chairman of the Labour Party, Anambra State.
You are both a priest and a politician,how do you reconcile the two?
I never moved from politics to ministry. While I was a practical and practising politician, God called me into the clergy. Just like the clergy is a calling, so also is politics a calling. Most people see politics as a dirty business that should not be practised by the clergy, but I think that is not right. “You can only say that a government is doing well when the citizens have food on the table and are secure.” There is politics in every aspect of life — in the home, church, workplace, and society. I can tell you that clergymen make good politicians. When the fear of God comes into play, politics becomes service to the people and to God. So it is cool being a clergyman-politician.
What is your assessment of the present government’s performance?
Every Nigerian has his or her own assessment, but performance is based on public benefits and the dividends of democracy — which the citizens have seen little or nothing of. “We have an electoral commission, but we don’t have an independent electoral commission as of today.” Insecurity is now on the increase, the economy is continually degenerating badly, people are dying. Nigeria keeps borrowing with nothing to show for it.
You said Nigeria no longer practices democracy. Why?
I don’t think we still have democracy in Nigeria. Democracy thrives where there is separation of powers. The judiciary and the legislature are nothing but rubber stamps of the government. During our early days in politics, government sought public trust. We had an upright judiciary that didn’t speak from both sides of the mouth and a checkmating legislature that could stand with the masses. Today, this is a blame government where even the military is paralysed. Independent institutions are caged.
Are you saying INEC is not independent?Exactly. We have an electoral commission, but we don’t have an independent electoral commission as of today. There is serious government interference in almost every aspect. The so-called INEC is caged, just like the judiciary, legislature, EFCC, ICPC and others.
What about the opposition? Are they holding government accountable?
The opposition is being liquidated and has no visible performance to be assessed in this dispensation. Opposition is not operational as of today in Nigeria.
You mentioned that insecurity is on the increase. Can you elaborate?
Insecurity is now on the increase. People are dying daily. When you combine that with a degenerating economy and endless borrowing with nothing to show, you see why citizens feel abandoned. A government is only doing well when the people are secure and can feed.
What do you make of the role of the judiciary today?
The judiciary is now a rubber stamp of the government. In the past, we had an upright judiciary that didn’t speak from both sides of the mouth. That is no longer the case. The institution has been caged and can no longer check the excesses of the executive.
And the National Assembly?
The legislature is also a rubber stamp. We no longer have a checkmating legislative arm that can stand with the masses. “Democracy thrives where there is separation of powers. The judiciary and the legislature are nothing but rubber stamps of the government.”
They have abandoned their constitutional role of oversight and representation.
Who do you blame for the state of the nation?
I can tell you that Nigerians are responsible for the present situation. When a Nigerian is shouting “bad government,” give him the chance and you will see the worst government. Politics is gone because of the present actors. We keep recycling the same people with the same mindset.
What is the way forward for Nigeria?
Let the judiciary, legislature, INEC, EFCC, ICPC and others be free. We need a responsible Police and Army. Remove government interference from these institutions, then the country will improve. We also need the fear of God in politics so it returns to being service to the people and to God.
Any final word to Nigerians?
Nigerians must take responsibility. We complain about bad government, but we must also elect leaders who fear God and understand service. Until we have truly independent institutions and leaders with conscience, the dividends of democracy will remain a mirage. Politics and the clergy are both callings — both should serve God and the people
