Senator Francis Ellah
Chief Francis Ellah 
is Eze Nwadei Ogbuehi of Ogba. A graduate of the University of London (University College, Ibadan), and
a highly regarded elder statesman with outstanding political credentials, Chief Ellah is a former
Second Republic Senator; a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government and Head of Service; and is a current
member of the Rivers State Advisory Council. Admired for standing by his principles, Senator Ellah resigned
from the Senate over a matter of conflicting interest in 1981. His experiences are chronicled in the critically
acclaimed political treatise Nigeria and State
Creation.
Chief Ellah has had a successful business career and continues to play an important role in the development
of the agricultural, banking and oil sectors of the economy. Chief Ellah has served severally on the boards of universities, banks, and diverse corporations and is the
chairman of Ellah Lakes PLC Nigeria.
The consummate gentleman, Chief Ellah is an expert organist and musicologist, an avid golfer and author of several books including Ali-Ogba: A History
of Ogba People. Chief Ellah is currently an Ohaneze delegate at the National Reform Conference.
Professor Ossie Enekwe
Professor Ossie Enekwe is a Nigerian poet, fiction writer, and playwright, and a graduate of the University of Nigeria
and Columbia University, where he was a fellow in the Writing Division (1972-4). He is currently a professor
of theatre at the University of Nigeria and the former Director of the Institute of African Studies
at the same university. For over a decade, he has served as Editor of Okike - An African Journal of New Writing. His published
work includes Broken
Pots (1977), poems, Come Thunder (1984), a novel,
Igbo Masks (1987), non-fiction, The Betrayal (1989), a one-act
play, and The Last Battle
and Other Stories (1996).
Nduka Otiono
Nduka Otiono is an award-winning writer, General
Secretary, Association of Nigerian Authors; an associate lecturer, English Department, University of Ibadan;
a journalist and a freelance publisher; and an active member of the National Committee on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural
heritage.
THE
INTERVIEW
Corruption
The
Committee: The Government has launched
a “war against corruption.” Already, Senate President Adolphus Wabara, Education Minister Professor Osuji, and Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun, have become casualties of this crusade. Some believe the government should be praised and applauded
for this action; others believe the war on corruption is “selective justice.” What are your thoughts on this issue?
Chief
Ellah: The N55 million matter
involving former Senate President Wabara and some Senators and Representatives is now in court after they
were forced to resign from their political appointments in the National Assembly, though not from the National
Assembly itself. We cannot discuss details now as the matter is sub-judice.
I have heard the criticism that the President’s
present anti-corruption
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drive is suspect because he had failed to deal with some bigger corrupt practices in the past. All I can say is
that any action taken by the President or anyone else to expose and deal with corruption, in any shape or form,
is commendable. That the President may have failed to act promptly or positively in the past should not mean that
his belated good action should not be praised.
Within two to three months, the Inspector-General
of Police has been dismissed and arraigned in court. Two Cabinet Ministers have been removed; a number of Senators
and Representatives are in danger of losing their posts and have been summoned to court. We should compare this
with the position over the past few decades when some big fish wallowed in filthy affluence acquired from public
funds without any checks at all. In the past, such affluence would have been used to subvert and pollute the political
and economic air of the country, causing much distress, dismay, disruption and disaster.
Only time will tell whether what is happening
now is a passing fad or a genuine revolution that will clean up the country and restore its health. If it is genuine,
the nation will rejoice; but if it is hypocritical, then the actors will themselves be exposed, sooner or later.
No one can bury the truth permanently.
Tackling
Nigeria’s Pathologies
Enekwe: Can you identify Nigeria’s other major problems? What do you think would be innovative solutions to them?
Ellah: Firstly, Professor, with due respect, I would like to highlight these problems individually, so
that we can seek their possible solutions. I see that, today, the Nigerian society is marked by insecurity -- moral decadence, political,
social, and economic destruction, instability, sporadic ethnic/religious violence, insurgent tribal militias, endless
fuel price increases that cause runaway inflation, currency depreciation and nation-wide labour unrest. There are,
as well, high bank interest rates which make industrialization and, in particular, job creation impossible. This
situation has caused many otherwise decent men and women to go into crime and commit violence.
The high
unemployment issue has led to high crime rates, 419, abject poverty, a collapsed educational system and a nation
of collapsed values - in almost every facet of national life, education, social, etc, there are problems.
Sadly,
through international monitoring, we have been rated the third most corrupt nation in the world. The proliferation
of churches to the level of individual proprietorship, is absolutely scandalous, and presents a possible descent
into anarchy. Alright…the next step is in pondering how to solve the unfortunate situation we find ourselves in.
Otiono: In
other words we need to be mindful of the often cited adage of knowing when the rain began to beat us… But how did
we get to this stage, sir -- when people of your stature have been key players in our society?
Ellah: It is easier to enumerate
problems than to proffer solutions, unfortunately. Let me acknowledge that
the founding members of the PDP are not all together free from blame. As a member of the Board
of Trustees (I resigned from the national Vice Chairmanship position, a post I held for a very short time, before
the primaries of 1998/99), my responsibilities are limited to advice and caution. The Board has only advisory and
not executive responsibilities, and I continue to advice, with sympathy and understanding.
There
is no doubt that the way the country was structured led to the civil war and military administrations. And the
unfortunate and misguided belief of soldiers that might is right is antithetical to democratic principles. Such primitive instincts by the soldiers attracted other
base instincts such as materialism and corruption, fuelled by the attraction of oil money, and it has been impossible
so far to repair that damage. You don’t have a system where people hand over to others as a matter of principle
and law; politics and public office have become a free for all.
Those
who came into power with the backward attitude of might is right, fostered the belief that it is what you have that matters. In a system where three succeeding heads
of state hail from the same geographical area, even village -- M.K.O Abiola, Shonekan, and then the present one -- then there is cause for worry. So, you cannot say that what we have
is a democratic system.
Otiono: Regarding the north, Abdulsalam Abubakar and Babangida are from the same enclave/state...
Ellah: Obviously, one cannot be
faulted in suspecting that this situation is being arranged. For instance, let us examine the issue of Salisu Buhari (first speaker of the House of Representatives in the Fourth republic).
How is it possible that within a few months of his dishonourable exit from the House, such a man was granted state
pardon? This negative example teaches our youth that there is no deterrence to misconduct, crime, and that nothing
counts for justice. When we talk about youth restiveness…look; our highly impressionable youth will regard the
Buhari issue and other such issues as something they can get away with.
Enekwe: How then do we solve these recurrent
problems?
Ellah: I believe we should examine
how the system broke down, and then begin its repair! When people have been handed
over office, they should not hesitate to hand over to others. There must be that kind of practice!!! Some of the issues we pointed out are quite easy to solve, but we have managed to complicate matters.
Sometimes, if there are nine solutions to a matter and one wrong way to go, we choose the wrong way; that is my
general impression.
RESUSCITATING
THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
Ellah: Let us take youth restiveness
and unemployment for example;
if government wants to solve unemployment, then it should genuinely work towards reviving the agricultural sector
in this country. Agricultural development will have a multiplying effect on the whole economy, and thus, enough
jobs for every body.
The United States of America is an excellent example of this. For generations, people from all
over the world have emigrated there, and the agricultural sector has become one of the greatest suppliers of employment.
As standards of living continue to improve, and technological/industrial advances – mechanized agriculture etc
– have been applied to the agricultural sector, the farmers have become more efficient, and are able to produce
even more crops with fewer people. At this point, the labourers who find that they are in excess of available jobs
are able to move on to other sectors of the economy, and this is because agriculture had made the whole country
prosperous. Today, 5% of Americans feed the whole country, as well as African nations that are starving. It is
said that if necessary, America could feed the entire world.
Nigeria used to be a major exporter of cocoa, palm oil, and groundnuts.
We could do so much more in the agricultural sector – first provide food for our people, then major employment.
The regular income will create wealth, stabilize families, and aid in reducing youth restiveness.
RECAPITALIZAION IN THE BANKING SECTOR
Enekwe: You mentioned high bank interest
rates, which make industrialization and in particular job creation impossible -- as a national problem. What are
your thoughts on the Banking Sector Recapitalization policy of the CBN?
Ellah: Professor Soludo [governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria]
is obviously an intelligent man. However, his recapitalization policy that calls for about 2000 per cent increase
in bank re-capitalization, in one year, worries me. If queried on this matter, Professor Soludo
will likely reply that this is the case in Malaysia…
but does this mean that it is a valid and logical answer for Nigeria?
If he can list other countries in the
world that successfully increased by that rate within one year, then I stand to be corrected. That should be the logic of the situation. If one is licensed to operate a bank, and is asked to
pay N50 million in order to have that licence, and the next day is asked to bring an additional N25 billion; is
this fair or morally justifiable? Of course it is not. So, my question is: Cannot the capital base be increased
incrementally; over time? One doesn’t really understand this system at all. It is one thing to be knowledgeable
in one particular area, and another to claim knowledge in all areas. I think that this policy will surely disrupt
the financial system, and, eventually, the entire economy. All these mergers would have serious impacts on the
banking services.
DEVELOPING
A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS
Otiono: This brings us to another crucial issue which has been described by a colleague of ours as the challenge
of unleashing a new generation of leadership whose action and behaviour is guided by national or African interest
rather than personal aggrandizement. Do you see this possible in the foreseeable future in this country?
Ellah: Yes,
if we are able to get people who will adhere to principles.
Otiono: And how do we achieve this?
Ellah: You accomplish this by setting up a democratic system that is guided by the truth. To begin with, take the last election for example. If you had a free and fair election that is properly
executed, then the public officers produced in this manner will be mainly reasonable people. I am not saying that
the present crop is not reasonable, well…probably a few. Even so, if these reasonable people are in the minority,
their voices will be overrun, and the conscientious ones among them won’t even begin to be allowed to make contributions.
You
first start from the basics, establish proper electoral procedure -- overhaul INEC, invite foreign observers,
and insist on the kind of people who will hand over successfully, and help create a new generation of public officers
who observe proper procedure. Not a new generation of people wanting to be at the top without going through the
necessary and legal regimen, which has happened in many cases. There are those who say they want power shifted
to the youths. For this reason, something called the under-fifties was formed -- after all, the so-called experienced
people are on their way out! However, there is absolutely no substitute for experience! In the rural areas/local
governments, youth associations have officers, and the local people go to report to them; on a domestic level,
wives may report their husbands to them, and they are entitled to discipline the men, even though they may be older
than the parents of the youths.
THE
OPUTA PANEL
Otiono - One major solution that has been explored in dealing with the Nigerian problem has been the Justice
Oputa Panel. It was conceived as
a kind of truth and reconciliation committee, and you were the Secretary of the Atrocities Commission. How do you
see the need for punishment of crimes committed against individuals and the state as a deterrent to future perpetuation?
Ellah - If
you let people get away with murder, then the situation will continue. People who are thus inclined will get rid
of their fellow men in order to achieve what they want.
Otiono - And they will not be found out…even if they do, they are let off the hook!!!
Ellah (nodding) - It is terrible, because in the past, to the best of my recollection, these disappearances and murders
were almost unheard of ,and I know that what we did in those days, one would never dream of doing now. As a District
Officer, I can tell of an instance when I had a problem with my car, on Afikpo
road, with my driver. Just the two of us; we locked up the car, and trekked to Afikpo,
which was about 34 miles away. We arrived at the town at about 4 a.m., having started around 5 p.m. the previous
day in the dark. The next day we sent a driver to fix the car, and he found it unharmed. Today, this would not
be possible
THE
ANAMBRA STATE CRISIS
Enekwe: What are your thoughts on the
recurrent crisis in Anambra State?
Ellah: The Anambra
State Crisis is a tragedy; this unfortunate situation has cost the PDP chairman his job -- he resigned on Jan 10, 2005. Of course, the situation could have easily been resolved had we abided strictly by the rule of law.
Normally, the election petition against Governor Ngige should have been
disposed off within a few months.
In the old days, such petitions lasted just a
few months; even the 12 2/3 issue did not last up to two months. In field administration,
we are asked to retain ballot papers for six months; after that you may destroy them. This confirms that no case
should last beyond six months.
This does not happen today. As election petitions linger on indefinitely, causing all sorts of confusion, the judiciary contributes
its own share of national problems -- justice is delayed, and thereby denied. In the case of Anambra State, Uba and his group should
have been prosecuted in a court of competence; we should not have put through all this nonsense.
EMERGENCE OF ETHNIC NATIONALISM
Otiono - One solution that is being explored now with regard to the feeling of unfairness and marginalization
is the eruption of ethnic nationalism as represented by ethno–political groups (or militias) such as OPC, Afenifere, MASSOB, Ohaneze, ACF, Ijaw Youth Congress, MOSOP, and so on. What does this
development signify for the future of the country?
Ellah - We
have always had these ethnic organizations committed to self-help, because in the absence of social services they
serve a very useful purpose; for example, traders associations and the like. I know the Igbo Union played a big
part in the formation of NCNC in the old days. I think they must be distinguished from the militias
like the OPC and Egbesus, which is not the
same as Afenifere and Ohaneze. Why the militias have been allowed to go on, I don’t
know, but I think partly because of poor economy and the lack of jobs. Mark you -- they were initially created
for political purposes.
People talk about political engineering,
etc, creating a youth ministry and officers, but without providing them any real functions or power. So, once these people come together, they plan how to acquire power, and they hope to do this by
organising and funding cults. However, if one makes sure that people who are qualified or are graduates get jobs
and are concerned with their professions, then anybody who deviates will be pulled down as a way of ridding destructive
roots. Any member of the society with a grievance has recourse to the law, so must observe the rule of law strictly
by going to court to seek justice. However, if such a person
takes up arms against the state, then the resources of the state will be employed in dealing with him.
In the not too distant past, the district
officer, the president, and then the governor - in that order – assumed the status of chief security officer. If
there was trouble within a division, it was dealt with, in that order. The chief security officer would be obliged
to loudly recite the riot act with the police standing guard around him. He would then say -- “In the name of our
majesty, the Queen, I order you to lay down your arms, otherwise you will be shot.” Consequently, if anyone shoots
and kills his neighbour, the person is questioned, after which an enquiry is set up to discover what happened,
and to prevent future recurrence.
RESOURCE
ALLOCATION
Enekwe: Is this state of affairs influenced by economic mismanagement of resources of the country? For instance,
our oil resources...we all know that apart from oil, Nigeria depends on nothing else. We have not developed any other natural resource, or industry. Don’t you
think that this factor is partly responsible for the confusion and restiveness of the nation?
Ellah: Yes,
I agree with you entirely. It is the poverty in the midst of plenty. We have oil money, are rich in oil resources;
yet, we have people who are desperately poor, who have no jobs. The temptation to take the law into one’s hands
is very serious. Let us examine the attempt to address the injustice in the oil policy; I mentioned this before.
Before people can be asked to pay taxes,
the government is expected to have taken excellent care of the environment, the infrastructure; roads, etc. However,
in this country, the unfortunate practice has been that the government takes the people’s money without developing
their environment. This is part of the reason why people are so restive. Initially, this situation did was not
aggravated, because the country was in reasonable shape for some years after colonial rule; but as time went on,
the ecological conditions and environment deteriorated. Right now, in much of the oil-producing areas, fishermen
are no longer able to catch as much fish as in the past, because water pollution has depleted the stores of fish
in our waters. Therefore, this profession is no longer what it used to be and is no longer the life source fishermen
can depend on. Our youths in the riverine areas see these developments and become very resentful and rebellious.
ETHNIC
TENSIONS IN THE RIVER DELTA
Otiono - In Rivers State -- your part of the country -- there is uneasiness about the Igbo identity. Eminent citizens of
this state like the writer, Elechi Amadi, have made certain controversial statements about where his people belong. How do you see the dialectical
relationship among the various Igbo communities in relation to the Igbo identity?
Ellah - We
have described this before; I told you an Igbo is an Igbo. Darryl Ford
or someone else has written extensively about who is an Igbo. If you look at the culture, language, etc, these
are some of the things that determine an ethnic group.
Otiono - I noticed on your bookshelf that you have several books on Igbo studies -- Elizabeth Isichei and so on. At what point did
you develop intellectual interest in the Igbo question?
Ellah - I
am a student of History. I start from the known to the unknown. Being an Igbo, I started with Igbo history, and
then studied other ethnic groups. The educational system we had initially focused on European Empire history. Now
that we don’t have to sit for examinations on that, I decided to venture into my present interest, taking the training
I had in the other, and applying to Igbo history and nation…
The Committee: Sir, recently a national
daily carried a headline “Ellah gets quit notice.” The article opened with the statement: “The people
of Ogba ethnic nationality in Rivers State have given one of their representatives, Senator Francis Ellah, one week to quit the National Political Reform Conference in Abuja or face their wrath.” Chief, what is your reaction?
Ellah: The truth is that I have received no quit notice from anyone, and I do not see that anyone has any
right to fire me any quit notice; I have done nothing wrong!! I am only striving to contribute a little towards
the building of a better nation, using the special background and experience which the Almighty GOD gave me through
the nation, and thanks to Ohaneze which nominated me to attend the Conference. I believe we have the freedom to
exercise such fundamental human rights in our own country!!! Now -- it is important to observe that the opening
sentence in the publication asks me to: “Quit the National Political Reform Conference in Abuja or face their wrath.”
In view of the high level of insecurity
in Nigeria today, this threat must be taken very seriously. I have no intention
of quitting the Conference, but I expect that I will receive adequate protection from the Nigerian Police, and
that those who issued the threat will be promptly identified and dealt with according to law.