For a man with an bustling antecedent of excellence in Public Service and Politics, Kingsley Fubara Hart believes he should be accorded the privilege of representing his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming General Elections where he is a top contender for the House of Representatives slot for Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency. He was the candidate of the party in the botched attempt in 2019 but it turned out that the APC was not on the ballot.

In this interview with the Publisher of Kristina Reports, Godswill Jumbo, the retired Permanent Secretary in the Rivers State Civil Service insists that for fairness, justice and equity, he should be accorded the right of first refusal this time around. He further insists that where that is not done, the party should opt for direct primaries so that aspirants can test their popularity. These and other issues make this an interesting read. Enjoy!

Kristina Reports: Please, may we meet you?

Kingsley Fubara Hart: Yes, my name is Kingsley Fubara Hart, I’m the aspirant for Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency for 2023 but I’ll refer you back to 2019, where I was the candidate for APC for the House of Representatives, Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency. Thank you.

Earlier this evening, we understand there were issues about deciding on how the candidates for the party for this 2023 election would come out and we understand some party members are not comfortable with the process. What actually happened?

Oh yes, I was invited for a meeting. They said it’s a consensus meeting and to meet with aspirants and it’s an enlarged meeting. When we got there, the leader, George Tolofari asked me to speak with Edward (Pepple) and I said there’s no point because I’ve called Edward and he promised calling me back and he did not. When I went to his house, he refused speaking to me. So, there’s no point talking; it means that both of us did not agree on who will represent, because I think I should be given first right of refusal, but it wasn’t coming. Since, he didn’t agree they said that there will be an election, a mini election, I objected that there should be no mini election there because this constituency belongs to two local governments, it is Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency. So, if there will be any election Degema should be considered to be there too so that they will be represented.

Also, earlier that morning before this meeting, I heard that George himself called the secretaries and chairmen to his house and briefed them on what to do and then reaching the floor of the said meeting I met other people, some elders and others there which I now noticed that all of them wants to participate as against the constitution of the party, APC. The Constitution states that it will be the chairmen and secretaries and possibly five special delegates. So, on that note when I noticed it, I said no, I object, I don’t want this kind of thing that if you want us to do the proper thing involve Degema and they refused. At that point, I said, well, if you’re not involving Degema – I have noticed what is happening here – I am opting out; I’m not part of this kangaroo arrangement and at that point I had to step aside.

Considering the fact that you were candidate of the party in 2019 and it was not your fault that the party was not on the ballot in 2019, for fairness, for equity, for justice, shouldn’t you have been given that consideration to fly the party’s flag?

Well, of course, that’s what I had expected because some other party chapters have done the same by giving those who were candidates then, because it was not our fault. Even the candidates were involved in that process contributing money to fight the judicial process but as it was not successful, it wasn’t our fault. We expended money and, as you can see, I’m not a sleeping member of the party; I’m not a sleeping member of the party in any way. In my LGA here, I have contributed immensely, in the state too. If you doubt me, go to the party Secretariat, you will see my name on a plaque there because I’ve contributed to the stabilization of the party and made sure we get more followership for the party. So, in the region, in my local government, in my ward, they know me quite alright that I have done enormously well in bringing people, in entrenching togetherness. So, I wonder why I should be treated in that light.

Now, somebody may ask as per your credentials, if you have the antecedent, the capacity, all that it takes to represent this constituency at the House of Reps…

Definitely, I have what it takes to represent the constituency in the House of Representatives. Like you know, I am a seasoned technocrat who has worked through thick and thin to be where I am today and retired as a Permanent Secretary before contesting. So, I have and know what it takes. I’m not a novice in Politics, I know what my people want; so, I can give them a very fair attention, make sure I attract democracy to my State and constituency.  

As an avid believer in the All Progressives Congress, now, if things are allowed this way, obviously the party – and every politician should be interested in their party winning the election – if you were to speak from that point of patriotism, you want to speak to the President or the national leader of the National Chairman of the party or the leader in Rivers State, the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, what would you advise should be done in other to correct this anomaly?

Well, one is that I will plead with him to give me right of first refusal and if that’s not met then they should allow us go for primaries where Degema and Bonny will meet and then decide who will represent them, you understand; that’s what I will do. Even at that, I have no issue with anyone. I don’t begrudge anyone, I’m still a party man even if it doesn’t come to me, I’ll still work for the party. But then, I think fairness and equity should be exhausted, you know; not after bringing us in 2019 and we exhausted all our resources and this time around it’s like when a man cleared the bush and another man comes from nowhere and wants to build on the land that you’ve been clearing since. It’s not proper. I’ll feel hurt inside because it’s like the party does not bother about my own pains. Equally, after having served them judiciously, very well; I have never deviated, I have never wavered like I’m going to another party, neither have I gone to collect money from anywhere outside my party. I’m not a betrayer. I’m not a betrayer, I have been strongly there for the party. I’ve paid my dues in this party. So, they should give me fair hearing that’s what I plead.