When the news of Julius Agwu contesting for Rivers State
Governorship elections broke out few days ago a lot of people thought it was a
joke and some even said the comedian was only just trying to promote his UK
show. But it seems a lot of people might be wrong as Julius says it’s for real
and even took out time to grant The SUN newspaper an interview, though he
admits his wife is scared, he says, but you know that’s how women are. Hmm, I
really hope Julius is not playing a fast one on us. Continue after the cut.
Lately there have been reports that you are gunning for Governor
of Rivers State. Is it true?
of Rivers State. Is it true?
Yes it is true and ever since that story broke I have been
receiving calls and getting text messages from people. Even on social media,
people have been telling me to just stick with comedy. They think it’s just
another joke from me but it’s not. I mean to contest in 2015. I am above 40, to
be precise I am 41 and I doubt if those who go for governorship have two heads.
I think it’s high time youths realise they need to be part of the change that
they so much desire and that’s exactly what I am doing.
receiving calls and getting text messages from people. Even on social media,
people have been telling me to just stick with comedy. They think it’s just
another joke from me but it’s not. I mean to contest in 2015. I am above 40, to
be precise I am 41 and I doubt if those who go for governorship have two heads.
I think it’s high time youths realise they need to be part of the change that
they so much desire and that’s exactly what I am doing.
For how long have you been nurturing this ambition?
It’s been on for a very long time but I was a bit sceptical
whether the time was right or not. However, after consulting with my people and
the subsequent pressure they mounted on me, I finally took the bait to
contest. The governor, Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi is from my ethic group; he’s
Ikwere like I am and he has done a good work for the people of Rivers State. I
am here to continue the good work he has started. As a matter of fact, I don’t
want anybody to come and make a mess of his achievement so I want to continue
and be able to build on his achievement.
whether the time was right or not. However, after consulting with my people and
the subsequent pressure they mounted on me, I finally took the bait to
contest. The governor, Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi is from my ethic group; he’s
Ikwere like I am and he has done a good work for the people of Rivers State. I
am here to continue the good work he has started. As a matter of fact, I don’t
want anybody to come and make a mess of his achievement so I want to continue
and be able to build on his achievement.
You are from the same ethnic group with Governor Ameachi. Is
that not a treat to your ambition regarding the principle of rotation?
that not a treat to your ambition regarding the principle of rotation?
It’s not. Governorship is not rotational. There is no such
thing in the Nigerian constitution; everybody, anybody has a right to contest.
thing in the Nigerian constitution; everybody, anybody has a right to contest.
We don’t know you as a card bearer of any party…
That is the mystery. A lot of people have been asking that
under what platform am I running and all that. What I say to them is that they
should wait, we will unveil the party very soon (laughs). For now I am
concentrating on my UK tour.
under what platform am I running and all that. What I say to them is that they
should wait, we will unveil the party very soon (laughs). For now I am
concentrating on my UK tour.
Politics is a dirty game and you have managed to build
yourself a good name and a formidable brand. Are you not scared this could mar
your name?
yourself a good name and a formidable brand. Are you not scared this could mar
your name?
I don’t intend to play any dirty politics; that’s the truth
about it. As you pointed out I have got a good reputation and a lot of people
ask if I am ready to swim in this murky waters. That’s why I need your prayers.
about it. As you pointed out I have got a good reputation and a lot of people
ask if I am ready to swim in this murky waters. That’s why I need your prayers.
What’s your vision for your state?
Like I told you, Governor Ameachi has done well and I don’t
want someone to come and make a mess of
his legacy. We know how politics in Nigeria goes. Once an opposition party
wins, they crush every good work the former governor has done rather than
building on the existing legacies and achievement of the past administration
and creating jobs for the youths.
want someone to come and make a mess of
his legacy. We know how politics in Nigeria goes. Once an opposition party
wins, they crush every good work the former governor has done rather than
building on the existing legacies and achievement of the past administration
and creating jobs for the youths.
Like you said earlier, you and the incumbent governor are
from the same state and he is known to be close to you. Don’t you think it
would come to him as one of those Julius’s expensive jokes?
from the same state and he is known to be close to you. Don’t you think it
would come to him as one of those Julius’s expensive jokes?
Let’s see how expensive this joke gets. I do not want to say
certain things for now. With my level of clout and popularity I believe I stand
a chance.
certain things for now. With my level of clout and popularity I believe I stand
a chance.
What’s your wife’s opinion on your political ambition?
You know how women are. She’s scared that it’s not my thing
and I shouldn’t get into it. She’s been answering calls and she is tired. I
understand how she feels because the way politics is played here, not everyone
who has a family would encourage their loved ones to get into it. In fact, she
has told me to stop the joke. That was the last message she sent me and I
understand how she feels. I have been getting calls from people who are
saying, Julius, don’t worry, e get where we go carry you go.
and I shouldn’t get into it. She’s been answering calls and she is tired. I
understand how she feels because the way politics is played here, not everyone
who has a family would encourage their loved ones to get into it. In fact, she
has told me to stop the joke. That was the last message she sent me and I
understand how she feels. I have been getting calls from people who are
saying, Julius, don’t worry, e get where we go carry you go.
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