Alhaji Fatai Akinbade is a former chairman of Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as ex-Secretary to the State Government (SSG). In this interview with ADEWALE AJAYI, he speaks on the forthcoming governorship election in the state and his party’s chances
What are the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun and Ekiti State as well the 2019 general elections given the picture being painted about it by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)?
If you talk of politics, you are talking of personalities involve, you talk of their antecedents and as well consider their track record. When you consider the ruling APC and its campaign against corruption, you will be shocked that most people that have been tried of corruption and still undergoing trial, more than 60 percent of them are in APC, but yet the party is not talking about them. This confirms that the party is only playing politics with people’s reputation. Members of the public are getting wiser, that all they need in an election is an individual with a clear record, and that is what we want to show to them in Osun State, and I am sure it applies to other elections. What the public is keen in, is getting a credible candidate that can really deliver, a tested and trusted individual and I can assure you that Osun State chapter of the PDP won’t make a mistake of fielding just anybody.
You rose through the ranks to get to the position that you are at the moment. Do you think that you stand any chance to emerge the PDP’s flag bearer for the governorship election?
I think maturity is one of the most important thing that has helped me, I am happy you talk about my track records, you see, nobody can do things beyond his knowledge, but for someone like me, I have my records, I have been party chairman, secretary to the state government for almost two terms without any blemish, my achievements are what will speak for me. In Osun State we have a lot of people qualified for the governorship position, but the best among the aspirants would be chosen. I am happy the party has eminent people jostling for the governorship position, but my chances are bright and I can say it boldly that I stand a better chance.
What are those things that distinguish you from other aspirants?
Like I said, I have been PDP chairman before, I have been on the other side, when I was chairman of the party, over 20 people jostled for the governorship position, but at the end of the day, chose one person who was the best. My credentials will speak for me, I have held offices before and nobody can accuse me of wrong doing or any corrupt practice. What I am saying in essence is that when assessed, I will stand out.
What new will you bring to the table to transform Osun State from a civil service state to an industrialized state?
One of the reasons why I want to govern the state is because I have seen it all, I am able to identify the resources that could be tapped to lift the state up. Agriculture is one of the most important area, most of the people that have been opportuned to rule the state have failed to boost that sector. I have a lot of exposition and idea to make the state an industrialize state, what is required is for the state government to provide an enabling environment for setting up of small scale industries, medium scale and larger scale industries.
In Osun the streams we have can be turned to hydro electric power, not only that Osun State still have the distributing centre of electricity in Nigeria. We can guarantee uninterrupted electricity for our industries. If we can adopt the Chinese way of getting things done, within two years, Osun State will become the industrial hub, so many Nigerians are there, they have enough money, they have what it takes, and they don’t know what to do with the money, not to talk of turning the money around, that is why you see many of them setting up petrol station here and there.
You said you have an idea on how to turn Osun State around and make it an industrialize state. Where will you get the resources to do that given the debt profile of the state?
There is nothing one can do, governance is continuum. Whatever the government in power might have done, either good or bad, we have to inherit it. When we take over governance, everything will be open to us. If you challenge the government in power that, this is the amount you they borrowed, they will deny it. They operate like a cult group. Some of those people in government don’t have any idea of how much the state owes. They failed to follow due process to get things done. But, I am telling you that no matter how much they owe, the government that will succeed them will generate its own resources and the people of the state, having knowledge of what might have transferred will be patient with the government in power to deliver.
What advice do you have for the electorate, because it is becoming a fad now that they are lured with money to vote for candidates?
That is why they are suffering though before now, so many people were not tested. When you run into untested hand, that is what happens, we have gone a little bit further now, because we have so many tested hands, who know what they are doing and can be trusted. Once such a candidate is identified, the person should be voted for. The electorate should be able to identify who they will vote for, and that should start from the party level. The party should be able to identify who among the aspirants they want to vote for, those that are successful, those they can vouch for, and can be trusted.
But sentiment plays a key role in choosing candidate nowadays…
That is why majority of the people are suffering. Even the party leaders are suffering too, so they are learning in a very hard way. I have been entrusted with party affairs in the past and I know how I paddled my canoe, while I was the chairman of the party. I never allowed anybody to influence me because I know the implication of that. Some of the aspirants, who became candidates are alive today, they can give testimony and we won in all wards and we were in the opposition then. That is the kind of leadership our people need to emulate. We will repeat the kind of victory we had then because Osun State needs to be liberated. The people are suffering under Rauf Aregbesola’s administration.
What is your take on the state of the nation, considering the challenges facing the country such as failing economy, insecurity, herdsmen carnage and Boko Haram killings, among others?
We are in a serious trouble and you will be surprised there won’t be any changes in the next four years if the country continues the way it is. There is killing every day, this persist because of the impunity in the system, those that carry out the carnage get away with it, the system is collapsing. That is sending wrong signals to investors and they are scared away, and if nobody is investing, then there can’t be improvement. The herdsmen have been with us in this country since inception, why is it that they have chosen to carry out malevolent act. The police know them, but they refused to make arrest and these things continue on a daily basis, I am not sure those in government care about the safety of those they govern.
Source: New Telegraph
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