Tomide Akinribudo is the lawmaker representing Ondo West Constituency 1 in the Ondo State House of Assembly. He won the primary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party to seek a fresh tenure during next year’s general election. In this interview with OSAGIE OTABOR, Akinrinbudo says security and economy would determine the voting pattern of Nigerians
What is your assessment of next year’s presidential election?
It is likely to be a three-horse race. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) are likely to be the front-runners in the election. Nigerians will elect the next president based on matters that affect their lives, particularly security and the economy. The issue of economy and security will be the major determinant of the voting pattern for the election.
What are the chances of the PDP in Ondo in next year’s election?
I believe the PDP will win the next governorship election in Ondo based on the antecedents of two former governors, Dr. Olusegun Agagu and Dr. Mimiko who were PDP stalwarts. The two governors benefited the masses of Ondo people more than the present APC government, especially in the area of the general welfare of the citizenry, the local economy of the state and infrastructure. I believe that the people have tested both parties and their opinion is that they had a better life under the PDP.
Why do you think the people should re-elect you to the assembly?
Every election is a referendum on the incumbent. The people of Ondo West will also have an opportunity to decide on the quality of my representation. They can attest that I brought in dynamism. I have bridged the gap between the legislator and my constituents. I have been able to surpass expectations, especially as a young legislator in an opposition party by attracting a lot of social interventions. We have been able to sponsor skill acquisition programmes and provided startups for beneficiaries in the constituency annually. We have also been able to facilitate the rehabilitation of roads, and give employment to those in need of jobs and water to some areas. Some market women have equally received support. I am the most visible voice in the assembly even though I am in the opposition. We have been active in the passage of bills. The majority of the voters in my constituency will not think twice before electing me to the assembly.
Do you think the Speaker was right in declaring the seats of two lawmakers vacant?
These issues are in court. As a lawmaker, I do not want to be a lawbreaker. When issues are in court, we do not pass comments on them, so that we don’t run foul of the dictates of the court. We leave that to the court to decide.
What were your views about the legislature before joining politics?
Before venturing into politics, I have always seen the legislature as being short of performance and efficiency. The most important aspect of lawmaking is the passage of bills, especially the budget. The electorates are not carried along efficiently in the process of budgeting. That is why the majority of the policies of government are not in consonance with the dire need of the majority of Nigerians. That was my view before I became I lawmaker and it remains my view that the process of budgeting could be better handled for government policies to be a reflection of what the people will benefit from.
What steps have you taken to handle such an anomaly?
When you are in the opposition party, it is difficult to effect changes. You are a lone voice in the wilderness. The minority will have their say but the majority will have their way. Several times we have brought it to the attention of the House that the budgetary process should be better handled through town hall meetings. We have said that information technology should be deployed and data collected to figure out the most essential needs of the people. We have made these suggestions to the relevant agencies and ministries. We are hoping maybe they will take it so that we see a better budget performance next year.
Is your party playing the role of opposition properly?
We are doing our best. People may not appreciate our efforts because they are used to the style of opposition where parties become violent or heat up the polity like the APC did when it was in the opposition. Members of the party then were in the habit of spreading falsehood, malicious lies and propaganda. They plucked statistics from the air and threw them into the face of Nigerians. The role of the opposition is to put the government on its toes. The PDP is doing well both in Ondo and at the national level. There are radio programmes and periodically writes up from the Ondo PDP spokesman. Politics is local. Leaders of the PDP have been holding meetings at the ward, unit and local government levels to sensitise the people. It is to offer them succour and words of hope on the need to vote for the PDP during next year’s general elections. Opposition politics should be handled with all civility.
Will the PDP come out united, given the body language of Governor Wike and other governors backing him?
Politics is about the harmonisation of interest. It is not abnormal that there are areas of contention between our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Nyesom Wike. Processes have commenced on how to iron out the grey areas. A reconciliation team from both sides has met and they will iron out the grey areas. Areas of cooperation will be examined and settlement will be ironed out. It is a normal occurrence even in our daily life. Anywhere there is a group of more than one person, there are usually areas of contention and disagreement. It does not necessarily mean that it is an infallible crisis. It is not going to affect the elections because I am certain of the reconciliatory internal mechanism of the party to resolve all the issues and harmonise the interest of all groups in the party. The same applies to Ondo State.
Amendment of the Electoral Act saw the loss of party tickets by incumbent lawmakers. What is your comment on that?
A lot of the lawmakers both at the state and federal levels lost their party’s ticket because of the Electoral Act. In the same way, some people got elected because of the amendment. That is the beauty of democracy. I think that what we should be mindful of as legislators is what will benefit the generality of the people and not what will benefit us as legislators or what will perpetuate our stay in office. If the Electoral Act as amended has given room for fresh persons with fresh ideas and new concepts to be elected, I think it is a good thing, instead of perpetuating people in the office. The amendment has given room for 80 per cent of lawmakers that have spent two or three terms to be eased out of the system and has given an opportunity for people with fresh ideas to come into the system.
How do your constituents see you?
What people say about me depends on the area of interaction with them. Many see me as an unassuming young man who is courageous. A lot of people said I am intelligent. Some see me as a dynamic young man who has a passion for service delivery. One of my mentors said I am a young man that knows how to get water out of rock. Some people have said I am blunt and fearless. Those close to me see me as a goal-getter.