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Tag: contesting

  • I’m contesting to prove women are better managers –Ayodele

    Mrs. Mercy Ayodele the governorship candidate of the Restoration Party of Nigeria (RPN), in this interview with Bisi Oladele, describes politics as “very hectic and deep.”

    WHAT made you join the governorship race?

    What actually bought me to limelight is just because of the situation of the state and the country at large. We must accept that women are the most endangered species in politics. So, I felt it’s time we women stood up and stop being in the other room and come out. We have the potentials and we have what it takes.

    A woman is always like five-in-one; we are the home managers, we are always into career, we take care of the children, we take care of our husbands. If we can do that, we can as well manage a nation.

    You refer to leaving the other room. What did you mean by that?

    Well, most people believe that women are meant to be at home, taking care of the home front, taking care of the kitchen and not coming out like this to face the big wigs, who are mostly men. So, they believe we are meant to be in the room or in the kitchen serving them. But nowadays, the current president of Germany is a woman, a mother. And I must tell you, a mother is always emotional. A good mother will always take care of the family. For example, if she cooks and wants to dish out the food, the first food she will dish is for her husband, the children, even the visitors. Sometimes the mother at home will not even eat or may be left with just a little. She is always in charge of taking care of people. So, I felt it’s time we came out and take good care of our people instead of deceiving them.

    Governorship race is a big project. How did you come about your conviction that you deserve to be a governor, not a councilor, House of Assembly member, etc.,?

    Well it’s all about vision. If you have vision, you are going to get there. Like I always say, I’m giving it to my husband. When this race was about to start, he was the one that said “you can do it.” By saying that, he knew I have the potentials of doing it. He said you can do it and when I look back, I will always say “thank you” to him for giving me the opportunity to be where I am today in the political terrain.

    When it settled in your mind that you needed to vie for governorship, why didn’t you join one of the popularly parties such as APC, PDP etc.,? I think the ideology of Restoration Party fits my own ideology. RPN is a female-friendly political party and also it’s very friendly to those who are physically challenged. It is a very good platform for us to vie for any position.

  • Why I’m contesting for Reps

    Former Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos Sole Administrator Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo has joined the league of people aspiring for the House of Representatives in Oshodi-Isolo.

    At his declaration in Ilasamaja, Taiwo said he wants to ensure better representation of his constituency at the National Assembly.

    This, he said, would aid his humanitarian gesture.

    “I have always been in politics. I was born and brought up in a political family as you can see my father is one of the leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state. Politics is about service to humanity, delivering the essential necessities of lives to the people. I derived a lot of joy in putting smiles on the faces of the people,” he said.

    He boasted that he is an aspirant to beat during the primary election due to his track record.

    “I will definitely become victorious as you can see the crowd around. I have served as a supervisor before in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area and also the Sole Administrator in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government. My good work speaks for me.  If you go to Oshodi today, you will see the good thing I have done there – the legislative building I inaugurated and a lot of infrastructural development I was able to bring to Oshodi. These gave us victory during the local government election held last year,” he said.

    According to him, Ilasamaja has never had anyone in the House of Representatives despite its population size, adding “Ilasamaja is one of the biggest in terms of population and revenue generation; we have all it takes but it is unfortunate that we don’t have much representation when it comes to people in governance. My people are yearning for a better representative. It is the turn of Ilasamaja to produce a House of Representatives member because never in the history of Ilasamaja have we had anybody to represent us at that level.”

  • Why I’m contesting, by aspirant

    An aspirant for the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs. Maryam Owolabi-Bada, has said she wants to represent Somolu Constituency 1 in the House of Representatives to serve.

    She aims to provide quality representation as well as empower the youths and women through sports, education, and commerce.

    She said: “I’m tested, trusted, competent, willing and ready to serve. I’m a thorough-bred politician and with my decade of experience, I’ll explore every opportunity available to ensure my people get what belongs to them in health care delivery; qualitative and affordable education; youths and sports development, not leaving out women empowerment.

    “The youths’ contribution to the economy cannot be underestimated, and giving them the opportunity to achieve their goal will also enable them to reciprocate positively to the society that made them.

    “I have worked for the APC and want to continue to do so as the representative of the people of Somolu in the House of Assembly.

  • Lawmakers should not be jobless before contesting, says VC

    Lawmakers should not be jobless before contesting, says VC

    • Al-Hikmah varsity produces 16 first- class graduates

    Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, at the weekend produced 16 first-class graduates.

    Nine hundred and sixteen students graduated from the faith-based university at the 7th convocation .

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Taofeek Ibrahim, said: “They include 827 undergraduates and 89 postgraduates. At the undergraduate level, we have 16 first-class, 208 second-class upper, 434 second-class lower, 143 third class and 26 pass.

    “This year’s results show improvement in academic performance.”

    He said National Assembly members should be people from the business and public sector.

    Ibrahim added that persons occupying the two hallowed chambers should not be former jobless people wanting to make money from the government.

    He attributed Nigeria’s underdevelopment to corruption, saying: “Nothing is more responsible for our mismanagement and

    maladministration than corruption.”

    The VC said: “Governments should be more responsible, transparent and accountable to the citizens.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo, Economic and Financial Crime Commission’s (EFCC’s)

    boss Ibrahim Magu, Custom’s Chief Executive Officer Hameed Ali and a few others should not be the only anti-corruption vanguards in this country.

    “The exorbitant running of the government should not continue at the peril of the nationals. There is massive poverty, the country

    is underdeveloped, people are suffering.”

    He urged academics not to limit their research to academic prowess in scientific and literary writings.

    His words: “We in the university need to move out of research and publications for mere evidence of our prowess in scientific and

    literary writings, to research with ability to inform about useful and practical policies, life-impacting technological

    innovations and development and ability to identify and solve problems confronting the community.

    “Researches of tertiary institutions in the developed world drive the economies of industrialised nations.”

     

  • Osun by-election: Why I’m contesting, by Hussein

    Osun by-election: Why I’m contesting, by Hussein

    HE All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Osun West senatorial by-election, Senator Mudasiru Hussain, has explained why he wants to return to the National Assembly.

    The politician spoke at Iwo, the headquarters of the Osun West Senatorial District in Osun State.

    Hussain said the advancement of his senatorial zone and Osun State propelled his ambition.

    According to him, the APC has proved that it is the only party that can bail Nigeria out of social, political and economic hardship.

    Hussein earlier visited Ede South, Ede North, Egbedore local government areas, which are in the senatorial zone, to get support for his ambition to return to the Senate.

    The APC candidate, in 2015, relinquished his seat in the Senate for the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who died in April.

    Hussain became the party’s candidate following the withdrawal of the younger brother to the late senator, Mr. Ademola Adeleke.

    Hussain said the Rauf Aregbesola administration in Osun State had demonstrated good governance.

    He regretted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ademola Adeleke’s party, allegedly caused Nigeria’s current predicament through its anti-people policies and its almost official kleptocratic tendencies.

    Hussein said: “The government of this party (APC) is the only party through which you have seen that good governance is possible. In our state alone, we have seen what this party represents through the mega-schools, the legacy roads, school feeding as well as other policies, which show that it is the people that matter.

    “On the other hand, you know what the PDP has taken us through in this country. We know that the PDP, having lost the control of Nigeria’s resources, has been running from pillar to post to regain relevance. Never will they find their feet on our soil again.”

    Those with Hussain at the rally included the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salam, Elder Peter Babalola, members of the House of Assembly from the zone and other political office holders.

  • Why I’m contesting, by Akeredolu

    Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship standard-bearer Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has declared that he is contesting the position for good governance.

    He promised to ensure that dividend of democracy reach the grassroots, if elected.

    Akeredolu, in a chat with reporters in Akure, the state capital, at the weekend, said he was contesting in the November 26 poll to show people what good governance was all about.

    The APC candidate was optimistic that aggrieved party members could still be reconciled after the crisis from primary election.

    According to Akeredolu, reconciliation could take place even a day before the election with an exception of those who have given up on the party and joined other political parties to contest for the governorship position.

    The senior lawyer and human right crusader explained his five cardinal programmes for the people.

    These, according to him, include job creation through agriculture, entrepreneurship and industrialisation, massive infrastructural growth, maintenance, promotion of functional education and technological growth, among others.

    Also in a statement,  APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, quoted Akeredolu as claiming that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, was representing the interest of  Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    His words: “Jegede is nothing but a surrogate and a third term agenda of the present administration, which has not done well for the people in almost eight years.

    “APC is determined to make sure that the present administration and whoever is stooging for it has no basis to return to power.”

    Akeredolu confirmed the kick off of his governorship campaign.

  • ‘I’m contesting against Ochendo and his family’

    ‘I’m contesting against Ochendo and his family’

    Ahamdi Nweke is the senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for Abia Central District. His opponent is Governor Theodore Orji of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with reporters in Aba, Nweke speaks about his preparedness for the contest. SUNNY NWANKWO was there. 

    How are you going to square up against the Governor Orji at the senatorial contest?

    I am going to be contesting the Abia Central senatorial seat with a number of other people and the current governor appears to be interested in that seat. People talk of the power of incumbency, but that’s an imaginary power as far as Abia State is concerned. People will look at your antecedents; what you have done when given power before voting for you. Abia today is not the Abia of 2007; not the Abia of 2011. The people of Abia are better informed today, than they were before.

    This is an Abia where people have seen that civil servants have not been paid for months; pensioners have not been paid their entitlements; many of them are dying without getting the payment that they worked for in the course of their career.

    If you are travelling on the motor way, the moment you enter Abia you will know, because the roads have become deplorable. It is an Abia where the school system has virtually failed; there is hardly any school, except the ones that are being shown as show biz where the blocks are not dilapidated, the building collapsing on our children.

    This is an Abia where the hospitals have shamefully dilapidated; no hospital bed, no provision for people (patients), no drugs. This is an Abia where unfortunately it would appear that governance and government have failed and I am going to contest with the people who are responsible for this and you are talking about power of incumbency?

    What motivated you to enter the race?

    I contested the governorship election in 2007 on the platform of the PDP, as some of you know. The PDP didn’t form the government at that time. Unfortunately, someone who didn’t actually contest — who was imprisoned during the electioneering campaign — became the governor and since then because things have not been working well in the state. Today, things have become worse than it used to be. That was motivated me to come out then.

    Today, Abia has been languishing for eight years. In Abia Central, we need somebody who will understand lawmaking. Someone who will have empathy for the people and propose laws that will alleviate the sufferings of the people. If you have been given an executive power and you mismanaged it and the mismanagement is because you didn’t care about the people. Is it when you are going to make laws that you will remember them?

    What will you do to improve the welfare of Abians, if elected?

    People do not seem to understand the difference between the executive and the legislature. The major responsibility of a member of the Senate is over sighting what the executive is doing. They ensure that they (executive) do what they have stipulated in their social contract with the people; making sure that government provides basic amenities for them.

    If given the opportunity, I will ensure that the various ministries and parastatals that provide services and amenities do their job. In terms of the constituency projects, which are provided for, I will ensure that the projects are properly monitored to ensure that they are done properly and that the intention for executing them are realised.

    Many of you would have known that before my governorship contest that I had and still have the Udo Abia Foundation. Through the Udo Abia Foundation, I have extended scholarship programme to people, I have empowered the youths among other things and these and more are some of the things I will be able to do when I enter the Red Chambers of the Senate.

    What is your unique selling point?

    My edge over others is that I will provide a breath of fresh air on the political scene. My edge is that I am empathetic to the plight of Abians. I am a part of the people in Abia State who feel that things are not working the way that they ought to work. My edge is that I am a lawyer and the work in the Senate is about lawmaking. Professionally, I have been prepared for this job than the people contesting with me. I was for over 14 years a Justice of the Inner London Commission… I was trained in England. My professional training, my experience and exposure, my reach nationally and internationally prepares me much better than anyone contesting the Senate today in Abia Central.

    Do you have confidence in the INEC to deliver free and credible polls?

    First of all, we are very excited by the political development in Nigeria. We have been told time again and we believe the INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega that electronic card readers will be applied this time around. This is no longer the period where thugs are used by the government to snatch ballot boxes, run down to somewhere to write results and submit. A lot of that opportunity has been denied them.

    Secondly, people today are yearning for a change wherever you go in the state. I am glad that you journalists are part of the Abia society today. You can feel it in the air that people can’t wait to see good governance from Abia State.

    The ruling party is threatening people that there will be violence and mayhem like a way of discouraging them from coming out on election day and we are saying to them that nothing will happen. It has threatened to use the army; if you go into the local communities, members of the ruling party are threatening to kill people that will try to come out and vote on that day. There will be no such thing. We are not in a state of war. I doubt that soldiers will be used in this election to intimidate people. APGA will not fold its hands and watch such intimidation.

  • Why I’m contesting for Senate, by Bayewu

    Why I’m contesting for Senate, by Bayewu

    Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Kamal Ayinde Bayewu has said he joined the race for the Lagos West Senatorial ticket to ensure quality and effective representation of the zone at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.

    Bayewu made his ambition known while he commissioned some projects in Ajeromi /Ifelodun Local Government. He was the immediate past chairman of the council.

    He promised that if he wins the primary and gets elected into the Senate, he will give social welfare for the aged utmost priority as he did when he was at the helm of affairs in local government.

    He said: “I want the social grant for the senior citizens which I initiated in our local government to become a national issue. They must be taken care of. They have served the nation and the nation must pay them back.”

    Bayewu also promised to draw the attention of the central government to abandoned federal roads that are in state of disrepair in Lagos. According to him, the traffic grid is high on Lagos roads because of the port which is the second highest income earner for the Federal Government while nothing is accrued to Lagos State government.

    The aspirant lamented over lack of developmental programme for the youths. He said there must be a deliberate action towards galvanising them for leadership role in future. There must be a succession plan that will be able to take care of youths coming behind us, he said.

    The projects commissioned include Ajegunle Primary Health Centre named after a political leader in the area Chief Dele Fayemi, Olodi-Apapa Primary School and Cemetery road. He announced the naming of the Local Government secretariat after Prince Rabiu Oluwa, a leader of the APC  in the zone.

    He enjoined the people to exercise their franchise wisely in the next year’s general election. He warned them against the desperation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in getting their votes. He recalled that in 2011, the First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan came to Ajegunle to campaign for President Jonathan because of large concentration of Delta people in Ajeromi/Ifelodun. He said all what they promised were never fulfilled.

  • Why I’m contesting for Senate, by Seriki

    Why I’m contesting for Senate, by Seriki

    Former Minister of State for Defence Chief Demola Seriki is contesting for the Senate in the Lagos West District on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). He spoke with Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU and Correspondent MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on his agenda for his constituency, the succession battle in Lagos State, the agitation for special status for Lagos and the chances of the party at the polls.

    What is your assessment of the political situation in Lagos?

    We are in a political transition and the political weather is picking up right now.

    Why are you aspiring to go to the Senate?

    I have been a member of the APC for more than four years. I was a member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) from 1999 to 2000. I joined the People Democratic Party (PDP) in 2000 and left the party in December 2011. However, why am I interested in the Senate? This is the third time I am running for the Senate. I contested with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in 1992. I was then the National Republican Convention (NRC) flag bearer. I ran for the Senate in 2007. Now, this is the third time. Going to the Senate is a life time ambition. Actually, Lagos State is huge in terms of population and in terms of infrastructure. It is also huge in terms of being cosmopolitan. We have more than a 100,000 people coming to Lagos every week and only one person will leave to go and stay in another state or country. When you compare the figure 99,999 to one, the figure is so enormous. As a result, Lagos State requires special treatment and support. Therefore, all the stakeholders must be carried along. This requires an eloquent programme; it requires an outstanding senator. No matter how brilliant a governor might be, without the Federal Government support, he will not achieve much. Babatunde Fashola (BRF) has done well; he rode on the platform of Asiwaju. We call BRF the actualizer. As a result, we need someone who will improve on it. We need someone who will come and become a legacy. At the same time, we need to canvass for a special status for Lagos. We should have a Ministry of Lagos Affairs at the federal level. Look at the small bridge linking Onikan to Victoria Island; it is becoming very weak. It was built over 50 years ago. When it was built population was not this much. There is the need to get an alternative bridge that will be wider and decongest traffic. Why can’t we build a suspension bridge? It will be higher and wider. That will help to control the traffic. Since Asiwaju Tinubu in 1992, no Senator from Lagos has been a member of budget committee. We need somebody who can properly articulate the position of Lagos. That is why I want to run for the Senate.

    You have been associated with Lagos Central for a long time. Why the sudden shift to Lagos West?

    If you go through my life story, I started primary school in Agege. When my father decided to take me to Agege, he built the house there in 1954. You can image if you have a House on Abeokuta Motor Road. There was nobody who had built on the Abeokuta Motor Road at that time before 1960. Anything built on that road before 1960 cannot be a house. I was not born when my father built that house level building. He raised the house after the civil war. We used to go there; it was like our country home because there was no land in Lagos Island. I am a Lagosian; I can claim any town or village in this state. I cannot say because I have been playing politics here or there, I cannot do it the other places. We people of Nigeria must change this understanding. Again, we are not like Ogun State, where an Egba man cannot run in Ijebu and an Ijebu man or woman cannot run in Egba land.  Lagos is cosmopolitan. Look at Ganiyu Solomon, he went to Ikorodu to go and contest election. You cannot fault him because his mother is from there. That is Lagos for you. I am from Agege, I am from Ojokoro, and our family compound is the biggest in Badagry. In fact, I have a choice between Lagos and Badagry. Asiwaju knows very well that I am also from Badagry. Even Lagos East, Isheri, I am connected there. The other time my cousin died Senator Gbenga Ashafa and one of our party men, Alhaji Mutiu Are, were with me in Isheri. We are the real Isheri. If you Google Lagos history, all of us are Awori. The original settlers and the first place of settlement was Isheri, Ago Ijaiye that is our compound. I can run from anywhere I choose to run. I started my politics from Lagos Island because that was where I was residing; it is my official address anywhere I go in the world.

    If you look at states that are very cosmopolitan in the USA, you discover that they flow easily in the political terrain. Lagos is like New York State. That is why you see Robert Kennedy coming from Massachusetts to run in New York as a senator in the 1960s. When he left as the Attorney-General, after his brother’s demise, he was a senator in New York State. In fact he was a sitting senator when he ran for the Presidency in 1967 and he was shot in 1968. Hilary Clinton is another good example.

    You are not the only one in the race. The Deputy Governor is warming up; people are also saying that the governor is interested. What is assurance that you will beat them at the primaries?

    I have consulted Governor Fashola as the number one citizen of our state. We have lots of respect for each other. He is my Aburo, but he is our father in Lagos State today. We have two major fathers in Lagos State, the royal father and the government father. Fashola is the government father; Oba Rilwan Akiolu is the royal father of Lagos. May he live long! I have contacted him. I have consulted Governor Fashola too. I even consulted the deputy governor, but she told me she is in the race too. So be it, the more the merrier. I am quite positive.

    God forbid, if I don’t emerge I’ll still remain a loyal party man. I have the preparedness for the office. I know how Abuja functions very well and I have a network. I know very well God has given me the eloquent courage and I believe with that I have a better chance. I don’t see anybody close to me in terms of networking in Abuja. Those going to Senate today, going by my last count, we have former governors and former ministers. People at that level go there, you only have one deputy governor and he served only one term. It is a level for those who are really nationalistic in their thinking. We need personalities like that from Lagos. Just like the ones we had in New York. People like Robert Kennedy, Hilary Clinton. The United States government bailed out New York City mass transit 30 per cent. Hilary Clinton made it 70 per cent and that is her strongest legacy. That is what I want to achieve for my state. I want to bring urban mass transit here. I want a rail line that will be powered by energy. We must make use of our waterways. We have to generate income from every container that comes into our state. The multinationals are not doing enough for Lagos State. We must get them to do more. This will be done through social responsibility act. From their income, they must have certain percentage for development. It is not something that we have to be appealing; it has to come through act of parliament. When this becomes a law, it is easier to implement. I have been a Minister and this was not by accident. So, I know what it takes to execute budgetary allocation. Many of our infrastructures have been abandoned. Since Lagos ceased to be capital of Nigeria, it has suffered. These are the challenges on ground; we need a Senator who is prepared. We need someone who has the knowledge of the workability of Abuja. And that is where I want to belong.

    Have you consulted your party leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu?

    There is no way I would have taken this decision without consulting him. It’s impossible. I consulted him both here and outside. I was a local government chairman; I started my political career from ward level. Between 1978 and 1979, before I went abroad, I was assistant ward secretary. I was elected to the House of Representatives in 1998. I tried to run for Senate in the AD, myself Biola Johnson, Terry Coker, I was so sure that I will win. But, Asiwaju came back from Ibadan and said gentle men Tokunbo must return to the Senate. But, later two of them became commissioners under me. Biola Johnson and Terry Coker were commissioners. I later became Minister and that is destiny for you. I was a local government chairman on the PDP platform. I was secretary of disciplinary committee of the PDP. I was Vice Chairman Lagos Central. I am sure you are aware of how I managed the congress in our party. When we were having our congress I did everything to rectify where we envisaged problem. So, Asiwaju believes in me; that I will not compromise merit and facts. All things were done in accordance to my conscience.

    What is your advice to the party leadership and aspirants ahead of the primaries?

    This is the first time we will have plethora of candidates collecting forms. Asiwaju has now stepped down a lot of things on the control of party, unlike when it was Action Congress of Nigeria. Now, the party has expanded and lots of interests are involved. We have the likes of Akinwunmi Ambode, Obafemi Hamzat, Leke Pitan, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Ganiyu Solomon is in the race. The party should toe the line of democracy. People outside perceive us as always imposing, let everybody go and try his best. Whoever can make every effort to outdo the other candidates will emerge. The day Ambode declared was a great day and I was able to witness a lot of things.  The speaker Ikuforiji declared yesterday, it was a great day too. The more the merrier. People should not engage in politics or campaign of abuse or acrimony. That is my own plea to our members. I have managed parties at the local and state levels, so you cannot tell me how parties function. I will not disparage anybody in the race. Ajiboso and others in the race are formidable candidates. I don’t have to disparage. Again, the position of the law is available to me. Of course, it is immoral for a serving Permanent Secretary to be running for public office. I think in a normal society, the first thing is to resign. Where you have a Permanent Secretary throwing money around, where did he get the money from? I think the governor should look into that and call her to order. I don’t think it is proper for the civil service.

    Should the party conduct primaries for the presidential election or go for a consensus candidate?

    I have to be very careful in giving opinion in some areas. All I know is that we have to appear above board. Anything short of that, we are playing into the lion den.

  • ‘Why I am contesting’

    ‘Why I am contesting’

    The Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts, Hon Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla (Mushin 2), spoke on next yearr’s general elections, insecurity  and his political ambition. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN met him. 

    What have you done to reduce the menace of street urchins known as ‘area boys’ in Mushin and its environ?

    In the past, Mushin used to be the haven of area boys. But now, things have changed for better. We have people like Dr Muiz Banire, a legal luminary and former Commissioner in Lagos State, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Hon Funmilayo Tejuosho and my humble self. We are all from Mushin. I know we still have pockets of area boys in Mushin, we shall get rid of them. Rome was not built in a day. I was able to lobby the deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adefunmilayo Orelope-Adefulire  to cite vocational training centre in Mushin. The biggest vocational training centre in Lagos State is located in Mushin. The unemployed youths are trained in various vocational trades. As I am speaking to you, a training programme is on. Those who turned up outnumbered those that could be accommodated. After the training, we assist them with the equipment needed for the skills they have acquired. So, when they come out of the training programme, they become self-employed. We will continue to try our best to reduce the area boys in our Constituency. I am happy it has reduced. We will keep improving until the area boys are completely flushed out of Mushin.

    Why are you interested in the House of Representatives seat?

    I have spent three terms in the State House of Assembly. All these years, I have attracted dividends of democracy to my constituency. Through me, the people of Mushin have benefitted from the state government. I want to replicate what I have done for Mushin Constituency through the Lagos State government at the federal level. Mushin certainly deserves the presence of federal government in terms of infrastructure. That, we are lacking because we are not ably represented. For instance the last recruitment exercise undertaken by Customs and Immigration Department, Mushin indigenes did not benefit. In democracy, the peoples’ representatives must understand their needs,  he should lobby the people in government to attract projects to his constituency. These are the things I intend to do when I get to the House of Representatives.

    What have you done for your constituency?

    My job as a legislator is to make laws and carry out oversight functions on the executive arm of government. But because of the peculiar situation in which we found ourselves in the country,  a legislator has to move beyond his constitutional mandate and embark on provision of amenities  such as roads, drainages, and boreholes. If you don’t do it and talk about your constitutional roles alone, you will be regarded as a failure. I bought rain coats and bags for all the pupils in Mushin schools, I offered some of them scholarship, about 260 youths have been trained on vocations like soap making bead making and other vocations. I promised to drill 50 boreholes and 39 have been commissioned. I employed 50 street sweepers to assist local and state government in keeping the environment clean. I pay them N560,000 every month from my personal account. There is no reason we will provide borehole without providing power supply through generator because of unstable power supply in the country. The boreholes are managed by the BYA Foundation. It makes sure that faulty pumping machines are promptly replaced. We assist children in Mushin to pay their school fees, we off set hospital bills of our people. I was able to facilitate the provision of street light in 47 streets in Papa-Ajao from Lagos Electricity Board, the provision of transformers across 10 wards, rehabilitation of roads such as Ilasamaja, Akano, Kekereowo and Oyewuwo  among others. In all, 16 roads were tarred. I donated vehicles to religious bodies, and assisted people with 69 vehicles. Many more are in the pipeline. I love my people in Mushin. I can’t do without them. They voted for me and I’m representing them to the best of my ability.

    What’s your reaction to the plan by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to form  alliance with other opposition parties to wrest power in Lagos State next year?

    It is a day dreaming. What programme has PDP to convince people of Lagos State. A party that has been in power in the past 15 years and could not improve the standard of living of the people should bury its head in shame. The people of Lagos State are very enlightened, they don’t believe in politics of stomach infrastructure. PDP has nothing to offer. Lagosians are wiser. You can’t cajole them or take them for granted. PDP should be ready to tell people what they have achieved in the past 15 years. What have the people benefitted from the federal government all these years? The so called ruling party has no answer to mass unemployment, security challenges, falling standard of education, infrastructure decay, and poverty.

    Unlike states being controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) where the welfare of the people is given priority, PDP leaders are not bothered by the problems in the country but how to retain power in 2015. The PDP controlled Federal Government has failed to rescue over 200 Cibok girls abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents more than five months now. The insurgents have seized some towns and villages in the northeast and hoisted their flag without much resistance from federal troops. All these are signs of failure or inept leadership. If an American is missing anywhere in the world, the US government will apply all tactics to rescue that person.

    The coalition will not work in Lagos State and other states controlled by the APC.  The other opposition parties know PDP for their tricks. The people of Lagos are no fools. The APC values the life of the people. Nigerians are wiser. They will vote for you based on your antecedents. Bribing people on the eve of election with rice and cash will not win election in 2015.

    What are the lessons to learn from Osun governorship poll?

    The lesson is that your performance will win election for you. Governor Rauf Aregbesola worked for the development of Osun State.  He transformed the state through massive infrastructure development, empowerment programme for the people and creation of job opportunities. Aregbesola used his security vote to create jobs for unemployed graduates. He endeared himself to the people, he performed well and the people of Osun reciprocated by re-electing him.

     What is your expectation about the next year’s general elections?

    I can assure you that the 2015 election is going in our direction. APC would win the presidency. Given the popularity of our party and its programme which is rooted in the welfare of the people, APC is the party to beat.