A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Alhaji Kazeem Falodun, in this interview with reporters in Lagos, speaks on the challenges that will confront the Rotimi Akeredolu administration. Excerpts:
What do you think the incoming administration in Ondo State will do differently, compared to the outgoing one?
Yes, I know many things that would have been done differently if Arakunrin Akeredolu had been in charge years back. Now that he is in, a lot will be done differently. One, Governor Segun Mimiko appeared not to believe in long term projects but quick fix that would give him instant glories. Take for instance the issue of the Dome that gulped billions of naira. Half of what was expended on the event centre is what we need to put our bitumen project in place. The bitumen project would have been a good economic intervention for Ondo State; in terms of revenue generation and employment opportunities for hundreds of our graduate youths. But Mimiko administration didn’t consider it as a priority. Again, look at the Olokola Free Trade zone project which our late governor, Olusegun Agagu started, Mimiko and his team abandoned it and faced things that would give them immediate glories. If Olokola had been given attention, Ondo would have become as rich, if not richer than Lagos State. With Olokola, many investors would have come to Ondo State. We should not forget that Alhaji Dangote was planning to build a refinery there but lack of commitment from Mimiko frustrated the effort.
Akeredolu may abandon the existing projects and start new ones just like Mimiko, or what do you feel?
You concluded that way because you don’t know Arakunrin Akeredolu. He cares less about some cheap popularity that typical Nigerian politicians are known for. His interest lies in what will bring total good to the people. He has never hidden his bias for projects that would create jobs and develop the state. To me, he is coming in to build and not to destroy and whoever that has that in mind will not abandon developmental projects of his predecessors.
Akeredolu is coming in at a time there is paucity of funds. Don’t you think this may affect his performance?
I don’t think all those factors would in any way affect his plan for Ondo State. He is not coming in by accident but through a process that has allowed him to plan and think of what to do to alleviate poverty in the state. Governance is about creativity and innovation. Right from my undergraduate days as economics student, I have known and appreciated the place of good economic plan in governance. I’m privy to the fact that Akeredolu is planning to come up with a strong economic team and economic plan that will re-create Ondo State. In the next two years, I have no doubt that what is currently happening in Lagos will be happening in Ondo State, in terms of revenue generation, employment opportunities and developmental projects. Akeredolu has consistently aspired to become governor and he has mapped out strategies that would make the job easy for him. Asides, he has not hesitated to tell who cares to listen that he is keen about having a good team that would help him achieve his aims.
How do you think the incoming government can solve the problem of unemployment?
Like I said earlier, Mimiko failed to harness the potentials of Ondo State and her people. Unlike Europe, where leader ‘A’ will start a project and leave it for leader ‘B’ to complete, Mimiko failed to inaugurate some projects that would have solved long term problems of unemployment and revenue generation like the bitumen and Olokola projects, which I mentioned. Now with Akeredolu in the saddle, it is certain that he will explore agriculture and attract foreign investors. If Ondo State is turned to industrial hub in Nigeria, I can bet it, issues related to unemployment will become a thing of the past. Another thing is that the new governor should try to facilitate the building of a port in the state, giving its strategic position. This will boost our economy and create jobs as well.
You are based in Dublin, but you still maintain ties with your people at home. What informs this?
First of all, I’m an Owo man in Ondo State, even though I based abroad. I was born in Owo, I grew up in Owo and I have my families in Owo. Even when I was in the University -I attended Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, I was very close to Owo. After the university education, I travelled to Europe, but I have never allowed that to becloud my vision to touch lives in my community and that explains why I always come around during festivals; either community or religious to share good moment with my people. Again, since we entered this democratic dispensation, I have participated in almost all the elections that took place in Ondo State. In most cases, I came in months before the election and participated well in campaign and mobilisation. I’m doing all these because I know that regardless of whatever I’m giving to support my people, political participation will allow me to do more in the area of service and provision of necessary support to better the society.
Anywhere, I find myself; I’m always willing to give back to the society, to the people and to my country. We must all think of what we can do for our country, state and people of our community, not what they can do for us. With what I have experienced in life, I know what it takes to get educated and get job, you just must pass through people.
Don’t you think the controversy and disagreement within the APC in Ondo State before and after the emergence of Akeredolu could cause distraction for the administration?
From what I have seen and observe about our leaders, especially Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, what happened during the primaries are not enough to tear the party apart. I can tell you, they have all closed ranks. Don’t forget that the party and the governor elect made room for reconciliation after the election and that have gone a long way in resolving most of the knotty issues. As I talk, APC in Ondo State is one with sole aim of rescuing the state and take her back to its glorious position. Let me quickly add that Asiwaju Tinubu is a liberal person that believes so much in progress. At the moment, what concerns him is out to make sure the party and its new governor succeed in changing the face of development in Ondo.
Have you vie for any political office before?
Yes, I participated in 2011 election by contesting the house of assembly seat in Owo under the ANPP. I did my best even though I didn’t the election. But despite that I worked well with my leaders and contributed in no small measure. It is still strange to some people in my constituency how I have consistently made my impact felt at home despite being in abroad. I do tell them that there is no magic about it. I come home at least three times in a year and whenever I’m around, I participate well in what happens around me.
You contested in the ANPP in 2011 and now you are in the APC. When exactly did you become a member of the party?
Oh, that’s interesting. After the 2011 election, I relocated back to my base and started evaluating the entire process. I appraised the parties and did personal screening for the characters involved. In no time, I arrived at a conclusion and decided to pitch my tent with Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu in 2012.
Could that be because he hails from your town?
That is far from that. Before then, I have had close contact with him and many other political gladiators in the state. Akeredolu is not a frivolous person and he is straight forward. Unlike some politicians, who will lie to you to win your heart, Arakunrin Akeredolu will say it the way it is not minding whose ox is gored. Categorically speaking, I see in him a serious minded individual, who is passionate about Ondo State development. Beyond Owo, many stakeholders in the state had long seen those essential qualities in him and decided to rally support for him. Don’t mind the propaganda that trailed the last election, many of us on ground knew that Akeredolu had overwhelming support across board and that he would win the election. From what I have seen about him, he is out to serve and will do everything humanly possible to develop Ondo State. We need a purposeful leader we can all support to take Ondo State to the next level and that we have found in Akeredolu.
Coming to Owo, will you say the city is being given its rightful position?
Unfortunately, Owo has been pushed into the back seat in the recent years. We should not forget that it used to be the political headquarters of the entire Yoruba race but little by little, we started losing it, especially after the passage of the late elder statesman, Chief Adekunle Ajasin. Now, with good home support for Arakunrin Akeredolu to succeed, Ondo indigenes will again see it in us that Owo people are progressive and can be trusted. Thank God, we have in the current Olowo another progressive leader that would give Akeredolu all that is important for him to succeed.
