Chief Olusola Oke (SAN) is an Ondo State governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with reporters in Akure, the state capital. He speaks about his aspiration and why he believes he is destined to govern the state. OSAGIE OTABOR reports
The reasons I contested then are still prevailing and multiplying, and I will be failing in my responsibilities if I do not come out at this time. The state is blessed with abundant natural, mineral, agricultural and human resources. Yet today, it is one state that is under the heavy burden of backwardness and poverty. We are in deficit in many respects; in education, health and other critical sectors. I witnessed this recently when I got involved in a motor accident and was taken to the trauma centre. My experience during the very short stay there showed that Ondo State is far from the starting point in the health sector. In terms of infrastructure, we cannot boast of any dualized 10-kilometre road in this state. I am running again because of the gap in development and unemployment is increasing every day. We produce only 20,000 graduates yearly, yet not up to three per cent of them are absorbed. In the beginning, in this state, there was Ifon Ceramic, the Cocoa Industry in Ile-Oluji, there was Oluwa Glass, Okitipupa Oil Mill and a host of others that were complementing the efforts of the government in terms of employment. All these have become history and new ones are not coming up. Ondo has remained a civil service economy and our lives depend massively on transfer payment and whoever money is transferred to adds no value to the society because it is not money earned from productivity. Today, Ondo State is like a baby crying looking for a saviour; it’s looking for a leader that would put a new song on the lips of the people.
What are your plans to change the fortunes of the state for the better?
Ondo State is in a state of war and needs a leader with direction and mission, who will be able to change the narrative. If you go to states that were created long after Ondo State, you would see the level of development in terms of infrastructure and human capital development. Ondo State has all the resources and we cannot continue to use the same formula and expect different results. What is being done all the time is to develop the cosmopolitan centres or the township roads. but the rural areas, which are the bedrock of our economy are neglected. What have we done since 1976? The rural areas remain locked. I believe that the government can open opportunities in a vast area of resources. Our mineral resources are there; the coastal resources are there; most of the land map process Dr Olusegun Agagu initiated has been abandoned, and the Owena Multipurpose Dam which could have provided many people water was abandoned. I was told the government has to push a $200 million loan to re-jig it; about 50 per cent has been paid and it has been abandoned. The 11,000-capacity stadium was abandoned, and the cassava processing in the Ikoya project would have added value to the economy, generated employment, and generated income for people, all these projects were abandoned and new ones were not implemented.
The state is in total decay and collapse, all of this I believe a man with vision, with dreams and who has been part of it will understand the feelings of the people, and God has allowed me to acquire experience which I can bring up. I believe I am the right man for the job.
The leadership of the APC at the national level appears interested in who picks the party’s ticket. Do you think you have a chance?
There is no doubt the national leadership of the party would be interested. If this contest were to be influenced and determined locally, I probably would not have to sweat because I believe very strongly that the people of Ondo State are craving my leadership. But, it involves people from outside this state. Nevertheless, I want to believe that President Bola Tinubu who is the leader of the party and the president of Nigeria, is one man who would not sit in the comfort of his private room and drop or pick an aspirant or candidate for the party; he would consider acceptability, capacity and many factors that would not only secure victory for the party but also make it excel in governance. I am confident that when these factors are put on the table, I am higher than other aspirants.
So, what do you think will determine the choice of the next Ondo State governor?
I believe very strongly that what would determine the next governor of this state would be aspirants’ antecedents; what you have been able to do with power when you have the opportunity, your level of acceptability and your contribution to the party. When the late Akeredolu was contesting, I supported him; the current president knows my virtues. If I am given the ticket today, there would be no opposition in Ondo State, the PDP would rally their support for me, and the Labour Party would also do the same.
You seem to be optimistic about winning but if you fail….
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I am sure I will win, but in the most unlikely event, if I do not win, I am a party man, I will accept the will of God and face my profession. I know the people desire my service, if the accident did not truncate my ambition, then I believe that it is a will of God for me to contest, I am talking about the primary because I am very optimistic that I cannot lose the general election in Ondo State.
What are your plans to restore power to the communities in Ondo South Senatorial District, which have been without electricity for some time?
It is a very sad situation that almost the entire Ondo South has been in the dark for decades. As a leader, I have brought this to the attention of those who are in the position of finding a solution to it.
I was very instrumental in the power project in Omotoso. Unfortunately, though that project has been concluded, distribution remains an issue; all the roads to distribute have been bad. We would continue to agitate and we have made recommendations to OSOPADEC, to do something. We have also spoken to Power Holding Company. It is easier to influence these things when you are in government.
I remember that it was part of the campaign of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim before he was elected the lawmaker representing the constituency. I have not spoken to him recently to know what step he has taken in that regard, but I can tell you it is part of my plan if God willing, I get the mandate.
What gives you the confidence that you can unseat the incumbent who is also in this race?
The death of the late Governor Akeredolu has caused elevation and de-elevation. I want to say that of all the aspirants eyeing the governorship seat, I am the only one with structure. It is not going to be who has more money or who has the largest resources; it is going to be the man who can do the job for the people of Ondo State.
What mode of primary do you think the party might adopt in picking its candidate?
We have always elected our candidate in APC through an indirect primary. It has fairly worked with us here; we are yet to know the mode of primary that would be adopted.
