The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SENATOR

Pedro, senator, others back Aregbesola’s re-election

•PDP chieftain, supporters defect to APC

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s re-election bid got more support at the weekend from notable individuals and groups.

One of them and former Lagos State Deputy Governor Otunba Femi Pedro said the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate would win by a landslide on August 9.

Pedro, who is also an APC chieftain, spoke in a statement in Lagos yesterday.

He said the machinations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take over the Southwest were only empty threats.

He added that the Southwest people were better off under the APC government.

Pedro, who lamented the abrasive nature by which the PDP has been going about its campaign in the Southwest, warned against rigging in the Osun election under any guise.

According to him, Aregbesola would win through a free and fair election.

He stressed that the militarisation of the polls is not only contradictory to the ideals of democracy, but also a strategy that Nigerians would resist at all cost.

His words: “I know Governor Aregbesola very well. He is on ground. The PDP themselves know that Ogbeni is fully on ground because he is one of the few politicians that started grassroots campaigning from his first day in office. Through his performance, rapport with the people and his ability to successfully domesticate governance in the state of Osun, this matter is really a foregone conclusion. He is going to win the August 9 poll by landslide.

“The facts speak for itself and people need to be sincere about this. Aregbesola has touched every household in Osun through his laudable and people-oriented programmes. Unfortunately, PDP’s last minute onslaught won’t succeed because the people of Osun and the Southwest in general know who really has their interest at heart.

“The APC is the only party that feels the pulse of the common man, and I believe the people of Osun will vote their conscience by ushering Aregbesola in a richly-deserved second term”.

On whether the nationwide fortune of the party appears to be dwindling of late, Pedro said the party is rather expanding and getting ready to form the government at the centre 2015, adding that those perceived to be aggrieved would come back.

“Party faithful should remain steadfast and not waiver in spite of the sustained plot to destabilise the opposition party. This is nothing new. It has happened in the past and we always knew it would happen again. This time around, the opposition is better prepared for the barrage of assaults than people think. Their efforts to crush the opposition party will fail woefully. Mark my words”.

A chieftain of the Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Felix Ogunwale a.k.a Jumokol, also declared his support for Aregbesola’s re-election.

Ogunwale, who spoke with reporters during his defection to the APC with hundreds of his supporters in Iragbiji at the weekend, said he was backing Aregbesola because of the huge infrastructural development his administration has brought to Osun.

The Iragbiji-born politician, who represented Osun Central at the Senate between 2003 and 2007, remarked that the state’s progress is unprecedented.

He said for the progress to be sustained, there is need for Aregbesola to return to office.

He said: “What is happening in Osun is what everybody can see physically. If we want these developments to continue, we must vote for Aregbesola so that he can complete the good work he has started.

“It is a fact that PDP in Osun State has lost focus. That is why I am calling on my lovers and those that believe in me to come out en mass and vote for Aregbesola. Don’t entrust your future in the hands of politicians who deceive with mundane and cheap immediate gains.

“Is it the road networks within the state you want to talk about or the model schools his administration is building, electrification of villages and welfare package for the workers? Honestly, the governor has tried.

“I am committed to the task of re-electing Aregbesola; I am so confident that Osun people will vote overwhelmingly for him because of his achievements, which can be felt in every nook and cranny of the state.”

An association, Oranmiyan Support Group, has also declared its intention to mobilise towards the realisation of the second term election of the governor.

The group also said that it would engage voters through education to jealously guard their votes to ensure that their votes count.

The group is made up of intellectuals and professionals from Osun State living in and outside the state but with operational base in Lagos.

Its coordinator, Mr. Ayo Akinola, in a statement yesterday, said: “ We have decided to come out in the open to garner support for the candidacy and electoral success of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola. This is rather the first time a group of this nature will come out openly. We have no choice because we do not want to sit on the fence this time around. We have no other state but Osun. If Osun falls today, God forbid, we fall with it. And if glory comes, we shall all be proud”.

The group praised Aregbesola for applying the art and science of strategy to ensure success in all endeavours in which he is engaged.

July 21, 2014
Senator to empower 700 constituents

The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Margery Okadigbo, said yesterday that she had concluded arrangements to empower 700 people in Anambra North.

She urged doctors to call off their strike in the interest of the masses.

The lawmaker, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja, said Senate President David Mark is expected to lead other National Assembly lawmakers to her district for the empowerment programme.

She noted that iced coolers, motorcycles, grinding machines, beauty generators, barbers’ kits “and other things that will make a difference in the lives of widows, youths and other vulnerable groups will be distributed.”

Mrs. Okadigbo described the strike in the health sector as personal to her because of the manner her late husband, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, died 11 years ago.

She said: “I will be two years in the Senate on July 17, but I will say I was effectively in the upper chamber for one year because the first year was spent in the court room chasing judgment.

“I feel it is right to appreciate the district that stood by me throughout the struggle.

“On July 18 I will organise my empowerment day, which will be the first in the district.

“The people are excited about it because it has never happened in such a large scale in the seven local governments comprising 99 wards of the district.

“We will empower about 700 people, giving them items. Mark will be the special guest of honour.

July 14, 2014
Senator proffers solution to terrorism

The Chairman of Senate Committee on Cmmunications, Gilbert Nnaji, has advocated the use of Information and Communication Technology as an effective means of fighting terrorism. He called for the organisation of a retreat of ICT and security experts.

He said the retreat would present a platform “where ideas can be shared on the available current and potent technology to deploy to stem the tide of insecurity”.

He spoke at the 2014 Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Budget Defence Meeting at the National Assembly.

Nnaji also expressed concern over the slow pace of the NCC’s broadband deployment.

He said: “Broadband, obviously, is the next level of Nigeria’s telecoms revolution. The fact that our nation has little access to broadband services, even with the number of undersea cables running across the country, is worrisome. Though we are a global example in the telecoms milieu, we still lag behind in terms of broadband and internet penetration. If the aim of achieving national connectivity is to be realised, then there is need for a sustained effort by the Commission to speed up its fibre optic programmes and projects especially the State Accelerated Broadband Initiative, SABI.”

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Eugene Juwah while responding noted that “ fully cognisant of the fact that all MDAs are mandated to ensure that their individual organisational strategic focus ties in with Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 and in the medium term, with the National Transformation Agenda 2011-2015, as articulated by Mr. President, the Commission is working to ensure that, this forms the bedrock of our strategic focus 2012-2015″; and further pointed out that “the policy thrust of the Commission for the 2014 budget is still derived from the Strategic focus of the commission 2012-2015 which include among others: ensure improvement in the quality of service across networks, to provide an enabling environment for nationwide fibre optic transmission infrastructure to facilitate upgrading of information and communications technological structures in the country, increase in broadband access nationwide with a view to applying the open access model (OAM) of infrastructure development, qualitative regulations/compliance monitoring and enforcement, development of enabling environment for secure information security that will promote integrity of e-transaction”. He added that “ NCC is projecting Revenue of N54.4billion out of which recurrent expenditure of N14.8 billion with capital and special expenditure of N15.8 billion, while the sum of N8.4 billion will be transferred to the Universal Service Provision Fund. N7.4 billion and N8.0 billion representing spectrum fees and operating surplus respectively will be transferred to the Federal Government of Nigeria”.

May 16, 2014
Senator empowers constituents with N120m tools

The senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Ayoade Adeseun, has given out several items, tools and equipment worth N120 million to his constituents.

The empowerment, which was held at the Durbar Stadium, Oyo, set the ancient city agog for most hours of the day.

Among the items distributed were 60 vehicles, 200 fridges, 200 grinding machines, 200 motorcycles, 200 hair-dressing equipment, 200 sewing machines and 15 cows.

Adeseun said the empowerment project was one of the ways to thank voters for their support in the last election and thereafter. He added that more of such were on the way.

According to him, constituents deserve as much empowerment and appreciation as possible because they have been supportive all these years.

A former governor of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, who chai-red the occasion, commended Ade-seun, saying he is a kind person, particularly so because unlike some other politicians he described as insincere, he does not blow the trumpet of his charitable deeds to his people.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, also commended the senator, stressing that he has proved to be reliable since he won his first election as a member of the House of Representatives. The monarch advised beneficiaries to put the items into good use.

To Adeseun, splashing N120 million items on constituents was nothing big.

He said: “There is nothing novel about what we are doing today. To some, it may be rather surprising or unusual. Most of my colleagues know that over the years, I have been embarking on programmes such as this. The idea is to thank those who supported us in the course of our electioneering efforts and when somebody has done something good, it is only normal that you come back and show your appreciation to them. That is what we are doing. The scale, of course, is unusual and that is very much like me.

“Half of the recipients were presented by the party in all the local governments. The other half are individuals and other stakeholders. This is just a token for people to know that we did not just go there to represent ourselves alone. This is also in addition to the various developmental programme we have been doing over the years. We have trained over 50 people in each local government in several skill areas and empowered them. More of developmental and empowerment programmes are still coming.

“In the course of service, we have had opportunities to facilitate employment into federal and state establishments for hundreds of our people. This is a kind of investment that you will reap in 10 to 20 years time.”

Beneficiaries cut across the 11 local governments in the district with others from other local government areas in Ogbomoso land, his birth town.

At the event were state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Akin Oke; Senator Kamoru Adedibu, local government chairmen and party leaders in the state.

March 26, 2014
Honour for Senator

Senator Nkechi Nwaogu has been honoured by the Isiala-Ngwa South Traditional Rulers’ Council and a social group, Liberty Organisation. Sunny Nwankwo reports

In Igbo custom and tradition, the sound of ‘Ikoro’ (talking drum) is usually heard at great events or when such event are about to happen in a particular community. It can also be a means through which the people are summoned to the village square when the Eze, Igwe or the traditional ruler wants to address them or when important decisions which require contributions from other members of the community are to be taken.

Despite the down pour that Saturday, the people of Umuoba community and residents of Isiala Ngwa South, friends and well-wishers gathered to know why the ‘Ikoro’ sounded.

It was a call to them to come out to honour one of the community’s leaders. Senator Nkechi Justina Nwaogu who is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Oil and Gas Resources.

It was a day all the traditional rulers in Isiala Ngwa South honoured Senator Nwaogu with the chieftaincy title of Akaraka Nwanyi Ndi Ngwa which literally means ‘Ngwa woman of destiny.’

The honour was in recognition of her contributions to the growth and development of her constituency, the state and country.

Speakers eulogised her for her quality representation and selfless service to the community. They urged her to consider serving the people of Abia State in 2015 so that she can use her wealth of experience to bring more development to the state.

They maintained that Chief (Mrs.) Nkechi Nwaogu has the prerequisite knowledge and experience to turn the economic fortunes of the state around.

Responding, Senator Nwaogu thanked the people for the honour, stating that she was delighted her people acknowledged her contributions.

According to her, it would take a Senator as exposed, experienced and connected as she is to attract the type of developmental projects which dot Abia Central Senatorial District in the last 11 years she has been at the National Assembly.

She revealed that her 11 years at the National Assembly have been characterised by rendering services to her people, stressing that the welfare of her constituents remains her concern at the Senate.

Nwaogu enumerated some of the projects she had attracted to the local government in the past six months to include an ICT centre at Nkwoudara, Umuapu, installation of 300KVA transformers in Umuduru and Umuikaa and the ongoing reconstruction of a 15km old DFFRI Road from Isieketa Junction to Umuaro.

“Attracting these projects in the past six months alone is not easy. We are 109 Senators, 360 members in the House of Representatives and about 40 ministers and other Federal Government functionaries.

“Everybody wants to take projects to his or her own people. So, you can understand the high level politics and negotiations that go into attracting one single project. But to the glory of God, I have succeeded in attracting these much to my constituency because of my experience, exposure, contacts and goodwill which I have built over the years,” she said.

While promising to push their request for a solar-powered borehole, electricity cables and classroom blocks at their school in the 2014 budget, she said she was going to use her personal money for scholarship assistance to 150 undergraduates from the state and also provide equipment for entrepreneurial skill acquisition for youths in the area.

Chairman on the occasion, Prof E.J Otagburuagu extolled the virtues of Senator Nwaogu who he described as one of the few Senators that have made Nigeria proud.

He urged her to consider serving the state in a different capacity come 2015.

March 13, 2014
Senator, ministry launch anti-poverty battle

Unable to withstand the ravaging pangs of hunger, which has become terror to many homes owing to the frightening unemployment in the country, the general run of female youths now ekes out daily living on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos and other suchlike flourishing “markets” of prostitution.

Willy-nilly, their male counterparts – especially those that do not see a sense of pride in menial jobs like truck pushing – secure jobs for their idle hands in the underworld, though at their risk. Not a few among them embrace touting and hooliganism, just to keep body and soul intact, despite the inherent risks.

However, about 1,000 of such deprived youths have now keyed into an ongoing effort by Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon of Lagos West Senatorial District to change their story through an intensive two-week training on various vocations aimed at making them economically self-reliant.

The flag-off of the training was held same day at two different locations – the Senator’s Olateju, Mushin Constituency Office and Ojo. The training which began on February 17 will be rounded off on February 28.

Besides Solomon, present at the kick-off included officials of the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Culture, which co-sponsors the project with the Senator; a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Alhaji Kola Oseni; Chairman, Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Aremo Adeyemi Ali and his counterpart in Mushin Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Adepitan. Ali was said to have represented his colleagues in the district.

An excited large crowd comprising the youth and APC supporters, especially women, welcomed Solomon and his entourage into the venue with various heart-warming songs. They commended the Senator’s philanthropy to high heavens.

Members and beneficiaries of the Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon Foundation, which was inaug-urated by him over a decade ago to cater for the needy, were a cynosure of eyes in branded green T-Shirts, singing the praise of the lawmaker whom they roundly adjudged a “rare giver.”

Through the programme, which is being handled by Stable Technology Limited, a consulting firm, the youth are being trained in tailoring, knitting, beads & wire works, dish installation, cake-baking and decorations, among others. The lucky beneficiaries were said to have applied through the internet, thus ensuring equitable selection.

Oseni, who described Solomon as his very good son and a true representative of his people and constituency, urged the benef-iciaries of the training to make good use of the opportunity to prepare good future for themselves.

Ali, who echoed his view, added that the programme “is in furtherance of the anti-poverty programmes of the APC,” adding: “What we are doing here today will further convince you all that APC is truly a people’s party which people must be loyal to in their best interest.”

Declaring the training open, Solomon said: “Apart from the fact that it is my life to share in the plight of the less-privileged, this training is a response to the worrisome fallouts of rising unemployment in our country. After the training, the beneficiaries will have the opportunity not only to be self-employed but be employers of labour. When a youth is jobless, he is frustrated and if the frustration is not promptly attended to, it easily leads to aggression and eventually, criminal tendencies that will suffocate the society as we have now.”

“We will be strict on attendance and discipline and we won’t condone unruly behaviour. Inspectors will be available to monitor the programme and there will be a feedback mechanism to ensure that the effort yield the desired fruits for the beneficiaries and the society at large,” he added.

Within minutes after the brief flag-off ceremony, the enthusiastic trainees, armed with appropriate learning facilities, got seated in their various classes, listening to introductory instructions from their instructors. Solomon and his guests later inspected the classes, one after the other, with words of advice and encouragement for the trainees.

A trainee in the disk installation class, Kamorudeen Animashaun, praised Solomon for the gesture, saying: “He is giving us our future by teaching us how to fish without collecting a kobo from us. Other leaders of ours in this country should emulate him.”

An instructor in the cake-baking and decoration class, Mrs Funke Awofolaju, enjoined her students to be serious, adding that after the training, there would be a competition before their eventual graduation.

It was praises galore for the Senator at Ojo, when he kicked-off the same exercise. An elder, Pa Bade Odetunde heaped prayers on the senator even as he urged government at all levels to draw a cue from the gesture as a way of fighting crimes in the land.

When The Nation visited the Mushin centre last week, the trainees paid rapt attention to their respective trainings as some others were working with their tools under close watch by some inspectors. For them, it was about time to say final “bye” to idleness.

February 26, 2014
Group praises Senator

A socio-cultural group, the Patani Political Solidarity Forum (PPSF), has passed a vote of confidence in Senator James Manager, representing Delta South Senatorial District.

In a statement by the coordinator of the group Princewill Asiuwhu, the PPSF said it is impressed by the representation of Senator Manager and urged him to continue to provide leadership to the constituency.

” We are impressed with the representation given by Senator Manager, he has an enviable track record in transformational leadership here in Delta South. He has empowered many of our youths and through his representation, roads and other amenities have been provided for the constituents. We are using this opportunity to pass a vote of confidence in him,” Asiuwhu said.

The group also urged other politicians to emulate Manager by using public office to better the lot of the citizens. ” We urge other politicians to emulate the good example of Manager by providing transformational leadership for the people. Public office holders are expected to use the wealth of the state for the people, we need people who can effectively manage the wealth of the people for the common good. This is what we need in the next political dispensation,” Asiuwhu said.

February 21, 2014
A Senator with large heart

· Indigent students get scholarship

More than 24 undergradiates and 42 secondary school pupils from Enugwu-Ukwu Community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State have benefited from the scholarship of former Senator I.G. Abana. MMADUKA ODOGWU (UNIZIK) reports.

More than 60 indigent students from Enugwu-Ukwu Community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State benefited from the scholarship scheme of former Senator I.G. Abana in a ceremony witnessed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Afuba, Deputy Governor-elect Dr Nkem Okeke and residents of the community.

The scholarship was awarded to 25 undergraduates and 42 secondary school pupils. Each undergraduate got N75,000.

Governor Peter Obi, who was represented by Afuba, described Abana as a grassroots politician, who could do anything that is beneficial to his people, stressing that his gesture was worthy of emulation.

Abana also renovated a dilapidated classroom in Uru-Ekwo Primary School and donated modern education materials to the school.

With the gesture, the immediate past President-General of the community, Mr. Jude Ekwunife, said Abana had left indelible marks in the residents heart, saying the scholarship would put smiles on faces of the indigent.

He said: “We need not to enumerate what Senator Abana has done for the people of Enugwu-Ukwu community. Today, over 60 students in the community received scholarship from him through his foundation. He also provides free healthcare to people irrespective of where they come from. This is an act of kindness. Abana has made an unimaginable impact on the life the community.”

Abana said his passion for education motivated the gesture, adding it was through education that the best human could be felt.

He said: “There is no known better way to develop human beings other than giving them qualitative education. Looking at the society, there are brilliant students who cannot afford to acquire university education. The responsibility is on us to assist such students and their parents. I so much believe in education because it breeds development.”

Abana said his foundation had awarded scholarships to the students in the last four years, adding that traders and small scale business operators have also benefited from the foundation’s finance scheme.

Chinedu Okoyeatu, a student of African and Asian Studies at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, who benefitted from the scheme, said: “I am grateful to Senator Abana and his foundation. I feel overjoyed to benefit from this kind gesture. The scholarship will go a long way to boost my academic performance.”

A parent, who gave her name as Mrs Okoye, said the former Senator had relieved her of “heavy load”: “I don’t have to struggle to get my son’s school fee. I thank God for this unexpected New Year’s gift.”

She added: “I am grateful to God for this because the cost of education in Nigeria is on the increase. It is not just the school fees that you pay for. Other expenses, such as feeding and hostel fee are a big task for low-income earners like me. Senator Abana has just taken a heavy load off my shoulder. I am grateful to him for the surprise.”

Another parent praised the ex-lawmaker for the renovated classroom, saying pupils of the school would have a reason again to stay at home during the rainy season.

During the event, which lasted for two days, more than 100 residents received free medical treatment from 34 medical personnel for various ailments.

January 23, 2014
A Senator’s helping hand to National Museum

Senator Ayoade Adeseun one of the leading lights in the politics of Oyo State and a serving senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial district has again demonstrated his passion for historical records and monuments through his contributions to the development of the Ibadan National Museum and Monuments.

Senator Adeseun did not only transform the House of Archives by ensuring infrastructural development, he has also established revenue yielding projects for the museum to boost its finances and also draw people’s attention.

The curator of the Museum Mr Bode Adesina, who spoke with The Nation said, “Senator Adeseun’s name cannot be left out in the development we have witnessed in the museum, he has been very supportive before I came here and since I took over two years ago, we intimate him of our needs and he has really assisted us.

“Through his assistance, the road within and leading to the museum has been tarred, he erected solar light in strategic places within the museum, he also assisted us in constructing a 1,000 capacity auditorium which is yet to be commissioned. He also constructed a new children play park which has really beautified the environment of the museum. This aside, anytime we have programs and we call on him for assistance, he is always available to assist. The new museum kitchen was also constructed by the lawmaker.”

A recent visit to the museum revealed changes right from the entrance to the complex. The road linking the museum with the Alesinloye Market road which hitherto was not in good condition has been tarred even beyond the immediate vicinity of the complex, thanks to the quick intervention of the lawmaker.

The premises of the museum were also tarred and solar electric light installed both inside and outside. The children recreation/fun park reputed to be one of the best in the city has also been equipped with modern facilities. The park according to Adesina is to complement the fun for the children who visited the museum.

“When school children came to visit the museum they also have the chance to recreate and catch fun,” he said.

While speaking on the 1,000-seater hall, the curator said the building which is yet to be commissioned houses among others one exhibition hall and another for Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

“The main hall is for meeting while the two halls are for exhibition, the other one is for IT, where we will have electronics devices such as computer with internet facilities through which people can come and make research, we are poised to give the best and with the gestures from people like Senator Adeseun we are getting closer to our target”.

One of the exhibition rooms housed the Chevrolet car used by the late premier of Western region, late Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the long wide black car is about 10feet long and 7feet wide. The registration number WNG 125 has been detached from the car while the interior of it is in pieces and it will be nice and serve the purpose it is meant for if the car can be fixed and restore back to its original form.

Though the curator said the car was recovered from a mechanic workshop where it was abandoned few year ago, the management of the museum is looking at what can be done to restore it to what it was and possibly transfer it to Ogbomoso home town of the late premier where it will compliment other monuments.

Speaking on the impact of the new development on the museum, Mr Adesina said, apart from the fact that the physical structure of the museum has changed, the infrastructural development and others have really enhanced the level of patronage by both local and foreign tourists, students, individuals, religious groups, associations and researchers among others.

Adding he said: “We are trying to encourage schools to put museum visitation on their curriculum in order to visit us from time to time to appreciate the works of their ancestors, because it is important for our people to know their culture and tradition, in order for it not to go into extinction”.

Senator Adeseun while baring his mind on the inspiration to upgrade the museum said: ”A museum, like we all know is a place of history. When I visited the National Museum in Lagos, I have a changed perspective about our country and region. I was moved when I saw monuments of past leaders and Head of States. It was touching and quite inspirational. I have not recovered from this life-time experience when I was approached to be part of history to immortalise one of the greatest pro-independent leaders of our time, a foremost nationalist, a former Premier of the old Western region and a true son of Ogbomosoland, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

“Immediately, I also went on the spot assessment and sincerely I was touched and I felt nothing was too big a project to immortalise Ladoke Akintola. This singular act is to ensure our unborn children and generations to come read through history of great leaders who made Nigeria.

“As somebody who has travelled far and wide, having visited almost all the continents in the world, on every visit to any country I make it a point of duty to visit the museum or any monumental place in such cities before leaving. As such, I have a broad and in-depth knowledge about leaders, culture and history of places I have visited and that gave birth to the little we have been able to do so far and we hope to do more. Our history and culture must not die.”

January 8, 2014
‘DPP will produce next Delta Central senator’

Delta Central Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) senatorial candidate Chief Ede Dafinone spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the proposed senatorial by-election and his plans for the district.

Why are you in the senatorial race?

The answer to that question is quality representation. I can represent my people at the highest level in the country. I want to bring development and prosperity to Delta Central.

Some people still harbor doubts about your senatorial bid. How do you intend to build confidence in people about your ambition?

Every individual brings a different set of skills and experience to the polity. My background, education, professional experience as an accountant and consultant, my experience in rubber export and plantation, my experience in the insurance industry and in the retail or shopping mall business are all success stories in their own right. I believe that the totality of these experiences will enable me to add value as the Senator representing Delta Central.

How would you react to the view that you are daddy’s boy?

I want to thank God for blessing me with youthful looks. I will be 52 on my next birthday and I think, in terms of years spent on this planet, together with my collective experiences, I am qualified to occupy this position. Those calling me daddy’s boy clearly do not know me or worse still, do not know my father, Chief David Dafinone.

Considering that politics in Nigeria is on cash and carry basis, how do you intend to fund and actualise your ambition?

Politics has become an expensive venture, especially in Delta State. Good enough, I have just mentioned an array of successful businesses, which will assist in financing the campaign. In addition, I will also call on friends to support in any way they are able. I will want to emphasise that the focal point of any election is having a greater number of voters to cast their votes in my support. However, despite the popular rhetoric, Nigerians have learnt to vote with their conscience and not for money. Indeed, this is the background to the success story of the DPP today.

What are the challenges facing you on the field?

Party primaries are always a tense time in every political party and DPP is not an exception. I have taken my message of Urhobo unity and the development of Delta Central to the villages, the towns, from the wards to the local government areas, to the youths, to the women and to the elders. I believe that they will recognise that I offer a quality representation in the senate. I also have a network of friends throughout the federation in both the public and private sectors that will assist me to provide the best quality representation.

What has been the response?

All the groups I have met want me to represent Delta Central at the Senate.

Are you not intimidated by the senatorial ambition of some people in the race?

I contested in the last primaries in the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) against the late Senator Pius Ewherido. I lost by a total of 17 votes, having joined the party two and a half weeks to those primaries. I was new to the party at that time. Since then, I have fully acquainted myself with my party at the local government, state and federal levels. I believe I am the candidate to beat.

What is your reaction to the rumour that you are eyeing the Delta State governorship in 2015?

This issue was first raised by a couple of young men who went to press early this year to endorse me for the governorship race in 2015. I must say that I have not shown any interest in that position and the endorsement given by this group has led to confusion as I prepare for the senatorial bye-election. Let me say that, in 2015, the natural progression will be for me to stand for re-election as a senator representing Delta Central. The period left before the next election will leave a lot of work for the office uncompleted. Equally, the position of the party’s gubernatorial candidate for 2015 will easily be filled by our leader, Chief Great Ogboru, by popular acclamation by the rank and file of the party.

What is your message to the political leaders?

I am a popular grassroots politician. I started my political career in 1998 where I campaigned for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from markets to community leaders across the whole of Delta State. I am experienced in both public and private sectors and will unite the party to ensure victory at the polls.

What is your message to the people?

The empowerment projects that I have undertaken under the Dafinone Foundation since 2006 have successfully empowered over 2,500 men and women in three local government areas. The empowerment has been through skill acquisition programmes covering hair dressing, tailoring, catering, aluminum bending and welding and computer education. The projects of the foundation demonstrate a commitment to serve, which can only be magnified as the senator representing Delta Central.

December 30, 2013