A former Speaker of the Ondo State Assembly, Honourable. Victor Olabimtan, in this interview by HAKEEM GBADAMMOSI, speaks on preparations for the November 16 governorship poll, the campaigns and the chances in the state of candidates for the election. Excerpts:
THE battle for Alagbaka Government House is on. What stands Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa out as the candidate to beat?
Without being immodest, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa clearly stands out from the contestants of other political parties not just because he is the incumbent but also because of the good work he has done within his short period of piloting the affairs of Ondo State. Aiyedatiwa is our reality in Ondo State and he is making the best of the God-given opportunity. He is a man of peace. This is evident in how he has been running the affairs of the state since he took over.
Imagine the support he is receiving from critical stakeholders and movers and shakers of Ondo State politics. This is the first time in the history of political contests in Ondo State that 85 percent of political bigwigs across political parties will unite and queue behind one person. What stands him out are pricelessly numerous. Governor Aiyedatiwa is approaching the November 16 governorship election with Segun Mimiko, Jumoke Akindele, Jide Adejuyigbe, Joseph Akinlaja, Gboye Adegbenro, Kolade Akinjo, Ebenezer Alabi and several other former PDP stalwarts rooting for him. What other proof do you need to know that Governor Aiyedatiwa is in a class of his own in this contest? He has successfully warmed his way into the hearts of the people of Ondo State. Ondo people should expect a more impactful dividend of democracy through inclusive government. Under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State is having the best of attention in Education, health, infrastructural development, and improved security architecture. In addition to the impactful efforts of the present government, it is important for Ondo State not to be in opposition party with the federal government. Currently, Ondo has two ministers and several lofty appointments at the federal level. With the victory of Aiyedatiwa, I see more federal appointments for our people which will translate to more federal presence in Ondo State. I also see Governor Aiyedatiwa showing appreciation to Ondo people by making sure that he leaves the state better than he met it. So it is definitely going to be a double dosage of goodies for Ondo people from both the federal and state levels. Aiyedatiwa is the candidate to beat and APC is the party to continue in power.
The opposition has complained about the state being drawn backwards in the eight years of APC in the state.
What exactly do you expect from the opposition party? The opposition party is supposed to position itself as an alternative to the government. Unfortunately, the main opposition in Ondo State, the PDP, knows and understands nothing about how to play effective and efficient opposition. In an ideal clime, the opposition party is expected not only to be pointing out the flaws or mistakes of the government but also to proffer solutions. Where else do you see an opposition party faulting almost everything a government is doing without proffering solutions? It can only happen in Ondo State because the PDP think our people are fools. Luckily, we have PDP governments in Osun, Oyo and other states. Have you ever seen Ondo PDP making reference to any meaningful policy or project they want the APC or Aiyeditiwa-led government in Ondo State to copy from the PDP-controlled states before? They will never make such a reference. The people are wiser now and cannot be bamboozled or hoodwinked with fake, unrealistic and imaginary promises.
Government is a continuum and no government can solve all the problems at once. Governor Aiyedatiwa would rather study and copy good policies and programs from other APC-controlled States in the best interest of the Ondo People than to deceive the people with impracticable Mungo Park stories that are the stock in trade of the opposition. Governor Aiyedatiwa is not perfect and the APC is fallible, but don’t fault any government’s policy or program if you can’t proffer something better. Ondo PDP should go and learn how to play the opposition party. It requires more intelligence and due diligence than the wishy-washy propaganda they are dishing out daily.
The past eight years of APC in Ondo State have been nothing but progressive in sharp contrast to what was witnessed while the opposition was in power. Imagine the impact of Amotekun on the security architecture of the entire South-West. This is just one of several positive effects of the APC government. We are not in Eldorado yet but we are far better than where we were when the APC took over. If we compare the immediate eight years of the opposition with the current eight years of the APC you will be shocked about how our people were shortchanged. While the opposition constructed about 35 mega-schools throughout their rule, the APC has constructed/ renovated over 1,000 blocks of classrooms and supplied commensurate furniture and learning facilities to all public schools in Ondo State.
In addition to the aforementioned points, I made bold to say that no government has devoted time and resources to youth empowerment in Ondo State like we are witnessing now. All the successive governments did their best for youth development and empowerment, but the youths are having the best of life-changing programs and projects deliberately packaged to enhance their lives and productivity.
The governor has been moving around the state, campaigning, What’s your assessment in terms of acceptance of the governor as the incumbent?
At the risk of sounding too confident, the acceptance has been extremely marvelous. Permit me to use this medium to thank APC leaders and members. They are the brains behind the general acceptance of Governor Aiyedatiwa and the brains behind the magic turnouts you daily witness at our rallies. I also specially thank leaders and members of other political parties that decamped to the APC in their quest to ensure that Governor Aiyedatiwa continue the good work he is doing in Ondo State. You will agree with me that all of these realities are enough to unsettle the oppositions in Ondo State. Ondo PDP is conscious of the fact that it stands no chance on November 16 not just because of the unsullied character of the candidate of APC, but also because the PDP has been shredded into pieces. November 16 is a double-edged sword in the hand of the APC. It is a day the multitude of APC members will reaffirm their loyalty to their party while all the former PDP bigwigs that decamped to the APC will equally use the opportunity to concretize their homecoming. As a party and campaign organization, we are more concerned about wooing the electorate by showcasing what Governor Aiyedatiwa has done and what he will do better. Our main agenda is to convince the people of Ondo State to support and elect Aiyedatiwa and Adelami to continue the good work they are doing.
What are the selling points of Aiyedatiwa in this election?
This interview is grossly inadequate to itemize and analyse the selling points of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Nevertheless, I will mention but a few based on my personally assessment and what people say about him. He is a man of his word! I urge you to take a closer look of Governor Aiyedatiwa if you haven’t. It will amaze you to know that he is actually a man of few words. However, those few words are gold. Once he gives you his words you can surely bank on it. This is a rare attribute among politicians. His cool mien is another great virtue because you hardly see Governor Aiyedatiwa betraying his emotion. His attention to details and administrative acumen also stand him out among his peers. He has brought these and many more to bear on his activities as the Governor of Ondo State within a very short period of time.
To what extent does the governor enjoy the support of the APC at the national level?
The All Progressives Congress is a well organized party with strict adherence to institutional rules and procedures. The moment a governorship aspirant becomes the candidate of the APC in any state, he/she becomes the first child of APC-national in that particular state. Our national Chairman, His Excellency, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is leading the packs and have been in Ondo State not only to rally support for Governor Aiyedatiwa but to also impress it on our people that the entire structure of the APC is solidly behind Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The campaign council was recently inaugurated with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the Chairman. These are indications that APC-national is solidly behind Governor Aiyedatiwa like the rock of Gibraltar. Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is indeed the candidate to beat on November 16. My good people of Ondo State, I present to you, your son, brother and friend, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa who, it has pleased God, to elevate and use to lead our dear State at this point in time. God chose him for us and the opportunity is given to us to come out on November 16 to approve with our vote that which God has chosen for us. Unless God builds the house, the builders work in vain. God has played His part. It is now left for you and I to either approve or disapprove of what God has done. I trust you all that you will choose wisely and be on the positive side of history. All power belongs to God Almighty and He has vested the power in your hands now. Let us go out on November 16 to perfect the good work that God has started in Ondo State. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has never disappointed you and he won’t disappoint you. Trust him with your votes and let us jointly move Ondo State forward.
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