All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Adewale Ogunniran
is an aspirant for the House of Representatives in Egbeda/OnaAra
Constituency, Oyo State. In this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, he
speaks about his ambition, the Ajimobi Administration and the next
general elections.
Why are you contesting for the House of Representatives on the platform of the APC?
As you know, the APC is a progressive party and you can see the developments in the Southwest since the APC took over. You can see a lot of changes and transformation. In Oyo State, you can see that Senator AbiolaAjimobi is doing an excellent and wonderful job. The man has really impacted positively on the citizens. He has been able to eradicate thuggery in the state. All the APC states have changed drastically, in terms of developments. Therefore, one would like to be part of positive change.
Is that why you want to go to the National Assembly?
I sat down and thought about everything. My people are not getting the best. Hence, they need change. Most of the constituents don’t even know who is representing Ona-Ara/Egbeda Federal Constituency. I am here to make a change in my people’s life and to compliment the effort of our indefatigable governor.
People are even saying that your governor has a hurdle to cross to secure second term…
I don’t see any battle ahead. I want to serve and my people are with me. So, I don’t really see any battle ahead. If you look at the opposition, who can beat the APC? What has the present representative of my constituency done? So, I have a better vision and mission, coupled with the excellent job that Governor Ajimobi is doing.
Concerning my excellency returning to Agodi Government House in 2015,that one has already been sealed. That Ibadan will not allow any governor to serve for two terms is the creation of political jobbers.We are talking about Oyo State and performance throughout the state and some people are narrowing it down to Ibadan. Is Ibadan a state?Even, in Ibadan, I have not seen any past or aspiring governor who is more credible and well acceptable than Ajimobi. So, what are they now talking? Our late sage Chief ObafemiAwolowo, ruled the Western Region from the same Agodi in Ibadan between 1952 and 1959 for two terms. And senator Ajimobi is following the foots. GovernorAjimobi’s victory in 2015 is going to be a landslide.
Running for an office is expensive. Where would you get funds to prosecute your political activities?
I agree with that it’s expensive to run. But, it’s not expensive as people think because there are a lot of people who are not rich. But, with the support of the people, they can make it. When I visited my elders recently, I did not give them money. Yet, they accepted me. I told them my plans for the constituency. They were impressed.
Our elders and leaders in the party always support people with good intention. We went there to officially inform them about my ambition and my supporters and I were well received. I was also surprised because it was not a situation where I gave them money. I have to appreciate our leaders and elders in the constituency for being true patriots of the party. As a cultured man, before you do anything, you have to inform your elders and that was what I did by going to them.
One thing that was also surprising to me was that they had to break their meeting to attend to us. And my followers and I were glad. I met our able chairman, Pa Oladele, Pa Bankole, Alhaji Ore, our Local Government Caretaker Chairman in Ona-Ara, Chief SulaimanAkanni, our Liaison Officer, Mr. Adeagbo. They were very warm.
How strong is the APC in your constituency?
There is no doubt that the APC is the party to beat in Oyo State now. GovernorAjimobi has created a lot of goodwill for us, which we are enjoying. This is through his unprecedented performance in the state. You can go and verify that. Is there any Accord Party in our state again? The answer is no. People are wiser now than in 2011 and the APC will sweep the poll in the forth-coming elections. We have to give kudos to our amiable governor, Senator Ajimobi, who is performing well. When you get to Ibadan today, you will see that there is change and things are now done orderly, unlike before. His government is now a challenge to young ones like us to perform well when we are given the chance to represent or lead our people. If you go to my local government, in Ona-Ara, you will find out that the Accord Party is not in existence. Let me say that the party and the man who leads it are no longer relevant in the Oyo State politics and we have to give kudos to Governor Ajimobi for this. His performance has swept opposition parties away in the state and we are ready to accommodate them, if they join the winning party. I can assure you that my party, the APC, will have 100 per cent votes in the elections in my constituency and in the state at large.
What is your change of getting the ticket at the primaries?
Without being immodest, I can say my chances are very bright. That was what led to my coming to meet with party elders and leaders. I must say here that they are solidly behind me. I must also say that the support I have been receiving from our party supporters has been fantastic and tremendous. You can go to my area and ask about me and wait for what they will tell you.Their unflinching support has encouraged me. It shows that we need a change in my constituency and, by the grace of God, we shall be the change that they want. You know that the slogan of my party is change and that is what will happen in the constituency in 2015 when I emerge as their representative in the House of Reps.
How prepared are you fo the primaries?
Our party is one of the greatest things to have ever happened to this country. The party has its own mechanism that brings peace and progress. Look at the party congress that we held. Everything went on peacefully and there was no problem whatsoever. It is left to the leaders in the party to adopt their methods of selecting flag bearers. If it is primaries, fine; if it is consensus, it is also good.What I know is that I am the choice of the people, the party and the elders.
Why are you contesting for the House of Representatives on the platform of the APC?
As you know, the APC is a progressive party and you can see the developments in the Southwest since the APC took over. You can see a lot of changes and transformation. In Oyo State, you can see that Senator AbiolaAjimobi is doing an excellent and wonderful job. The man has really impacted positively on the citizens. He has been able to eradicate thuggery in the state. All the APC states have changed drastically, in terms of developments. Therefore, one would like to be part of positive change.
Is that why you want to go to the National Assembly?
I sat down and thought about everything. My people are not getting the best. Hence, they need change. Most of the constituents don’t even know who is representing Ona-Ara/Egbeda Federal Constituency. I am here to make a change in my people’s life and to compliment the effort of our indefatigable governor.
People are even saying that your governor has a hurdle to cross to secure second term…
I don’t see any battle ahead. I want to serve and my people are with me. So, I don’t really see any battle ahead. If you look at the opposition, who can beat the APC? What has the present representative of my constituency done? So, I have a better vision and mission, coupled with the excellent job that Governor Ajimobi is doing.
Concerning my excellency returning to Agodi Government House in 2015,that one has already been sealed. That Ibadan will not allow any governor to serve for two terms is the creation of political jobbers.We are talking about Oyo State and performance throughout the state and some people are narrowing it down to Ibadan. Is Ibadan a state?Even, in Ibadan, I have not seen any past or aspiring governor who is more credible and well acceptable than Ajimobi. So, what are they now talking? Our late sage Chief ObafemiAwolowo, ruled the Western Region from the same Agodi in Ibadan between 1952 and 1959 for two terms. And senator Ajimobi is following the foots. GovernorAjimobi’s victory in 2015 is going to be a landslide.
Running for an office is expensive. Where would you get funds to prosecute your political activities?
I agree with that it’s expensive to run. But, it’s not expensive as people think because there are a lot of people who are not rich. But, with the support of the people, they can make it. When I visited my elders recently, I did not give them money. Yet, they accepted me. I told them my plans for the constituency. They were impressed.
Our elders and leaders in the party always support people with good intention. We went there to officially inform them about my ambition and my supporters and I were well received. I was also surprised because it was not a situation where I gave them money. I have to appreciate our leaders and elders in the constituency for being true patriots of the party. As a cultured man, before you do anything, you have to inform your elders and that was what I did by going to them.
One thing that was also surprising to me was that they had to break their meeting to attend to us. And my followers and I were glad. I met our able chairman, Pa Oladele, Pa Bankole, Alhaji Ore, our Local Government Caretaker Chairman in Ona-Ara, Chief SulaimanAkanni, our Liaison Officer, Mr. Adeagbo. They were very warm.
How strong is the APC in your constituency?
There is no doubt that the APC is the party to beat in Oyo State now. GovernorAjimobi has created a lot of goodwill for us, which we are enjoying. This is through his unprecedented performance in the state. You can go and verify that. Is there any Accord Party in our state again? The answer is no. People are wiser now than in 2011 and the APC will sweep the poll in the forth-coming elections. We have to give kudos to our amiable governor, Senator Ajimobi, who is performing well. When you get to Ibadan today, you will see that there is change and things are now done orderly, unlike before. His government is now a challenge to young ones like us to perform well when we are given the chance to represent or lead our people. If you go to my local government, in Ona-Ara, you will find out that the Accord Party is not in existence. Let me say that the party and the man who leads it are no longer relevant in the Oyo State politics and we have to give kudos to Governor Ajimobi for this. His performance has swept opposition parties away in the state and we are ready to accommodate them, if they join the winning party. I can assure you that my party, the APC, will have 100 per cent votes in the elections in my constituency and in the state at large.
What is your change of getting the ticket at the primaries?
Without being immodest, I can say my chances are very bright. That was what led to my coming to meet with party elders and leaders. I must say here that they are solidly behind me. I must also say that the support I have been receiving from our party supporters has been fantastic and tremendous. You can go to my area and ask about me and wait for what they will tell you.Their unflinching support has encouraged me. It shows that we need a change in my constituency and, by the grace of God, we shall be the change that they want. You know that the slogan of my party is change and that is what will happen in the constituency in 2015 when I emerge as their representative in the House of Reps.
How prepared are you fo the primaries?
Our party is one of the greatest things to have ever happened to this country. The party has its own mechanism that brings peace and progress. Look at the party congress that we held. Everything went on peacefully and there was no problem whatsoever. It is left to the leaders in the party to adopt their methods of selecting flag bearers. If it is primaries, fine; if it is consensus, it is also good.What I know is that I am the choice of the people, the party and the elders.
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