Chief Gbenga Awoyale is a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the President General of Orisun Igbomina, a socio-cultural group for the people of Kwara State. In this interview with AROWONA ABDULAZEEZ, he spoke on the unfolding events on the political turf in Kwara State. He also enjoined President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his ambition to seek re-election for a second term in 2015. Excerpts: 

Sir, there have been agitation from some quarters calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to re-contest in 2015. What is your take on this?

Well, let us start by congratulating President Jonathan on his numerous achievements in promoting democratic practice despite the numerous challenges facing the nation.

If you take a critical look at the current administration, you will agree with me that it has surpassed the previous governments in term of infrastructural development, the rule of law and fair play and so on.

Not only that, the emergence of Dr. Jonathan as the Nigeria’s President in not only amazing, it is also a testimony to the fact that was ordained by God. Be that as it may, the endorsement of Mr. President for a second term is not in any way a mistake.

It is a well deserved honour that must be given to him and must also be followed up in order for it to become realistic. You will also agree with me that with the mammoth crowd and large turnout witnessed during the zonal rallies of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, as well as other organized groups are clear indications that President Jonathan is really on ground. Also, the various road projects such as Benin-Ore, Lagos-Ibadan, Mokwa-Makera, Kotangora-Jega, Kabba-Ilorin express ways among others that are under construction are not only developmental but also desirable to the people of the areas respectively. In fact, most of the projects in Lagos State are executed by the federal government while Governor Raji Fashola is taking the glories.

Similarly, the revival of railway transport system will not only bring the rate of road accidents in the country to the barest minimum, it will also go a long way in meeting the demands of the downtrodden. He has not only performed well, he has really transformed the Nigerian economy. By and large, I know that with a unity of purpose among Nigerians, I am optimistic that Nigeria will soon overcome the insecurity challenges it is currently facing.

Sir, don’t you feel that the APC is really strategizing to wrest power from the ruling PDP?

(Laughter…..) How many are they in the so to say APC that you are talking about? Ask them what their mission, vision, and agenda for the people of Nigeria are. If you look at their line up, you will discover that the brains behind the formation of the party are no longer there. Where are the likes of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Nuhu Ribadu, Tom Ikimi, and Chief Segun Osoba among several others? As I speak with you, they are all formidable members of the PDP. They have all dumped APC and not only that, they also left with their political structures; thereby leaving APC with people of selfish political interests. When you even look at the circumstances that led to the formation of the party, you will not expect that the party will live beyond 2015.

What is the stand of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) in the democratic practice? Has he forgotten that he was the same person that brought the second republic to a meaningless end when he overthrew Alhaji Shehu Shagari-led civilian government in 1983? So what does he wants in democracy?

Therefore, by the time the Mr. President declares, we expect that more people from the opposition angles will join the train towards transforming Nigeria beyond 2015.

There are allegations that PDP in Kwara state is divided. What is your reaction to this?

If anybody tells you that Kwara PDP is divided, such person doesn’t really know what democracy is all about. In an ideal democratic setting, there is need for disagreement and later agree on issues for the growth and development of the nation. Therefore, what we are witnessing in Kwara PDP is nothing but pure democratic practice where the views of all are being heard before decisions are taken. For example, in Kwara PDP, the current executive council was constituted by the party members not by any ‘godfather’ by way of imposition. Also, as the 2015 gathers winds, aspirants have started expressing their interests in one position or the other in which party primaries will later determine who become the flag bearer unlike before now when everything was determined in the ‘Great Hall’ of the Sarakis. Our members have since returned to their respective wards in preparation for the electioneering exercise; they are currently busy sensitizing and mobilizing their kit and kins.

Now tell me, how many aspirants have come out in APC to ask for anything? None! This is because, their lealer, Dr. Bukola Saraki is yet to anoint any one of them. You can even see that Governor Ahmed cannot even declare his ambition to re-contest; he is seriously afraid. Is that politics? We are actually clamouring for transparency, accountability and sense of belonging by all members irrespective of their background to prevail in the polity. So for us in Kwara PDP, we are united committed and also dedicated to the cause of gaining freedom for our people.

However, it is clear that since Bukola Saraki heard about the ambition of the longest serving Security Adviser in Kwara State, Mallam Yinka Ahmed Aluko, to contest for the senatorial position of Kwara Central Senatorial District in the next election, he has dropped his ambition to re-contest based on his understanding that his ex-aide is more rooted than him and more over, he was instrumental to his becoming Kwara State Governor. It was Mallam Yinka Ahmed that brought him to the fore and also introduced him to the political terrain in kwara state.

With the endorsement of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for a second term by the people of Kwara state, how would you describe the stand of PDP in the state?  

All these endorsement stories you are hearing are cooked and staged managed stuff. Nobody is endorsing him, he is only deceiving himself. Ask him what he has done that people are endorsing him for. He only hired some organized groups and paid them peanut so as to get the nod of his godfather. He has forgotten that Kwarans are not fools. Where was he when they signed the zoning pact that eventually paved way for him to emerge as the PDP candidate then? It is now time for the zoning principle to take effect. If you take a look at Kwara State, you see that most of the projects embarked upon are not in any way developmental nor desirable. Workers are crying of lack of promotion and lack of salary increment; they are de-motivated and do not have the driving will to perform optimally. No single road was constructed. What you see around is the patching of roads; nothing more. Go to flower garden area along GRA and pipeline road along Offa Garage and you will see that the APC government is unable to repair to completion the less than five metres bridges for many years now. So who is fooling who? Few weeks ago, some ex-councillors protested over non-payment of their arrears allowances. Also, just last Wednesday, some students also protested and demonstrated to the State Government House over non-payment of their bursary allowances. So, going by all these, APC government in Kwara is nothing but a show of incompetence.

Sir, what is your advice to Kwarans and Nigerians at large ahead of the 2015 general election?

My advice to the good people of Kwara State is for them to remain calm, resolute and committed to the cause of “Freedom for Kwara” in 2015. They should also beware of political fraudsters that are all out to achieve their selfish interests as this will hamper the realisation of the set goals. Also, to the PDP family, they should endeavour to set it and get it right for the sake of our future and that of the generations yet unborn. Meanwhile, to Nigerians, let us continue to support the transformation agenda of President Jonathan and shun all forms of violence and terrorist attacks as well as the maiming and killings of innocent souls.