How do you view the
on-going move by
the Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose to probe his immediate predecessor Otunba Niyi Adebayo?
I see the probe as a calculated attempt to distract people’s attention. Basically, there is nobody that has occupied a political position or office that would be probed and the investigators will not find one or two things against him. Definitely they will fund one way to nail him. But all the same, I still don’t see any need for the probe being instituted a year after Adebayo left office. The same step is being taken in Osun State. Such moves are simply diversionary to shift attention from the inactions of the new governor.
The aim is to use the investigation to dent the image and record of Governor Niyi Adebayo. To rubbish them before the electorate who feel strong that the former helmsman was better. Because people are already making and concluding that Adebayo and Akande performed and one stumbles so there is no way somebody will be probed and you won’t find something to nail him. But I don’t actually see any need for it except the masterminds are actually looking for something. But with all sense of sincerity, I have not seen what Fayose is doing in Ekiti. Nothing is being done, nothing is moving, even in all the PDP controlled states. The party has no programme unlike when the AD was in total control of the South West, when WAEC and NECO fees are paid, free health services rendered and other social services provided. But now right from the primary school, parents are paying for their wards in public schools in Ekiti State. So it becomes a burden on the electorate who now know that the devil they knew was far better that the unknown angel. The voters have now realised their mistake so the bottom line is to divert attention and distract the people. It is a campaign of calumny.
What future does your party, the AD has in Ekiti State considering the fact that the PDP is in control of the council areas. The situation is the same in four other South Western states of Ondo, Osun, Ogun and Oyo States. It appears the AD is in a come. When are you going to make it up to become a strong vehicle of opposition?
Alliance for Democracy is a party for the future. It is a party that actually put the people first. It knows what is ideal for the people and it is ready to provide those things. It is unfortunate that the AD is going through a baptism of fire at the national level. But the elders of the party are already mending the cracked walls and by the grace of God, the internal wrangling amongst members will soon be resolved amicably. There are also plans to restructure the party by realigning with other progressives within an outside the party. There is no doubt that the progressives will rout the PDP at the next round of general elections. I can tell you that the AD is going through some restructuring now. Even the imbroglio within the party has attracted the attention of the elders who have set up a committee. There is the likelihood that a fresh convention may be organised to elect acceptable leadership if the aggrieved groups within the party cannot be reconciled. But I am sure the situation will not be allowed to get out of hand. There is no doubt about it AD will bounce back as the toast of the people. The PDP is there as a tenant, the house (Ekiti) belongs to the AD, the PDP has only come to live the place and the tenancy will expire in 2007.
There is confusion over the rift between the Ekiti State Governor and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly. There were reports that the speaker and other principal officials of the House have resigned their positions. What do you think about this development?
It is a clear indication that democracy is not working. It portends that the entire democratic process is on trial, and that we have an autocratic government in place. I don’t see any reason why any forward looking governor will seek for powers to put a clog before a democratically elected chairman and councillors. Somebody of the calibre of the governor should be able to differentiate between appointed and elected officials. It is only an officer that you have appointed you can remove at will, but somebody who assumed a position through the ballot has the mandate of his constituency to be in office and if he is to vacate the office before the expiration of his tenure, he has to battle the mandate of those that put him in the office. And of course there are legislatures at the various councils. So if the councillors as representatives of the various constituencies and communities feel that the chairmen are not performing, they can use the constitutional means to remove the chairmen through constitutional means. But for a governor to think he can through a fiat remove a chairman that refuses to toe his line is a breach of the constitution and an abuse of power. Such idea is not only unfair but grossly unconstitutional if it is true that the speaker and other principal officers of the house have resigned over such disagreement with the governor, I think they deserve a pat on the back. In fact it is unethical and a dangerous signal for the democratic process in the state as there can only be progress in a peaceful atmosphere. As it is now, there will be no peace in the assembly for the rest of the year. But one thing that I foresee is that, he too could be consumed in the power play because if the lawmakers now discover that they could come together and one day pass a motion for the governor’s impeachment. He may lose out in the aftermath of it all.
If things are not going the right way what efforts are you making to remedy the situation. What is the AD as a party doing to warm itself back into the hearts of the electorate?
The AD is already reaching out to like minds in other political parties in the state. So that we can come together and have a common front to regain power. We are also trying to avoid the pitfall of past mistakes made by the party. All AD members who were aggrieved have now seen why they should forge ahead in unity at the next attempt to be able to checkmate the present administration. We will always put the Fayose government on its toes by aligning with the masses. We will always scuttle anti-people policies by pre-empting the government.
But do you think the AD in Ekiti has what it takes to checkmate a sitting government?
At the moment, the opposition in Ekiti State is very strong. Though like in other states, we have a peculiar problem, and that is the people’s poverty level. But I can tell you that the membership of the AD is more than that of the PDP. The fact is that the people’s romance with the PDP is because it is in power at the state and federal levels. You know the AD is not in government and has nothing to share as cake. And some of them, although they don’t like the policies of the government in power, but because of hunger, they want to align.
What is the future of AD as a party in view of the problems facing it.
I would not say AD is really weak but there is nothing beyond you when you are hungry. Politicians will always look for a place where they can benefit. AD is a party of the future because it has policies and programmes that will benefit the masses, the grassroots, education health, and housing. And these are the things the people need.
So, AD is trying to re-focus to re-position the party, and of course, there could be a sort of merger, a sort of alliance with other progressives that share the same philosophy with us.
As a grassroots man, are you likely to put yourself forward again in the future for elective position?
I came unto partisan politics about two years ago, and of course, I was able to get myself entrenched into it at the grassroots. During my senatorial campaign, I actually went to the grassroots and that really entrenched me to my people.
Four of us participated in the primary for Ekiti North Senatorial seat. I had 43 votes, same like the incumbent senator. There was a stalemate. The other two, one had a vote and the other 24.
Normally, there should b a run-off between myself and the incumbent. But the party leaders knew that if that was to happen, I would defeat him. And they really wanted him there. I was a green horn among them then. But I was able to make such an impact because of my grassroots connection.
Now, positions are being zoned. The time I was contesting the senatorial seat, it was actually zoned to my constituency. I don’t know what is going to be zoned to my local government or my constituency this time around. However, we have observed that Ekiti central senatorial district has had enough of political appointments in the state.
If you go into history, they have benefited more than the two other zones. Niyi Adebayo is from the same constituency with the incumbent. And of course, the two of them are from the same local government. Niyi Adebayo spent four years, Fayose is spending another four years, making eight years.
The Ekiti north has not had such privilege before. The highest position we have had was the position of the deputy governor. So, we are now looking at it that any party that want to win the next gubernatorial election in Ekiti State must, it is a matter of must, this time around zoned it to Ekiti North, otherwise, the people will not vote for such a party. So, that is the agreement.
And, if by the special grace of God, it is zoned to my senatorial district, as one of the sons of Ekiti North Senatorial district, I may be interested in the governorship race.
Do you have enough population to determine who becomes the governor of the state.
Not really but as we have three senatorial districts and zoning system, although not constitutional but is done for the sake of convenience so that people will not feel marginalised. As I have said, Adebayo and Fayose are from Ekiti central, Bamidele Olumolua is from the South and was the governor of old Ondo State. But come to the North, nobody has ever been the governor.
But when it comes to voting, the voting strength of Ekiti North is much much higher. So, if you as a candidate, if you can get the vote from Ekiti North and perhaps part of the vote from either the central or South then you can be sure of winning. So, we have quite a large number of people who come out to show their interest and vote during election in Ekiti North.
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