AN All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant for the 2016 poll in Ondo State, Dr Segun Abraham, in this interview with some journalists, speaks on his party’s preparations so far, scramble for APC ticket, power blocs, among other issues BOLA BADMUS brings the excerpts:
AS preparations for the 2016 governorship poll in Ondo State begin to gather momentum, what are the challenges facing the state chapter of APC?
Like any institution, there are challenges. The challenge is to ensure that all the interest groups unite to avoid division. This is common to all political parties. In any institution or organisation, there are diverse interests. They need to be protected. We are now solving the problem, using the experience of the last election to resolve it and we are making progress.
What is your position on the agitation for power shift by the people of Akure and Akoko?
The agitations are legitimate. Our party will promote equity, fairness and justice.
What gives you the confidence that you are capable of defeating other aspirants during the APC governorship primary election?
My good work will speak for me. With God’s support and my work speaking for me and the people that God will use, my victory at the primary is assured.
There is a feeling in some quarters that the activities of APC aspirants in Ondo State have polarised the party?
The opposite is the case. The more you have the aspirants, the more activities you have in the party. It becomes more exciting. More people are involved. A lot of people are coming out with different ideas, vision and programmes. On the economic aspect of it, there will be boom in the economy of the state. Printers will be busy. People will be more engaged in political activities. It increases the awareness of the people politically. There are some of the aspirants, who just want to be known; they are not spending money. They may be using it to negotiate for other positions. These are nice political activities. We also had rumours that some of them may be moles for other political parties. The party’s State Executive Committee (EXCO) is aware of these activities in the party and they are very experienced. Since they know the intention of some of the candidates, it is easy to know those candidates that are serious, competent and fit to be the governor of the state. They know the candidates that are qualified to contest and the governor will emerge from among them.
Are you not confounded that some of the aspirants are building personal structures, instead of building the party?
What you refer to as personal structures are groups, which must be integrated into the party. All over the world, there are interest groups that must be formed. The only thing is that the leadership of the groups must subject the interest of the groups to the interest of the party, and that is in conformity with the principles of democracy. The lesson we have learned is that we must not sacrifice the interest of the society or the party at the altar of the group. At our level, we build the party politically, socially, psychologically and financially, in all ramifications. That is why our group is called the Unity Forum. It is the only group in the state that is reaching out to the other groups so that we can have a united front to drive away the PDP government from the state. The leader of the Unity Group is the only person that has no grouse against any other group, but I have been organising other groups for unity. This can be described as the bride without spot as quoted by the Holy Book. None of the groups have anything against our groups. Therefore, they all find it easy to work with us. That is why the Unity Forum is growing fast and rapidly.
You took part in the 2012 governorship race. What are the lessons you learned from your participation of the contest?
The first lesson I learnt was that our people may not be rich, but they are people of integrity and very intelligent. Based on my integrity and the services I had rendered in the past, they rallied round me because they wanted me to be their governor. I discovered that people will like you when you have compassion; when you are honest, truthful transparent and concerned about their welfare without what you will gain from them; or without any attachment of personal interest to your pursuits. You can imagine a woman of 80 years distributing my leaflets in the local governments; old men campaigning for me because they have seen the works of my hands in the past. Imagine the physically challenged holding meetings and campaigning with all their disabilities! Imagine students spending their money to campaign for me in the neighbourhood! All these gave me the practical lessons that we are to live here and serve God and humanity alone. As a matter of fact, it is a revelation that when you say, ‘love God,’ it will reflect the love you have for the people. This shows that in all vocations, professions, vocation and relationship, we are ministers of God. Our work is an act of service to God. All the leaders should realise this. This should be a good lesson to all human beings who want to have good relationship with God and mankind. Our good character can only manifest in our work and service to humanity.
To what extent are core stakeholders in the state involved in your decision to join the governorship race?
During the last primary, when I was not picked by the leadership of the party, the people of the state were utterly disappointed. Some of them had heart attack and they were rushed to the hospital. Some people were wailing as if they were bereaved; as if they lost people. Others could not manage the disappointment and they moved to another party. Others refused to vote. About two-thirds of members of the party left. Some went to the PDP. Others went to the Labour Party (LP). Some were passive. I did not know the extent of their love for me until all these things happened. Despite my efforts to persuade them, some could not be consoled. Some resigned to fate. After the election, I returned to what I wanted to do in the last three years. I scaled down on my business, went to the university to do Christian Studies and Theology. I wanted to know more about God. I wanted to become a missionary; this gives me fulfillment. Because of the love my people have for me and I have for them, they are still in contact with me and I am in contact with them. While away, I was doing the right thing to the party, instead of building self-interest group. This can be seen in the record of my contribution to the party. These people felt that they needed somebody, who they could trust, who has been providing leadership, who has the economic fortune and the capability to turn around the state. They are looking for a virtuous, conscientious leader, somebody who has international connection that can bring investments to the state. They are looking for a leader who has the fear of God and integrity, a leader who has a vision and a mission.
They are fed up with the government of the day. That is why they are making a clarion call for me to come and serve. In the last three years, they have been calling on me to remember that I have a duty to perform for them. I have searched and investigated and found out that over 95 per cent of the people genuinely want me to come and serve them. They are desirous of change. We are in the era of change mantra. I have made up my mind, I have discovered that my service will be incomplete until we have a state that will take care of all categories of people and also assist people in the areas of their life.
What do you want to do differently from the current practice, if voted into office?
First and foremost, we will work hard to restore our lost virtue and value. We will develop technological and managerial capability in order to harness our various resources, with little dependence on foreigners. We will develop organic food that is now the new paradigm shift in economic returns, apart from IT, so that Ondo State can become the hub for organic food globally. We will avail them of various opportunities offered by our international connections, from African Pacific Funding and Management and other multi-lateral institutions. Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment will be established, with offices in Europe, America and Asia. This will increase our international profile, export drive and employment generation. We should be able to generate about 500,000 job opportunities through this drive. We will set up Government Demand Industry (GDI). Through this, a lot of industries will be set up to complement the major industry that will support the government policies and programmes. For example, if we are rehabilitating schools, industries will be set up to provide roofing sheets and other education infrastructure. We are going to set up People Demand Industry (PDI). Right now, 80 per cent of what our people need are brought in from outside.
We will set up small scale industries under PPP. We will provide part of funding, training and goods and services depot that will supply the populace at a very reduce rate so that they can have economic value on their income. We will integrate our secondary schools with international schools through the worldwide libraries.
What do you think emboldens the APC to think that it can defeat the PDP in Ondo?
The PDP is dead in Ondo; it only needs to be buried. The PDP is in comatose. People are leaving the PDP for the APC; the former deputy governor is now in the APC, commissioners, special advisers, former governorship aspirants are defecting. What remains is the carcass. People are leaving the PDP in droves.
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