I’ll Tackle Unemployment —Lanlehin

Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Oyo South Senatorial candidate, Chief Femi Lanlehin spoke with GBENRO ADESINA about the politics of Oyo State and his mission if elected

You obtained nomination form for governorship post, why are you now running for the senatorial seat?
Man proposes but God disposes. I was all out for governorship contest. I collected governorship nomination form of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and was ready to contest until several things played out. The party leadership asked me to drop the governorship ambition for now and run for senatorial seat. After many meetings, I agreed to do the wish of the party. It is true that many of us want to contest for governorship, but only one person can get the ticket and that person is Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi.  That I did not have governorship ticket today does not mean I cannot have it tomorrow.  I will one day run for the governorship race of this state and win.

What is the party doing to reconcile the aggrieved governorship candidates that are in court?
A lot of things have happened but I want to put them behind me and concentrate on the senatorial election. It is true that many aspirants are aggrieved but lots are being done to reconcile them. I must say that what happened was not the best. What happened could have been handled better but we have to move forward. It is not only the governorship aspirants that are aggrieved. Other aspirants for various elective positions are also aggrieved. The party is trying its best to reconcile all the aggrieved members. I believe  strongly that all of us will come together and work for the success of  the ACN in the forthcoming election. We can not afford to divide now. Ajimobi is our brother, he is our party’s flag bearer, let us work toward his success in the forthcoming election. His success is the party’s success and it is our success.

So why do you want to go to the Senate?
ACN is a political party with sound people who strongly believe that politics is a means of serving their fellow properly. As you will agree with me, Oyo State is grossly under-represented in the senate. The PDP senators representing us have failed us.  All Federal Government projects have been abandoned. The governor does not even have time in making the people feel the  presence of FederalGovernment into the state. People of Oyo State have suffered so much in the hands of the PDP-led administration. My first business in the Senate is to qualitatively represent my people so that they can enjoy their rights as citizens of this country. I will pursue policies that will take care of the interest of  people in my  district and Nigeria as a whole. The society is run by laws. We cannot under-estimate the process of law making in relation to the wellbeing of the society. So, I will not be a bench warmer who will  sit in the house.  Rather, I will aggressively and actively contribute in  the lawmaking process because that is the statutory responsibility of every senator. I will only support budget that is  people oriented and I will do my best for its full implementation.

How can legislature be more effective and efficient in Nigeria?
There are two basic functions of legislature: law making and oversight functions. There are only two bills, which are executive and private bills, that can be introduced in the hallow chamber. I intend to support  only bills  that will have impact on my district and Nigeria. For instance, I will support bill on agriculture that will help reduce unemployment and provide food for the nation.

Abike Dabiri is identified with Freedom of Information Bill, FOI, what will you like to be identified with in the Senate ?
Abike Dabiri is  progressive . We are proud of her and  appreciate all the efforts she put to ensure Freedom of Information Bill, FOI, was passed. This is a bill that we need in Nigeria. It will strengthen our democracy and facilitate the delivery of democratic dividends. I will do everything possible to ensure the people of Oyo State get whatever is due for them. I will tackle unemployment with all that I have. I will do it through legislature and other means.  Once energy problem is solved, Nigeria’s problem is solved by 50 percent. I will work to achieve this.

Most of the towns  in your district lack basic amenities. Even in Ido, where your father’s house is situated, there are no good roads or potable water. How do you intend to directly meet the needs of the people in your district?
Constituency allowance will be channeled towards these needs.

What is your assessment of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala-led government?
It is the worst administration the state ever have. Considering the money that he got, he performed woefully. Akala is a failure. He cannot justify what he used over N300billion federal allocation of the state.  I know that before he leaves office, the money that he would have gotten from the Federal Government would not be less than N400billion. He also generated money through internally generated revenue and other means but he spent them lavishly.

What about the health centres, 800 kilomtres of roads and other laudable projectshe executed in his four years?
Where is the hospital you said that he constructed? All the roads he constructed are bad. He is a carefree and careless governor who never bothered about people. He is not sensitive to people’s needs.

What can you say about the recent clashes among the political parties in Oyo State?
Let me enjoin people to come out and cast their vote and stand by it. They should not allow rigging, mal-practices and stealing of their votes. PDP is not ready for free and fair election because they know they did not perform. They fail at all levels. People don’t like them. So what they want to do is to use thugs but people are ready for them because each vote will count.

What is a gentleman like you doing in politics?
We will not continue to fold our arms and watch criminals determine our destiny. I am ready to serve my people.

How far have you gone with your campaign?
I have campaigned in all the nine local government areas of my district.

What is your message to the electorate?
They should remain steadfast and be rest assured that ACN has their interest at heart. ACN is determined to take over government from the people who have failed to add value to the lives of people and  denied them dividends of democracy. They denied people their rights which include qualitative and affordable education, free healthcare, electricity, water, houses and other basic infrastructures. We will pursue our manifesto which is anchored on agriculture, qualitative and affordable education and good healthcare delivery services.