19th April, 2011
National Conscience Partyâ€
This is the third time you are seeking the No.1 seat in Ogun State. Why ?
The Yoruba say that “if an iron bender keeps hitting iron at the same spot there is something he needs from that iron.†People have been oppressed for so long and we know that the oppressors do not want them to enjoy even a little comfort. And those of us with vision cannot fold our arms and say because we donâ€
Is it possible for politicians to realise their ambitions without spending money?
There is no one who can assume office without spending money. Even for the logistics, paying those working with you, you still have to spend money but what I am complaining about is when politicians bribe their way through or when politicians engage in false philanthrophy because they want the peopleâ€
What are your programmes for the state?
My plan is to have a state organ regulating electricity which would be produced by a private company. I will negotiate with the Federal Government to let me know the asset and liability of PHCN, then I will take it over.
Once we are able to generate electricity, businesses that have folded up will be revived and once that is done, the budget of Ogun State would triple; that means that there would be enough fund to execute other projects. If I become the governor, Ogun State will be the first state to have its own constitution. It is when a state has its own constitution that the people of that state can say this is what we want. If electricity is made a state function, the entire country will not be in darkness like we are witnessing now. Security is another thing; once the state has its own constitution, it would be empowered to set up its own security outfit.
Wonâ€
No, No, that would help to address the 1999 Constitution. The 1999 Constitution is only a deception, I have seen a situation where an Inspector General of Police gave an order and it was ignored but a state governor gave an order and the commissioner of police in such state jumps.
But if there is state police and the Federal Government has its own, that is fine. The people in the National Assembly have to make a law that any state government that uses police to oppress its opponent would be penalised . This would also bring checks and balances between the state and federal police. I have been saying it since 2003, that if I become the governor, within six months, Ogun State would have its own police. The other thing is the petty traders; I have a programme that once you get to age 62, my government would be giving you food in a month. That is how to take care of the aged and for the disables, I will also be taking care of them. We are also going to search for talents and develop them, we do not want to know where they come from because that is what we need to develop the state.
The stateâ€
That is why electricity is my priority, because we must ask ourselves, the teachers that want to teach in the school, how will they read what to teach the student.
Once you have electricity and money is coming, you can revamp the education system. The education system has to be revamped. The idea of changing education system every now and then is not good. An education system is supposed to be state function, the Federal Government is to orgnaise national examinations.
If you are elected, are you going to probe the past administration?
Well, you must ask yourself, probe on whose behalf; is it on behalf of those that were asking for money before they could paste posters or those that attacked campaign train? You must ask yourselves again, what is the essence of the probe? When Chief Obafemi Awolowo said he wanted to probe, he went to the grave with his brain. This is Nigeria for goodness sake, I do not believe in probes. I understand that there must be accountability, we can look into what they have done to discourage such in our administration and use it to make laws but to say that you want to probe anybody wonâ€
Why do you think people of Ogun State should vote for NCP candidate as their governor?
This is the only party whose candidates did not pay money to get tickets. It is the only party that refuses to take money from people and we have sworn that if we get to power, we wonâ€
Do you trust INEC to conclude these elections in a free and fair manner?
I commend Professor Jega but there is a lot of work to be done. This is the first time I see an INEC boss addressing Nigerians and being sorry for the mistakes they have made. Iwu never did that. This is the first time I see INEC boss say; “This election has to be cancelled.” However, I blame him for one thing; the quality control is lacking. If I were the INEC chairman, I would have asked all the state commissioners for the ballot papers in their possession; we would review them and know if any partyâ€