2019: APC UK not behind promise to buy Buhari’s nomination form —Kolawole-Taiwo

Mr Akinyemi Kolawole-Taiwo, a United Kingdom based Consultant Systems Engineer and Secretary, Bedfordshire branch of the UK chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), speaks with MOSES ALAO on the recent offer to buy President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination form for a second term in office by a group purporting to be APC UK and the achievements of the Federal Government, among other issues.

AS the 2019 general election draws near, it is now commonplace for Nigerians in the diaspora to return home and try to get party tickets for elective positions.  Could that be why you came to Ila-Orangun?

One should not wait until he wants to contest elections to get involved in the politics of one’s home country. I am not here because I want to contest for any position and I disagree that Nigerians in the diaspora get involved in the politics of the homeland with a view to hoodwinking parties to get tickets. We are also Nigerians; we have the same right as those living at home to vote and be voted for. That is why we have been agitating for diaspora voting. In any case, I am in Ila-Orangun because this is my home and I am interested in its development and not necessarily because I want to contest election.  I am first a native of this town, then a member of APC and ultimately a Nigerian and I do take responsibility for belonging to each of these organs.

But you attended party meetings at the ward and local government levels. Isn’t that like trying to worm your way into people’s hearts?

No. I am an official of the APC UK. I have been involved with the APC for a few years and I am one of those who believe in its vision and mission to rescue Nigeria. If I belong to the party in the diaspora, why can’t I be active in it when I am at home in Nigeria? We should not read meaning to every action; I attended these meetings as a loyal and committed party man.

Following your attendance at the meetings, what is your assessment of the party in the local government?

I am satisfied with what I saw. I must commend our leader, Chief Bisi Akande, a former governor of Osun State, for the insight and wisdom with which he has been leading the APC fold in Ila-Orangun. The unity and cohesion in the party are due to his sagacity and wise leadership.

Based on what you saw while in the state, how will you assess the government of Governor Rauf Aregbesola?

I must tell you that coming down to Osun State as a Nigerian in the diaspora, I am awed by the level of developments I saw here. I am aware that the state has been having challenges paying workers, but I can tell you that the governor had his priority and he is getting it right in the area of infrastructure development. The achievements of the Governor Aregbesola administration in the areas of road constructions, building of model schools and other infrastructure cannot be wished away.  It is clear in anyone’s mind that the infrastructural development will attract new investments to the state, which in turn will create new business opportunities and jobs for the people.

Two weeks ago, there was this story that the United Kingdom chapter of the APC has thrown its weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid, even offering to pay for his nomination form. What was the motivation for that decision?

First, we have to be clear about something. The group that volunteered to pay for President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination form did not speak for the APC UK. In fact, they are unknown to us. The APC UK has not, at any point, met to take such decision or commission anyone to make that position. So, I think it wouldn’t be out of place to conclude that the rogue group that purported itself as APC UK is motivated not by patriotism but by self-gain, and I urge Nigerians to discountenance the group. When the authentic APC UK takes a decision, it will be duly communicated to Nigerians and such a decision will be in complete alignment with the position of the national leadership and/or appropriate organ of our party.

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How many factions of APC UK exist?

There is nothing of such; there are no factions in APC UK. There is only one APC UK with credible Nigerians who are also professionals in their respective chosen fields as members. It is under the chairmanship of Dr. Philip Idaewor.  The spectrum of APC UK membership speaks for itself. For example, our chairman, Dr. Idaewor is in fact a medical practitioner with many years of experience. Other notable APC UK leaders are Hon. Tunde Doherty, Hon. Francis Akpan-Inwang, Hon. Patrick Obuseh and so on. On this list, we are talking of very experienced civil engineer, seasoned HR consultant and formidable Human Rights expert with readiness to give back to our nation, the business and technological experience acquired over years. This is a reflection of the calibre of people who make up the membership of APC UK.

But you said when the authentic APC UK takes a decision…

Yes, I said that because the group that claimed to be the APC UK is unknown to us.  APC UK is one of the NEC approved and recognised diaspora chapters of our party and it is known to the national leadership of the party. We work with and represent the party both in the UK and beyond, and have had dealings with the party at home and abroad.  We have taken several positions on the polity and made critical interventions in the past and there has never been any countermanding position from any group. So, that someone is just coming up, purporting to speak on behalf of a legitimate group like the APC UK should raise questions. That is why I am telling you that it is a rogue group that promised to pay for the president’s nomination form and that when the time is right, the authentic APC UK will make its position known. APC is a disciplined party, and in APC UK we maintain this party discipline to a very high standard. For example I am able to grant this interview because the party leadership had approved that I can speak on these matters.

So, you are saying that the APC UK will not support Buhari in 2019?

I have not said anything like that and there shouldn’t be a question of supporting our president or not supporting him.  The APC UK is a truly democratic entity; it does not rush into taking decisions on issues without due consultations and carrying every stakeholder along. We have branches across the UK and when the time comes, we are going to have diligent and due consultations across board and also look at the prevailing situations at home, work with final decision of the party’s NEC and convention in order to take a working decision on 2019.

Maybe that group you called rogue group felt the APC UK was delaying in making a decision and that was why it announced its decision. Isn’t it a simple matter of deciding whether or not to support Buhari based on the reality of the economy, security and other issues?

You will have to ask the spokesman of the rogue group on why it took the position. What I can tell you is that in the APC UK, and I have the clearance of the leadership to say this, we did not and we have not taken a position on 2019. We will do that as and when due and when we do, Nigerians will get to know from the legitimate APC UK. This has always been our practice. It gives all stakeholders a say and therefore they own the decision and commit to its success. You can check the focused commitment of APC UK during the 2015 campaigns.

And to answer your question about deciding to support President Buhari based on the reality of the economy, security and other issues; President Buhari is qualified to contest for another term. But in a democracy, it is more than just declaration. A lot of processes will go into his nomination and we in the APC UK know that President Buhari is a man who has a lot of regard for internal democracy. So, the stage we are in presently is that in which all parametres for engendering internal democracy are put in place and you could see that the president himself set the stage for this when he insisted on congresses and conventions. The time is not ripe for us to talk about supporting the president for re-election; the imperative now is to support the party to have successful congresses and conventions. That is what we are preoccupying ourselves with. And we have to commend President Buhari for toeing the path of legality and internal democracy by insisting on congresses and convention. That step has assured all Nigerians that the APC is truly democratic and it remains the best political party that can take Nigeria forward.

Looking at the current hardship and insecurity in the country, don’t you have a sense of guilt for supporting this government?

One cannot deny that there has been a level of hardship back home and I am sure all Nigerians know the reason for that; the economic recession caused it. Thank God that the country has now exited recession and this, we must agree, also boils down to the economic policies of this government. On the insecurity, you can see that this government has achieved a level of success in the fight against Boko Haram.

What of the Fulani herdsmen attacks and other kinds of insecurity like the armed robbery in Offa.

First, I express my heart-felt condolences to the people of Offa and the government of Kwara State over that sad incident. You know that Kwara State is like my second home. But when you talk of insecurity and relate the herdsmen attacks and armed robberies to the failure of this government, I think it will be most unfair. Yes, I agree that government needs to up its game and it is trying to do so, but we should go beyond blame games. Security is the work of everyone; all Nigerians have a role to play in ensuring security.