How I will bring development to Ibadan South-East II constituency in 2019 —Abass

A retiree of the United States of America Army and House of Assembly aspirant for Ibadan South-East I constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abass Adigun, speaks with DARE ADEKANMBI on his vision for the constituency and how his ticket was given to Honourable Akeem Ige in 2015, among others.

YOU contested the 2015 primary for Ibadan South-East II constituency in the House of Assembly seat under Accord and won. But you did not represent the party in the election. Could you tell us what actually happened?

When I informed Senator Rashidi Ladoja of my intent to run for the House of Assembly seat, he asked me to go back to my constituency and do a very good homework, meet the leaders there and I did as he told.

I started mobilising for the party, moving from Point A to Point B, letting people know my intention and how I hope to do things better. God gave me the opportunity to do so. My constituents in Wards 7 to 12 love me and I won ticket when we were in Accord. My name was announced as the winner of the primary. But the ticket was given to former deputy governor, Amabassador Taofeek Arapaja who joined us in Accord from PDP, about three months before the election. He and his group joined Accord with the hope that we will be able to jointly deliver the state for Accord. He give it to one of his political sons, Honourable Akeem Ademola Ige, a former council chairman, who now holds the position. Our leader, Senator Ladoja, called me to appeal to me to see reason why the ticket was given to those from the Arapaja group.

In 2019, I am presenting myself again for the same House of Assembly seat and I believe this time around, more people have seen what I have done within the PDP that we found ourselves now. Most of those I have consulted so far, including those from Social Democratic Party (SDP), old PDP, Labour Party and from our Accord, have been clamouring that I should represent the constituency in 2019.

Senator Ladoja, has asked me to go ahead and continue to do my grassroots mobilisation and engage with all the leaders. Despite what happened to me in 2015, I still attend to the needs of my constituents to the best of my ability.

Have you pondered over the fact that Hon Ige, who was given your ticket in 2015, may want to go back to the House in 2019?

When I came back from the United States about two months ago, I met with him and confirmed from him that he is planning to go for the House of Representatives seat of Ibadan South-East/Ibadan North-East Federal Constituency. I pledged to him that I would give him all the support to achieve his House of Representatives aspiration. I also solicited his cooperation in achieving my House of Assembly aspiration and he promised to reciprocate my gesture. He is aware I am replacing him in the House of Assembly in 2019 by God’s grace.

That means there is no disagreement between the two of you…

There is no disagreement at all. We have discussed and struck an understanding about 2019. He is gunning for a House of Representatives and I, House of Assembly.

Why do you so much believe in Ladoja?

Ladoja’s performance as governor encouraged me to join politics and to learn at his feet. I have gained a lot from him and I am very loyal to his as well. Loyalty is number one thing in politics. As governor, civil servants are still talking of his time as the golden era when life was truly abundant for them. There was no debt burden hanging on the neck of the state as we have it today. Salaries were paid as and when due. Enduring infrastructure was built at reasonable price. Look at the Mokola-UI-Ojoo Road that he built more than 10 years ago. There is no single pothole on that road. Even roads built in less than four years are being washed away by erosions.

Should you get the ticket and win the election, what are you going to do differently from what your predecessors have been doing in terms of representation and giving back to your constituents?

When I return form the US and get to my constituency, I always feel pained that there is no development. All over the world, what people need from government is minimal-give them the basic necessities of life and a good environment for them to realise their potentialities. But since government has failed to provide water for the people, I will ensure boreholes are sunk. Students who are very smart, but who don’t have the means to get JAMB forms or WAEC forms and proceed to tertiary education from my constituency will be assisted by me to do so. I am not going there to join the bandwagon of sharing money that should be channeled towards the development of communities. I am not rich, but I am comfortable. I retired from the US Army and I am a pensioner. I will go there to get for my constituency what belongs to it through effective representation. I want to fight for my people.