How far would you say you have gone with your ambition of becoming a senator of the Federal Republic to represent Ondo North senatorial district?
We have gone very far in terms of acceptability, integrity, letting the people know what we are going to do when we get there, which will be different from others that have been there in the past. By the grace of God, we are accepted by the people because they needed the change which they know we are bringing on board. In terms of bringing governance to their door step particularly in the area of allowing the people to own the representation to work for their satisfaction. That is the major thing we are looking at and we shall be able to represent them. Whatever their problems are, we should be able to bring it to the fore, to the Nigerian government and also to the government of Ondo State. This is a major affair we should be looking at.
Do you not expect resistance from the incumbent?
If somebody has been in the Senate for two terms, going for the third term, I think that is clearly against the policy of our party and especially, if you have not really performed creditably. If you are there for two terms, I think you should give other people chances to bring in what they have for the constituency. Since I have the opportunity of even representing Nigeria in some parastatals, I have brought in a modest contribution to that senatorial district. Therefore, it is not expected that somebody should be there and want to be there forever. That is why our people will definitely prefer me.
You said the electorate would prefer to vote for you?
Yes, the electorate will prefer to vote for me instead of such people.
Have you been in any interaction with party leaders both in the state and in the local government levels?
I have had some interactions with most of them. I would not say all of them, but with most of them, because we are still in the process. Before the primaries in the state, I might have interacted with all of them. And I am also accessible.
What would you say about the performance of Ogbeni Rotimi Akeredolu in the state?
He has been fantastic. So far, with the little resources he has, he has been able to impact on the citizenry at this time, giving the fact that there is paucity of funds.
Giving the level of money involve in Nigerian politics, do you think you would match someone who has spent eight years in the Senate in terms of funding?
In terms of funding, with the party at this level, money politics is being discussed now, and I am sure that the electorate is ready and they are also aware that if you deceive them two times, the possibility of deceiving them the third time will not be there. They are not voting and with the position of our party, they are trying to make sure that such tendencies are discouraged.
How would you assess the government of President Muhammadu Buhari?
So far, from my own perspective and from the perspective of most Nigerians that are sincere, that follow up the development of what they are doing, I think he has delivered on his promises, particularly in the area of decimating the Boko Haram insurgence, in the area of getting the killer herdsmen off the way.
If it has not been for President Bahari’s government, it would have been very difficult for Nigerians to move in their daily assignment by now, particularly looking at the rate Boko Haram was before the government came into power. Then, the other aspect is the killer herdsmen issue, particularly in Zamfara, they are now almost decimated. Then for what we have in Benue, I think the Air Force, the Nigerian Police and other security forces are working hard in that area.
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