You are aspiring to become the governor of Kwara State in 2019, what informed your decision?
The intention is simple. It is a way to align with the current ‘not too young to run’ campaign going on in the country, which targets people like me to be involved in active politics as a young Nigerian.
As youths, we know the plight of people, because we are everywhere. It is a known fact that Kwara is a civil service state, but I have the vision to turn the state around from what it is known for to an industrial one. I so much believe that I can achieve this goal. It is going to be a youth affair, filled with lots of brilliant innovations and implementations if, by His grace, I become the governor of Kwara State.
What is your political history as a youth, which has emboldened you to aspire to the number one position in the state?
I joined politics in 2008. I ran for a seat in the House of Representatives in 2011 as a candidate on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP). I contested for the same position in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). At present, my people are agitating that I should contest for the governorship seat, as they have begun to rally support throughout the whole state.
Personally, I have not made it official, but the agitations and support have been overwhelming, and as a proud son of the soil and the fact that I so much respect my people, I have accepted the call. Meanwhile, I don’t see this call as a payback for my kind gestures from the grass roots. My humanitarian service has no political undertone. With or without politics, I won’t stop my kind gestures to humanity and the people of Kwara State.
APC caucus meeting: We discussed serious issues, not my removal ―Odigie-Oyegun
How will you assess the current government led by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed?
First, I think I need to commend the present government for the development it has brought to the state so far. The Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed-led government is trying its best. We are all aware of the recession that hit the economy of the country, yet the government was able to overcome all the challenges.
The main fact, however, is that I am seeing beyond him. It may seem that he has done all, but I can see beyond him. He has done well, but I will do better than him. I see myself as the game-changer of the state.
What would be your major priorities if you become the governor of the state?
As I said earlier, I am from an industry Nigerians don’t know much about; I am a miner and I see nobody that loves Kwara like I do, because settling down at home and investing in my state is a proud development. I have set my priorities; turning Kwara into an industrial state is one of my plans. Also, security is very important and I am committed to protecting every citizen and the property of the people of the state, because without security no investor would want to patronise our state. So, security would be my first priority. With my background experience, I think I would be the best chief security officer of the state, especially with my relationship with all security agents and traditional rulers in the state. I have a blueprint of how to make the state greater and I am ready to take the responsibility.
Don’t you see it as a risk dumping mining for politics?
I am not dumping it; rather, I will expose the people of Kwara to the great opportunity. This is one of the many mineral resources God has blessed us with in the state and we must all be beneficiaries by turning it into a source of revenue generation, as it will attract investors and boost the economy of the state. We have what it takes to run the state from within; we have resources that are far better than oil. We have gem stones, metallic minerals, lime stone, among others. Aside all these, we all have tourism sites such as the highest water fall in Africa, Owu Fall, that can launch Kwara to be one of the leading tourists destinations in the country and Africa at large. I believe the only way we can experience a great change as citizens is to all develop what we have in the state.
Age factor has been one of the major issues being discussed ahead of the 2019 elections, with some people expressing the view that the youths are not prepared to hold sensitive positions. What is your take on this view?
The agitation against the involvement of youths in sensitive positions is very wrong. I can authoritatively say that the youth could be much better leaders than many of the current set of leaders. Many of our leaders today never ran a personal business before they ventured into politics. I don’t think age should determine anyone’s political aspirations. In fact, many of our leaders came to power at their youthful age and they are still in power till now. So, when do they want youths to take over? Is it when we become 70? This idea is completely wrong and unfair to the entire youth of this nation. We all need to take our rightful positions this time.
Take for instance, the constant attacks by herdsmen in some parts of the country. It is unfortunate that we are still experiencing this problem as a nation. But who are those being used wrongly to cause violence and those bearing the brunt of the attacks? Are they not youths? So, it is time the Nigerian youth, irrespective of tribes or religion, ensured that they are no longer deceived by anyone. We should not allow ourselves to be used by any selfish leader. Instead, we should take our chances now to make the country a better place. It is time for us to all unite and correct the mistakes of our forefathers.
How prepared are you for this race?
I am fully prepared. Aside the fact that I have built a political structure over the years; I have been working towards this for about 10 years now. I started politics in the state in 2008 and I have been able to establish myself in Kwara. If the structure had not been there, people who I don’t even know and those I have never seen before would not have been agitating for me to contest.
So, on which platform are you contesting?
I am contesting on the platform of the APC and I want to appreciate our leader, the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, for sustaining the structure of the party.
What is your relationship with him and what is your chance of clinching the APC ticket through a free and fair primary?
We have a father and son relationship. On your second question, I am confident that the leadership of the party will follow the wish of the people. So, I have nothing to worry about. The table has turned to us and I’m ready to represent my people as well as take them to the next level.
I am happy that Kwara is about to witness what has never happened before, because I have been called upon to serve and I am poised to spread the dividends of democracy to all nooks and crannies of Kwara State. The state is about to experience a new dawn and we are delighted that our great leader, Senator Saraki, is in support of the new wave, because he has also joined the agitation for the ‘not too young to rule’ campaign and this is his state and I am confident that he is a man of his words. He would want to begin the campaign from his own state. The people of Kwara State are delighted with the body language of our dear leader.
With your experience in the mining sector, what is your assessment of the industry?
I would say the sector is growing, but there is the need for more improvements. The two ministers; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi and the minister of state, Honourable Abubakar Bawa Bwari, are really trying their best to develop the sector through various initiatives and programmes, which have made things easy for the stakeholders.
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