An Exclusive Interview With GOC, Ayekooto Akindele on OyoToday…

1. As a political enthusiast, thought leader, opinion molder and curious follower in the Nigerian political scene …

What are your thoughts on the current political temperature in the country?

Well, politics is like war of ideas. It is from these ideas that rules are made, once these rules are made and legalised, everyone must follow it because there’s no democracy without the rule of law.

2. From the APC’s Direct/Indirect primary stance, NASS’ stand and the Presidency posture, your thoughts sir?

Direct Primary has already introduced itself to our politics through a Bill sponsored by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, it may tarry but it will not go away until it becomes the rule because as long as people exist, they will always demand for equal participation from beginning to the end. One day people will win.

3. How would you rate President Muhammadu BUHARI’s administration?

President Buhari’s victory in 2015 saved Nigeria from several bad local and international predictions about disintegration of our country. The PDP has looted virtually all our treasury and domiciled the proceeds outside Nigeria. Many states could not pay salaries, even FG was borrowing to pay and pensioners were hopeless, no infrastructures despite oil booms and worst of all, the terror war was raising its ugly head. We had no fortified military and the country was confused. Buhari saved the situation, restored confidence in governance and unleash massive infrastructures. Today, we are seeing railways, airports, bridges and roads across the country, solar power in major markets and disappearance of queues at petrol stations. The military is being seriously equipped and no Nigeria territory is in the hand of terrorists unlike in 2014 when terrorists held about 14 LGs hostage. So for me, President Buhari has restored the confidence in Nigeria’s sovereignty. He has performed very well.

4. What’s also your take on this current NASS as headed by Speaker Gbaja and Senator Lawan in direct comparison to the last NASS?

8th Assembly was rebellious and only wanted to destroy the executive as their own contribution to the coming back of the PDP. They raised alarms to embarrass the government, they slowed down budget, refused to approve urgent economic and security requests from the executive so that APC could fail and pave way for their party PDP. Unfortunately, they lost woefully.

The current NASS Leadership is people oriented. They have adopted the culture of early budget passage, they assist the executive to fulfil its promises to the people, they’re not alarmists and they place Nigeria’s interest above selfish interests. I can say that someone like Fermi Gbajabiamila has dedicated his entire term to serve the people absolutely. Apart from his appetite for sponsoring people oriented bills, his love for provision of infrastructures and other great opportunities for his people are unparalleled. A visit to Surulere will convincer you.

5. What are some of the achievements that have been recorded during their tenure that are not known to many

Would you say the present legislative arm of the country has done far better than the previous ones, particularly, in comparison to the last?

Yes, I can say that again and again. The 8th Assembly was Assembly of self aggradisement where the senate president carries the Assembly to CCT and would do whatever that pleases him and call it the Assembly’s decision. The 9th Assembly is totally different. They treat all members equally and will not demonise the executive just to score cheap point.

6. You are from from the Southwest, what is your take on governance in the region?

Southwest integration programme has reduced its activities from its previous momentum of 6 years ago. However, individually, I will commend Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Osun. The remaining two states place politics above development. One is always in Abuja, the other is always in Port Harcourt.

7. It is without a doubt that there are internal rancour within the ruling party in the state of Osun, what’s your take on this?

My take on Osun is that the party will unite once a candidate emerges, the two major camps belong to one family and their father is still alive. As far as I’m concerned, tongue and teeth also have their moment of quarrel but they have never parted ways because of the quarrel.

8. Elections are just around the corner and the opposition in the State of Osun have begun serious campaign, do you believe the internal rancour wouldn’t affect the chances of the ruling party?

What you called internal rancour is exactly what will make the APC work harder and make them overbeat the PDP. You can see that the pdp itself is having its worst share of crisis. I believe the APC will unite after the party Primary and PDP will be defeated by landslide.

9. How do you intend to wade into the situation as a stakeholder from the state?

I see it as a storm in a tea cup. It won’t take more than that two hours to settle once the time to settle it has reached.

10. How would you rate Governor Sanwoolu of Lagos, Dapo Abodun of Ogun, Akeredolu of Ondo and Fayemi of Ekitis?

Southwest integration programme has reduced its activities from its previous momentum of 6 years ago. However, individually, I will commend Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Osun. The remaining two states place politics above development. One is always in Abuja, the other is always in Port Harcourt.

11. Being the only PDP Governor in the SW, what’s your take on Gov Makinde of Oyo and what are your thoughts on the existing leadership rancor and APC issues in Oyo State?

Governor Makinde’s greatest achievement is his investment in propaganda. He has returned thuggery to motor parks and violent crimes are everywhere in the state.

The APC rancour in Oyo state will be settled if all parties are ready to make sacrifices. APC is a political party not a private company that can be taken over by Manipulation of anyone. The NWC has told the leaders to go and work together to harmonise their list.

Still on the APC, do you think Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee is doing justice to the party with their current elongation posture of not holding the convention or has being rumored, is this targeted at the National leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu?

They’re doing well in terms of bringing people to the party but I don’t think anyone who knows and understands politics will want to go into the business of Tinubu’s persecution. Why will any APC member do that? Tinubu sacrificed his all to bring APC to life, of the leaders who were with the APC in 2014, only Tinubu is still standing with the party today. He never worked against Buhari, openly or secretly. He helped many party candidates, he didn’t drag position with anyone since 2007, he spends his resources for the Progressives more than any democrat in history, so if he decided to run for election after his 14 years of sacrifice, only a devil will hate him for that.

What are your thoughts on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s presidential aspirations?

Nigeria is extremely lucky to have Tinubu alive and healthy at the moment and we are even luckier that Tinubu is interested in the affairs of Nigeria. Tinubu represents good governance as exemplified in Lagos, good politics as seen in the APC merger that buried PDP. Human resources as seen in Osinbajo, Gbajabiamila, Fashola, Aregbesola, Joe Igbokwe, Oyetola, Lai Mohammed, Akeredolu, Abiodun etc. He is the only one capable of transferring power to the next generation. He will continue from where Buhari stops in 2023. Tinubu will eradicate poverty, bring about harmonious relationship among ethnic and religious groups because he is very accommodating to all tribes and religions. His tentacles are spread across Nigeria.