Apart from his experience as Chairman of Appropriation Committee in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ayo Adeseun is also a member of the Ogbomoso Progressive Forum. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) senatorial candidate in Oyo Central claims that the present governor of the state has not used power for the benefit of the populace. He predicts doom for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the general elections. He spoke with BISI OLADELE in Ibadan
As a strong Ogbomoso politician and a major senatorial candidate in the Saturday National Assembly election, what do you foresee in Ogbomoso land?
I foresee a wonderful outing for each of the three elections. We strongly believe that ACN will fully sweep the polls in Ogbomoso land both for the National Assembly and the governorship election by the grace of God.
How have you been able to stand up against Governor Alao-Akala and sustain your opposition these past years?
Yes, he commands very tremendous and remarkable level of influence. But when you extend that to command and control of the populace, it is a different story altogether. The people are very solidly behind my group. I’m absolutely convinced that when the election takes place on Saturday, the facts will be laid bare and nobody will be in doubt as to who controls Ogbomoso politics. Being in power and having access to huge amount of resources does not always translate to acquiring the affection of the people. It takes extra ordinary efforts to be able to translate power for its own sake into power that helps to alleviate poverty, to uplift the people. That is what is missing in Ogbomoso. And that’s why Ogbomoso generally looks forward to a change. I am not saying everybody in Ogbomoso desires that change but I know that the majority of people are looking forward to that change. Just watch the votes. The votes will reflect the true feelings of the people.
Are you saying the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be routed in Ogbomoso in this election?
PDP will be routed in Ogbomosoland, absolutely. It’s only a few days to go. When the results come you will see. By the grace of God, the ACN will win Ogbomoso. For the very first time, we will win the five local governments. Just wait and see. We will produce the governor, by His grace.
Given the fact that all eyes are on Oyo State in this election because of the development in Ekiti and Osun states recently, how do you think the election will go generally in the state?
The election will go very well in our favour except for this very terrible messages we are getting that these people are bent on causing mayhem; that they are planning to unleash violence on the populace. People who are popular – those who enjoy the support of the people – would not maim and kill. Once somebody tries to organize violence to force his way through the democratic process, it is a very clear indication that he is not popular among the people. If I say this about Ogbomoso, you can imagine what the situation could be like in the rest parts of Oyo State. If a man is not popular in his own home town, you can imagine what will happen to him in other parts of the state. Just because people push you into position of power, you choose to fight all the major stakeholders in the communities – the Obas, the leaders of industry, the transporters’ unions – everybody. He is at war with everyone. You can’t do that and still hope to lead such people.
You‘ve been in PDP for eight years and have been a major voice in the House of Representatives. Now that you are in the ACN, how comfortable are you as election approaches?
I was not in the PDP for eight years. I actually went to the National Assembly on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 2003. It was in the course of that tenure that I switched alliances. On the issue of the coming election, I am absolutely comfortable and confident that where we went is where people are going. As a result of that we will win the election hands down. The ACN will form the government. In terms of the national political scene, it’s going to be a merger. PDP cannot win on the first ballot. Once they fail to win the first ballot, the game will be up. The other parties will come together and put up a strong platform and they will probably emerge the winners. But certainly, PDP cannot win the majority seats in the National Assembly.
