Tinubu is a complete detribalised Nigerian needed as President — APC Chieftain, Hon. Ojuade
Honourable Bukola Ojuade is a former Councilor in Kuduru Ward, Bwari Area Council of Abuja. He is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ile-Ife and a loyalist of the National Secretary of the Party, Senator Iyiola Omisore. In this interview with Jeleel Olawale, the APC stalwart speaks on myriad of political issues in Osun and 2023 general election. Excerpts:
What has been your experience in politics?
Generally, politics is about interest. I have interest in politics whether good or bad. Politics is the best thing, but, it has been so rough and I believe it will get better. Actually, I joined politics about 25 years ago in Abuja.
I was first non-indigenous elected councilor in Kuduru Ward, Bwari Area council of Abuja. I was later appointed supervisory councillor and was in different committees. I feel that there is need to share my experience with my hometown, Ile Ife and Osun State and this made me to return home.
I pit my tent with Senator Iyiola Omisore where I joined Peoples Democratic Party. I contested as a member for the Osun State House Assembly seat in Peoples Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress to represent Ife-East State Constituency but was asked to step down, which I did. I have not served my people through politics but I know one day I will do.
Why is Senator Iyiola Omisore your leader?
He is my political mentor and leader in all ramifications. I have 100 per cent loyalty to him. I will follow him to any political party he goes. So, I am loyal to him even if he leaves APC today, I will follow him too.
Is it true that the return of senator Iyiola Omisore into APC made the party to loose Osun governorship election as insinuated by some politicians after the election?
No. This is not true. APC has never won election in Ile-Ife since. The 2022 governorship election is different and the party won in Ile-Ife. If the way we won in Ile-Ife was replicated in other local government areas, we would have won the election at the poll.
It was when we joined APC that the party won in Ifeland which has never happened. So, Omisore has contributed to the progress of the party in Osun. The view is not true. I don’t believe that and it is not so.
It is just figment of imagination of some jobless politicians. The last governorship re-run was won through the help of Senator Iyiola Omisore in 2018. APC was a minority party in Ile-Ife and it was when Omisore joined the APC that it became popular in Ile-Ife.
With Omisore as the National Secretary of the APC, is the party still intact?
Yes, the party is politically intact in Osun. We may probably have political differences among the leaders but there is a way we are going to resolve it. Osun State still remains APC state.
Is there hope of still retaining Osun State despite the fact that APC lost the governorship election to the opposition PDP?
We have not lost election in Osun State as the case is still at the Tribunal. It is the court that will determine the case, as issues of over-voting, ballot snatching were identified. The Tribunal will determine who really won the governorship election before the swearing in. I am sure Governor Adegboyega Oyetola will be returned as duly elected Governor. So, I have hope in judiciary.
The opposition PDP described just concluded local government elections held in the state as illegality when APC would soon hand over power?
We are using Nigerian constitution and electoral act. The APC has its legal department that would have guided the party on what is the position of the law on the matter. I believe that they would have done the needful before the election was conducted. I think we are on the right path.
How are they sure that APC will hand over to them when the case is still in court. It is only the court that will decide. There is nothing wrong with the local government election conducted. If anybody has issues on the election, he should go to court to seek redress. Therefore, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has done the best.
Is there plan of mass defection in Osun APC as being insinuated?
It is not true. It is a lie. I don’t think there is any plan of defection in APC to PDP. It is just social media issue. There are elections ahead and we are fully on ground. The issue between The Osun Progressives (TOP), a group loyal to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Governor Adegboyega Oyetola will soon be resolved.
Do you believe in Tinubu/Shetima candidacy in 2023 presidential election?
Yes. I believe in Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as presidential candidate of our great party, APC. His wealth of experience will assist Nigeria a lot. He is an elderly person with ability to deliver. Tinubu has done much for Lagos State while he was the governor. So, we need him to replicate this for Nigeria.
Do you believe in the assertion that it is only Northern candidate that can solve the problem of the Northern region that North does not need Southern candidate?
For former Vice-president, Atiku Abubakar to have said that, it is a wrong assertion. If it is Northern candidate that can solve challenges facing the region, why has President Muhammadu Buhari who is a Northerner not solved the problem? The insecurity ravaging the region still persists, is he not a Northern person? So, his postulation is wrong.
The North should allow rotational presidency and hand over power to Southerner, particularly South-West region. This issue of Northern candidacy has been causing problem in PDP and this is the problem between Governor Nyesom Wike and Atiku Abubakar.
I believe that power should shift to the South. It is better they hand over for South-West because that was initial agreement in the APC. Do they want to spend another eight years in power?
Do you believe in the postulation that people will vote along religion and ethnic lines in the 2023 general election?
I am not in support of voting along ethnic and religious line. Religion and ethnic considerations have nothing to do with good leadership. If you are a good administrator, you can’t say this person is doing wrong thing, because he is a Muslim or Christian and should continue. No, it is not possible.
So, who we need now is someone who can save Nigeria because Nigeria is in crisis of insecurity and other problems. If we have someone who can solve the problems facing the country, then let’s forget about religious and ethnic considerations.
Why I believe Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be president is because he is a detribalized Nigerian. He appointed different ethnic and religion individuals into offices while serving as Lagos State Governor. He carried all ethnic groups along in Lagos. Voting along ethnic and religious line has been taking Nigeria backward.
We should forget voting along religious and ethnic line rather vote for qualified person. Let’s change the narrative. There is nothing wrong with Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of APC as far as I am concerned. What we need as Nigerians is good governance, who can deliver even if it is Christian-Christian ticket.
Leadership is not about religion but good governance. If it is Muslim that will deliver, then let it be. They have manifesto which they want to work with within four-year tenure. If they can solve the issues of security, electricity, employment, road and economy then nobody will remember Muslim-Muslim ticket.
It is high time for us to think out of the box. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an experienced politician, a politician of note, who has what it takes to lead the country. He has the capacity, ability and is a capable person. So, no alternative to him. He is the best candidate among the presidential candidates for Nigeria now.
Is APC not jittery of Labour Party acceptability among the youths?
Most of the Peter Obi’s Labour Party followers are social media followers. They don’t have voters’ card and lack party structure. The party does not have representatives in the National Assembly. Mr Peter Obi cannot be compared with other candidates. The contest is between senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Your advice for politicians and electorate?
Politicians should desist from act of thuggery and violence. They should play the game according to prescribed rules and regulations guiding the conduct of election. Politicians and their followers should make their campaigns issue based. Electorate should cast their vote for APC candidates in the 2023 general election and allow peace to reign.
