SANNI, he contends that there is nothing called Ladoja’s camp anymore in Oyo State politics. Excerpts:
The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State just took a different dimension with the current tirade between Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and Senator Teslim Folarin. What is your assessment of the situation?
The major problem here is insincerity. Though in politics, especially in Oyo State, lies and mendaciousness have for long been taken as major ingredients of politics. However, for politics to grow in Oyo State and for the people to benefit meaningfully from democratic government, it is high time we politicians became more sincere with ourselves and with the people of the state. The people of Oyo State have suffered so much as a result of insincerity on the part of politicians playing politics with everything. More than ever before, our people now need to know the truth and not to be deceived because of personal interests. I believe that at any level we play politics, it is important that we exhibit sincerity. And as we go up in the political hierarchy, we need to be more sincere in all our actions and utterances. If not for any other reason, at least for the sake of the state and the poor masses. The so-called crisis in the PDP was borne out of insincerity and insensitivity of a few to the party and to the wellbeing of the state. This was unfortunately lavishly exhibited in the Senate Leader’s interview. It is not about any genuine reconciliation. It is about the control of the party. I am sure you are aware of the fact that these people are already back in the party.
But the grouse between Folarin and Alao-Akala seems to stem from the position the party should take concerning the return of the Ladoja group into the Oyo State PDP. Is that not so?
That is not correct. As at today, I can confirm to you that over 90 per cent of the followers of the people Senator Folarin mentioned are already fully back in the party and contributing meaningfully at their respective wards. The symbol of Ladoja group, I mean the leader of the group, Chief Jacob Adetoro, quit the group with the entire membership of the group from Oyo North Senatorial District. Virtually all the chairmen of the group in Ibadan equally quit. It is a common knowledge. About two-third of the local government chairmen elected in the twilight of his government have already distanced themselves from the group. The group is virtually empty now and I wonder who else is left there to suggest that the governor is resisting people from joining the PDP in Oyo State.
Folarin also raised the issue of Alao-Akala not providing good leadership. What is your take on this?
I am not sure the Senate Leader actually meant that. If at all, I think he must have said that out of rage. As an informed man who has been in the politics of Oyo State at least since 2002, he ought to know better than that. Talking of political leadership, Governor Alao-Akala has no rival across the South-West of Nigeria today. Since 1999 when we began the present democratic dispensation, Alao-Akala has proved to be the best political leader in Oyo State so far and I say this without any fear of contradiction. The governor, more than any of his predecessors, has displayed tremendous sense of compassion, maturity and statesmanship in running the state and the PDP. The facts are there. In spite of all the landmines set for him before and after the elections, Governor Alao-Akala, through competent leadership, won all the battles. The Senate Leader himself has profited from the political capability of the governor when the governor led the party to win the run-off election into the Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency – the position now being occupied by a former personal assistant to the Senate Leader. That happened at a time when the new found leaders of Senator Folarin did all within their power to see that his personal assistant, who is the PDP candidate, failed. Till date, the party, under the leadership of Alao-Akala, has won all the rerun elections, including the recent Ibadan South West/North West Federal Constituency – the home-base of Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Most importantly, from May 29, 2007, Governor Alao-Akala gave the state peace, which was needed so much. With effective leadership, the peace has been sustained till date. To now say this man has not provided the desired political leadership in Oyo State is the height of insincerity, which should be roundly condemned. For Senator Folarin, a national leader of PDP, to say such falsehood of his state governor and leader shows his level of commitment and responsiveness to the party and Oyo State.
Read complete interview on
http://www.compassnews.net/Ng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37684:folarin-not-sincere-with-comments-on-alao-akala&catid=53:interviews&Itemid=701
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