Nigeria Must Restructure to Survive

January 18, 2022 Tonnison 200 Views Nigeria Must Restructure to Survive

Nigeria Must Restructure to Survive

A lawyer and retired military officer, Sylvester Olumuyiwa Adu, is a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives aspirant in Akure North and South Constituency. He spoke with reporters in Akure, Ondo State capital, on his ambition, insecurity, restructuring and other issues. Excerpts:

Why did you choose to go into politics?

Well, I am not a new person in politics and if you can agree with me, politics is also played within the family unit, at work and in every area of life. Yes, we have politics that is popular in Nigeria which decides the faith of every Nigerian. Several years back, I opted to contest, but for one reason or the other, I withdrew for someone else. The same thing happened the second term because the person I was to contest against seemed to be popular, acceptable and people around benefited from him and I felt that such an individual should not be removed from position because of my own personal ambition. And then this, I was actually invited by my people who said they wanted me to represent them on grounds that the person who was there died and he was somebody who was highly respected and has done a lot for the community and having done their research, they felt that I will fit into his shoes and the next thing was to call me. And when I came on board, I discovered that from kingship to the subject, female and every category of people within the two local governments just rose in a very encouraging manner and showed that they actually wanted me and with that reception and the look of their reactions to call me to politics, I feel it was encouraging.

Among the political parties in Nigeria, why did you choose the PDP?

We talk about the majority. So, if my people could call me to politics, which party are my people? My people are in PDP. So, I have no choice but to stay in PDP. It is the party of my people.

Does it mean the PDP is the party to beat in this zone?

It is easy to say it verbally, but somebody will want facts in support of what you are saying. The fact remains that the most recent elections that were held in the two local governments the PDP won, meaning that the majority of my people are in PDP, so why should I go into any other party?

Nigeria Must Restructure to Survive

There have been elections in the past, especially when it comes to by-elections, you discover that the ruling party always muscles the opposition.

So, are you not afraid that this could happen in this forthcoming election?

We have seen in recent times that it is only easy for elections to be rigged where the majority of the people are in support of that rigging. Very clear, we have seen it. Oyo State is controlled by the PDP today, despite the fact that the incumbent president belongs to the APC. The people determined and said the man they wanted was Governor Seyi Makinde. Look at the case of Ondo State, despite their resources; they couldn’t win the two local governments of Akure South/North for the APC. So, it is not going to be easy for anybody to rig an election where he doesn’t have the support.

What are you going to do differently if given the ticket or win the House of Representatives seat?

We are going to look at this thing from various angles. The jobs are not limited to one area. One, you look at what I am going to do in the National Assembly. How will I link the benefits of that to the people I am representing? Then, personal care, which is the third, is what I need to have for the people that are supportive of me.

What is your view about the structure of Nigeria?

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