Accord’s House of Representatives’ Candidate for Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Umar Farouk Arisekola-Alao was a guest on our popular Radio Show, Parrot Xtra Hour anchored by Olayinka Agboola on Splash 105.5FM, recently. During the interaction, he revealed why he believes he will emerge victorious next month at the general election. He also spoke about his grouse against the leadership of APC in Oyo State among many salient issues… Excerpts
How will you describe the personality of your late father, Aare Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao?
He was a father who loved his children, a bridge builder who taught us both formal and Quranic education. He was also a philanthropist and a very religious person who believed in the teachings of the Holy Quran.
In addition, my father believed in the principles and teaching of Islam and helping the less privileged and supporting the needy. Every morning, the gate of his house was always opened for people to access him and he used to close it after the Muslim prayer in the night, his good works speak after him and there is no controversy about his lifestyle. The selfless acts of my father made people to believe he is diabolical and this is just a fallacy that holds no ground. Till today, his good deeds are still speaking even after his death.
How did you become a commissioner under Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s administration?
It was during Ajimobi’s second tenure when he needed fresh hands to join his government. I was contacted to send my Curriculum Vitae if I was willing to serve in his government. I informed my father of the offer and he asked me of what my contribution would be to the success of the government.
Even before then, I had been a card-carrying member of the party – even from the time it was known as ACN and even before Senator Ajimobi became the governor of Oyo State.
If your dad was alive, do you think he would have supported your present political aspiration?
If my father were alive, I would have gone farther than my present position. My desire is to become the Governor of the state one day.
Since my secondary school days, I have been participating in the art of politicking and I have since then had ideas of what politics is all about.
Seeing the happenings in our political environment, there is a mess and I want to participate in order to improve on the welfare of Nigerians.
How will you describe your political journey and is there any regret leaving the All-Progressive Congress (APC) for the Accord Party?
The journey has been a revelation. I have learnt to be patient and resolute in my determination. It is good to learn from experiences, this is my third time of contesting for elective position. We saw what happened in APC and this is as a result of inept leadership. Many things went wrong and while we were there, the party lost its values and standard and when the situation got wrong and irredeemable, I left the party with other stakeholders.
Many of the politicians even claimed that my late father was their benefactor in politics but they were never appreciative of his good deeds even unto his children. My little setback in politics has taught me some lessons and it is really a revelation of who and what people are.
The All Progressive Party (APC) primary election was a charade and nothing less than imposition of candidates on the people. The party should have come out clearly on it plans on using consensus candidate instead of making aspirants to pay huge sums of money to buy nomination forms and in turn conduct a sham primary election which is totally unacceptable.
I remember when I contested and lost in 2015 against Hon. Dada Awoleye, we supported his aspiration, he won the election, and there was no rancor, while candidates for the party in the 2019 election were chosen through consensus mode through Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s leadership.
I wasn’t in full support of the consensus mode as agreed by Abiola Ajimobi and this led to a rift between both of us because he wanted me to run for the State House of Assembly position which is not what I wanted initially.
So, eventually, how will you describe the APC primary election in Oyo State?
The primary election conducted by the party is nothing but a farce. In Ibadan North constituency, representatives of the party called for a meeting on the day of the primary election at the Premier Hotel for all aspirants and before the end of the meeting, some of the aspirants in collusion with some party stakeholders started the conduct of the primary election in a location and this was really surprising because they were not even at the meeting when decision was taken about the location.
How did the other aspirants know of the venue when they were not physically present at the venue? It shows that something was wrong and when we eventually got to the venue, the gate was locked to prevent other potential aspirants from coming in to participate. That act was inimical to Omuluabi ethos and I was not trained to behave in such a manner just because of politics.
Why do you think that you are the best candidate to represent Ibadan North Federal Constituency?
My experience, training, exposure and understanding of my community surpass all other candidates contesting the position with me and this is an added advantage for me.
I am willing to present myself for an open debate with all other contestants and it is surprising that the current representative has made himself inaccessible and has performed below expectations. A federal lawmaker has three functions to perform and this include lawmaking, oversight functions, and representation.
Lawmaking is about making, building policies that will affect the community positively. There are many challenges facing our constituency ranging from insecurity, poor health care system, unemployment, poor educational system among others and we need a representative that is humane – that has an understanding of the needs of the people.
How will you describe yourself?
I am honest, God fearing and adventurous.
What is your view on the issue of the autonomy of local government in Nigeria?
The local government is the closest tier of government to the people. During Alao Akala’s administration, the local government chairmen were constructing five kilometers of roads every year but now the present administration is siphoning the money meant for local government councils. The state government should allow elected local government officials to run the council without any form of interference and intimidation.
What advice do you have for our politicians?
Our politicians should fear God and be trustworthy. God is watching every of deeds of ours and there is a reckoning day when God will reward every individual.
