‘Kwara does not need APC, PDP’

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Kwara State Alliance National Party (ANP) House of Representatives candidate Kehinde Abdullateef Obanimomo spoke with ADEKUNLE JIMOH on how he will restore peace to the troubled Ifelodun/Offa/Oyan Constituency, if elected in next year’s poll.

Why did not venture into the murky waters of politics?

The Not too Young to Rule policy of the current President Muhmmadu Buhari spurred me into politics. I am still young in politics. This is my first time of taking a shot at any elective post.

What are your chances of winning?

I am 100 percent of emerging victorious in the 2019 National Assembly Elections for Alliance National Party to represent Ifedolun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency of Kwara state. I have the backing of my constituents.

Why using ANP as a vehicle for your aspiration?

I have resolved to use the platform of the ANP for my aspiration as it is a new party that is not studded with long time politicians, godfather and moneybags.

We have been able to convince our people not to collect money from politicians before casting their votes; because by so doing they are mortgaging their future. 80 percent of the electorates are now conscious of that.

The collection of money from politicians during election times had beggared the lot of my constituents. You see that the three local government areas are lacking in developmental activities. Those that have been representing us have not represented us well.

From Oyun, Offa and Ifelodun local government areas are yearning for infrastructural facilities. Most of the roads in these areas have all collapsed. Educational and health wise the areas are behind in the state and by extension the country.

How do you hope to represent the people well, if you emerge the winner of the election?

My watchword will be honest and transparency if voted into power. Our representatives over the years in the constituency have not utilised funds for the oversight functions well and equitably. The purposes for their elections have been neglected. My own representation shall be a clear departure from their style as I don’t have any godfather. I will make sure that all carried along development wise irrespective of the ethnic, religious and political leanings.

How will you solve ‘the deep-seated antagonism’ between Offa and Erin-Ile in Oyun local government area?

We have consulting with members of the two communities to see that they all one. We have also been unifying other places in Ifelodun local government area. Everybody, most especially are totally supportive of my aspiration as I am one of them; they believe I am capable of doing it. Definitely, there is the youth backing I am confident there will be unity. Once the unity is there, there will be no qualms.

Already, there is a conflict resolution forum in the vanguard of smoothen relations between Offa and other neighbouring towns and villages. Though I am not part of the forum, but as a youth I have won the heart of Youths from Oyun local government to end the frequent clashes between villages and towns in Ibolo land.

What is your relationship with the National Chairman of your party, Mosood Shittu, who incidentally is from Offa like you?

I did not know him before now. He is not an Offa based person. He is based in Lagos and Abuja.

Do you think godfatherism is bad in politics?

It is 90 percent bad and 10 percent good. This is because as a neophyte in politics you need somebody to guide you. The issue of godfatherism in Nigeria always serves as cog in the wheel of the godsons. The influence of godfathers weighs heavily on the performance of the godsons.