Why Nigerians will vote APC in 2015 – Rasak Chief Lanre Rasak is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy National Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He is also a community leader and the Balogun of Epe in Lagos State. The seasoned politician spoke on his dream of an egalitarian Nigeria, his political future and other germane national issues, in this interview with JAMES EZEMA. Apart from being a grassroots leader, you have always played political role at the national level. What is your political status? As a Nigerian and community developer, I look towards a better Nigeria. I look towards having an egalitarian society as I look to see Nigeria being managed by leaders that can truly be addressed as leaders of the people; those who will cry when the Nigerian people are not happy, those who will try and work day and night to better the lots of Nigeria. That is my aspiration. But, unfortunately the political terrain is so bad that whatever you think in the interest of the people, whatever you say in the interest of the people, at times you need to look back at your shoulders to ensure that your neck is still holding your head. It is unfortunate, but I still believe in Nigeria, and I believe in the indivisible entity called Nigeria and we will continue to work hard. There is hope. You sound so optimistic about Nigeria. Some people are feeling otherwise, thinking its better the country is dismembered and everybody to their own tents. Is there anything you can put your hand to as why you speak the way you do? Yes, I have a very strong believe that it is easier, God willing, to build a strong Nigeria than building a very weak separate units. If you decide to go by the geo-political zones and you break Nigeria into six countries, you will have very weak six countries that some of them may not be able to fend for themselves, creating hardship, agony, and increasing the number of jobless people, thereby increasing criminals and life will no longer be safe when the smaller countries can’t meet the needs of the people. So, it is better to use the structure that is already on the ground because you can’t have a perfect situation. You look at the imperfect elements to improve and still keep an eye on Nigeria. That’s my hope, that’s my belief and I think it’s better for Nigeria. Looking at the security situation, the challenges in the north eastern Nigeria, do you think that is achievable with the way the country is going? Yes, it is achievable. It is the quantum of the strength you put in your thought will guarantee the end result of your actions. I strongly believe that if a sizable percentage of Nigerians believes in the Nigeria Project, and they work hard, we can have a better Nigeria. What is happening with Boko Haram is very, very disheartening. It is unbelievable. One thought that it was an issue of religion, but a careful and deep thought will tell you that it has gone beyond that. Those behind the terror gang know what they are doing but I know that the Almighty Allah will overtake them and give Nigeria peace. Looking at the political scene, many people have indicated interest in running for one position or the other. What about you? It is never too late. When the becoming comes to become you will know whether I’m interested or I’m going to support. I look at the Nigerian political scenario and continue to pray heard. If Jonathan has not declared his intention to run for 2015 presidential election up till now, and those are the people who have power, the weak ones like me cannot rush into the game. We’re still watching. Having played a role in the political scene, knowing that you were the deputy national chairman of the defunct ANPP that merged to form the APC, and also having been in the Peoples Democratic Party at one time, you are not a feather weight politician. So, by now you should have made up your mind on what you want in 2015. Don’t you think so? There are a lot of indices to consider when taking such vital decision. We are still watching and we’re still praying. There is no cause to run; no cause to be in haste. Nigeria as a country will not run away from us. Whatever happens, Nigeria will remain Nigeria. So, let’s tarry a while and see what God can do for us. As APC chieftain, what is your opinion on the zoning arrangement the party has put in place, which indicates that Lagos east senatorial zone will produce the next governor of Lagos State? Just look at it, is it justice? Is it a fair game? The answer is yes. Our revered leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as governor from the west, the senior advocate of Nigeria, Babatunde Raji Fashola is from the central and we have three districts: west, central and east. It is proper to give others opportunity to have a sense of belonging so that the east will not say they don’t consider us as much as others. We want to thank the party leadership who sat down and took that decision. It is a right decision; it is a sound decision and we appreciate it. Those of us from the east have been meeting and we’ve been working hard to ensure that we give you the best at the end of the day. We have a lot of brains; efficient, competent people who can deliver and who will get the job done. They are there and are very, very articulate persons. There is no cause for alarm. The leadership of APC have been kind enough and we will now show appreciation by giving them the best they can think of who can deliver the service. We shall give them the best material that will get the job done. Are you saying that there is a possibility of the Lagos East producing a consensus candidate at the APC governorship primary? I’m not saying that because I know too well that this is power game. And I know too well that interests differ from one local government within the east to the other. But I can assure you we’ll put together a mechanism that could ensure crisis free process of getting a governor for Lagos in APC. Looking at APC at the national level. Do you think the party will be able to win the election at the national level in 2015? Nigerians need a change because they are tired. Is it on the issue of security that the present PDP has done well that will warrant you and me to vote? Is it the insecurity in school, homes, in motor parks and garages that you want to consider? It is absolutely the wish of everybody that there will be a change. Even when some senior members, including Chief Tom Ikimi, are kicking based on their dissatisfaction in the last national convention of the APC as organised by your party’s leadership? Well, I want to let you know one thing: the issue of service are two ways. Some are being propelled by self interest; some are driven by national interest. Some are with the intention of improving and bringing a better situation. If you miss serving your people once, you don’t because of that destroy the whole thing. What is your thought on the National Conference convoked by President Goodluck Jonathan? Some people thought they can plan the national conference to achieve a goal; some people used the platform of that national conference to achieve their own objectives. But between you and me and God, nature is the best accountant. Nature balances its book without surplus or deficit. You’ve seen God’s judgment on the national conference. We leave the rest and see how they can manipulate and get their objectives achieved. But the way it ended, a lot of people might have been disappointed and that is the work of God. There was no need for national conference at the time; national conference is very important and we like it but for the timing, very close to election. What actually made the timing wrong? If the decision to hold the confab was even properly done, the process of making the end result of that conference becoming part of our constitution, you know the process. Can the process be achieved now? Within now and 2015 when new government will be sworn in? By the grace of God, on the 29th of May, 2015, is when new government will be sworn-in. What do you think this government can do between now and then? But government is a continuum and the next administration can implement whatever recommendations the confab may make. Don’t you see that as a possibility even if this administration is unable to do so? Do you know the need of Nigerians in terms of infrastructural development? Do you know that you have to prioritise the way you spend resources, both material and human resources? The most expensive part of the capital you think of now is the human capital. You go and keep them somewhere and they keep talking loud and saying nothing and at the end of the day, what then is the gain of the national conference?
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 16:50:21 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015