MR Moshood Adegoke Salvador, former member of House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003, wants to become the chief scribe of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with reporters in Lagos, he among others, speaks on why he is the best man for the job. Excerpts:

His assessment of PDP in the last 12 years

The PDP has delivered the dividends of democracy. Against all odds, one can see light at the end of the tunnel. The Niger-Delta crisis is a very good example. Indeed, I give kudos to late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for proposing amnesty to the militants.

*Salvador: Lagos State PDP has no representative in govt nor the party

I was all the while thinking it will be a miracle for such to happen, looking at the aggression of those militants. But surprisingly, they surrendered all their arms, ammunition, started going to school, training, etc.

Who will now say PDP is not getting it? It is only a very bold party that can beat its chest and say it wants to query fuel subsidy. It is only a party that wants to sanitise things, a party that refuses to look at itself as being made up of saints. PDP believes in facing challenges.

That is why you can see  PDP government coming out with confidence to say that it wants to put an end to fuel subsidy, not minding the danger it poses to its political fortunes. It is only a PDP government that could muster uncommon courage to appoint ACN and others to manage fuel subsidy resources.

On the opposition’s allegation that PDP had made Nigerians poorer

I cannot agree with that because all the economic mechanism and indices are pointing to positive and not negative. You need to talk the language of economics. They are positive and not negative. It is only a government like that of President Jonathan that can hold the bull by the horn, talking of reforming INEC, reforming police. He accepted that there are challenges. It is only a government that wants to grow, that wants development that always accepts challenges.

Why he wants to be PDP national secretary

It is just a matter of reform. It is part of the reform agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. Aside this, the position is zoned to South-West where I hail from as a bonafide citizen of Lagos State. Whoever emerges must be acceptable within and outside the zone. The state has been in shambles for long because of perpetual opposition.

ACN has taken advantage of the lacuna for over six years. Lagos State PDP has no representative in government nor the party. Our leader in Lagos has been trying his best to make things work but the needs of party members is far more than what one person can handle.

Office of national secretary is enough to oversee the problems of PDP in Lagos. I want to ensure that we will use the office of PDP National Secretary to further the party in Lagos, with that, we will overwhelm ACN and that is part of what we can use to get Lagos from ACN.

The most important state in South-West economically is Lagos. That was what ACN did by using it to grab the South West. If South West PDP can concentrate efforts on Lagos State, I can assure them of getting the lost glory of South-West.

During the period of Awo, he was interested in the economy of Lagos to enhance the economy of the entire South-West. This is what Bola Tinubu did in South West. After capturing the South West, using Lagos resources, they have started making inroads into South east, South-South, even in Adamawa, ACN came second. In Benue State, ACN came next to PDP. It’s the same in other state. That is to show you the economic resources of Lagos.

The wisest decision PDP

can make is to make me the national secretary. I am very much at home with the game. I have been contesting elections since the UPN to NRC, UNCP and AD days before I finally moved to PDP. In all these parties, I contested. In the last election, I contested and scored well over 254,000 votes.

Contestants for chairmanship

The records are there. I have to say all these to let you know I’m a practical politician, apart from having M.Sc. in Political Science, I am the bridge between the old and the young.

If most contestants for chairmanship are close to 70 and above, where is the room for the youths? Therefore, we should have somebody of my age for secretary. I am 56-years-old, a member of Lagos elder, a member of Basilica which is the elders caucus club of Eko Club, what else do you need to qualify you for leadership.

I am using this medium to call on the South-West PDP to nominate me as a consensus candidate to get the best for South-West. I was a member of House of Representatives from 1999 – 2003. I was in the House Services Committee. I took care of the interest of 360 members welfare. That gave me national recognition. I’m pledging to be the best scribe PDP has ever had.

On his chances among a crowd of experienced aspirants

I have been a very active member of the National Assembly, so I have my people all over the country. Even before I accepted to run, many people across the country have been extending immense support. They are all out there. Don’t also forget the kind of president we have. He wants the best man for the job always.