Dr Olusegun  Osinkolu, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress in Ekiti State,  in this interview speaks on his aspiration and what he describes as the waning popularity of Governor Ayodele Fayose. Excerpts:

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

Ekiti has been in turmoil for some days because of the govt-workers unrest.

This is a very disappointing situation. Governor Fayose must own up that he has failed with the way he handled the labour unrest. I have been following events very closely and what I realised was that I saw a governor who is not ready for peace or dialogue.

The governor must be conscious of one thing; that is the fact that there is no excuse in governance. Whether the amount accruing to the state was enough to pay salaries or not, he should find a way to pay workers their wages.

There are no two ways about it. I even heard Fayose making inflammatory comments that he can’t sell his family to pay workers. This is not fair. Over 56,000 Ekiti persons are in the civil service and whatever affects them will affect everybody.

Today, the artisans, market men and women, Okada riders and business owners are all complaining because nothing is moving. Ekiti is a civil service state. Everything, including economy, politics revolve around them. Governor Fayose must listen to wise counsel. He must pay workers and allow them to live good lives.

How do you expect the state to get out of this gridlock?

The only way out is by looking inwards and fashion out ways to improve our  IGR. Though, there were discrepancies in what the labour presented and what the governor disclosed.

Proper planning

Osinkolu

The labour alleged that the Accountant General had been disclosing between N200m and N268m monthly, while the governor after pressure said the state makes about N350 million. I think there was deception somewhere. The governor must be transparent. He should stop acting as if he wants to corner the state’s commonwealth. Let him tell Ekiti what he pays as wage bill. The N2.6 billion he has been disclosing is unacceptable. Let him tell us what he gets as IGR and with all this put together; Fayose will be able to pay salary of workers and entitlements of pensioners.

You have declared intention for 2019 senatorial contest. Why now when INEC has not declared any position opened?

Well, 2019 seems long, but by my nature and being a grassroots politician, I love proper planning. I don’t like jumping into things like other politicians who never prepared for a seat, and when they get there, they start wobbling and fumbling. But, you know that INEC has not lifted ban on open campaign, but I have started empowering my people in all the five local governments in Ekiti North Senatorial District. I started this journey seven years ago, but I’m not particularly happy that our party’s primary elections had not been fair. This is my third time, and I may be lucky this time.

Apart from being a thorough party man, I know all the nooks and crannies of Ekiti. And whoever knows that he is strong and acceptable to the people should come out.

The era where few leaders would just sit somewhere and impose a candidate is over. APC is a new party, with new ideas and with the mantra of change and new way of doing things.

What do you think cost you the senatorial ticket in the past?

I have been pursuing this ticket for about eight years, and I am yet to know why I had been denied despite my popularity. But one thing always came to my mind, and that was the widespread impression among some leaders that I was not known at home. Some even called me foreigner even in my state. Some said I was too young at that time, and now I am over 50. But in 2019, the people of Ekiti North will decide their fate. Enough of these intrigues by few leaders, who will sit somewhere and say this is the position of the party. We will no longer accept such anti-democratic behaviour.

Are you not afraid of Governor Fayose’s popularity, because he has always been the one winning elections for PDP?

I can authoritatively tell you that I will defeat whoever PDP presents even if my brother Governor Ayodele Fayose is in the saddle, but unfortunately he will leave by 2018.

With the kind of politics I play, even the PDP members will vote for me. They know my antecedents as someone who doesn’t discriminate or display bitterness based on your political affiliation.

Do you factor in the interest of gladiators like former Governors Kayode Fayemi, Segun Oni and Niyi Adebayo into your ambition?

As much as I agree that these three personalities are our leaders, and I believe their opinion and the unity among them really matters, I also want you to know that democracy is about the people. The people made the leaders because they allowed them to be.