BY CHARLES KUMOLU

MASHENI Johnson, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress ,APC, in this interview says that the alleged under-representation of Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency in the past and present, informed his decision  to run for the position. He also spoke on other issues.

Why do you want to run for the House of Representatives seat in your constituency?

I found out that my constituency lacked purposeful representation over the years and I found the need to make consultations about what they need. The consultation made me realise that my people are so disconnected from governance at all levels. So having seen all these, I decided to heed the call of my people to run for the position.

Apart from the alleged under-representation, what difference would you bring to the seat?

MASHENI

When some projects were being commissioned in my constituency last year, I was angry because most of the projects in the three local governments in the constituency were DESOPADEC projects.

It will interest you to know that my constituency is so prominent in terms of landmass, natural resources and human resources but it has nothing to show that we have people representing us in the National Assembly.

My people are so far from governance. You don’t see or feel the presence of dividends of democracy in my local government.

My vision

As a lawmaker, I will empower my people. I will come up with motions that will create the enabling environment for my people to create wealth because they are very industrious. I want to be one of those that will table the motion on the level of insecurity in Delta State. It will be wrong for someone to tell me that there is security in Delta whereas there are military checkpoints everywhere. I also want to change the orientation of my people about politics. The orientation is such that even a criminal finds it easy getting followers because of the amount of money available to that person. That situation facilitates the emergence of questionable characters as representatives of the people.

Do you have the required robust support base that would guarantee your victory?

As we speak today we have an active campaign organisation across the three local governments in the constituency. And have done everything possible to empower the campaign organisation. As I am talking to you now, our men are on ground networking for our victory. To a large extent, I will say that we have the support of those that matter in Delta politics. So, we can tell you that we have their support. They really accepted our vision for the constituency. I am a foundation member of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state. I did not just wake up to say I am running for this position. This is a product of grassroots consultation among my people. So, my party is behind my aspiration. I derive pleasure from being in the opposition. Even the person there today, was elected on the platform of the opposition before he decamped to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The current administration in the state has been adjudged to be doing well, can we know if it has created an enabling environment for the opposition to thrive?

I don’t know if there is an enabling environment because what we have seen so far, does not speak well of the ruling party. We all know that the Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria INEC, has not lifted the ban on electioneering campaigns. But as I am speaking to you now, the state chapter of the PDP has embarked on what the called awareness tour across the state. To me, that amounts to campaigning. If the party could be allowed to do such, I should also be given the same privilege.

APC in Delta State

The APC in Delta state had its own share of the after-effect of the congresses. There were people who objected to the results of the congress. Such is bound to happen. Some people will always feel aggrieved about the exercise, but what matters I how we are able to reconcile the aggrieved persons. In politics we disagree to agree. With the help of the national body, we were able to resolve the mixed feelings that emanated from the congress. Though the PDP factor is still there because they have all times been trying ton infiltrate the ranks of the party. Apart from that, every APC member in the state is comfortable with the leadership of APC in Delta State.