Dr. Segun Abraham is a governorship aspirant on the plank of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State. In this interview, he spoke on his plans for the state, his chances at the primary and why APC will dethrone PDP.

By Dapo Akinrefon

What is the N2million development levy aspirants are asked to pay all about? Is the party broke?

It is not about the party being broke. As a responsible party chieftain, I owe it a duty to support the party to be able to carry out its activities. I have always generously given financial assistance to the party at the ward, local government and state levels. I have not relented in doing it. So, we owe it a duty to the party to always support it financially to make the party more formidable.

Segun Abraham

How are you faring in the race?

I am waxing stronger on daily basis, gaining acceptance in every district, constituency, local government and ward. My intention is not to enter politics to make money but to contribute my quota to the development of the state through diligent service. Ondo State is agonising. Our people are suffering, despite the abundance of resources available in the state. At this crucial time, our state needs a governor who understands the economy, a leader who can tackle the economic challenges and reposition the state, create employment and wealth and bridge the loopholes. We need a governor who can channel the resources of the state to its development in a proper manner, a leader who can attract investment and judiciously use the resources of the state for its development in a proper manner.

I am on the field appealing to delegates with a message of hope and assurance. They know me and they trust me. I have a solid structure across the local governments.

Do you think the APC can defeat the PDP that has been in power for eight years?

There is no governance in Ondo State. The government is dead. The government that has no moral authority to rule has lost its relevance. Men of integrity in the PDP have left the party.

They include senators, commissioners, special advisers and other individuals. Many are still planning to defect to the APC. The PDP is a sinking boat in Ondo State. People are running out of the sinking ship.

The platform is getting weaker every day. What has the PDP done for our people? Our people should be aware of those who induced them with money. They should be aware of those who tell lies; those greedy people who have no compassion for the people. Ondo State needs a competent governor; somebody who has business experience and international connection, and integrity. We cannot afford to have somebody who has something to do with the present Mimiko administration.

Could you shed light on the position of the Akoko APC leaders on rotation or zoning?

In Ondo North Senatorial District, there are two axes-Owo/Ose and Akoko. Owo has produced a governor, the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin. The apex Akoko Elders Forum has endorsed my candidature.

The assembly is influential in Akokoland. It was the forum that insisted that Adefarati should be supported for the governor. It was the forum that advised Boroffice to contest against Olajumoke on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) to defeat the PDP. The forum has now zoned the governor to Akoko North. In its belief, the South has produced a governor and senator before, the North has not produced any governor and senator. The endorsement was unanimous. There was no dissenting voice. They did it based on equity, justice and fairness.

How can crisis be averted during the APC governorship primary?

Some of the guidelines are out now. The aspirants know themselves. The leadership of our party has assured that there will be no imposition of candidate; that we will have a credible and transparent primary. The aspirants will know their fate when delegates vote at the primary. There will be no crisis because our party is a party of decency, justice, equity and fair play.

What is this rumour about the endorsement of a particular candidate all about?

It is a tissue of lies. Our national and zonal leaders have not endorsed any candidate. People are peddling rumours, telling lies and fabricating all sorts of things.

But is consensus candidacy feasible?

That will be decided by the people. If the people say they want a particular candidate, we will have no problem with that. But, the party will not force or impose any candidate on the people.

It has been alleged that there are moles among the aspirants in the APC. What is your position?

The moles cannot do anything. The APC will defeat the PDP. There is no way they can escape defeat. The people of Ondo State want somebody who has a business experience, someone who can generate wealth. They are saying that they don’t want people who have been in government and they cannot account for what they have done with their position.

So, this gives me a lot of advantage. I am an aspirant who will govern the state with a Godly mind, if elected as governor.