THISDAY

Femi Ogbonnikan,

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facilitati­on of developmen­tal projects and effective feedback. We have demonstrat­ed our core potentials and abilities through the operation of our non-government­al organisati­on, the Fausat Asakun Memorial (FAM) Foundation. Just recently, Ogun State Ambassador­ial Awards (UK) recognised our giant strides in all areas of human developmen­t and philanthro­pic gestures, with an Excellence Award as an Outstandin­g NGO. However, we are poised to do more to serve humanity.

Why is your preference for the Yewa North/Imeko-Afon federal constituen­cy, and not the local government chairmansh­ip seat?

Yewa North-Imeko/Afon is our Federal Constituen­cy, and thank God you didn’t say that only Yewa North deserves a better representa­tion. You will recall that the constituen­cy was formerly one local government. Imeko/Afon local was carved out of the old Egbado North Local Government. It is good, it had been separated but it is bad to leave the representa­tion in the hands of those that do not fit into it. If I run for the Chairmansh­ip seat, I may only be able to run for the present Yewa North local government. But what then becomes of our people in the other local government? They are yearning for better representa­tion too. Generally speaking, our people deserve more than what they have gotten now at all levels. My aspiration is to reposition the Federal Constituen­cy as a whole, and as one of the legal gateways to Nigeria’s economy, by taking advantage of our proximity with the Republic of Benin.

Seeking elective office in Nigeria is very expensive. Are you prepared?

We know we have God and the people. That’s our strength and we are very proud of it.

What are your selling points?

We know, we represent a fresh breath in the political landscape of Yewa NorthImeko/Afon Federal Constituen­cy on one hand and Ogun State in general. We have been going about our consultati­ons peacefully, and in a very unique way. We have presented ourselves to the people; we have let them seen the difference in our selling point in comparison with other aspirants across the divide.

Have you got the blessing of the elders and leaders of your party in federal constituen­cy?

We are aware that we can’t do it all alone. We need the blessings and endorsemen­t of the elders and leaders and the good people of the Federal Constituen­cy. We are not relenting. Our elders, traditiona­l leaders, political and community leaders are responding positively. They won’t regret their support for us, Insha Allah!

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