Inegbeniki: PDP Structures Are Dead in Edo
The senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress for Edo Central, Dr. Francis Inegbeniki, spoke with Martins Ifijeh about his collective vision for his people. Excerpts:
You have always been in the political picture in Edo state, but you have never indicated interest in elective position. Why the sudden change of mind? Since Nigeria’s return to democracy, I have always been actively involved in politics in Edo State, particularly in Edo Central. During the time of Lucky Igbinedion, I played active role in major political activities in the state, same for other political dispensations in the state, till Oshiomhole’s tenure which is still running.
And with the roles I have played so far in politics, I have been able to influence development in Esan land. I influenced the construction of some roads, building and renovation of schools as well as building of health facilities. But in all these, I have discovered that I may not be able to bring a lot of development to my people the way I really want it, hence I have decided to seek elective position myself so that it will be easier for me to bring more development to them. I also want to contribute to the development and sustenance of democracy in this country through quality representation in the senate. I want to work with the progressives in the senate to make robust laws that will better the lives of every Nigerian. How challenging has the campaign been? I have always been a grassroots person and always campaigned actively for whoever I’m supporting for any elective position in Esan land, so the present campaigning is something I’m used to. The only difference is that I am spending more money on campaigns. The campaigns have been going smoothly, and it has been much easier because the people of Esan land are working with me and helping out, thereby making the campaign more of a collective work rather than I doing all the job. I have been humbled by the immense support. People know you for your philanthropy, is it safe to assume that it’s because you have always wanted to win the people’s heart that you have been doing all these? Since 1999, if you follow the activities in Esan land closely, you will find out that I have been immensely involved in giving back to the society. Not only in Edo State, but also in Lagos where I grew up. And even while doing these it never occurred to me that I would one day contest for an elective position. I’m only prompted to contest now because I want to expand my capacity of giving back to the society. I want a situation where all the good things in this country will also be found in Edo Central – from good roads to world class hospitals, schools, among other developmental projects. What new approach and ideas are you bringing onboard if you make it to the senate? Inasmuch as I have my own legislative agenda, I am also going to work with progressive senators in the house to make laws that will benefit the people. The All Progressives Congress has its own agenda (which is to be the mouth piece of All Nigerians) and I am going to work with the party and its senators in the house to actualise that agenda. Edo Central has always been a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party, how do you intend to make it through and defeat Clifford Ordia of PDP? Edo Central used to be the stronghold of PDP as you rightly said, but their structures have long been dismantled since the time of Action Congress of Nigeria and since Oshiomhole came on board. The good people of the zone have found a better alternative, which is our great party.
They have come to realise that PDP has been deceiving them with Greek projects which never translated into making their lives better. Where was the PDP structure when the people of Edo Central voted en mass for all the chairmanship candidates of the APC who floored all PDP candidates with overwhelming victory? Besides, the fact that I am popular among my people is one major reason we will emerge victorious. My people know me and they know my antecedents. But we have the likes of Chief Tony Anenih, Tom Ikimi, Onolememen and Olifun, among others, who are money bags and influential. Can you match them financially and their experience in the game? These people you mentioned have always been playing the politics in Esan land, yet APC has been winning all the positions. The only person that has not been with them is Tom Ikimi. So, their influence and finance cannot sway any electorate this time. They have long lost electoral value. They might have all the billions, but at the end, they will still fail just the way they have been failing.
When we won all the local government elections and most of the assembly elections in Edo Central, Onolememen was the Minister of Defense, Anenih was already the Nigeria Ports Authority Chairman then, even at that, their political clout has dropped drastically because people are beginning to understand the concept of accountability. They failed to give back to the society where they came from. Edo State as a whole is strictly for APC as I speak to you because PDP’s structure has been dismantled.
I have told my people that if any of these money bags from PDP offer them money, they should take it and not vote for them. It is the people’s money, so they should collect it and still vote in APC. With all the billions of naira PDP spent in Edo State in the last election, they still lost woefully. Same thing will repeat itself. We may not have the kind of money they have, but we are more popular. In assessing your party, do you think it has met the people’s needs in the past seven years?
APC is becoming more popular by the day in Edo State because of the developmental strides of our Comrade Governor. He has transformed the state into one of the best states in the country. That is why he is called the people’s governor.
Since Oshiomhole became governor, the popularity of the party has increased drastically. There is hardly any election conducted in the state without APC emerging victorious. This is because the people have come to understand that PDP no longer has anything to offer. Recently, the Oba of Benin through his first son was rumoured to have endorsed President Jonathan, don’t you think there is a possibility of a bandwagon effect? Like you said, it is a rumour and I can tell you that such rumors are the handiwork of PDP, they are not true. When sometime last year Jonathan went with his entourage to see the Oba of Benin, I hope you know the Oba didn’t come out to meet with him? That shows he is also tired of Jonathan’s government. Why are you canvassing for General Buhari, a former dictator? The last time General Buhari was head of state, he ruled as a military man and under the military regime. Now he is coming as a civilian under a democratic setting. Buhari is a man who governs by the rules in place. He did that as a military man, he is going to rule again following all democratic laws.
If our laws are followed to the letter, corruption will be a thing of the past, and you can see that corruption has increased in the country. Buhari will follow our laws and will get rid of corruption in this country. This is what PDP is afraid of because they know those of them who have amassed wealth wrongfully would be tried and asked to explain their wealth. Insecurity is a major issue in the country now, how is APC planning to bring peace to the country? The reason Jonathan is unable to quell the Boko Haram crisis and other security issue in the country is because he lacks the capacity to govern the Nigerian state. Even though he is the Commander-in-Chief, he lacks knowledge on how to engage insurgents and terrorists. That is why this country at this point in time needs someone who has gone through military training who is experienced in tackling security issues like the one we are currently experiencing.
Insurgents are swelling every day because they know we have a commander-in-chief who cannot tackle them. Peace will definitely return when General Buhari emerges the president of this country.