Why are you contesting the 2016 governorship election?
I believe that by the grace of God I am qualified; I am from this state; I was educated here and I have had the privilege to serve this state in very sensitive positions, which has given me a very clear insight into the workings of government. That, I believe would be a serious advantage in ensuring that the right things are done. We cannot afford to have a novice or someone who does not really understand how the public service works in government. I believe with my experience, my passion and the fear of God, one would be able to make maximum and judicious use of resources to give the best to our people, focusing on priorities rather than fanciful projects and diversifying our economy to the level that even without oil we will be able to survive
Not long ago you were a leader in the APC; why are you now contesting on the platform of the PDP?
Not long ago you were a leader in the APC; why are you now contesting on the platform of the PDP?
I had to leave the APC because of the hypocrisy I saw. I was a foundation member of the PDP. Some of us were very outspoken, and because of that we were deregistered. Then we had to create another platform. We formed what is now the APC from the very scratch in Edo State. So it would not be proper for anybody to say we decamped into it because it was not in existence until we brought it into being. It is correct to say we were deregistered from the PDP and we then formed what is today the APC. Unfortunately, the APC was hijacked by those who came to join us. We assisted them to realize their ambition but they now chose us as targets in their bid to have full control of the party’s structure. We had to go back to our original home which is the PDP. We were welcomed. We thank God that we are in a multi-party democracy and we look forward to the contestation of ideas in the next election..
Many people credit you with dislodging the PDP from power in Edo State; now how do you feel being in opposition and contesting in the PDP against your former party, APC?
We learnt lessons. For me, PDP’s loss at the state and federal levels is just a lesson for all of us. Funny enough, the APC do not appear to have also learnt any lesson from how the PDP lost. They have become arrogant in power; they have disowned their own promises; they have distanced themselves from the people; they have taken the mandate that was given to them for granted. I think that opposition politics is not something anybody should be scared about as long as your real focus is to serve. Sometimes you serve being in government, and sometimes you serve by putting the government in power on their toes. But we believe that the government in power in Edo has not done well and so they should also now begin to play the role of the opposition party when we come back to government
