Aremo Olusiji Balogun is a seasoned journalist and aspirant for the 2020 governorship position in Ondo State. In this interview, he speaks on zoning of the governorship position, chances of the PDP winning the election and his agenda. Excerpts:
Taking critical look at the 2018 Presidential and National Assembly Elections in Ondo State and projecting into the forthcoming 2020 governorship election. What would you say are the chances of the PDP?
The chances of PDP as a party winning the coming Governorship election in Ondo is very bright, I’m 100% sure considering the failure of the present APC government. If the recent happenings in political landscape is anything to go by, PDP will occupy Alagbaka government house in the forthcoming election.
However, the party needs to restructure it’s leadership for balance. The State Party Chairman is from Ilaramokin. One of the top aspirants who was the party’s governorship candidate in the last governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede, who lost the last election by whimsical, is from Akure. Both from the same central senatorial district.
The former Governor of the State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who spent constitional eight years, is from Ondo town: same central senatorial district.
All these prominent indigenes of the State are from the Central Senatorial District. If you go by the present settings, this is one anomaly that has to be corrected.
For this year’s Governorship election, PDP, as a party will win. So, taking a critical look at the 2018 Presidential and National Assembly elections result in Ondo State and projecting into the forthcoming 2020 Governorship election, the chances of the PDP, as a party is very bright.
Zoning of the next governorship ticket of the PDP to Ondo South Senatorial District has been a loud agitation from mostly governorship aspirants coming from there. However, the PDP’s leadership said zoning would not be a criteria for electing it’s candidate for the election. What’s your take?
On the issue of zoning, the agitations from the Southern and Northern Senatorial Districts, to produce the next Governor cannot be wished away.
Having said that, I also believe the leadership of the party, I mean, PDP, is very sincere and principled by saying zoning will not be a criteria. The contest for primaries should be open to all contestants. That is fair enough.
Your party, the PDP has criticised the independent electoral commission of not been objective in recent elections, particularly, that of Kogi State. Do you think your party can evolve mechanisms to curtail possible APC’s rigging mercenaries in the forthcoming election in Ondo State?
The INEC in recent time cannot be said to be objective. When you say party, you’re talking of people with different opinions coming together. We have not criticized INEC decisions. But it is imperative the electoral umpire checkmate rigging in order for election results to reflect the wishes of the electorates.
Why are you aspiring for the position of Ondo State Governor?
My aspiration as Governor in year 2020 is a divine project. It’s the people’s agenda. Nobody can deny God His rights. I’m aspiring to be the next Governor of Ondo State, after Akeredolu might have spent his four years constitutional tenure by God’s grace.
Do you have the wherewithal to scale through the PDP’s primary?
The wherewithal to scale the primaries is God’s given. All my resources are given by God. I don’t lay claim to anything.
What difference are you going to make if eventually elected governor of Ondo State?
Government is a continuum. You only bring new projects to the table. What the previous government can’t achieve, I’ll achieve double by the special grace of God. Be it roads, agriculture, education, etc. All I’ve done in my life is to surround myself with capable hands. My team always deliver. No matter where we find ourselves. The people can testify to this. My aspiration, I repeat, is divine. The difference I’ll make if elected Governor this 2020, will marvel the populace.
