Ola Amuda is the gubernatorial candidate of Accord Party in the November 26 election in Ondo State. In this interview with OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, the Ogbagi-Akoko-born administrator speaks on his blueprint for the state if elected.
Why do you think you’re the best to lead Ondo State at this time?
I have worked as a technocrat for about 28 years and I have worked with several governors at key positions. The last administration of Olusegun Agagu, I was his SA on Administration. All the policies and programmes that we put together, I was very key to them.
With the service throughout my career, I have developed the skills of honesty, integrity and hard work. I am quite espoused to governance even at that particular level.
Again, when you consider the aspirants that we have today, some of them are foreigners in Ondo State. I have lived virtually a greater percentage of my life in Ondo State. I know over 200 towns and villages in Ondo State, I know roads linking towns and villages. I know the roads that are good, the roads that are bad, I know the economic inclination of various sectors in our society. So, with the background knowledge that I have, I can deliver more for the people. My life has also been propelled by visions. I have had five of such visions and as of today, four had been fulfilled, remaining the one relating to governorship. And I know that God who has been helping me to fulfill the other visions can also do this. Academically, I have about four different degrees. Age-wise, I am qualified and competent. And I know that with the experience that I have had before, that will propel me. Governance is not politics. When you bring politics into governance, it will destroy the entire system. So, we are talking about propelling the state government through administrative structure. And if I am elected as governor; it is not that I am saying that I have the monopoly of knowledge but I will gather people together. For instance, we are trying to gather economic team together. Even before we start, there will be a blueprint on the economy, especially in Ondo State.
There is economic recession in the country. And states like Ondo – an oil producing state – is among those worse affected. What will you do for the state in the immediate term to get it out of recession?
In our manifesto, we have two solutions: immediate and long term. The immediate term solution is that we will look at agriculture and see those products that can easily generate returns within three months, six months and one year. Yoruba people say that when you dry the meat of a dog, it is very sweet. But what are you going to eat before that dog gets dried? So, what we are going to do is that there are some projects that you need to do, especially relating to agriculture that can generate production within three months and one year. For example, we will put in effort on corn production, plantain production that can yield result immediately. Once we have food in our society, a lot of problems will be solved.
Secondly, we also look at area of wastages. Sometimes, government may have resources but once these resources are being wasted, you find out that they can’t make ends meet. Our own government shall not be a ceremonial government. Because when you use government resources to do ceremonies, there is no economic feedback that you will get from there.
Thirdly, we are going to look at the economic aspect of budget, especially capital projects. I am going to divide my capital projects into two: we will have the social and economic aspects. If I put in N5billion into a capital project, what economic return will it bring? There are other social areas you don’t expect any return. But you cannot use all your budgets on social areas of budgeting but also the economic aspect.
What edge do you have over the two candidates of APC and PDP?
The two candidates, Rotimi Akeredolu and Eyitayo Jegede are foreigners in Ondo State. They came by virtue of the fact that they wanted to contest or this administration brought one of them to become a Commissioner. So, they don’t know the nitty-gritty of the state. I have the privilege and I have worked in the public service for 28 years. My name is a household name in the public service. So, I have the privilege of carrying the public servants along. I was a Protocol Officer and officer in charge of village meetings during Bode George. So, we travelled from one village to another. I know virtually all ministries, departments and agencies of government, I know their operations and what they do. And sometimes all these MDAs, there may be one or two that may be performing the same function, we will try to annex them and put an effective government in position. This is the edge that I have over the other candidates. So, you will find out within three months, what I am going to do will surprise you.
Are you not intimidated by the huge arsenal of the two leading political parties?
I am not. We have seen situations. I trust in God and I believe in the people. The people want me and since they want me, I am going to offer myself to them. I resigned voluntarily from the public service because I want to serve our people. I am not intimidated at all. In another one month you will be surprised. You will be running after me to grant you interview because of what you are going to see, the support I am going to garner. I am telling you sincerely, I don’t exaggerate. Those two leading candidates are Senior Advocates and so on but that does not matter. Even the Bible that I believe in says God does not save with many. If David was not intimidated by Goliath and Goliath is stronger than these two people, I am not intimidated at all. I’m a ‘grassrooter’ and I know that God will give me victory.
Do you have the financial wherewithal to withstand the incumbent government and APC?
I don’t have. But I know that there is no single individual that will successfully sponsor himself to become the governor; people will come to their aid. Even people that you are looking at now and think they have money, they don’t have the money. Can anybody now go to the purse of the government and bring money out to sponsor a candidate? It’s not possible. But I know that they have arsenal of governance. I know that people shortly will come to my aid and I know that people love me. The religious leaders, civil servants have been encouraging me.
And sometimes when you are not popular, you give money to people, they collect your money, they don’t vote for you.
Are you saying that the people will finance your campaign?
I have tried on my own. But I know that what I have cannot do anything but I know people in this country will rise up when they see a man of integrity, they will support us.
