Hon Dumez Ugiagbe
* Says leading Nigeria is about vision, passion, knowledge and wisdom; all traits of Tinubu
* Adds Tinubu has the required capacity, capability and all it takes to change all the negative narratives.
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
Hon. Dumez Onaiwu Ugiagbe is one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) G -14 legislators – elect in Edo State in 2019; who lost their representation to political manoeuvring of the Governor, Godwin Obaseki. Again, he is in the race to the State House of Assembly, Ovia – North – East Constituency (1). In this exclusive interview with our Edo State Bureau Chief; Kingsley Abavo in Benin-City, he talked about his Party and his readiness against all odds to win the general elections.
Sir, the elections are almost here; please tell us how prepared you are in your constituency; and even your Party, APC.
Firstly, I thank God Almighty for the gift of life today! And for the general election coming on the 25th February, my Party: the All Progressives Congress (APC) and all the candidates are fully ready.
It may interest you to know that we have intensified our campaigns Ward to Ward and as soon as we are done, we will take it further to the grassroots: the Units. Our campaigns are issues based, relying on our impactful performance while in office as Vice – Chairman of the Local Government Council. So, I am very hopeful that my people will vote me as they earlier did in 2019. You may be wondering why I am so confident of getting the votes; I reside amongst the electorates, and I am always accessible to them. I am proud to say that I am not a diaspora politician. I won in 2019; out of 78 Units, I got 75 and now that I am contesting in 150 Units of Ovia- North – East Constituency (1), by the grace of God, I know I will win again.
But you know, times are no longer the same talking about winning before, and winning again. A lot of water have passed under the bridge especially with the prevailing unfriendly situation in Nigeria and your Party, the APC is in power, now many Nigerians are demoralized. So, how are you going to manage the situation and convince the voters to again give you their mandate ?
Let me tell you, a lot of the voters know what one is capable of doing hence some will vote across party line. For the APC, we all know what Comrade Adams Oshiomole did as Governor of Edo. Under his able leadership, the APC brought development to the State also what we did while we were in office at the Local Government Council is still speaking for us. Hence, my people have the trust in me that I have the capability and capacity to ably represent them at any level. They have assured me that especially because they were denied of my representation in the out going term, they will again give me their mandate. Yes, the situation in Nigeria though unfortunate but it is not peculiar as every nation of the world today is facing one form of challenge or the other thus causing the behavioural pattern of the citizens. However, I am particularly concerned about winning my constituency not only for my Party; the APC alone but the good of everyone.
Please tell us what are the pains driving you to want to represent your constituency at the State House of Assembly. You Know, it is a place not just for the making of laws but impactful laws that will help bring succour to the people.
One of my heart desires for wanting to go represent my people at the State House of Assembly is to ensure they get development due to them and to ensuring this, is to help push for autonomy for the State Legislature, and the Local Government Councils. I believe this is achievable and it will certainly help bring growth and development to the people we represent. The situation where the Executive continually prevails/control the Legislature is anti democratic and the people we represent are always the Losers here; as quality and impactful legislations are hindered. We must ensure laws that would help our people have a better quality of life than it is right now, talking about youths and women empowerment, infrastructural development and growth, then keeping our society secured to enable peace reign.
Now let’s talk about the chances of your Party at the national level. Against consideration by a section of Nigerians that the Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not medically fit enough to be given the mandate; your take Sir!
Well, the contention that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not strong enough, I wouldn’t know where they got it from. The man has been almost everywhere: home and abroad campaigning, selling himself and his Party promises to the electorates. After he came to Benin to launch his campaign early January, recently, he was here again for a Town Hall meeting and he is still on the move, he has not stopped. So where the naysayers are getting their insinuations from is only known to them. However, what he did as Lagos Governor still speaks for him. The Tinubu I know is a team player and he is not going to Aso Rock to lift weights, rather it is all about vision, passion, knowledge and wisdom; all of these underline his personality. Let us be reminded of his unmatched passion for this country. He did not only fight for the democracy we have now, he did it at the risk of his life. Let us be encouraged that those who fought for something, also know how best to manage it. One outstanding trait of Asiwaju Tinubu is that he knows how to assemble a team that works and deliver as expected. I have no doubts whatsoever; he is the next President after Buhari.
Now your message
I urge all the electorates to come out enmass to cast their votes; it is a Civic responsibility they owe as citizens of this nation. They should vote the APC across board; it is the Party that can truly develop this country. Also, it should be noted that the North has done their eight years, now the South should have it in Asiwaju Tinubu of the APC. He has the required capacity, capability and all it takes to change all the negative narratives. It is not right to visit whatever perceived sins of one on another. We should vote Tinubu and all the APC candidates. He will replicate all he did: the solid foundations which have transformed Lagos into looking like a country of its own; in terms of infrastructural development and growth, and blossoming economy.
About Author
