‘Ajimobi Should Stop Being Bossy’

Rasak Folorunsho

Mr. Razaq Folorunso, a former chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Oyo State told Tunde Sanni some of his observations on how the state is being governed. Excerpts:

What’s your take on the state of ANPP?

My party is not docile and not asleep. Maybe what you mean is that because we are not the one in government, the whole attention is not on us and that is normal. ANPP is very active, very alive in Oyo state. Only that we are not in government.

How do you see the merger talks?
The merger project is an interesting project and I pray on daily basis that it works for it will be good and healthy for our democracy. Having been in opposition for about fourteen years at both the national and state levels, one will be glad that parties and people of like minds have begun to discuss merger plan more so when the ruling party at the national level is not doing well. My big worry is if the merger will work because history has not been kind on the success of any merger in the country. I, however, believe that many politicians especially party leaders involved have learnt their lessons and are ready to work together for the success of the merger and for the sake of the poor masses of the country.

Take for instance, from my own experience and observation, ACN is not what it used to be again, so also ANPP and also CPC. Many things have happened that have really widened the perception of leaders of the parties involved in the merger discussion. I will suggest that our leaders should not narrow down the merger discussion to these parties alone. They should look at other opposition parties and interest groups that are ready to jettison own interests and work for the progress and development of democracy and development of Nigeria.

What’s the future of ANPP in the merger in Oyo?
Insha Allah, Oyo ANPP here will field candidates and contest in every election in the state. We are a registered party and we are popular here; why should we not contest in election. No, we shall contest in all elections. Many things are happening especially in Oyo state and wait till around May this year and you will begin to see ANPP in action.

Can you assess the Ajimobi administration?
Senator Ajimobi is someone I know very well and he is very intelligent and possesses leadership qualities that can take Oyo state to the promise land. But the question is: can he do it alone? No, he definitely cannot do it alone. It is not possible for him to be everywhere all the time. The success or otherwise of his achievements in office depends majorly on the achievements of his lieutenants too. The commissioners, the special assistants should be given a little bit of free hands to operate.

Governance should not revolve around the governor alone. Governance is a collective responsibility. Definitely, there had been so many governors in the state since 1999. We have had Lam Adesina; we have had Senator Rasidi Ladoja; we have had Otunba Alao-Akala. And now Senator Ajimobi is in the saddle; so every one of them has made history and Governor Ajimobi is writing his own history too.

Take for instance, Governor Ajimobi’s transformation programme which people are not used to. As an individual, what the governor is doing in terms of demolition of illegal structure and stalls is quite good but he would have done all these in phases. There also ought to have been alternative places for petty traders such as satellite market before the demolition and not after demolition. But all the same, the governor is writing own history. Let us see what is going to happen in the next two and half years that his tenure remains. All I know that people of the state will judge whether the governor has done the right thing or wrong thing in the next governorship election.

Would you advise the governor?
I will summarise my own suggestions into five points. First, The Governor must carry people along in his activities. Let people know how much is collected from the federation account; how much is being generated as internally generated revenue and how such money is being spent. Government should have more human face; governor should stop being bossy; he should allow individual views and opinions and remember that for every authority, there must be responsibility. Here, I mean political office holders in this cabinet must be given a little bit of free hands to operate.