By Seyifunmi Odunuga
Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan was chief press secretary to late governor, Alhaji Lamidi Adeshina between 1999 to 2003 and former chairman, Oluyole Local Government , he is currently the Director, Media and Publicity of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Shettima.
While speaking on Saturday with Seun Owoseeni on Yes 101.7Fm tagged : “Big Deal” Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, congratulated the Gmd Yes Fm for contributing his quota to the growth of the journalism in the country.
Why do you think APC is different from other political parties?
When you come in contact with organized people today in Nigeria, the first and well recognized party is APC.
Settlement and preparedness goes to APC, we have commenced the scientific campaign across Nigeria.
There are some aggrieved members who opposed your muslim-muslim ticket what is the party doing about this?
People would want to paint disability when they are not comfortable with the success of the party. The issue of Muslim-muslim ticket is a political strategy that can work for us, we have gone beyond Muslim-muslim ticket. I am a good example, I travelled every December and celebrated Christmas with my twin brother, Taiwo Olaosebikan. My wife is also a Christian, we are more developed in Yoruba land, they are just pulling us down with the issue of Muslim-muslim ticket. We should not bother about that, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s wife is a redeemed Christian Church of God pastor. Tinubu is meant for growth, those he had mentored, and developed, they are Muslims and christians among them. We are civilized people in Yoruba land. It is not about the party but individual.
Do you Nigerians will vote for your party in 2023 despite the current economic hardship?
Wherever we are in Nigeria today, we discuss democracy. In 2015, president Muhammadu Buhari came out and pleaded to Nigerians to vote for him and the majority voted, so now Buhari has done his best, we rated him high in terms of infrastructure, and some areas he did not do well. But now APC has brought another candidate Tinubu and Shettima would be on the ballot. and you could as well check the attributes of Tinubu what he has done so far.
As we can see, Tinubu is competent, reliable and ready for the job. He would do it beyond imagination. We need strong institutions,not strong individuals. Either you like it or not, Tinubu is the best for Nigeria in 2023.
Is it justifiable for APC having taking us this worrisome part for close to eight years now?
we are passionate about Nigeria, we want a functional country, today is 12th of November, 2022 and we are discussing about moving the nation forward whatever your perception of where we are today in Nigeria. We are already there. The main question is how we can move forward from where we are today, that should be the bone of contention. Moving forward, we have to get the best. If you convinced me about a particular candidate, I would definitely support his party. It is not about sentiments, but it is someone that can win and deliver.
So you mean Kwankaso can not deliver?
We are talking about Nigeria, not Kano state. We are in need of political solutions, which we have to sort out with political issues and the person that can do it must have gone round Nigeria and build bridges across the country.
APC governorship candidate might not win the gubernatorial election in 2023 in Oyo State?
This is not true. the biggest, organized party in Oyo state is All progressive Congress(APC) and this is the party that has put up presidential and gubernatorial and has made up of 5000 members as campaign committee.
This party has the executive in place in fifty-one wards in Oyo state. party members are working round the clock in our party. Some parties does not have candidates across the state, we have the strongest party. The goal is to move Oyo state forward, our interest is Oyo state. APC governorship candidate is ready to serve us better as it is today.
Were you convinced about APC right?
No one convinced me, I choose to join the party, I put my best in whatever I lay my hands upon, and Allah has been good to me. We have goals for a greater and be proud of Oyo state. Some people fought for the state, while they lost their jobs, properties because of democracy. Senator Teslim Folarin is passionate with grass root. The masses would enjoy at the rural areas. And he would not cripple local government in Oyo State as it is today. Giving a local government ten million naira is not an achievement in our government. It was wasted on entertainment
Can you illustrate the use of ten million for entertainment?
Of course, they do, ten million was used for entertainment. Take for instance, champagne gold is sold for three hundred and fifty thousand naira. So giving a local government ten million naira should not be a big deal. The youth should rise and do operation where is our money? They should match to their respective local governments and ask their chairmen about the funds.
Mr President has tried in terms of infrastructure level? Are you not also giving it to the governor of Oyo state in terms of infrastructure?
Yes, if Seyi Makinde has tried, that means he deserves second term. It is not about party, but individual.
Has Governor Seyi Makinde not tried for the people of Oyo State?
Governor Seyi Makinde and his infrastructural programmes are designed to achieve basic things to enrich himself. If you are not prepared or capable for governance, you will definitely mess up. The government is improvising the business class of Oyo state. Are you doing the infrastructure to lift Oyo people or devalue them.
A particular contractor called peculiar ultimate handling the projects of Oyo state, and it should not be like that. And the principle of contract is that a Nation to strengthen his own people. A leadership is a deliberate plan by lifting people. When Seyi Makinde was elected as governor, he declared an asset of forty-eight billion naira. A governor would go out his way to make sure that things are simplified for people of his state, so they can progress in the areas of their lives. We have so much poverty in Oyo state, Seyi Makinde has not released funds to the local government.
What efforts has senator Teslim Folarin made since 2003 till date?
My principal senator Teslim Folarin returned to Nigeria in 2002, he contested and became the senator of federal republic of Nigeria at age 39 and it was an achievement for him then. Senator Teslim Folarin displayed vision as a youth then, he spent four years and found himself capable, and worthy, and was chosen as a leader of the senate at age 43.
He failed in becoming the governor of Oyo state in 2015, and today he is contesting to be the governor of Oyo state in 2023.
The principle function of national assembly members is lawmaking. Teslim Folarin did well in office, so he was promoted to the national assembly leader. His primary function was excellent. And his good works and visions would start manifesting soon.
