Following the affirmation of Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq’s candidature, by INEC, as the Kwara State Gubernatorial candidate, an Abuja based human right activist, and aspirant for the Ilorin Central House of Assembly under the All Progressive Congress, BARR. SENIOR SULYMAN speaks with RUFAI MONSURAT on the ban of campaign rally by the state government among other salient issues.
Q. What can you say on the recent bank on political rally by the state government?
A. On the issue of ban on political rally, the purported ban by the governor was ill advised. He unfortunately lacks the power in law to so do, because freedom of association, to join political party, to assemble are sacrosanct rights as envisaged under Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the right is only subject to INEC time table/regulation which incidentally permits us to hold rallies/campaigns during this period.
Since the right was given by the Constitution, it can only be taken back by it, and not by any ” execution proclaimation” which is of no legal consequence.
Q. But the Governor stated security issues as the major reason for the ban, don’t you think your party should be more concern?
A. Well, on the rising spate of violence in the State, it is condemnable, as our darling state is known to be a state of Harmony. But unfortunately the attack has always been on members/supporters of the APC in the state, so it will be safe to infer it is coming from the ruling party. The first was the attack on the gubernatorial candidate few days to the House of Representatives re_run election, followed by the display of shame at IEDPU event, the massive destruction of APC billboards in the State and lastly the Ode Alfa Nda/Agbaji incident which of course was an APC rally, it is inconceivable to assume APC will distrupt it’s rally, so consequently the agent of the ruling party did, and it is worthy of note that the persons that were shot were APC members.
I will like to specifically plead with the youths not to engage in pre and post election violence, as nobody’s political ambition worths a single blood.
I will likewise appeal to the ruling party in the state to pursue their political activities within the ambit of the law, because incidentally there is a degree of violence which we don’t pray for that may lead to declaration of state of emergency, since they are the ones holding the egg, they should press for it not to be broken.
Your stance on the comments of some PDP chieftain on the gubernatorial candidate of APC?
Such acts are expression of frustration. My understanding of how political campaigns are being ran is for you to highlight what you are offering to the people, and what the other side is not and can not offer, but when you depart from issues and rain personal abuses, it is part of the societal ills we are complaining about. Political leaders ordinarily ought to be role models, what good example will be pickable from someone going on air to rain abuses? From histories of years back, it is not just anybody that can buy time that will just go and feature on radio programs. The radio stations will ordinarily scrutinize and ensure the person coming to the studio will pass a meaningful message to the listeners irrespective of his/her political affliation. Persons raining such abuses are not fit to hold any position of responsibility in our society.
Q. Ordinary, APC as an opposition political party shouldn’t gain momentum like this…?
A. It is not a surprise, it is due to the abysmal failure of the ruling party in the State. For a Party in government it’s achievement should ordinarily campaign for it, but here in Kwara, a party in government is campaigning with promises and not achievements. That is the genuine reason Kwarans are not ready for continuity in error. And at anytime there is a political reaction from the people, the ruling class in the state are offering anagesic/pain relief/temporary solutions to recurrent issues. For instance, after the November 2017 Local Government election, water tanks were delivering water in some areas within Ilorin metropolis, such act is an acknowledgement of failure that for sixteen years the dynasty has not been able to provide good water supply to the respective homes of the people of Kwara State.
Q. Ordinary, APC as an opposition political party shouldn’t gain momentum like this…?
A. It is not a surprise, it is due to the abysmal failure of the ruling party in the State. For a Party in government it’s achievement should ordinarily campaign for it, but here in Kwara, a party in government is campaigning with promises and not achievements. That is the genuine reason Kwarans are not ready for continuity in error. And at anytime there is a political reaction from the people, the ruling class in the state are offering anagesic/pain relief/temporary solutions to recurrent issues. For instance, after the November 2017 Local Government election, water tanks were delivering water in some areas within Ilorin metropolis, such act is an acknowledgement of failure that for sixteen years the dynasty has not been able to provide good water supply to the respective homes of the people of Kwara State.
Also after the House of Representatives re-run election, the Local Government staffs of Irepodun Local Government where the ruling APC recorded the highest number of votes were promised their areas of salaries for months, will only advise other Local Government staffs to follow the Irepodun example and come out in masse to vote for APC so they can also get their areas of salaries.
I will also like to use this medium to appeal to our law enforcement agencies which we have absolute confidence to continue to safe guard the lives and Properties of all Kwarans.
Q. The INEC final list recently affirm the candidature of Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq as the APC gubernatorial aspirant in Kwara State, what’s your take on it?
On the issue of the candidature, the judgment of Balogun Fulani didn’t affect the candidature of Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulrasaq or our other candidates at various levels. Rather it touches the issue of caretaker committee that has been over taken by event with the election of new excos via the consensus mode. So it is a distraction that will not go anywhere, since INEC didn’t recognize him as the candidate of our party and for doubters there will still be official pasting of names in few days to come. Omotoshe’s name will not be there. And incident he is already outside the 14 days permitted by law to file a pre election matter. So he has for life lost the right to challenge the candidature of Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulrasaq, so there is nothing to lose sleep about on his issue.
Finally, my message to all Kwarans is to come out en masse to vote all APC candidates at all levels to ensure a better Kwara.