mr. Babatunde Oladapo Alegbeleye, an American-based leadership training expert, has joined the gubernatorial race in Ekiti State. In this interview, he talked about his choice of a different platform from PDP and APC and his plans for the people among others:
Why did you opt for a “third force” party?
It is about delivering good governance to Ekiti-State citizens that are wallowing in abject poverty, graduates that remain unemployed and the elderly that are dying because of non-payment of pensions and gratuities. To set them free of these endemics. I am not contesting on the platform of either All Progressives Alliance (APC) or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Currently we have 52 gubernatorial aspirants within the two political parties and the country is having 46 existing registered political parties.
The question to ask is, why are 52 aspirants vying for just a ticket of either party? Are they desperately waiting for the endorsement of a certain leader or what are they up to?
My case is different because, I am contesting to liberate my people on a platform of a political party, which will be unveiled at the right time.
I am not going to jostle for a political party’s ticket that is all about one-man show nor the other one with about 52 total aspirants thus far. To ensure good governance, human-welfare and total emancipation of Ekiti people, I call on the electorates and the good people of our state to embrace a personality with different party, political ideology, principles and progressive programmes.
Some people in the southern part of the state are agitating for a possible zoning of the governorship to the district, what is your take on this?
Equity is a major factor that makes peace and progress inevitable in any society. I am an Ekiti southerner from Ikere-Ekiti. I am a frontier advocate of the south agenda in this upcoming gubernatorial election.
Now is the time for the south senatorial district to claim what belongs to us, seriously, power cannot be given it must be taken. This is why I present myself as a hope for my people from the south senatorial district and the entire state.
Ekiti-State has been said to be far behind in entrepreneurial development, how are you going develop in this area?
My plan to industrialize the state evolves from my knowledge and understanding that money has to serve and not to rule. We will democratize access to money; propose tax incentives for qualified manufacturing companies to make our state attractive for businesses. The challenge of youth unemployment will be resolved by changing our education curriculum to prepare our youths with skills for employment and to create entrepreneurial opportunities.
My plan to vigorously invest in agriculture will decrease poverty; increase locally grown foods for the citizens at affordable prices; create related jobs in transportation; supplies; packaging and micro-finance. These will also increase outstanding public services that will improve and enhance a high quality life for all.
What stands you out as gubernatorial asiprant?
Most of my co-contenders are not even real. Some are in the race for name recognition after the election. Some for government position and majority do not even know where the shoe pinches our people at home but desperately seeking to be recognized by a certain leader.
I have come as a messiah that has been mandated to come and liberate Ekiti people from the clutches of political merchants, an end to economy woes and capital flight that remains a major source of economy decimation facing the state.
My professional experience and the skilled knowledge of how to run an effective government shall be transformed for the betterment of Ekiti people in general. I have already been positioned to take over the authority for the advantage of the people.
What is your assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration?
Buhari remains Nigeria’s president. Now that he is back and addressed the nation by taking personal responsibility, we wish him complete recovery to finish the job he started. I am looking forward to work with him as Governor Alegbeleye of Ekiti-State and he as President Buhari of Nigeria.