March 28 poll: ‘Jega won’t compromise on free, fair election

Barrister Adeshina Oguny­ale, a legal practitioner is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State. In this inter­view, he speaks on the prepared­ness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the presidential election on March 28 and how General Muhamadu Buhari and Governor Ibikunle Amosun respectively will win the presidential and governor­ship elections. Excerpts
Do you think Prof Jega will compromise his position in the coming election?
Professor Jega was the ASSU chair­man during the military Era and he did not compromise his integrity. Then, he was a PhD holder, he did not compro­mise. So, is it now that he is a professor that he would compromise? I doubt if professor Jega would ever do anything that would ruin his integrity.
Could that be the reason why members of the ruling party are calling for his sack?
In the past, the PDP has been doing things the way they like with the previ­ous INEC leader, but Jega is a different person. So, that is why he has become a nightmare to those who put him in office. All Jega is out to do is to conduct a credible election. So, it does not matter to him who wins the election. Look at the people working with Attahiru Jega; people like Prof Lai Olorode, a law­yer from the University of Lagos who taught me Sociology at the University of Lagos, he is a disciplinarian. Being the former ASUU chairman, Jega knew all the capable hands that could help him achieve his mission.
What is your take on the distri­bution of PVC?
Yes, honestly, I would say I don’t like the attitude of INEC. Knowing full well that election would come up Febru­ary; they supposed to have started the distribution of PVCs last year. This is because from experience, Nigerians are not good at doing things willingly until the last minute. They are not keen over collection of anything unless a stringent deadline is imposed, so if he had started the exercise earlier, then it could have become easier for more people to get it. Like in Agbara, they came just twice. In Ado-Odo, I can tell you authoritatively that the newly registered voters are yet to get their PVCs. Those that got their TVCs are yet to get their Permanent Voter Cards. I wouldn’t know what their problem is but we are made to know that government has released all the money that INEC needs to function properly.
Why is APC the party to beat in the March 28 election?
Without rigging, fraud or malprac­tices, PDP will lose the election. And that is why they are playing politics of hate. Another factor why they are bound to lose this election is because President Jonathan is not a smart politician. A smart politician would never allow any strong member of the party to leave. I’ll give you practical example. There was a time in my ward when argument arose about choice of somebody to represent us in the state exco. When I discovered that the argument could factionalize the party at ward level, I immediately called for break and then yielded to some of their demands and today, we are united and strong. If I had allowed them to go, I would not be politically relevant today.
But this was the same Presi­dent Jonathan that the whole of the South West gave their bloc votes in 2011
Yes, personally, all my life I had always been on the side of progressives. But in 2011, I voted him and even mo­bilized Nigerians to allow him succeed the late President Yar’Adua. Today, I am disappointed in him because despite his level of education, he has failed to move the country forward. I am surprised that President Jonathan could engage in poli­tics of hate and bitterness.
Another practical lesson I have learnt in life was about former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba. When he was governor, his birthday often attracted large crowds, but after he left office, less than 30 persons celebrate with him. So, I will also like President Jonathan to think about these in the way he relates with people now and remem­ber that one day, he will leave the presi­dency and become ex president; then, he will know his true associates. He should know that most of his advisers are vultures who are only out to grab what they can eat and that is all. They are not ready to add value to his life. Take for instance, retired General Martin Agwai was relieved of his job as Sure-P boss because of his frank analysis of is­sues bothering Nigerians. A very smart president would have learned from his speech and not fire him. I read through the speech and there was nothing wrong with it and have expected Mr President to take note of pertinent issues raised, address it and that would have made his government popular. Any leader who sees critics as enemies is not really ready to embrace change.
How strong is APC in Ogun?
As I speak to you now, in all the 20 local government areas of the state, there is something to show that there is governance. Within the past four years, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has been able to put up visible structures in the rural and urban areas. Take Ado-Odo for instance, it used to be a place that was not fit to be a local government head­quarters, but since the inception of this government, it had rehabilitated roads and government offices and the people now have a sense of belonging. Most roads we have in Ogun State like the Agbara Atan road are Federal govern­ment roads. That notwithstanding, the state government had been able to inter­vene where necessary to bring succour to the commuters. As I speak with you, Igbesa road is under construction while drainage is being fixed along the Atan road. Governor Amosu had also been able to build two model schools in each of the twenty local governments to boost education in the state. Then at the seat of government in Abeokuta, Amosun had been able to upgrade the state to a befit­ting state capital through renovation of government offices.
How is Governor Amosun ad­dressing problem of poverty?
Amosun had embarked on various degrees of empowerment. As I speak to you now, his administration is giving out token to youths in every ward in the state. In fact, 10 came to Agbara ward. One of the beneficiaries is from my political unit.
How prepared is APC to win the presidential election?
We are grateful to the leadership of APC for giving us the duo of General Muhamadu Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo as Presidential and vice presidential candidates. Buhari had done it in the past when he was military Head of State about three decades ago, and I believe that he would still do it again this time around if he wins. If you cast your mind back in the 80s when Alhaji Shehu Shagari declared austerity measure, it was Buhari who ended that nightmare for Nigerians. It was Buhari who also restored discipline and morality to our national life. The fear of the presidency and the PDP is that General Buhari will jail them if he becomes president.
But Buhari had declared that he won’t probe past leader if elected
General Buhari is more matured now than he was 30 years ago and I believe that his approach this time around will be accepted by Nigerians who are yearn­ing for change. Besides, Buhari would not want to waste taxpayer’s money probing rogues. Rather, he would like to get to work immediately to clean the mess created by the ruling party.
But some people insinuate that he retracted his earlier vow to probe past corrupt leaders be­cause some of his party leaders are also corrupt.
I don’t think so. And on the Tinubu issue, I want you to note that
Alhaji Bola Tinubu had been invited by EFCC several times and is acquitted because no evidence of corruption had been labeled against him. So, instead of grumbling and spreading evil lies against him, the people should go to court if they had any evidence against him. So, Buhari’s statement had no con­nection with that.