Since the last House of Assembly election which saw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State winning 21 of the 26 seats, the party has further consolidated on its control of the state's political space. In this interview, the state Commissioner for Information, Hon Kayode Akinmade, speaks on how the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko-led PDP government has been able to endear the party to the people through landmark achievements.
The PDP in Ondo State seems to be consolidating its hold on the political terrain since the last House of Assembly election. How has it happened?
So far so good. PDP in Ondo is getting sure-footed, fresher and more robust with members getting happier and more at peace with themselves and with the remarkable performance of its government. In fact, it could only get better because that is what is happening. The April 11 election represented the yearnings of the people of the state. It was an Ondo State affair and our performance in the election is a thing we will continue to celebrate the people of the state for. It was an unprecedented leap forward. We secured 21 of the 26 seats in the state House of Assembly. This is a clear indication of acceptance of the PDP by the people. The result of that election speaks volumes showing that the people of Ondo have implicit confidence in the leadership of Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the PDP.
You think you can repeat the House of Assembly election feat in future elections in the state?
The PDP is the masses party in Ondo State and is well prepared. We have equally embarked on a mutually inclusive restructuring programme to give every member of the party, irrespective of former political inclination, a sense of belonging. PDP is going through genuine integration.
Look at the recent composition of caretaker committee chairmen at the various local governments, we have members drawn from major interests within the party.
During the March presidential election, our party took so many things for granted, not knowing that some of our former leaders, trusted with sensitive positions, had planned to work with the opposition in order to wreak havoc on the party. As soon as the election was done with, we went back to the drawing board for a quick comeback. With the support of the people, we were able to recover lost grounds within two weeks . Then the black legs, who undermined our structures in the presidential election, came out in their true colours by decamping to the APC and that gave us the opportunity to re-strategize and the result shocked their bookmakers. Moreover, the issues that surrounded the state House of Assembly election made it absolutely difficult for our people to go beyond matters connected with local variables. The local variables are that the Ondo State people will determine who and who will represent them at the parliament of the state.
You are so confident your party will continue to hold sway in the state. Where is this confidence coming from?
It is coming from the demonstration of love and loyalty by the people who always demonstrate they appreciate the leadership and selfless commitment of Governor Mimiko to ensure that they live decent lives which is evident in the various programmes of the government.
Take a look at the urban renewal feat of the government. It is not for fun that the United Nations honoured the governor with the UN Scroll of Honour Award for his achievements in urban renewal. Today, Akure major roundabouts have become some tourists attraction with the water fountain providing beautiful scenery while the greenery has become a toast to the environment, providing health benefits for the citizenry.
We know what the infant and maternal mortality rate was in the state before the Mimiko administration. It was a thing of great fear to be pregnant in Ondo before the administration came on board. Today, his efforts at eradicating deaths at child birth are so pronounced that the World Health Organization (WHO) took it upon itself to tell the whole world that other governments should come to our state to understudy its safe motherhood project (Abiye) which gave birth to the Mother and Child Hospital and the Agbebiye projects.
Health care in Ondo, as bad as the economy is nationwide, is still free. That is why you see people from neighbouring states rushing to the state to access the free health care. But we are now streamlining and maximizing this opportunity for the greater benefit of our people with the introduction and deployment of Kaadi Igbeayo, a multi-purpose smart card with limitless opportunities. If you are not resident in the state, you cannot have the card and, before you can enjoy our free health now, you must present the card. This is to ensure that the health and other benefits of our people, in relation to education , micro-credit, transportation, agric inputs, among others, are prioritized.
Are the achievements in the health sector not on account of the governor being a medical doctor ?
Mimiko is not the only governor who is a medical doctor. The issue is about governance with passion, it's about advancing the frontiers of governance. Before Mimiko's government, the only dualised road we had was the Oba Adesida Road, Akure and it was without road furniture. To the glory of God and ingenuity of the Mimiko government, there are about six dualised roads in the state now. Those who knew what Arakale Road used to be should be able to say what it is now; ditto for Owo, Ondo,Igbokoda and other roads that have been dualised or being dualised. These are roads constructed with the full complements including lights, drainage, millennium bus stops; infact with all the road furniture available in developed countries.
Now, see the turnaround in our education system. Apart from the special attention the government is giving to the welfare of teachers, our Mega Schools have become a model. Other governments have been visiting the state to understudy its health and education models.
Ondo State University of Science and Technology founded in Ondo South by the previous government did not take off until this government came in. Today, students of the university are approaching graduation. The other Ondo State-owned university, Akungba-Akoko is one of the best state universities, as rated by the United States Transparency International Standard. The Senate Building in the university recently commissioned by Governor Mimiko is the best in Nigeria. More importantly, Adekunle Ajasin University charges the least tuition fees in the country. This is what we call social welfare from a responsible government and the people are better for it.
We also have the free school shuttle buses for pupils across the state.
In the area of security, the state has witnessed peace and tranquility occasioned by the responsible leadership of Mimiko. Some of our projects the opposition is criticizing are being copied in some of their states. Go to Osun and Oyo, they are trying to follow on our footsteps. They too are building markets, mega schools and even aping the school free shuttle buses and so on. In Ondo, government creates jobs through mechanised agriculture. A visit to government farms in Auga, Epe, Isuada and Ore will show how well this government has improved agriculture with many of our youths developing careers there. Today, cocoa farmers in the state will tell you the transformation that has come into their trade as a result of the government revolution in cocoa even as our chocolate experiment won an award in England. Are you aware that in Ondo now, it takes just eight weeks to get a C of O and for as cheap as N15,000?
And you don't think the defection of some bigwigs from your party to the opposition will make a difference in future elections in the state like it did at the last presidential election?
Who are the bigwigs? Are you referring to those who left our party on the eve of the House of Assembly election thinking their exit will make a difference and got the greatest shock of their lives? Those you referred to as bigwigs are paper weight and inconsequential as far as Ondo politics is concerned. Some of the so-called bigwigs defected before the state House of Assembly election. Ahead of the presidential election, we had issues but we won bigger at the Assembly election after they had left. This means that those who left are inconsequential, they are not bigwigs as you described them. Their leaving has no effect on our party; infact, it brought peace, progress, fresh drive and determination to excel into us and our party remains a strong party.
Do you not think the domineering effect of the APC at the national level would rub off on the electoral fortunes of the APC to the disadvantage of the PDP in Ondo?
