IGNORE ETHNIC BIAS TO ELECT THE NEXT PRESIDENT – APGA CHIEFTAIN, DEACON OLALERE
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The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Deacon Samson Segun Olalere is opposed to tribal politics, arguing that it is one of the banes of Nigerian politics. He recently spoke with Spheres News Crew, led by Olusakin Babalola. Read excerpts of the interview below:
Spheres News: Why is APGA not fielding any candidate for the 2023 Presidential Elections?
Deacon Olalere: APGA has a Presidential Candidate for the 2023 elections. Hẹ is Prof. Peter Umeadi, a retired Chief Judge of Anambra State, now a Professor of Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Spheres News: Since an Igbo man is contesting the race, who will APGA supporters follow?
Deacon Olalere: APGA is supporting the Candidate who happens to be an Igbo man with a running mate from Bauchi State, Comrade Koko.
Spheres News: As a Yoruba man will you support a candidate from your race?
Deacon Olalere: I am extremely loyal to my party and my support is for my party candidate regardless of His ethnic background. What matters to me is His ability to deliver on the Party manifesto. Nigeria must ruẹse above this tribal divide that has left us where we are today.
Spheres News: What would be the redaction of your people to holding a position different from their tribe?
Deacon Olalere: What should matter to any Nigeria should be efficiency, rather than this ethnic and tribal sentiment that has kept the nation down to date.
Spheres News: Does it mean of all politicians in APGA, none is competent to contest for the presidency?
Deacon Olalere: Ironically, you have not been following the trend.
Spheres News: Would you predict the nation is not reverting to tribal politics?
Deacon Olalere: Unfortunately the tendency does not augur well for the Nation’s development, hence the need for restructuring which will usher in true Federalism and nurture healthy competition that will aid development.
Spheres News: What is your brief assessment of the three presidential candidates?
Deacon Olalere: Ironically, I see 18 Presidential Candidates. That has given Nigeria a great latitude to choose from. Narrowing our choice to the so-called three Candidates, especially by the General Media, has aided the narrow-mindedness of Nigerians.
Spheres News: People said the Ndigbo are threatening to back out of the 2023 election. Is that a reasonable decision if the threat is carried out?
Deacon Olalere: The Ndigbo are not backing out of the 2023 election. Rigorous campaigns start soon and you will see them in full participation.
Spheres News: Do you see the Labour Party equipped to field anybody for the presidency or you would recommend to APGA leadership to negotiate with Labour Party for the 2023 election?
Deacon Olalere: APGA Candidate is far better than the Labour Party Candidate who ironically was a Governor for 8 years in Anambra State under the banner of APGA, where he came to the limelight. Labour Party Candidate is operating under the shadows of APGA.
Spheres News: The last Osun gubernatorial election was a miracle. Do you see the APC defeat as justifiable?
Deacon Olalere: It is certain that the APC government has failed Nigeria and the result of the Osun Governorship election is a pointer to what to expect come 2023.
Spheres News: Do you see the call for restructuring as a panacea to all our problems like insecurity, unemployment, and equity?
Deacon Olalere: Yes, restructuring will encourage healthy competition that will positively stir the economy and development in the right direction, in line with what was witnessed in the first republic, when the western region set the record in terms of development strides under the able leadership of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
