Morayo Lebi, lawyer and governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, spoke with The Nation on his plans for the state, preparations for the shadow poll and how to avert post-primary crisis.
What are the factors or issues that will shape the Ondo APC primary?
It’s an important election, an off- cycle election where the national attention will be focused on our activities. What is paramount to all stakeholders is to elect a candidate that will lead the party to victory in the general election. Therefore, the issue of loyalty, consistency and character will be serious factors. Because of the experience in the recent past, the issue of reward for aborigines that have been consistently supporting the building of the party over the years, especially those who have not been rewarded for their commitments to the party, will be a serious factor. Of course, integrity will be another vital factor; aspirants without baggage such as certificate, financial, and debt issues are those to be reckoned with as no sensible party will want to present a candidate that will be chased away in court due to scandalous background.
Another point that will also be a factor is someone acceptable across the board.
The party is polarised in Ondo State because of the controversy over the sickness and the eventual death of our former governor. The party needs someone who can unite all factions occasioned by the controversy.
How can the party ensure a free, fair, and credible shadow poll?
APC’s leadership has already put a watertight process in place that will ensure a credible, acceptable, free, and fair election. Besides, the electoral umpire, INEC, will mobilise their officials to monitor the elections as promised recently by Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman.
What is the assurance that you will be able to beat other aspirants at the primary?
The assurance can only be given by God. Nobody receives anything without being given by God. However, as an aspirant, I have done my homework. I am known in the party for my efforts over the years in building the party from scratch. My commitments and financial contributions to the growth and entrenchment of the party across the state are well known to most of the members and leaders of the party. I haven’t taken anything for granted for I have equally gone across all the 18 local government areas in the state, 203 wards, and all units. I have coordinators in every ward.
Besides, I have impeccable records and unbeatable track records both in the conduct of my private affairs and in my relationship with all stakeholders. I have sold my vision and mission to all our party faithful, that I have the capacity to transform the fortune of the state and so far, they are excited by the opportunity our aspirations offer.
The governor who wields the power of incumbency is in the race. Is that not a threat to your aspiration?
No. His Excellency, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is a governor today by divine unfathomable orchestration. In 2015, when I was running for Senate in Ondo South which comprises six local governments, Mr Aiyedatiwa contested for the House of Representatives which comprises two local governments. The so-called power of incumbency could be an advantage and it can also become an albatross. People will want to know what he has done so far with the famed incumbency power. What projects has he successfully executed so far with the incumbency power at his disposal? Has he been able to unite the party or not? Anyway, Governor Lucky is simply not a threat to my aspiration.
How can Ondo APC avert a post-primary crisis?
Like your first question, this is another critical question that requires sobriety. The party must be fair to all stakeholders. The process must be transparent and the track records of aspirants shouldn’t be overlooked. And, I am sure that post-primary management of both the winners and others will be put in place.
Some aspirants may be planning to step down. What is your view?
It is part of exercising the fundamental human and political rights of aspirants to decide whether to step down for other aspirants or not. There will be political rapprochement, alignment re-alignment, and understanding among aspirants. But, as for me, Barr Morayo Lebi, I am in the race to win.
What is the importance of the next governorship election for Ondo State?
It is an election that will usher in fresh people with fresh ideas into governance. The outgoing administration will be leaving after 8 years ( together with the late Governor because it was a joint ticket). Also, after 16 years, Ondo Southern District will be having one of their sons as the occupant of Alagbaka Government House. Talking seriously too, the people are desirous of change in terms of concrete and verifiable development. There’s a new President with a new team and agenda that is giving some positive vibes in the economic sector. There’s a massive road being constructed that will link Lagos to Calabar that will pass through Ondo State. The last administration approved a Sea Port for the state. These are serious opportunities that must be leveraged by the coming administration and these and many more reasons why the election is very important.
What edge do you think you have over other contestants?
I have virtually answered this in one of the questions you asked me above. I have been a loyal, dedicated, and committed party man, an aborigine! I have helped in building the party across the state starting from my ward in Akotogbo to Akure, state office. I have devoted a huge chunk of my personal resources to the funding of the party without any corresponding reward so far from the party. Most of the contestants merely joined the party to hijack what some of us have laboured so hard to build. They are here to merely fulfil political ambitions. Most of them are shamelessly reaping where they haven’t sown. My antecedents as a Lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist, coupled with my provable academic records, and my robust agenda for the overall prosperity of the state, I am sure, I am the most suitable person to win this contest. My agenda for the overall development of the state and my passion is the edge I have over others.
As you are in this race, what is your Plan B?
What do you mean by plan B? Those always running around, jumping from one party to another party are the ones you should be asking about their Plan B or Plan Z! My only plan is to emerge the candidate for my party and emerge victorious in the general election scheduled for November.
What is responsible for this bravado in Ondo APC that makes its stakeholders think that it cannot be displaced by PDP during the governorship election?
What’s bravado? What’s the crime in having conviction that your party is unbeatable? Oh, you don’t think the incumbency factor ( as you press guys like to put it) will be to our advantage this time around? Our late leader, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, laid a solid foundation and we are leveraging on his achievements. Nationally, President Bola Tinubu and his team are re-kindling hope in the economy and don’t you think it will have a positive effect on the election? If those are what you are calling bravado, I think they are well-earned.
What are your core plans for the state, if you become governor?
Massive infrastructural developments, youth empowerment through education( ICT), agricultural revolution, integrated rural development, prudent resources management. We shall harness our natural resources and endowment like the coastal areas, nearness to Lagos, etc to transform our dear state. Ondo State has the geographical advantage and we are going to utilize that advantage. In the area of tourism, we are going to globalise Ondo State so that it would attract international investment in tourism as it has been successfully done in Dubai and other progressive countries in the world.
What is responsible for the feeling in Ondo APC that direct is better than indirect primary?
Can you share with me how you arrived at this conclusion? Well, if it’s for academic exercise, I can reel out the advantages, benefits, and also the demerits of both the direct and indirect primary election. Whatever system is being adopted is decided by the party. It’s their prerogative. What matters is the transparency, fairness, and integrity of the entire process. Let everything necessary for the conduct of a free and fair election be put in place with adequate security and top-notch logistics.
Credit: The Nation
