Hon. Ganny Oluwadare Dauda is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was the Executive Chairman of Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State from 1999 to 2002 and Member, House of Representatives from June 2011 to 2015. The Irun-Akoko-born astute politician in this interview, speaks on why he is the most qualified among aspirants eyeing the chairmanship position of the party in the State.

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SPECIAL INTERVIEW:

Hon. Ganny Oluwadare Dauda is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was the Executive Chairman of Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State from 1999 to 2002 and Member, House of Representatives from June 2011 to 2015.

The Irun-Akoko-born astute politician in this interview, speaks on why he is the most qualified among aspirants eyeing the chairmanship position of the party in the State.

Excerpts:
1. Why are you contesting for the Ondo APC chairmanship position and what differentiates you from other aspirants?

My name is Ganny Oluwadare Dauda from Oke-Irun/Surulere Ward 7 of Akoko North-West Local Government Area, Ondo State. By the provision of both the Nigeria Constitution and that of our party, it is compulsory that we go for congresses and conventions every four years to elect new officers to pilot the affairs of the party. I am interested in the state Chairmanship position because I know I can do very well in providing leadership for the party.
By my singular identity as introduced above, you will agree with me that am different from other aspirants. I am different in experience and I am different in comportment and so many things numerous to mention here by way of my creation.

2. If emerged, what would you do differently from what the current leadership of the party in the state is doing?

Well, the leadership has really tried with her various achievements which is there for everybody to see. Every human being has his/her characteristics, and this influences the affairs of each person in thoughts and in actions. One of the things I will do is creating a strong bridge between all segments of the party for a very robust interactions. I will domesticate the party for a bottom-top-bottom approach of leadership where every local government handles her affairs within the provision of the party constitution for the effectiveness and ease of administration by the state executives.

3. How would you use your wealth of experience to strengthen APC in the state, if elected?

Political party is an institution that can be seen as an Onion with different layers. Every sphere has its importance and uniqueness. All these spheres of the party structure will be given adequate recognition and allow them to function within the guidance of the party constitution. With this, members of the party will have the spirit of self belongings and this will builds their confidence in the party.

4. Presently, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is the leader of the party in the state, what’s your relationship with him and did you think he will support your ambition?

You are very correct about the position of our amiable Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Every reasonable person/aspirant for the exotic position must seek audience and discuss his/her ambition with him and also solicit for his support. He is the leader of all of us in Ondo State, even members of other political parties and non party members. But because of his affiliation with APC, he has a major stake and as an individual he must have his own interest. His disposition to each of us, the aspirants, will inform and influence who will have his greatest sympathy. My conscience tells me that I am not in his bad book and I may be lucky to share out of his luck.

5. What’s your thought on the imposition of candidates by most political parties including the APC?

Internal democracy is an integral mechanism for Democracy. Sometimes, what you see as an outsider is different from the play of the game. Consensus sometimes can be seen as imposition when it does not work in your favour. The leadership thinks most, the easiest way to win an election, both by cost implication and by party effort. Of course, sometimes the parties overdo the process that creates rancour within their parties but when there’s effective flow of communication between all spheres and organs of the party, there will always be enough understanding for adequate support.

6. What is your antecedent in party politics, especially in APC in Ondo State?

I have always been a loyal and financial member of APC for over ten years and my record is there from my ward, to the local government and the state. It will interest you that I aspired for this position in 2003 but the leadership then zoned the position to the southern senatorial seat of the state which ushered our leader, Ambassador Sola Iji in as the Chairman then. So I am not new in the party. I give glory to Almighty Allah for His kindness.

7. If elected, how are you going to relate with or involve other leaders of the party in the state, and the State Working Committee?

I am a team player. I see leadership as a football team. The linesman has his roles that is well spelt out in the rules that guide a match to play. These rules when not respected or adhere strictly to is calling for anarchy. The same thing is applicable to a party administration. The constitution provides for each office and the guiding rules. As long as this is respected, we will work as a formidable team that will easily deliver.

8. Today, scores of politicians are dumping their parties for APC, including Ondo State. What is your take on this?

Interesting, if you want to embark on a journey and suddenly you realized that you enter a wrong vehicle in the park, courtesy demands that immediately you realized that you are in a wrong vehicle, if you don’t change from the vehicle, the implication is that you will find yourself in a wrong destination. I salute the courage of these people moving to APC, particularly in Ondo State. The question is “Where is any other party?” Is there any crime in struggling to reach a desired destination?

9. Can you X-ray Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration in terms of developmental projects and people’s welfare?

Second to none. I am imaging what Ondo State will look like in another four years. My prayer is that God Almighty enrich all the people of Ondo State with good health and long life. Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa will surely take us to the next level. As the name connotes, the presence of the Governor in Ondo State at this time is Divine. The circumstances behind it is beyond human imagination. Let all of us be patient and pray that The Almighty Allah uses this Lucky man as a point of contact and connect to the flow of the anointing of Luck.

10. As a former Councillor, LG Chairman and House of Representatives member, can you state your unique achievements during these periods of your political career?

I am such a person that whatever I am able to do when I am in any office, I give credit and glory to Almighty Allah. The mistake we make is that these our so called achievements are what we campaign and solicit the support of the people that give us their mandate. The moment we are privileged to have the mandate, it is an indebtedness, we have to put a scorecard on the table to guide our performance. By the time you exit the position, you will be able to judge yourself on how good or bad your performances are. The three positions credited to me where I have been opportune to have served my people, are all elective positions and they are the three closest elective positions to the grassroots of politics. With due respect and complements of modesty, I don’t think there’s any other aspirant that has these credentials. I will leave my constituents in the three positions to be my advocates as it is always my slogan to always come back to them for a better opportunity. They are all in the streets in their numbers and prayers for my victory.

11. What is your message to APC faithful in the state ahead of the congresses?

I quite appreciate all our APC party faithful for their resilience and hope for the dividends of good governance in Ondo State. Our party is the institution that provides the government of Ondo State and the National. Let us be civil and provide genuine support for our choice of Aspirants with respect to other aspirants interest so that at the conclusion of the congresses, we are not pushed to a position of no returns. We are members of the same family even with the people who are still navigating their ways that will eventually lead them to this our God ordained party.