December 19, (THEWILL) -The Deputy National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Setonji Koshoedo, speaks with AYO ESAN about the worsening insecurity in the country, the chances of the PDP in next year’s governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, the forthcoming general election and other matters. Excerpts:
Congratulations on your inauguration. What should Nigerians, especially the PDP family expect from you and the new executives?
Nigerians should expect a vibrant opposition that will not just constructively criticise, but offer policy alternatives to the flaws of the ruling party. Secondly, the PDP family should expect reforms in party management and electoral process that will provide opportunities for the party faithful to achieve their goals.
The deputies in the last National Working Committee of your party complained of being sidelined and marginalised in the scheme of things. How confident are you that this won’t happen to the new executives?
Let us look at the cause of the problem. The way you run an organisation determines if it will succeed or not. What caused the misunderstanding between the deputies and their principals was a breakdown in the system. I am confident that our new executives will establish a system that will enhance cohesion and mutual respect for the satisfaction of all.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, recently said that insecurity would not stop investors from coming the country as opportunities abound in challenged and difficult areas. Do you agree with him?
Some of the things you hear from these APC guys are laughable. Security is a major factor for investors to consider in any investment. No sensible person will make such statement. No matter the business potential of a nation, investors will not be willing to invest at the risk of their lives and properties. I totally disagree with him on this.
What are the PDP’s chances in the 2023 presidential election and the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States?
The electorate are waiting for us. They are fed up with the APC-dominated government, but that does not mean we don’t have a part to play. I’m confident that PDP will win these elections if we plan and execute plans well.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is on his third year as governor of your home state, Lagos. What is your assessment of governance in Lagos State?
Nothing serious is happening in Lagos State. Or what do you expect from a capitalist system that is being controlled by the bourgeoisie? No significant project can be seen on ground since the beginning of his tenure. All we have is extortion of the masses through over taxation and many other means they’ve created. Lagosians must rethink.
Given the security situation in the country, do you really think Nigerians want the PDP to take over power at the centre, come 2023?
The return of the PDP to power has nothing to do with security. Every government all over the world always has security issues. The question is how well the government is able to handle it. No one can argue about whether the PDP government in the past handled security better than APC government of the day. The truth is that the PDP has a better solution to our security issues and must be allowed to come back and fix it as they did in the Niger Delta region.
What is your general assessment of President Buhari’s administration so far?
I wonder why we waste our time asking this question again. It is glaring that Nigerians have never had it this bad. They can’t wait to push the administration out with their votes.
Can you really say the PDP has learnt its lessons and will perform well if returned to power in 2023?
I sincerely think so. I think so because the process and the products of the last PDP National Convention made a clear statement of the readiness of the party to take over power come 2023. The retreat organised by the new NWC was another sign of good things to come. They are both signs of the rebirth of PDP and serious indications that it has learnt its lessons.
Are you impressed with the manner Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu handled the Endsars report?
Impressed? May be I should ask you the same question and see what your response will be. The governor was so inhuman about it. They’ve lost human feelings for Lagosians. They don’t care what happens to anyone. All they think about is their empire and, of course, their pockets. That is why they can keep on with their lies, even in the face of open truths.
Lagos PDP is yet to hold its congress after the initial one was disrupted. What are your expectations and what type of chairman do you think the party needs in Lagos?
Such is normal in party management. Members always agitate for their interests and that could cause such disruptions at times. The new NWC is going to look into all uncompleted congresses and do the needful. Lagos will have the chairman that is acceptable to all because that is what they desire.
Why do you think APC governors are against direct primaries in the electoral act amendment bill?
I really have no idea. All I know is that APC can’t support such people’s focus policy. You can check through the major policies of this government for clarity.
With your position, are we going to see a PDP governor emerge in Lagos in 2023?
It is God that gives power. We can only try our best. But I will work hard to make that happen. Lagosians deserve a change of government. And PDP at all levels will work hard to achieve a PDP government for Lagos, come 2023.
About the Author
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
