Billionaire businessman and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim is one of the frontline aspirants contending for the governorship ticket of the party in Kwara.
The form was actually picked up by some well-meaning Kwarans on my behalf; those who have been clamouring for my participation in the political process. We have consulted widely and I can tell you that there is a ground swell of support for our cause.
I am under no illusions that the desired political change in Kwara will be an easy process. Everyone knows the battle will be hard, because no one relinquishes power voluntarily.
But PDP will certainly reclaim Kwara come 2015 because the people are tired of the present government, make no mistake about that. The signposts are there and the change cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another 4 years.
Who is your Godfather in Kwara politics?
I do not have a Godfather because I do not believe I need one. I believe that Godfatherism is nepotism, it robs a people of opportunity to identify and elect the best amongst them. Because the leaders that emerge are appointed by the Godfather and not through the popular choice of the people, they owe their obligation to the Godfather and not to the people.
They are answerable to the Godfather; they do not feel accountable to the people because they were not put there by them. They serve the bidding and interest of the Godfather, and are not touched by or accept blame for the poor living conditions of our people.
We have ceased to anoint candidates in Kwara PDP and I can assure you that every candidate will have a level playing field as we have no Godfather problem in the party. The people of Kwara will become my Godfathers and Godmothers if I am elected into office. That way I will be responsible to them and use the assets of the State, its resources, fertile lands and natural resources in the most efficient ways possible for the common good of all our people.
Do you agree with those who say that the Saraki dynasty is dead in Kwara?
Kwarans are not unmindful of the contributions that Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the Wazirin Ilorin, and former Senate Leader who was widely regarded by most Nigerians as the ‘Strongman’ of Kwara politics, has made in the lives of Kwarans both economically and politically.
However, Kwara State is not an empire or private dynasty of the Sarakis so the argument about whether their Saraki Dynasty is alive or dead in the state is not an issue. Kwara State is part of Nigeria, owned by the people and governed by whosoever receives the mandate of Kwarans and not by any particular family or any Dynasty.
And secondly, we do not have a caste system where the aristocrats lord over the common class.
Kwarans are now politically savvy and are seriously agitating for a total cleansing of the political terrain, exorcism on the evil demon called Godfatherism, removal of all forms of Oil used in anointing our political leaders and the freedom to fully participate in the political process without fear of retribution.
Today the drums of political freedom can be heard strongly in every street, town hall, village and hamlet in Kwara. So no Godfather or Godson will be allowed to dictate to our people anymore, because ruling Kwara is nobody’s birth right. We are all tired.
Why would someone like you with your rich background, the immediate past president of the prestigious Alumni Association leave all that for politics?
When I survey the State with the eyes of a business person, see opportunities all around, but the reality on ground today is widespread poverty. Going by the goals we have been able to accomplish in Lubcon with our very modest means, well-wishers of the State have over the years and at various instances been urging me to come in and make a difference. As a true patriot who could no longer sit by and watch things fall apart before our very eyes, I have responded to their call.
It is claimed that you still have some business relationships with the Sarakis and that you may be fronting for them. How true is this? (laughs) Its funny the types of stories that people come up with, you cannot but marvel at how they make up all sorts of tales.
My relationship with Senator Bukola Saraki dates back to our secondary school days at Kings College Lagos where he was my junior, and being from the same state, he naturally came under my wings.
We have political differences stemming from the different views we hold on the role of government, the manner in which it carries out its mandate and its overall relationship with the people. This has however not affected our relationship as friends.
I believe that the present government which he installed has not delivered the expected democracy dividends to our people.
In all of Senator Bukola Saraki’s eight year tenure as governor, I was not appointed into any position in his cabinet, was never nominated for any Federal appointment, so it baffles me when people say I am fronting for him. I run a business that is about the second largest employer of labour in the state, I have been privileged to head the alumni association of the most prestigious institution in the country… My question to them is “What do they think I would be offered to make me front for someone and take orders from the person on how I run my government? Is it position, is it money or what?”
I would also like to point out that I am an Independent Director in Heritage bank, my appointment was approved by the Central Bank to ensure adherence to best practices and to help reposition the Bank and enhance its smooth take off. And Independent Directors do not own shares in the bank as per CBN guidelines.
Sir, finally, what will Kwarans expect if you emerge from the PDP primaries and eventually become their Governor in 2015.
Apart from some of the key areas I have already highlighted, I would very importantly like to change the way government works by making it less bureaucratic and more accessible to the people. Transparency and accountability will be our watch word; we will make our budgets public, hold town hall meetings and publish regular accounts to ensure that the governed have access to what their leaders are doing. We will give every Kwara child a stake in the promise and future of our dear State. We will agree high learning outcomes for our schools and ensure that qualified teachers are engaged to deliver on them. We will put enabling infrastructures in place, provide entrepreneurial and vocational training for our young people so the State becomes a beehive of sprouting businesses that will provide gainful employment opportunities for our people. In today’s rapidly changing world where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunities, it is a prerequisite for survival. We will work to expand opportunities and not bureaucracy, to empower people so they can live a fulfilled life in Kwara. We will make agriculture attractive for our youths to ensure food security and prosperity. So I urge Kwarans to rise up to usher out yesterday’s government, and bring in a new government that can meet today’s and tomorrow’s needs
In this interview, Ibrahim reviews the political situation in the state and the agenda before him. Excerpts:
You recently picked up the Expression of interest for the governorship primaries in PDP. What are your chances?The form was actually picked up by some well-meaning Kwarans on my behalf; those who have been clamouring for my participation in the political process. We have consulted widely and I can tell you that there is a ground swell of support for our cause.
Jani: Changing permutations
But PDP will certainly reclaim Kwara come 2015 because the people are tired of the present government, make no mistake about that. The signposts are there and the change cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another 4 years.
Who is your Godfather in Kwara politics?
I do not have a Godfather because I do not believe I need one. I believe that Godfatherism is nepotism, it robs a people of opportunity to identify and elect the best amongst them. Because the leaders that emerge are appointed by the Godfather and not through the popular choice of the people, they owe their obligation to the Godfather and not to the people.
They are answerable to the Godfather; they do not feel accountable to the people because they were not put there by them. They serve the bidding and interest of the Godfather, and are not touched by or accept blame for the poor living conditions of our people.
We have ceased to anoint candidates in Kwara PDP and I can assure you that every candidate will have a level playing field as we have no Godfather problem in the party. The people of Kwara will become my Godfathers and Godmothers if I am elected into office. That way I will be responsible to them and use the assets of the State, its resources, fertile lands and natural resources in the most efficient ways possible for the common good of all our people.
Do you agree with those who say that the Saraki dynasty is dead in Kwara?
Kwarans are not unmindful of the contributions that Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the Wazirin Ilorin, and former Senate Leader who was widely regarded by most Nigerians as the ‘Strongman’ of Kwara politics, has made in the lives of Kwarans both economically and politically.
However, Kwara State is not an empire or private dynasty of the Sarakis so the argument about whether their Saraki Dynasty is alive or dead in the state is not an issue. Kwara State is part of Nigeria, owned by the people and governed by whosoever receives the mandate of Kwarans and not by any particular family or any Dynasty.
And secondly, we do not have a caste system where the aristocrats lord over the common class.
Kwarans are now politically savvy and are seriously agitating for a total cleansing of the political terrain, exorcism on the evil demon called Godfatherism, removal of all forms of Oil used in anointing our political leaders and the freedom to fully participate in the political process without fear of retribution.
Today the drums of political freedom can be heard strongly in every street, town hall, village and hamlet in Kwara. So no Godfather or Godson will be allowed to dictate to our people anymore, because ruling Kwara is nobody’s birth right. We are all tired.
Why would someone like you with your rich background, the immediate past president of the prestigious Alumni Association leave all that for politics?
When I survey the State with the eyes of a business person, see opportunities all around, but the reality on ground today is widespread poverty. Going by the goals we have been able to accomplish in Lubcon with our very modest means, well-wishers of the State have over the years and at various instances been urging me to come in and make a difference. As a true patriot who could no longer sit by and watch things fall apart before our very eyes, I have responded to their call.
It is claimed that you still have some business relationships with the Sarakis and that you may be fronting for them. How true is this? (laughs) Its funny the types of stories that people come up with, you cannot but marvel at how they make up all sorts of tales.
My relationship with Senator Bukola Saraki dates back to our secondary school days at Kings College Lagos where he was my junior, and being from the same state, he naturally came under my wings.
We have political differences stemming from the different views we hold on the role of government, the manner in which it carries out its mandate and its overall relationship with the people. This has however not affected our relationship as friends.
I believe that the present government which he installed has not delivered the expected democracy dividends to our people.
In all of Senator Bukola Saraki’s eight year tenure as governor, I was not appointed into any position in his cabinet, was never nominated for any Federal appointment, so it baffles me when people say I am fronting for him. I run a business that is about the second largest employer of labour in the state, I have been privileged to head the alumni association of the most prestigious institution in the country… My question to them is “What do they think I would be offered to make me front for someone and take orders from the person on how I run my government? Is it position, is it money or what?”
I would also like to point out that I am an Independent Director in Heritage bank, my appointment was approved by the Central Bank to ensure adherence to best practices and to help reposition the Bank and enhance its smooth take off. And Independent Directors do not own shares in the bank as per CBN guidelines.
Sir, finally, what will Kwarans expect if you emerge from the PDP primaries and eventually become their Governor in 2015.
Apart from some of the key areas I have already highlighted, I would very importantly like to change the way government works by making it less bureaucratic and more accessible to the people. Transparency and accountability will be our watch word; we will make our budgets public, hold town hall meetings and publish regular accounts to ensure that the governed have access to what their leaders are doing. We will give every Kwara child a stake in the promise and future of our dear State. We will agree high learning outcomes for our schools and ensure that qualified teachers are engaged to deliver on them. We will put enabling infrastructures in place, provide entrepreneurial and vocational training for our young people so the State becomes a beehive of sprouting businesses that will provide gainful employment opportunities for our people. In today’s rapidly changing world where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunities, it is a prerequisite for survival. We will work to expand opportunities and not bureaucracy, to empower people so they can live a fulfilled life in Kwara. We will make agriculture attractive for our youths to ensure food security and prosperity. So I urge Kwarans to rise up to usher out yesterday’s government, and bring in a new government that can meet today’s and tomorrow’s needs
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