18th May, 2011
OLUKAYODE SALAKO, President of Fasholamania Movement speaks with P.M.NEWS on the just concluded elections and how Governor Fashola must do even more to justify his mandate.
Governor Babatunde Fashola had a landslide victory. How do you feel now that his continuity is a reality and what next for your movement?
Governor Fashola’s victory is well deserved and a confirmation and approval of the continuity by the majority of Lagosians. His victory was long anticipated, but along the line, in the course of the election campaigns, opposition candidates in the governorship election, especially that of the Peoples Democratic Party, really created high tension at the dying minutes through their antagonistic and defamatory campaign messages. But thank God, Lagosians still decided to vote for continuity. I feel elated that the people of the state did not make the mistake of voting out a good government.
But, some of the opposition candidates raised some salient issues, bothering on the shortcomings and inadequacies of Governor Fashola’s administration. What is your take on that?
Is it possible for any of the aspirants raising the allegations to be governors of a cosmopolitan complex society like Lagos State and run a completely perfect government? Is it possible to govern and solve all the problems of Lagos State in one term of four years? When Dosumu was head of NIMASA, did he solve all the problems of NIMASA before he left?
Now, what can you say are your gains and challenges from the Fasholamania community project?
We are happy to be part of the people that appealed to the leadership and followership of Action Congress of Nigeria to endorse Governor Fashola for a second term. We are very happy we did not labour in vain. We faced so many challenges, but we were never discouraged. I, the president, in particular have faced a lot of challenges from even members of the Fasholamania community who accuse me of collecting money from the government and pocketing it. I do things because I have strong believe in it.
The ACN performed very well in the last general election, against the expectation of some Nigerians, what do you think is responsible for this in your own view?
You see, apart from the fact that ACN is the best progressive political party in Nigeria with a good manifestos and rewarding programmes, the party was also very calculative, smart and wise to have listened to the agitation of Nigerians not to drop Fashola. So, endorsing Governor Fashola’s candidature really made people happy and they decided to go the reality way, the ACN way, during the election. And so, everybody was just voting for ACN of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola to continue to govern Nigeria. That is the plain truth! An Ibo friend, who just came back from Abia State, shared a funny story of how some illiterate Ibo voters came to the polling booth, asking for where they were going to vote for Fashola on the ballot paper in a village in Abia State. Let me also add that ACN parades the finest category of credible, civilised and progressively minded politicians in the country that many people know.
It seems you are you campaigning for ACN?
You should know now that the election is over, so I can’t be campaigning for any party at this time. I am only telling the truth about what I know of ACN.
You have not said anything about Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the indefatigable leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, why or is it because you are not a Tinubumania?
All along, you too did not ask me anything about Asiwaju. So, you don’t expect me to start answering a question you did not ask me, when I am not a hypocrite, sycophant or praise singer. Well, when you talk of Tinubu nowadays, you want to start talking about a very strong political institution in Nigeria. Even the PDP has been unable to find a solution to the problem he is creating for them in the South West. Asiwaju is a man I respect and admire so much for his political sagacity and master strategies. When it comes to radically progressive politics, give it to him. He is the master of the game. Honestly, Tinubu, at present, is the father of progressive politics in Nigeria. Fate has undisputedly conferred that on him, a status, if well managed, can take him farther than Nigeria and sustain his political legacy for the generation unborn to read about, just like it is happening to Obafemi Awolowo’s legacy today. I hardly talk about Tinubu because I am not an ACN politician or a hypocrite, but I respect and admire him a lot for so many things. He is selfless, kind, generous, caring, and intelligent. In fact, name it! My brother, it is just that the glory of our God almighty is not the same as the glory of his son, Jesus Christ or Mohammed, in Islam. When we pray in our churches today, we pray in Jesus name so that God can answer our prayers, but in Tinubu and Fashola’s case, it is not so. Some people or some politicians in Lagos State don’t ever get comfortable when we mention Fashola’s name. In fact, it is a sin to mention the governor’s name in some quarters which ought not to be so and I feel very worried about it. I still don’t know why the glory of Fashola, the son, cannot also be celebrated or shine along side with that of his father, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. So, in my own view, Asiwaju is the Father of progressive politics in Nigeria and Babatunde is the lord of the progressive leadership and governance in Nigeria as of today. So, I expect the glory of the governor of Lagos State to shine alongside that of his political father and mentor, there is nothing wrong in that.
So, what next for your movement, now that Governor Fashola has finally been re-elected?
Fashola is already a philosophy in our hearts — Fasholaism. We are going to continue to do all what we have been doing even more, appreciating Governor Fashola’s kind of leadership, government, ideals and principles, supporting everything about him stronger than before, because, now, the coast is clear that he will continue to be the governor of Lagos State for the next four years. Besides, our movement will continue to exist as a watchdog and as the voice of the people.
This is a big project. Where do you hope to source for funds to achieve this plan?
I believe strongly that with God, who knows that Nigerians deserve this kind leader in governance, will surely raise help. I have never failed in my life and I believe that Fasholamania movement project will be a success story. God will surely raise help from Nigerians who will encourage the survival of this project.
Why do you think anybody would believe that the governor did not pay you to do all you are doing for him?
It is simply because of distrust, impatience and materialistic consciousness. My experience with the Fasholamania project over time has made me realise that: one, Nigerians are very difficult to lead and two, the only language our people understand is money. Even if you don’t have a brain, even when they know you are a devil, once you have money, you can rule most Nigerians and ride them as a horse. Nigerians are too money concious. Once it comes to money, Nigerians are terrible! Very terrible, my brother!
What are the areas of challenges you would advise the governor to address more in his second term?
The Lagos environment! Let me remind Lagosians that the first thing God created before creating man is the Garden of Eden, a very beautiful and well organised habitable environment. He created it and put man in it to continue to live peacefully and healthily in it. So, our survival will always depend on our environment. Because of the importance of the environment to the survival of man, we cannot but continue to give the condition of our environment top priority. Everything we do as human beings depend on our environment: the air we breathe in; the water we drink; the food we eat; the shelter we live in; the sun shine etc. In fact, the totality of the survival of man depends on his immediate or resident environment. So, I am always an advocate of perfect socio-economic environment for all Nigerians. If we ask our government to give us constant electricity; good and motor able roads; potable water; affordable housing and all like that, it is still all about giving us a veritable and pleasant socio-economic environment. So, I will advise the governor to still continue to do more in the area of giving Lagosians a more conducive and appealing environment.
What is your own assessment of the just concluded general election nationwide?
Professor Atahiru Jega is the hero of the success of the election. His sincerity as the chairman of INEC is undaunted and second to none. He, like Governor Fashola, has also proved it that it is always very possible to conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria.
But who is to blame for the violence that claimed lives in the North, and how do you think we can overcome this ugly situation?
I will blame the problem generally on our colonial masters who did not bother to ask the North and the South whether they really want to be together as a nation before they conducted the forceful marriage of bringing all of us under a ‘sovereign’ independent Nigerian state. Now, they are killing us like rams because so many things are not just common about us. Secondly, I still do not think the Congress for Progressive Change’s leaders and followers can still be exonerated until the reports of the investigative panel set up by the Federal Government to investigate the cause of the murderous violence is out, because it is all about their Presidential candidate losing an election and they or their supporters, reacting violently to the results. CPC is still the main suspect in this case until proved otherwise.
Nigeria seems still very backward in almost everything compared to what happens in other countries around the world. What do you think is really the problem of Nigeria, starting from Lagos where you live?
Do you want to hear the truth? Nigeria as country has no problem at all! The main problem of Nigeria is the character and orientation of most Nigerians. The way we behave is the critical problem of Nigeria, honestly! If you might have observed keenly you would be very sad at the way Nigerians behave especially our leaders. We say the problem of Nigeria is leadership and the way the country is being governed. Yes, that is very correct. This is true, simply because the character of the Nigerian leadership is just too backward. Before now, the character and orientation of the Nigerian leadership is the main factor militating against the growth and progress of Nigeria. What made Nigerians vote for President Goodluck is his character. What will change the character of the Nigerian nation to one of the best in the world is the character of Nigerians. May we continue to have men of valuable character and orientation at the helm of affairs. Amen.