Get Guardian on Google… Faults Ondo Central Senator on representation
… Says electorate anger will prevail over vote buying at polls
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial District, Sunday Falae, has disclosed that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State would be a better option among the several presidential candidates jostling for the country’s number one seat in 2027.
While emphasising that President Bola Tinubu deserves a second term, Falae maintained that Makinde stands out as an even stronger choice citing what he described as his energy, antecedent and performance record.
The senatorial candidate, who is a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated this at the weekend during an interaction with journalists ahead of the forthcoming elections.
According to him, Makinde’s dynamism and achievements in Oyo State demonstrate the kind of leadership Nigeria requires amid the many issues facing the country.
The APM candidate revealed that his preference for the Oyo State governor informed his decision to decline the African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform, which he said would have required him to campaign against the president.
“He (Tinubu) deserves a second term. But if you give it to Governor Makinde, that’s fine. No, seriously. I’m not tribalistic, but like I said, Buhari did his eight years. He definitely wasn’t the best. I campaign for him, but I later regretted it. So he did his eight years; let us finish our eight years.
“So, does he deserve it? Yes. Does Makinde deserve it? Even better. That means he has the energy, and he has done well in Oyo State,” Falae stated.
He explained that he was approached by multiple parties but chose the APM because its presidential candidate fits the criterion of a Yoruba successor to complete the remaining years of the presidency.
Falae described his campaign as a “Rainbow Coalition” of supporters from various parties, including the PDP in Ondo Central, which he said did not field a senatorial candidate and has adopted him.
He argued that the coalition reflects a growing national sentiment where voters are increasingly willing to split their ballots across party lines for different offices.
On the state of representation in Ondo Central, Falae stressed that the incumbent senator has failed to provide effective representation, leaving the district without a visible voice in the National Assembly.
He said his decision to contest was driven by widespread complaints encountered across all six local governments, where he said constituents feel abandoned by their current representative.
Falae, who said his move from the APC was in response to the gap between campaign promises and legislative performance, outlined his plan to decentralise representation if elected, including the establishment of staffed offices in each of the six local governments.
When asked about the APM’s perceived lack of popularity, Falae dismissed the notion, stating that the party has become a household name, particularly in Akure South and Akure North, where he said citizens are tired of the established parties and are flocking to the APM.
While speaking on concerns about vote buying, Falae stated that even if the ruling party distributes money, the electorate’s anger and desire for change will prevail, adding that he has the trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), provided that honest party agents are deployed to collation centres and that signed result sheets are meticulously safeguarded.
He also disclosed his support for the removal of the fuel subsidy, describing it as one of the best decisions of the current administration, arguing that without the removal, Nigeria would have faced bankruptcy, as the country was spending 92 naira for every 100 naira earned on debt servicing.
He attributed the current economic hardship to global factors, including the Iranian war and the mid-term elections in the United States, rather than solely to the Nigerian president.
“If they want to, they can buy all they want. It’s not going to work. Because, trust me, I’m on the streets every day. And the anger is there. Look at what happened in Osun. Why is everybody saying Rainbow coalition? Rainbow coalition means that you can vote for presidential in this party, governorship in this party, senatorial, or different parties.
“In fact, there was a woman who said she’s voting APC for presidential, me for Senate, ADC for MHR, and SDP for House of Assembly. I’m serious. So, that is the way it’s going to go. People are angry. And they want change. And so, they can bring all the money. They will take the money and vote for their conscience. So, I’m not even afraid of vote buying.
“They can come and bring all the money. Even if they give me the money, say, ‘Me’, I will take it and vote where I need to vote. So, vote buying, I think that’s what they are relying on, but it’s not going to work. That’s the truth.”
