‘PDP Is The Party To Beat In Lagos’

President of Aeroland Nigeria Limited, Segun Adewale, is the Lagos West senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming general elections. In this interview, he speaks on his vision and strategies going into the election, declaring that his party will take over the state come May 29, this year.

WHY are you in the race for Lagos West senatorial seat and what are your cardinal programmes?

  For me, the poor infrastructural development of Lagos West made me to join the race and I have come to turn things around.  I believe that this time around, Lagos West needs a technocrat and a visionary leader, a man who has the capacity to be able to generate all the deliverables in the zone. I have told people in Lagos West that if I am elected and there is no significant progress within one year, I will resign and come back to my numerous businesses.

  I believe that credible representation is offering and sacrificing one’s self in selfless service to the people by representing their true desire and in turn bringing governance closer to the people. By expressing my desire to be part of government, I want to continue contributing my quota to the development of my community. I believe that with a comprehensive plan, Lagos West can be a better place to live for our children, women and visitors. 

What qualifies you to vie for the position? 

  Everybody is qualified but as far as I am concerned, I see myself as the best candidate that can give what the masses want. As a graduate you are qualified; even you are qualified as a secondary school graduate. But when you talk about performance, I am the man that can turn around things and represent the people well. It is all about managing people and resources effectively. I have run my enterprise successfully from zero position to a balance sheet of several millions.  Without trying to throw competence through the window, I believe it is important to first of all state that God qualifies the called first. My educational background, my professional exposure and ability to relate directly with majority of Lagos West having been part of the demographic makes me qualified to become the next senator representing Lagos West. 

 What is your vision and mission for Lagos West?

  Firstly, my mission is to formulate life-changing bills and lobby other senators to pass them into law in a quest to directly impact on the socio-economic wellbeing of the generality of the people irrespective of their tribe, language or religion.

  Second is to give the good people of Lagos West a voice in the scheme of things; to end the obvious neglect and marginalisation of the people and the places they call home or find their daily bread; to ensure that never again shall we only be a pool for voters during elections and then parasites when the time for development is being considered at the state level.

  Third, is to attract federal presence to Lagos West senatorial district; to articulate the need for the region to be accorded special status considering its size, huge population and the sorry state of gross neglect and under-development. 

What is your take on the thinking in some quarters that the candidate rather than the party win elections? 

That is where I stand. And that is why the party should be able to choose the right and credible candidate. If you choose a wrong candidate the people will revolt and vote for another party with the right candidate. That is why everything should be done based on level playing ground; that is key. Our party, PDP have a team of good candidates and we have come to lead the people to their promised land. We will take over Lagos State by the Grace of God. 

What is your take on the distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)?

  For me, INEC is doing its best. This is the first time we are using PVC; it is a foundation. It is like when you want to build a house in swampy area like Maroko, you need serious sand filling. A lot of people may not see your efforts while sand filling it but you must have done a lot of work during that foundation. I give it to INEC; they have done some works for Nigerians. They are still doing their best for our people. We must support them to ensure the elections are successfully conducted. I am calling on INEC to ensure everybody due to vote is given his or her PVC.