The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Kwara State House of Assembly candidate for Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, Ambassador Salahudeen Lukman popularly known as Eluku Omo Adugbo, in this media interaction tagged “RESCUE TALK SHOW WITH ELUKU“, elucidated his manifestos, plans and other issues bordering his candidacy.
Enjoy the excerpts:
Q: Giving due consideration to Democracy, what is your best definition of ‘Effective Representation’?
AIG Eluku: Democracy in this dispensation has been manipulated. The deliberate usage of poverty as a weapon by the system spread via unemployment and selective engagement of SME basically on tribal and religion sentiments. This has constituted to the loss of independence for the people.
The true definition should be government of the people, by the people and for the people, but what we have now is government of some people, by some people and for some people.
The introduction of some technology into our voting system is about to return power to the people. My aspiration is all about people’s wills, yearnings and aspirations. I have the understanding of the problems likewise the workable solutions-ideas. I have a blueprint that puts people first and centers my representation on peoples’ desires.
Q: As a youth, how do you compare the political situation of before with now? And how best do you think youths engagements in politics can be best exhibited?
AIG Eluku: The system seems extremely expensive nowadays when unemployment is at its peak. It has also become extremely difficult for youths to survive the political space.
Our leaders in their time have ample opportunities of offers from professional to politics; so their time seemed smoother compared to now. My approach to this subject remains consistent involvement with sincerity of purpose. Youth must understand their worth and role, then act accordingly to capacity.
Q: What other engagements do you do outside the shores of politics?
AIG Eluku: I am a human right activist; my hobby is to fight for people’s rights aside politics.
I also am a professional mining engineer, once I am not engaged in politics I switch to my activism or go into site activities for my mining job.
Q: What do you think is the most lingering challenge in Ojomu/Balogun constituency of Kwara that needs immediate approach?
AIG Eluku: I have identified major issues and challenges, from economy, to infrastructures and security.
Economically speaking, Owode market remains one of the prominent revenue generation centers for the Kwara State Government. It needs government support in terms of development and management as these two are low compared to what Owode contributes to kwara GDP.
I envisage a bill for the establishment of Kwara State Market Management Board where revenue generated from each market including Owode will have some percentage for its self development, maintenance and rehabilitation.
On banking system, since the incident of incessant bank robberies; Offa banking operations have not being a good experience and – as a matter of urgency – I shall be moving a motion for immediate adjustment of banking operations. I will provide more security and ensure bank working hour extension: 9:30 to 12:00 is not enough. All of these and more need to be corrected.
On Road maintenance vis-a-vis infrastructural development, I shall be pushing for decentralisation of Kwara State Roads Maintenance Agency (KWARMA) to have area offices in all local government areas of the state, or at least every federal constituency. I know this would aid prompt response to roads maintenance and rehabilitations.
I envisage expansion of the Kwara State College of Health Technology sited in Offa. I will do this via review of its establishment act.
You should recall that it used to be School of Health Technology before it was transformed to College of Health Technology, I am pretty sure it’s time for further expansion into University of Health Sciences and conversion of most of her part time staff to full time.
It’s also in my vision to get the College renamed to immortalized Chief JS Olawoyin who is a legend and political hero from our constituency.
Among other critical developmental laws aimed at improving economy and social wellbeing of Ojomu Balogun and the entire kwarans are Kwara State Mining Development Company, Kwara State Traditional Medicine Development Agency, Kwara State Investment Promotion Agency, Kwara State Youth Development Commission, amongst others.
Q: There is an axiom that says, “Popularity is expensive”, do you really believe in this ideology?
AIG Eluku: Popularity is expensive for deceptive politicians. For someone like me, it’s not, and I am one of the most popular candidates in this race; I am not blowing my own trumpet but I can boldly say I am sincere, respectful and responsible. I don’t give fake promises nor lie to people. Whatever anyone asks me, I try to give what I can offer immediately, so it is never an expensive experience for me. This is because popularity means one is known by many and many will be approaching for different purpose including assistance and support.
Q: As a would-be custodian of the state law, what major sector do you think the present day Kwara State government has failed her people in comparison to the past government of the PDP?
AIG Eluku: The capital failure of this administration is her inability to conduct local government elections and the state assembly failure to act on such constitutional bridge. No government in the past ever refused completely to conduct local government election; from Mohammed Lawal to Dr Bukola Saraki to Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed. All of them conducted local government elections.
Q: To the best of your understanding, do you think Kwara state is truly democratic as at today? If yes, why? And if no, why?
AIG Eluku: Yes, we are very much democratic; afterall we elected our leaders except for the illegal LG caretakers imposed on us by the incumbent government, court judgement tilt toward contrary regardless.
All these illegalities can be corrected once PDP government is all voted in come March 2023.
Q: If you are opportune with a tete ate discussion with the president of Nigeria and the president requested you with the opportunity to personally highlight the major challenges in your state (Kwara) that need federal intervention. What would you have told him?
AIG Eluku: Obviously, Industrialization is a dire need of Kwara. We need to create jobs and boost our economy. My request before Mr President will be Bank Of Industry’s support to boost industrialization.
Q: How well can you compare the ‘National Relevancy’ of Kwara state amidst her counterparts when former senate president Bukola Saraki was fully in charge in comparison to the state’s present political status?
AIG Eluku: The differences are clear. Now that we don’t have the likes of Dr Saraki we can see what is going on. Kwarans themselves can see these things and compare.
Q: Do you think a time is coming in Nigeria that electorates will passionately detest vote exchange for money?
AIG Eluku: Very sure. By the time things normalise, when poverty is reduced, unemployment is reduced, nobody will be interested in money for vote. I am optimistic that this day will come with Alh Atiku Abubakar’s presidency under PDP. Next election won’t be about how much, but how well equiped the candidates are.
Q: Is there any long term benefit that you have in mind for your consituents (Ojomu/Balogun) even after your tenure expiration in the state assembly?
AIG Eluku: Of course yes, most of these laws I am proposing are long-term and ever lasting innovations. The Market Management Board, conversation of Health Tech to University of Medicine Science, Road Maintenance Agency decentralization, Kwara Health Insurance Domestication, Kwara Youth Development Commission, Kwara Investment Promotion Agency amongst others; are all legacy moves.
Q: What have you identified as the biggest challenge for aspirants/political office holders when it comes to political services for the people?
AIG Eluku: Expectation is high from the people while resources is limited to the politicians. This is why I am pushing for revenue expansion establishment.
Q: How do you intend to convert college of health to a university?
AIG Eluku: The institution was established as a school of health technology before it was converted to a college of health tech. I have a practical experience and involvement in similar cases for KADPOLY, YABA TECH and Auchi Poly at national when I was NAPS Senate President. The bill is now at third reading and some have been passed already.
I was involved through NANS in similar conversation of Olumide Olumila University in Ekiti state from college of education. It’s all about review of the act that established the school which shall follow the rudiment of law making. I am an experienced legislative participant and a regular public hearing partaker.
