A House of Representatives Member For Ekiti Federal Constituency in the forthcoming general election in Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1, DR. JOSEPH GBOYEGA AYENIMO in this exclusive interview with AYODELE ABERE speaks on his ambition.
Your name and brief insight to your background sir?
I am Joseph Gboyega Ayenimo, an indegene of Ilawe Ekiti in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of Ekiti State. My dad was a peasant farmer and my mum was a very prominent and an astute Kolanut trader. I studied Chemistry at various Universities, both home and abroad. Besides, I have a technical qualification in water and waste water treatment process from a Technical College in Australia. Professionally, I am an Applied Chemist and water expert, with a vast experience in both academic and oil and gas industry. For decades, I have been an advocate of justice, equity and defender of human rights under the auspices of Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and under the tutelage of the foremost civil right meliorist, Barrister Femi Falana. As a member of the committee in Ondo state then, I participated actively in the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria by joining the progressive forces and reformists that dismantled military junta in the country. I am a recipient of multiple international scholarship awards, both in Europe, USA and Australia. I have more than 18 journal publications with high impact factors in highly reputable journals and I have been a reviewer to many international scientific journals for more than 2 decades.
At what point did you decide to throw your hat into the ring to contest for the House of Rep seat and why?
I have been in politics for a while and my first appointment into a political office in 2015 was ignored due to some convictions that my missions for human development may not be accomplished. To pursue this vision, I attempted to contest for governorship under SDP in 2018 but ended abruptly, due to unforeseeable circumstances. One day I was in a transit in public transport (18 seaters bus) from Akure to Lagos, and i eavesdropped the conversations about job opportunities at the federal parastatals and agencies and how some people have been helped and slotted into various positions by their congressmen and other political appointees. I became agitated when i noted the remuneration cum benefits and my mind was flashed to many vibrant, qualified and brilliant graduates in my constituency, who are locked outside these benefits. It was at this moment that my mentality was recalibrated and reconfigured that we don’t have to become a governor before we can rescue ourselves from incertitude. This is what motivated me to join the race for the House of Rep seat. This would avail me the opportunity to do more for my communities in areas, such as giving scholarships for local and overseas studies and job trainings (i.e production), grants and loans to traders, artisans and farmers, potable water using available dams, attracting research grants to Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, construction of roads through direct labour and disability assistance to the disadvantaged people. My proven track records on my contributions to community development have earned me several awards.
Why the choice of Social Democratic Party (SDP) which many may refer to as a fringe political party?
SDP is the only party with developmental programme in place right from Abiola’s Hope 93. And the purpose of joining this party is to revive and implement the vision of the Nigeria’s Martyr of democracy -MKO ABIOLA in my constituency and that is ‘Farewell to Poverty’ as promised and published in 1993. Evidence abounds that some political parties have plunged Nigeria into jungle of retrogression due to lack of developmental programmes. Our party, SDP remains the only party with credible composition and desideratum to invest in our people and eradicate insecurity, poverty, poor infrastructures that have crippled our dear country. It’s good to note that people are now becoming more enlightened and the awareness is gaining more momentum about the SDP as the only credible and trustworthy coteries of people that can bring hope back to Nigerians.
Why should your constituency trust you to vote for you?
As i have mentioned earlier, my proven track records are already speaking for me and that’s why I am enjoying massive support from my people because of their trust in my capacity and my penchant for development, my victory in the Feb 25 election is sure by the grace of God.
What are the fresh ideas you are bringing to the table to represent your people well at the lower chamber?
I will not like to pre-empt my ideas but we must agree that we don’t have a working system in Nigeria due to a failed structure or polity. We really need to start initiating laws and implementing programmes that would rehabilitate the system and correct indices of misgovernance and crimes in Nigeria. Take note that I am well equipped now due to my international academic exposure. The template of workable ideas in some civilized countries can be replicated in Nigeria. This will bring tremendous transformation to our three arms of government in general.
What has Nigerian politics taught you so far?
To be honest, Nigeria politics has been monetised and it has been turned into trade -by- barter between the politicians and the electorates. This practice is a great impediment to delivering of dividends of democracy unlike in the developed countries, where people are voted into office on merits and without political sentiment or inducement. This lack of patriotism and dishonesty have allowed public offices to be saturated with wrong politicians with deceitful promises and orchestrated smoke screen ideas. The conduct of our law enforcement agents during elections is also unpalatable and has made achievement of electing credible candidates in various elections practically impossible in all its ramification. This is extremely sad! We must note that whatever that affect eyes also affect nose. Bad government, poor roads, inflation, insecurity, fuel and scarcity cannot descriminate between us, either you are a policeman or a PDP or APC or SDP member. This is very regrettable and this is the time for our voters to say “NO” to vote buying and reclaim our stolen future and freedom from the political marauders, who have employed all possible unethical strategies to corner us into captivity. The beauty of democracy is to correct our mistakes and make positive adjustment. We cannot plant cassava and harvest yam. We must try something new. Lamentation cannot solve our problems after repeating the same mistake because of money.
What gives you the impression that you’re going to win in February 25th poll?
As I have previously stated, my antecedents are not hidden and they were not politically motivated. Through my foundation- JAF- I have embarked on broad range of actions and activities that have resourced, empowered, and enhanced community connectedness and social inclusion. Many youths have benefited from this initiative by discovering and building the competencies required for attainment of successful endeavours. My penchant for progress are well appreciated and this has initiated my people to encourage my ambition to contest for the House of Rep, which was facilitated by the conversation i heard on the bus. Luckily, I have dependable people from my constituency and with their unalloyed supports and God’s mercy, I will win the election with a wide margin.
What worries you most about the 2023 general elections?
My worries is vote buying or selling which has now become a norm in Nigeria. Besides, the attitude of our law enforcement agents and judiciary to enforce laws and administer justice, respectively, is worrisome. This has made crimes unabated in Nigeria because people think they can commit crimes without any consequences.
What is your message/appeal to your constituency going into the February election?
My appeal to our people is to please try something new and different so that we can achieve different results. We should ignore vote buying or selling and allow credible candidates to represent us. We must wake up and realise that our decision during elections would determine our future and quality of life in Nigeria. I will like to appeal to them to vote for me as a member of House of Rep in the next election to represent them in Constituency I, comprising E.S.W.L.G, Ikere and Ise/Orun. I urge the electorates to avoid political deceptions and vote candidates on merit.
Would you in anyway support the postponement of the election by one day or two?
This actual depends on the justification for the postponement.
Which of the presidential candidates do you have sympathy for and why?
I have sympathy for whoever that Nigerians would elect on Feb 25, 2023 through a credible and fair election. The reason is that the will of people must be respected.
