She is a graduate of political science, 2009/2010 session Acting President of Student Union of Lagos state University , having been in active politics from her school days and many years afterwards; she feels it’s time to change the narratives of Alimosho constituency 02 through vibrant and people oriented legislation . She is Honourable Sanuth Muibat Omotunde the candidate of the Accord party for Lagos State House of Assembly Alimosho Constituency 02 in this interview with Abel Lazarus bares her mind on what Alimosho constituency 02 deserves and the ways of achieving them.
Excerpt:
TAM: Can we meet you ma?
SMO: My names are Honourable Sanuth Muibat Omotunde, the candidate of the Accord Party for Lagos state House of Assembly Alimosho Constituency 02. I am a graduate of political science from Lagos State University (LASU) and the former Acting President of student union 2009/2010 session, I am a true daughter of Alimosho, an indigene of Idimu, I attended Meu Victory Nursery and Primary School Idimu, Ikotun High School, Ikotun, before proceeding to LASU and finally I got married in Egbe-Idimu and have spent over thirty two years of my age within the community. I am sure you will agree with that I have full knowledge of constituency 02 and I understand their challenges better than anyone else. I am happily married to a very supportive and understanding husband Mr. Sanuth and we are blessed with children who appreciate my course.
TAM: How long have you been in politics?
SMO: I have been inn active politics right from my years in school, like I said earlier I studied political science and not just studying it I have been practicing it as I was elected the Acting President of LASU student union. Outside the school I have been in politics from the years of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) through to its metamorphosing into APC.
TAM: What would say led to your exit from the All Progressives Congress?
SMO: My leaving APC was because of the high level of imposition, impunity and sit tight syndrome, APC is a party for only the APCs and not for the citizenry, its ideology is only for its members and no one else. My exit from APC was first to make sure I have the opportunity to serve my people, a platform to correct the anomalies meted to my constituents and bring down the dividends of democracy to them unlike what is currently obtainable.This is evident by the untold hardship in the land, it’s a non-inclusive party.
TAM: How grounded would you say is Accord Party in Lagos State?
SMO: Accord party is grounded with all required party structures; we have our ward chairmen, LGA chairmen and state chairman. We also have a member representing Mushin local government at the National Assembly in the person of Hon. Kako Are. A performing Honourable member, whose performance to his constituents serves as a pointer to what Accord Party stands for. Accord party is currently the alternative party for Lagosians.
TAM: What would you say is your rate of acceptability within your constituency?
SMO: My acceptability is second to none because my antecedents on my contributions to community development speaks louder for me, my constituents know my capability which could also be traced back to my school days, I represent all and hate injustice and will always make sure that justice prevails at all time no matter who is involved. I am very certain of my acceptability.
TAM: How would you rate the performance of the current member of the Assembly representing your constituency who also happens to be a woman like you?
SMO: Our differences also apply to our capacities and abilities. In my own opinion I think she is doing her best within her capacity and standard, we cannot take it away from her but there is still more to be done, and cannot speak on what must have been her challenges in attracting development for her constituency. It is appalling for Alimosho not to have a single point of traffic light, our roads are not motor-able due to portholes, we still have a makeshift bridges (pako bridge) connecting Igando and Ayobo, no industries, no infrastructures not even any social amenities. Alimosho remains the heart of Lagos State just like Lagos State is the heart of Nigeria. These and more are what am going to fight through for my constituents when elected as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly with vibrant legislation and lobbying of other members.
TAM: What would you say is really propelling you to represent your constituency?
SMO: There is the need to change the present situation where our democracy is being perverted, anarchy and tyranny is becoming the other of the day while the dividends of democracy elude the citizens. That is my mission to make sure my constituency is duly represented through qualitative legislations. Some claimed that Alimosho is their country yet they have continued to rip her of developments and imposing their statuette thereby ruling it by proxy. There is urgent need to change the scenario, Alimosho residents are tax payers too and deserve to benefit from the government like other parts of the state.
TAM: As a candidate of the Lagos House of Assembly what is your take on the recent move to server Governor Ambode with impeachment notice?
SMO: Impeachment of a governor is constitutional but what is currently playing out in Lagos state is politics, just to serve the interest of minute individual, though it is long expected of the implosion of APC that will come from within and that is what is manifesting as we all know that the party is unsettled from wards to national levels.
TAM: If it’s political how, would you also not be used as a tool for politics when you get to there?
SMO: No, my politics must be very reasonable and consultative; I must consult the constitution and abide strictly by its provisions and procedures. Also I will consult my constituents whom am representing before taking a stand on such matters.
TAM: What are your campaign challenges?
SMO: The challenge remains that of intimidation and harassment by the ruling party; continually they have defaced our campaign materials by pasting their posters on ours, removing and destroying our banners. Their motive is to make all our efforts fruitless, yet we are not perturbed because we know the electorates know our capacity to the deliverables and are wiser now. Posters don’t win elections; Accord Party candidates are the peoples’ choice and not that of any baba, so we are very confident of victory at the end.
TAM: How well do you know your opponents and what would you say are your chances over them?
SMO: Sincerely am less concerned about their numbers but to remain focused on my goal. My advantages over them are enormous, firstly the gender factor as a woman of reputable character, good conscience and with a track record. The ruling party have failed the female gender by the number of female candidates its featuring in the general elections and am sure it will be in my favor as my believe is that fellow women will support me through the way.
TAM: How have you been able to educate your electorates against rigging, vote buying and selling?
MSO: We have been able to reach out to the, through various medium though it’s still an ongoing exercise till victory. We have met them in groups and we have also had seminars for them urging them to shun vote buying and selling and educating them on the menace of such actions to our democracy. We have also sensitized them to vote their trusted candidates and not whom they were asked them to vote, to vote for someone that will accountable to them at all times, those that will keep and fulfill their promises. We also educate them on the need to make sure their votes are counted.
TAM: With all the projects you have listed to do in Alimosho how would you achieve all?
MSO: With qualitative legislations and lobbying of my distinguished colleagues with the statistics on Alimosho such as being the most populated LGA in Nigeria; those projects will surely be achieved. Alimosho over the years has played vital roles in delivering its votes during elections, hence it time to give back to it by so doing the peoples’ confidence will be gained. Am assuring my constituents that in addition to the Igando general hospital, through my constituency allowance there will be mobile hospital services to sooth their stress of traveling to Igando.
TAM: Who is the gubernatorial candidate for the Accord Party?
MSO: The Accord Party has adopted the candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Mr Jimi Agbaje.
TAM: How advantageous do you think your gender will be going to the elections?
SMO: The female gender for a long time has been marginalized in the place of authority be it in politics, corporate world and the entire society, yet the few that rose to stadorm have proved that women can be a better performer. My gender is going to play a huge role for my victory owing this fact of perpetual relegation of women to the background, without mincing words it is natural for the female folks to support theirs, more so, owing to the persistent harassment and intimidation they suffer in the hands of their male counterparts in political offices, who subject them to ridicule and make unprintable demands despite their efforts to their election. Presently the number of female candidates still falls below the internationally accepted standards for women hence it is imperative for the gender equality to play to my advantage.
TAM: In Nigerian politics today the issue of godfather is a norm who would you say is your God-father?
SMO: God is my father; I have no other except Him, then my political leaders and mentors who continually guide and direct me on what to do and how to do them.
TAM: What is your message to your constituents?
SMO: My message to them is that am assuring them that it’s a new dawn, its time to take our destinies by our hands and vote for that candidate with capacity, ability and track records on performance. They should all come out in their numbers to vote for the candidate of Accord party so as to deliver the desired dividends of democracy for all.
