Hon. Olasupo Abiodun, member of the 8th House of Representatives and Chairman Electoral Committee, PDP State Congress for Bayelsa State in this interview with Khalid Imran, Publisher, acrossnigerianews.com speaks on what people of Bayelsa should expect from him, reasons that necessitated his appointment, his preparedness for the task ahead and others _ Excerpts
Question: You have been appointed as Chairman Electoral Committee to lead PDP. State Congress for Bayelsa State, that is coming on Saturday, August 31st, 2024. What should people of Bayelsa State expect from you regarding the exercise?
Response: You know that Bayelsa State is a PDP state, it is a state that no other party has ever ruled, the party is like a religion to them, And it is a state where you see people who participate in politics are youths. You don’t really get to see old people, you see the passion in them, No matter how small the exercise, not even a big one like this, you see them coming out. And they want to see transparency. They want to see that things are properly done like we had in ward and local congresses, we showed a very high level of transparency, we followed the guidelines given to us from the PDP National Headquarters, we followed the letters of the word and we had a successful Ward Congress and Local Congress, it was almost zero rancour. We only had few appeals here and there and that had been dealt with, and what I can say now is that the state Congress is not going to be anything different because it is an important function in the life of the party. They should be assured that we are going to have a transparent Congress and we are going to follow the rules.
Question: You were in place for the Ward Congress, at the same time you were in place for the Local Congress in the same state, and now you are on board as the Electoral Chairman to lead the state Congress coming up on Saturday, what is the secret behind your latest appointment sir?.
Response : The secret is sequel to my transparency. And Whatever I do, I do it with passion. I am not beating my own drum. I am a fearless person. I say the truth to the face of the king. I think with the transparency and the fearlessness, despite I am not a young person but relatively, they see me as a young man. I am not doing anything for fear or favour. I am a very keen follower of history. History cannot be distorted, so I try to do my best as much as possible in whatever assignment I’m given.
Question: Are there challenges ahead of the engagement?.
Basically, I don’t see any challenge because the delegates that will vote for the state officials were already elected during the ward. Congress . I think they are three delegates per ward. There were appeals but they have been dealt with. Basically, I don’t envisage any challenge. For this state congress, there shouldn’t be any challenge but for the ward Congress, because of the terrain in Bayelsa State , there are some local governments you get there by water but this one is going to be in Yenegoa. All delegates are to come Yenegoa all through. I really don’t see any challenge and PDP is in control in Bayelsa State. We don’t envisage any violence, there will be no violence.
Question: What is the level of your preparedness with other members of the electoral Committee for the exercise?
Response : Funny enough, I’m having the same team. They have worked with me during the ward and local congresses, except one little change. One of my committee members has been moved to the appeal committee and a new member has now joined my committee. We’ve been working together, we know the culture of the people, we know their mentality, we know what they like and what they don’t like, I think we are prepared for the job because we have been going there. This is going to be the third assignment to do as a team, so we can see the continuity. We know each other’s character. For me, I know the limitations and strength of my committee members, and I know where to deploy each and everyone of us, I think we are prepared, and are ready.
Question: How did you feel when you were appointed as the son of the soil (Iseyin Local Government Oke-Ogun as a zone) to lead the team?.
Response: You see my brother, I am one proud Oke-Ogun son everywhere I go. One thing I let you know first and foremost is that I am an Oke-Ogun man. Even as I speak English, you have my accent. I don’t change my accent. You can ask from people who were with me in the House of Representatives during the 8th assembly. They don’t take me for granted. I’m proud to be an Oke-Ogun man because despite our accent we are brilliant, educated and courageous. As an ambassador of Oke-Ogun I am happy and I am proud. Oke-Ogun to the world!
We are not just “all those farmers”. Yeah! We are proud, our fathers are farmers. Farmers are kings like they used to say. But that doesn’t mean they should be trampled on. That is what I am happy all about.
Once again, My name is Hon. Olasupo Abiodun. I was a member of the 8th House of Representatives from Iseyin, Oke-Ogun. Currently appointed as the Chairman Electoral Committee, PDP State Congress for Bayelsa State.
