Interview
Tinubu has a lot of work to do in fixing Nigeria – Florence Ajimobi
Mrs. Florence Ajimobi is the widow of the former late governor of Oyo State, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, who died few years back. Since the death of her husband, she has been very outstanding in the politics of Oyo State and as a mother figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC). She has been getting involved in most of the activities of the party, and at one time or the other, been a mediator in the feuds involving members of the party, especially during the crisis that followed the governorship primary of the APC.
In this interview with some journalists including the Business Hallmark Olusesan Laoye, she talked about the the way forward for Nigeria and what is expected of the Administration of the next Federal government of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu in making Nigeria a better place for all.
Excepts:
The general elections have been held and the winners have emerged both at the Federal and the states, how will you describe the process of the elections and the agitations that followed it?
The elections to some extent was credible, though with some issues which are understandable but by and large, the process has continued to improve from time to time. Again Nigerians are now more enlightened and they are taking the issue of election seriously than before.
The enthusiasms of the youths too, has shown that the future of democracy is very bright in Nigeria because it has shown also that the youths are now ready to drive it. I will also want to say that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has improved its modalities in the conduct of the last elections, compared to what we used to have in the past.
Now that the APC which you are a member and worked for has eventually won the presidential election, what do you have for the president-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu?
First and foremost I did not have the doubt in my mind, I knew he was going to win the election because he had worked so hard to get to that stage of contesting the election. He has built a lot of people around him.
Honestly, we all worked very hard too, for the election. The Tinubu I know has built strong relationships across Nigeria which worked for him in that election. What people are saying now baffles me because he was the candidate to beat.
For me, Tinubu’s victory was the confirmation of what I believed in. Though it is not all the time that you work so hard that you get good result but his hard work over the years is now worth it.
What has been the motivation that made you to Work for Tinubu?
The motivation has always been there. As the coordinator of women for the Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign in Oyo State I did my best to motivate the women in the State and I am happy that our efforts never went in vain. I must say that this was not achieved by me alone; it was the collective efforts of all of us, particularly women in Oyo State and I am thanking the women for their support and standing by Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
With the situation of things now in Nigeria, do we expect a magic from the President-elect and how do you think he is going to tackle all these numerous problems?
I am sure and I believed there is going to be a change. Though it is the same APC, Asiwaju for me, is a performer and a great administrator. I am expecting that magic from him. He has done that in Lagos State. He came into Lagos state when the economy of the State was not that buoyant and he built the economy and laid the foundation which subsequent governments are currently following.
After his tenure as the governor of the state, we have seen tremendous improvements in governance and as far as I am concerned, he would do well as the President of Nigeria because he is an experienced man and a good manager.
He is also going to improve on what the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari has done. The issue of governance is continuity and no one or individual can finish governance. When you get there you have to continue on what is on ground and improve on it. No doubt, President Buhari has done his best and I am sure, Asiwaju would perform and he is going to surprise Nigerians. He is capable of turning the economy of the country around and I know that he has already mapped out how the security issues in Nigeria would be tackled.
There are complaints over Tinubu’s emergence, what is your take on this?
Don’t let us deceive ourselves he won the election clear and simple and those who are claiming that the election was rigged in his favour, should be able to prove that at the Election Tribunal. The doors are open to them and I am sure that at the end of the day no evidence to that effect would be found.
The problem we have in Nigeria is that we hardly accept defeat and now that they have gone to the tribunal to challenge his election, they should wait for the outcome and not resort to violence in wanting a redress. At the tribunal all fact would be laid on the table and I can assure you that Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu would be vindicated.
What I will also expect from Nigerians now is to cooperate with Tinubu, and people should come out with ideas on how to move the country forward so that we can build this country to a greater height collectively. People should allow him to concentrate on governance and those who have good ideas should come forward and extend hands of fellowship to him and I am sure he would welcome them.
What do you think the composition of his cabinet would be?
Tinubu is an experienced politician and he has said it that he would assemble the best materials and those he would appoint would make Nigeria proud. That is exactly what he would do.
One of the key issues now in Nigeria today is that of restructuring. How do you think the coming government is going to address this?
Well this is definitely one of the issues which the coming Federal government should look into in order to further cement the existing unity in Nigeria. This would also reduce the agitations of marginalisation here and there.
This would go a long way to address the issue of insecurity because each zone or region would map out how some of these issues would be solve according to the dictates of the region.
What other areas will you want the government of Tinubu to tackle?
One of the areas which I would expect the coming government to look into is education, the employments of the youths and empowerment of women. I will like women to be more involved in governance and programmes of the new government of the APC. I am sure Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu is already listening to the requests of the people and he would do something about them.
