Wale Ozogoro, Ondo State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is a House of Representatives aspirant for 2015 National Assembly election in Akoko South East Local Government Area of the state. He speaks with Special Correspondent, JULIUS ALABI, in Akure on his ambition, chances of PDP in the state and other issues.
Aspiration National Assembly and prospects
Wale OzogoroIn our area here, our philosophy is about zoning and the arrangement is between Akoko South-East and South-West. Akoko South-West has spent eight years and we believe it should come to our area too, that is Akoko South East. Most of my leaders believe in my ability to deliver. I must also tell you that I am not desperate about it, but because my leaders believe in me. They have said, “Wale, come out and represent our people in this area.”
PDP winning the election in the constituency
PDP is a party to beat in 2015 in this constituency because the Labour Party (LP) member who represents our people has not done as expected. Even the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in this area, Senator Robert Borofice, has equally not impressed the people. Therefore, the people are thinking of PDP now, and that is the party to beat. So we are sure of winning the election.
Other political appointments apart from being State Publicity Secretary of the PDP
I am also the Chairman, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gombe. The FMC has just been upgraded to Teaching Hospital by Mr. President, and we have been trying our best to make things work well there. I am using this opportunity to commend Mr. President for the wonderful job he has done at the centre and the country in general.
Managing influx of defectors to PDP
I pray that there will be no problem. In few weeks now, we are going to accept more people from LP and APC. This is not strange to us because in 2003 this was how we had the influx of people. This time around under the leadership of Ebenezer Alabi, we are bringing in credible people. Our major assignment now is how we can manage them and reshape their thinking and perception into the workings of the PDP. We want them to think the way a PDP person thinks, reason the way a PDP person reasons, not as the party they came from. If we are able to do this, at least we will be able to achieve about 80 to 100 per cent success in terms of managing an envisaged crisis for the future where they may want to contest and they do not get the ticket, or where they are denied appointment. So, we are trying to rework their thinking to fit into the PDP philosophy. I think if that is done, we will be able to make PDP a winning party.
Mechanism for integrating defectors into PDP
Yes, we have it. PDP is a unique party; it has its potential of resolving crisis. The party is known for that and I believe we will use that mechanism to resolve any crisis that may arise in the future. I hope this influx of people into our party will boost our morale.
I believe that we have that potential at the local government, state and the federal levels to absorb any crisis. Remember what happened to the PDP when some governors left the party. You realise that PDP is getting stronger and stabilised. We are not thinking of what had happened in the past, but the future; how we are going to win election come 2015. That is our thinking now. So I think we will be able to manage it and get to the promised land.
I can’t tell you the calibre of people that are coming to our party from opposition parties. But very soon, you will see them by yourself. PDP is a broad-based party with effective leadership, and there is enthronement of internal democracy by the national chairman. I am sure and confident that PDP will win in the forthcoming 2015 elections.
PDP victory in Ekiti and influx of defectors
Yes, it is part of it. What the people of the state are praying for is good governance, and PDP is known for that. With the influx of people into the party, we are gradually coming back and the future of PDP in Ondo is very bright. PDP is the party of the state as of today because we are the rave of the moment, just because internal democracy thrives in the party and people now see in us that the interest of the people is given priority attention.
Return of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to PDP
I want to be sincere with you that even before Olusola Oke contested the October 20, 2012 election, there had been rumour that Dr. Mimiko was coming to join the party. We have said it severally that Mimiko should come back to the party if he wants because it is free entry and free exit affair. There is this law that gives room to free association. But the basic thing is that even if the governor decides to come to the party, there is a need to manage him and there is also a need to change his thinking and perception on issues to key into the philosophy of the PDP. This is because the philosophy of the party is different from the philosophy of any other party. That is why you see people now moving from other parties to the PDP.
Take for instance what happened in Ekiti; people moved from APC, LP to PDP because they had seen the very sharp difference between PDP and other parties. When PDP came into South West in 2003, people were able to see the difference. People who profess to follow the philosophy of Obafemi Awolowo are doing contrary to his ideology. This is to tell you that the philosophy of PDP is different from what they want us to believe in.
Leader of the youth and challenges ahead
I think the church has been able to discover the hidden talent in my humble self and wants to tap into it. Since then, I have been thinking of how to assist the youths in my town in the area of employment. I pray that God will see me through.