National Coordinator of National Transformation Continuity, Mamudu Dako, talks to Editor, Politics/Features, EMEKA ALEX DURU, on the group’s support for President Goodluck Jonathan and Lagos State governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, in the forthcoming elections.
Agenda of National Transformation Continuity (NTC)
It is a group set up to ensure that the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan goes beyond 2015. By this, we mean victory of our great party the PDP at the federal level and at least 30 states of the federation. We also expect overwhelming majority at both National Assembly and Houses of Assembly.
Working for PDP, Jonathan’s re-election
There are many non-governmental organisations (NGOs), all working to achieve success for the PDP at the polls. We have been in existence since 2010. In the 2011 elections, we operated as Reality 2011. We worked for the victory of our great Party, the PDP in that election. We campaigned in the nooks and crannies of this country and in all the major cities of the world to achieve victory.
Apart from working for the victory of President Jonathan, we have moved our national headquarters to Lagos to ensure that Jimi Agbaje becomes the next governor of Lagos State. We are also working for the victory of our senatorial, House of Representatives as well as states Houses of Assembly candidates.
Our funding is from within. Individuals make financial and material contributions.
Our operational headquarters is in Lagos because we recognise the political importance of Lagos. Apart from the fact that Lagos is the commercial headquarters of Nigeria and also has a large voting populations, majority of the opinion leaders and decision makers in the states in Nigeria live in Lagos.
Members of our group are from the 36 states of the country including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Support for Jonathan
We are supporting Jonathan because of what he stands for. His contributions in the areas of infrastructure development, education, security, economy, aviation, health and human rights record are unequalled in the history of this country.
Let us look at security which the opposition is using as a daily song against the PDP government. This can be divided into general security in the country and Boko Haram terrorism in the North East of Nigeria. We all agree that spates of armed robbery and kidnapping have reduced considerably. Terrorism in the North East, which is a global menace, is hardly ever won by a single country. Even the United States of America with all its might has been finding it difficult to win it against the Taliban and the ISIS. We all however agree that the present multinational response is yielding positive result against Boko Haram.
Agriculture and transport infrastructure are also some of the areas where the Jonathan’s administration has made major landmark. The seamless fraud free fertiliser distribution network has helped farmers to improve their production and we are now net exporters of some food items and our food imports have reduced drastically. The improvement in our road network has not only made travel by road easier but also reduced road traffic accidents.
The re-emergence of the rail transport in Nigeria is another feather on the cap of the Jonathan’s administration. It is expected that in the next two to three years this will remove the nuisance created on our roads by container trucks and trailers. Our airports are the major gateways to Nigeria. The new look of our airports now make them to be at par with most developed countries of the world. This is a clear indicator to any investor coming into the country of what to expect.
Postponement of elections
The election postponement seems to be a blessing in disguise to the nation in general and the political parties in particular. I also think that the Independent national Electoral commission (INEC) has benefitted most from the postponement as more people will be able to collect their PVC during this extension period.
The result of the increased military action against the Boko Haram during this period, the reduced campaign hype since the postponement and the improved PVC collections during this period will all help to give us credible election.
Chances of Agbaje emerging as the next Lagos State governor
Our candidate, Jimi Agbaje, has more than 75 per cent chances of becoming the next governor of Lagos State. Even the opponents know this and this is why they are jittery. His personality is of very high electoral value. Lagosians know that his private sector experience is what they need to take the state to the next level.
Tackling Boko Haram menace
Insecurity created by Boko Haram has caused a big nuisance in Nigeria especially in the North East of Nigeria. While we thank the Federal Government especially the military for not allowing the menace spread beyond its present enclave, we hope the present intensified efforts of the multinational forces will soon deflate these evil forces.
Deployment of troops during elections, against APC allegation of possible manipulation
The APC accusation that President Jonathan is using the military for election is a normal electioneering talk. Everybody, including the APC members, knows that the use of the military will improve security before, during and after the elections and will also reduce rigging. In the three previous elections where the military were used, all political parties, including the APC, were satisfied with their role. Even the opposition parties benefited in some of the previous elections where the military were used. APC won in Osun and Edo states, APGA won in Anambra, PDP only won in Ekiti. As long as the security situation has not changed considerably, I recommend the use of our military in future elections in our country.
Expectations from NTC in the coming days?
NTC has been involved in door-to-door campaign in the last three weeks and this will last till the elections. The intensity will increase in the coming days. Hard work is usually rewarded with victory and we are looking forward to resounding victory at the polls in the forthcoming elections because we have worked hard.
Life outside politics
Apart from politics, I relax watching football, visiting friends, traveling and reading.
