About 12 years after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was sent out of the government house in Ogun State, a chieftain of the party, Chief Toyin Amuzu, said the PDP is now battle-ready to take over from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP House of Representatives candidate in Abeokuta South, in this interview with DARE OLAWIN and OLASUNKANMI AKINLOTAN, spoke about his aspiration vis-a-vis the 2023 elections.
Excerpts:
Can we meet you?
My name is Toyin Amuzu. I am from Sodipe compound in Ijeun, Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State. I am presently the House of Representatives candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I am a Developer, I build houses and sell. My company’s name is Adrian’s Home Limited in Lagos. I was born in the year 1976. I attended Sacred Heart Primary School, Ibadan; from there I went to St. Gregory’s College, Lagos. After that, I proceeded to Edo State University in Ekpoma where I secured my BSC in Accounting. Later, I traveled abroad and I had my MBA at the University of Hull. I am married to my beautiful wife with a beautiful daughter.
With all you have achieved in life when did you join politics?
Well, if we are not careful, you would have achieved a lot of things but with bad governance you will lose everything; because if there is bad governance in this country it is going to affect every other thing, including businesses. And the way Nigeria is being run lately, we all keep complain I ng about it – We don’t want this government, we don’t want that governmentAbeokutaat is the change we have put in place? We need to find an alternative and I know I’m going to create a different environment. I believe so much I have the love of my people at heart. I’m ready to do a lot to make life better and I’m ready to do a lot to make infrastructure better and to make life easier for the people. But I know a lot of things I have done for my constituency – water projects, sponsorships, distribution of Facemasks and other palliatives like foodstuffs, money during COVID-19. I know what we have done for educationally and more. All these are done when we are not in government. When we are in government, I know I can do more and the only way we can go into that is to be part of the government and that I have to be in politics.
The switch from business to politics, how has it been?
It has not been easy because you have your business to attend to and you have politics to attend to as well. Politics takes much of your time because you are dealing with a lot of people. But I thank God my business I’ve been running for the past 14 years so it runs itself and it doesn’t have anything to do with me. So, we thank God my business can run without me being involved.
As a technocrat, how will you describe Ogun politics?
Ogun politics is the most difficult in the South West. Many people feel it’s like that of Lagos, but I keep arguing with people that it’s different. In Ogun State politics, you don’t know what is going to happen in the next 30 minutes. One hour is like a lifetime in Ogun State politics; it is very dynamic. I believe it is because we have produced a President, we have produced a Speaker, we have produced a lot of people. We have a lot of resources. We have a lot of endowed people; people that are capable. Politics in Ogun State is very competitive; but it’s very interesting especially when you know what you are doing and what you want.
Some contenders are still not happy with the outcome of the PDP primary, what will you say about this?
In politics, we should expect during people’s views, anger; people having different opinions. It’s normal, we are all playing politics. But I’m sure well get behind it, we’ll get along with it. We will resolve it. It’s an internal issue which I believe we are going to get over very soon. It happens in all political parties, not just in PDP. It’s an internal issue. Well, get over it.
Have reached out to other aspirants to bring them on board?
Well, we have reached out to a lot of people and we have not stopped. We will still keep reaching out to a lot of people. I believe it’s a continuous thing we still have a long time to do all these things. The election just ended not quite long. I know we need to get everybody along. I’m sure we’ll come out strong.
People say Toyin Amuzu Foundation has done a lot, but they are afraid this might be the usual political gimmick to get votes. What’s your reaction?
I don’t really want to talk about Toyin Amuzu Foundation because it is a different entity from my campaign. I don’t want to join them together that’s why I didn’t discuss the foundation since we have been talking. But if you want me to talk about it, I will do that briefly. Toyin Amuzu Foundation came about because of how people are suffering, and I use that means to reach out to people. I remember what brought about the foundation was the people and I don’t intend stopping it. If it were to be about the election, the foundation would have come up just this year when it’s time for electioneering campaign. But Toyin Amuzu Foundation has been up for a long time ago and we still have a lot to achieve. Toyin Amuzu Foundation is going places and it will not stop, regardless of the outcome of the election.
In Abeokuta South, do you think you and your party has the capacity to defeat the ruling APC?
I won’t to speak as an individual now, I will speak as a party. I am a party man. I’m just privileged to be the candidate of the party. I believe so much that the PDP has a lot to offer Ogun State. We experienced PDP in Ogun State and I think the last time was in 2011. If you compare when we were in government and this moment, I am sure you can tell the difference. The reason being that we did a lot while we were there and we are still going to do a lot. Ogun State politics has been a one-party system. It has been APC all along. PDP has been on the sideline due to all the litigations, the internal wranglings. So, it has just been a walkover for the APC. But, this time around it’s not a walkover. We’re stronger, we’ve all come together; and I believe we are going to take the government from them.
Are you saying those who have been representing Abeokuta South have not been doing well?
If you are in Abeokuta South, I am sure if I ask you what’s your Reps name, you may not know it. Many don’t know him in person and he’s their representative. That answers your question.
What will you do differently?
I will do something different from what has been the tradition. I will be accessible to everyone, I’ll be there for everyone. We’re going to make love that will improve people’s lives, especially in the area of education, infrastructure, employment and so on. We are going to create a lot of opportunities. I’m not one of those politicians that will keep saying we will do this, we will do that. I believe in actions, not just words. And if you want to judge me from what you’ve experienced from me, I am sure you will give me a pass mark. You can only judge something you’ve experienced, the little you’ve experienced from Toyin Amuzu Foundation is enough.
What shortcomings have you pinpointed in this present government in Ogun?
I’m sure you’ve never heard me criticise any government. I will not do that. I will never kill anybody’s dream or whatever thing the person is doing. I am not one of those that will start ranting about what someone has done. All we want is to do something different and make people more comfortable, make life more comfortable for people. I’m sure there is a lot of things going wrong, which we can all see. It’s very glaring. We all know how much rice was before and how much it is today. The luxury you had to eat rice is no more. The cost of feeding, transportation and a lot has changed. I know we have a lot of things to and we are going to impact on people’s lives. On transportation, we do give out fuel to taxi drivers and okada riders to reduce transport fares. We already know the problems our people are facing and we are going to improve on them when we get to government.
Don’t you think it will be very difficult for the PDP to take over Ogun from the APC?
It’s not difficult. When it’s time, it’s time! When the people are tired, they are tired. I remember Otunba Gbenga Daniel was the governor when Senator Ibikunle Amosun took over from him without anybody’s support. If you can remember in 2011, Amosun didn’t have anybody on his side, yet he won the election. So, it’s time, PDP is taking over Ogun State! Whether they like it or not, we are taking over.
What is your message to Ogun people and Nigerians?
Let’s be good citizens. We should stop ranting. Instead, let’s go and collect our Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) to vote out the APC. The youths, let’s come out the same way we came out during the EndSARS protest to vote out the APC and I am sure the PDP will not disappoint you.
