09 Aug 2013
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi
•Says it’s a movement, not political party
By Olawale Olaleye
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Thursday said contrary to the mindset of many that the newly registered All Progressives Congress (APC) was conceived only to wrest power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at all costs, it is an ideology committed to rescuing Nigeria from many years of bad leadership and disappointing governance.
Fayemi, who spoke exclusively to THISDAY on the underpinning philosophy of APC, however, described it as a movement and not a political party, adding that “APC is driven by its constitution and manifesto; it is not driven by individual whims and caprices.
“The primary reason for coming together, for broadening the base is the fact that we acknowledged that we were too narrow in our individual party formations. And we wanted a broader national movement.”
“The primary reason for coming together, for broadening the base is the fact that we acknowledged that we were too narrow in our individual party formations. And we wanted a broader national movement.”
According to him, “If you recall our first statement when the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) endorsed the merger, we said we needed APC in order to rescue Nigeria from bad governance.
“It is not about replacing PDP; it is about rescuing Nigeria from bad governance. We know that there are elements even within PDP that are not happy with the way our country is being run.
“It is an open secret. But the reality is that we cannot rescue Nigeria from bad governance if we don't remove PDP from the centre the way we have done in the south-west by giving the people an alternative that is driven by compassion, commitment, competence and character.
“APC is a movement; it is not just a political party, and people must note that very carefully. And when you have such a broad movement, of course, there are going to be individuals in such movement, not necessarily representing the very best ideals that the broader platform represents.
“That is why manifestos are written on the core principles and values that represent the collectively agreed agenda of the movement.”
Fayemi, who was active in virtually all the processes leading to APC’s registration, said the dominant reason for the coming together of the major opposition parties is to salvage the country from the deepening retrogression that daily typifies the Nigerian society and breathe life into the system with the hope of a promising future.
“The issue for all of us as Nigerians is what is the dominant reason for the party? Is it just to remove the PDP from power or is it to make a difference in the lives of Nigerians?
“Many of us in the new party believe it is the latter. Detractors will tell you, it is just to replace the PDP. Time will tell. Our agenda will tell what we are and we don’t need any needless debate with such people now.
“But we want Nigerians in their various communities and platforms to own the party. There is now an opportunity to own APC in various constituencies because registration is going to start very soon. Mobilisation will be on course; we will not restrain anybody.
“We shall listen to all Nigerians even to those who feel that we have no hope; let them come with their superior ideas and agendas. A party will always have the good, the bad and the ugly in their membership but the degree to which the bad succeeds is if they can smuggle their bad ideas into becoming the dominant idea,” he said.
On the chances of APC in the 2015 general election, Fayemi, who is standing for a re-election sometime next year, said: “We will do everything within our power and the limit of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to win the election in 2015.
“We are not in the business of seeking power for its own sake like the PDP. We are in this business of gaining power legitimately to govern and make a difference to our people.
“But before 2015, we still have 2014 in some states; we’ll have the dress rehearsal in Ekiti and Osun States for example.”
Explaining the basis for forming the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) on February 5 in Lagos, Fayemi said what gave rise to the initiative was the “genuine concern that some of us have consistently felt within the broader Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) for a more ideologically-driven caucus than just the peer learning, solidarity driven, experience sharing forum that the NGF represents.
“It was not in any way targeted at the PDP even though there is as yet no PDP governor who is a member of the forum. But I can name a number of them who share the ideals of progressive politics.
“We started the PGF formally on February 5, 2013, when Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola hosted us in Lagos, and at that meeting, we came out with a number of core values and principles that will guide our activities.
“We are social democratic, people-oriented, change-focused and dedicated to the promotion of selfless, responsive and accountable leadership.”
Source: Thisdaylive
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