Dr. William Toyin Akanle is a ‘grassroots’ politician and passionate about his people. In this interview, with Amuda Dan Sulaiman FAB, Akanle explained why the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) needs to reconcile all aggrieved party members and why he is an aspirant for a seat in the Senate to represent Kogi West Senatorial District come 2019.
You have been appointed as one of the members of the reconciliatory committee, do you think the reconciliation is achievable?
Well, I believe it is possible but there could be some drawbacks, because of the timing, if it had been done before now, like about six months ago or sometimes before the end of last year like December or January it would have made great impact. A lot of people have been expecting this to happen, now that it is happening at last those who will want to key into it would definitely key into it.
Some of the party members are not actually saying they don’t want to have anything to do with APC again but they needed to be part of what is happening and to know what is going on. That is why even as it is late in coming it is better late than never. Absolutely, I know some would like to say if it had cone before the congresses and the national convention it would have been better because those ones believe that it would have given them the opportunity to be part of the structure that the congresses and the convention had produced or put in place but as things are now they believe that most of them would not have a say because the committees at all levels have been formed and you know it is this structure thing that is a major issue in all political parties because it is in the structure that you would be able to determine your strength or otherwise during an election especially for aspirants or candidates as it may be. I believe it is achievable.
What is your advise for the aggrieved?
It is just like when two brothers are fighting let me use that analogy, and an elder calls them and say, hey this fight will not lead to anywhere as the consequences would remain negative why don’t allow us to broker peace? When the two sides agree to it, then you can be sure that peace would prevail. There is no system or organization, no human endeavour, no relationship that they would not have some problem here and there but the issue of how to resolve it is what matters the most and the willingness of all parties to be able to come to a round table to decide to reconcile is what makes the world go round. This is what bring about positive advancement to some organization that would have had some problems. After all, every battle still end at the round table, that is at that critical stage of a war situation. They still have to come to the table for peace talks.
Agreed there must have been issues and disagreements but we must come to the table to reconcile one another and be able to broker peace. That I believe is what the various reconciliation have been put in place to do. They should carry out their mandates without fear or favor, they should not bend to any side. I want to say, if there is anybody that should be pacified then he should be pacified. There are so many strategies of reconciliation including pacification including begging because that is what can make our party to be cohesive and prepare our party for the challenges ahead especially the 2019 general elections.
You are contesting for the Senate seat to represent the people of Kogi West Senatorial District, what really motivated you?
I am motivated by my desire to make a positive difference in the lives of my people. I have demonstrated that through my empowerment programmes. I have also empowered youths and also done community programme, all these are reflections of my heart because my target is to make positive impact where ever I find myself in a society where things are not going right there, I think of the way forward, as an individual I am limited scope and capacity. So I believe politics if used correctly, it can influence people in a very large number. To answer your question proper, I want to bring government closer to my people and to also bring my people closer to government.
If given the mandate, what difference will you like to make?
The work of a legislator is to make laws and also to represent your constituency in the National Assembly, my focus is going be on two areas, first, is economic development and second is human development because we see bad representation in our Constituency, we see leadership that is not carrying people along, we see challenges that people are going through, people feel so abandoned and neglected. I am bringing a different style of leadership and my leadership model is servant leadership, I want to serve people, a good leader is a listener who listens to his electorates, I am ready to listen to their cries and grievances to provide solution by God’s grace.
