By Babatunde Ayedoju

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and Chief of Staff to former Governor of Ondo State, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, Hon. Foluso Aminu, has decried the absence of a formidable opposition party, saying that it is unhealthy for Nigeria’s democratic system to lack an opposition party that can put the government on its toes at all times.

Aminu, who will turn 70 this month, spoke with The Hope in an exclusive interview. He noted that the nation’s various political parties lacked ideology, unlike in the days of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), among others in the 80s.

He was reacting to the gales of defections by politicians to the ruling party in the country. He said that though the present APC government has been rolling out people oriented policies, a formidable opposition party still has a vital role to play in serving as a check on the ruling party.

The one-time House of Representatives aspirant under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) also lamented monetisation of Nigeria’s politics and the lack of manifestos by political parties, urging the need for redirection in the political orientation of Nigerians.

Asked whose fault on the monetised politics, Aminu said the fault lies with three parties; the government, the politicians, and the electorate.

“Let me start with the government. If there was a law that effectively punishes those who give or accept money during elections, monetisation would stop.

“It’s not that the law doesn’t exist, it does. But is it being enforced? No. That’s the government’s fault.

“Then, there are politicians who are willing to give out money. Once a politician buys votes, you can’t hold them accountable for unfulfilled campaign promises. They’ll simply say, “I bought my way into this office.”

“As for the electorate, the poverty level is so high that people feel they have no choice but to sell their votes. In fact, many now demand money from politicians just to feed themselves.” he stated

He said, “Back in the days when we were growing up, I participated in the campaigns of the UPN because I was part of the UPN’s youth wing. We were very aware of what was going on then. People were genuinely interested in party manifestos. But nowadays, nobody talks about manifestos anymore. Tell me, what does the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stand for today? Even my own party, the APC, what does it stand for?

“Back then, the NPN said they stood for the Green Revolution and housing for all. The UPN said they stood for free education, free healthcare, gainful employment, and infrastructural development. So you could clearly choose where you belonged based on ideology. But that’s no longer the case today.”

The seasoned politician added that unemployment and lack of creativity among Nigeria’s teeming youth population compound the monetisation of politics, as they resort to selling their conscience to the highest bidder instead of engaging in productive ventures.

His words: “In many cases today, young people, after finishing secondary school, ND, HND, university, or even a research institution, immediately start thinking about how to become politicians. Many of them are no longer creative or interested in learning trades or acquiring practical skills.

“Instead of pursuing careers in farming, trading, or artisanship, they prefer to attach themselves to political bigwigs, seeking financial favours without contributing meaningfully. If you visit mechanical workshops today, you rarely see experienced artisans anymore, only apprentices. The same goes for tailoring and other vocational trades. Everyone seems to be chasing quick and easy money rather than building sustainable careers.”

He equally appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the present administration, saying that the current economic challenges facing the country had been on for long and would require bold steps, which the government of the day has taken, to curb them.

He equally applauded Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for the bold steps he has taken since he assumed office, particularly in critical areas, even though it is too early to judge his administration.

“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has picked up and completed some of the road projects left unfinished by his predecessor, the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Recently, he also gave approval for and flagged off the construction of the Akure/Idanre dual carriageway. Civil servants are getting their salaries as and when due, and the welfare of the people is being taken seriously.

“That’s not to say he can’t do more, he definitely can. Bitumen-related and other major projects are also in the pipeline. It’s still too early to make a full judgment, but I can say that he has kick-started his tenure on a good note,” he stressed.