Dr. Ibraheem Adekunle Luqman is the Osun Central Senatorial District candidate on the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) platform. He speaks to EJIKEME OMENAZU on his plans for Osun Central in particular and the state in general. Excerpt:
Could you briefly tell us about yourself?
I am a proud son of Ikirun, Osun State, a progressive-minded Nigerian, and a public-spirited individual who believes strongly in the power of purposeful leadership to transform society. I am driven by the desire to make a meaningful impact in the lives of people, particularly the underserved and vulnerable members of our society. Leadership is not merely about occupying positions of authority; it is about taking responsibility, providing solutions, and creating opportunities for others. My aspiration to represent Osun Central Senatorial District in the Senate is borne out of a genuine desire to bring a new perspective to legislative representation—one that is people-oriented, accessible, accountable, and development-driven. I am offering myself as a candidate who understands the aspirations of our people and is prepared to translate those aspirations into concrete legislative actions.
How would you describe your early life and education?
My early life was shaped by the values of discipline, perseverance, humility, and respect for people. Growing up in Ikirun, I was exposed to the realities of our communities and the challenges ordinary people face in their daily lives. These experiences instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and a deep appreciation for the importance of education, hard work, and community development. Education has been an important part of my personal and intellectual development. It has broadened my understanding of society, governance, and the need for innovative approaches to solving public problems. I have always believed that one’s background should not be a limitation but rather a source of inspiration. My journey has reinforced my conviction that with determination, knowledge, and the right leadership, we can build a society where opportunities are not restricted to a privileged few.
What is your antecedence?
My political journey has been driven by a conviction that politics should be a vehicle for service, not self-aggrandisement. I have always believed in progressive politics, grassroots engagement, and the need for a political system that gives ordinary citizens a genuine voice in governance. My involvement in the political process has afforded me the opportunity to understand the dynamics of party politics, stakeholder engagement, political mobilisation, and the importance of building relationships with people across different backgrounds. My emergence as a senatorial candidate reflects my determination to move beyond political participation into a more direct role in shaping policies and legislation that affect our people. I understand that politics is not merely about elections. It is about building trust, developing structures, and sustaining a relationship with the people. That is the philosophy behind my aspiration to represent Osun Central.
Why did you choose APM and not APC or Accord Party?
My decision to contest under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) was a strategic and principled one. For me, political parties should be platforms through which ideas, visions, and programmes for societal development are pursued. The ultimate objective should be the welfare of the people, rather than the dominance of any particular political establishment. The APM provides me the opportunity to pursue my vision for Osun Central with a distinct political identity and a commitment to issue-based politics. I believe that democracy thrives when voters are presented with credible alternatives. Our people deserve the opportunity to evaluate candidates based on their competence, ideas, character, and capacity to deliver. My candidacy is not defined by the size or historical dominance of a political party. It is defined by the strength of my vision, my commitment to the people, and my readiness to serve. I am not in this race merely to participate. I am in this race to offer a credible alternative and to demonstrate that purposeful leadership can emerge from any platform.
What is your plan for Osun Central Senatorial District?
My vision is to build an Osun Central where every constituent feels represented, where young people have opportunities to thrive, where education is accessible, where our communities enjoy improved infrastructure, and where legislative representation translates into tangible benefits. My agenda is anchored on six key priorities: First, effective and people-oriented legislative representation. I will ensure that the voices of Osun Central are heard and respected at the National Assembly. I intend to maintain regular consultations with constituents, establish effective feedback mechanisms, and ensure that legislative decisions reflect the needs of our people. Second, youth empowerment and economic opportunities. Our young people are talented and energetic, but many lack access to opportunities. I will advocate for skills acquisition programmes, entrepreneurship support, vocational training, and policies that promote employment and innovation. Third, education and human capital development. Education remains one of the most powerful tools for social mobility. I will pursue scholarship opportunities, educational support programmes, improved learning facilities, and initiatives that encourage academic excellence. Fourth, healthcare and social welfare. I will support legislation and intervention programmes aimed at improving access to affordable healthcare, particularly for women, children, elderly citizens, and vulnerable households. Fifth, infrastructural development. I will work with relevant federal agencies and other levels of government to attract developmental projects to Osun Central, including roads, electricity, water supply, and other essential infrastructure. Sixth, agriculture, economic growth, and poverty reduction. Osun Central has enormous economic potential. I will promote policies that support farmers, strengthen local businesses, encourage agricultural processing, and create an enabling environment for economic growth. My commitment is to ensure that representation is not merely symbolic but productive, measurable, and responsive to the needs of the people.
What will you do differently from the past and present occupants of the seat?
The most important difference will be my approach to representation. I believe that the Senate is not merely a platform for political visibility or the accumulation of personal influence. It is an institution where laws are made, national policies are shaped, and the interests of constituents must be vigorously defended. I intend to pursue a representation model that is proactive, accessible, transparent, and accountable. First, I will institutionalise regular engagement with constituents across all ten local government areas of Osun Central. Representation must not end after elections. Second, I will prioritise legislative initiatives that address the real challenges of our people, particularly unemployment, education, healthcare, poverty, and infrastructural deficits. Third, I will make accountability a central feature of my representation. Constituents deserve to know what their representative is doing, the bills being sponsored, the motions being moved, and the interventions being facilitated. Fourth, I will pursue strategic partnerships with federal ministries, agencies, development institutions, and relevant stakeholders to attract projects and opportunities to the district. I am not interested in making empty promises. I want my performance to be judged by the quality of my legislative contributions, my accessibility, and the measurable impact of my representation. My message is simple: Osun Central deserves more than representation in name; it deserves representation in action.
How do you see governance of Osun State under Governor Adeleke?
Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration must be assessed objectively, based on its policies, programmes, achievements, and shortcomings. Governance is a continuous process, and every administration has areas where it performs well and areas where improvement is necessary. I acknowledge the importance of the administration’s efforts in addressing the needs of the people and sustaining development across the state. However, I also believe that Osun requires a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to economic development, employment generation, infrastructure, education, and fiscal management. Our state has enormous human and economic potential. We need to harness these resources more effectively to improve the living conditions of our people. As a senatorial candidate, my responsibility is not to engage in partisan criticism for its own sake. Rather, it is to advocate policies and legislative interventions that will complement development efforts, address existing gaps, and improve the overall welfare of Osun residents. Ultimately, the people of Osun deserve governance that is responsive, accountable, and capable of delivering sustainable development.
What is your take on Governor Adeleke’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election?
In a democracy, political alignments and support for candidates are legitimate political choices. Governor Adeleke’s decision to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election is therefore a political development that must be understood within the broader context of Nigeria’s political dynamics. However, I believe that political support should be accompanied by clear expectations and a commitment to the welfare of the people. For me, the most important consideration is not simply who supports whom, but what such political relationships translate into for the people of Osun State. If the alignment can facilitate federal projects, improve infrastructure, attract investments, and create opportunities for our people, then those benefits should be pursued in the public interest. Nevertheless, political alliances should not replace accountability or the responsibility of leaders to speak up when policies adversely affect the people. My position is that political cooperation is welcome, but the welfare of Nigerians must always remain paramount.
What is your take on President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms?
President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms are among the most consequential policy decisions in Nigeria’s recent history. They were introduced against the backdrop of longstanding structural challenges, including fuel subsidy costs, foreign exchange distortions, fiscal pressures, and declining public revenue. I recognise the argument that some of these reforms were necessary to address deep-rooted economic imbalances. However, we must also acknowledge that the implementation has imposed significant hardship on millions of Nigerians. The removal of fuel subsidy and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market have had far-reaching consequences for transportation, food prices, production costs, and the general cost of living. My position is that economic reforms should not be evaluated solely by macroeconomic indicators. They must also be assessed by their impact on the ordinary Nigerian. A reform that improves government revenue but leaves citizens struggling to afford food, healthcare, transportation, and education must be accompanied by stronger social protection measures. I believe the Federal Government should intensify efforts to: Reduce the cost of living and address food inflation. Strengthen social protection programmes for vulnerable households. Support small and medium-scale enterprises. Invest in agriculture and local production. Create sustainable employment opportunities. Improve public accountability in the utilisation of increased government revenue. The ultimate objective of economic reform should be to improve the quality of life of Nigerians. Reforms must not only stabilise the economy; they must also restore hope and dignity to the people.
Could you comment on the Federal Government’s penchant for foreign loans?
Borrowing is not inherently bad. In fact, responsible borrowing can be an important instrument for economic development, particularly when it is used to finance productive investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial development. However, the critical question is whether borrowed funds are being deployed efficiently and whether the returns justify the debt burden. Nigeria must be cautious about excessive reliance on foreign loans, especially when debt servicing consumes a significant portion of government revenue. We must not mortgage the future of our children through borrowing that does not translate into tangible economic benefits. As a prospective senator, I will support stronger legislative oversight of public borrowing, greater transparency in debt management, and rigorous scrutiny of loan agreements. I will also advocate for a more sustainable approach to national development that includes: Improving domestic revenue generation. Reducing wasteful public expenditure. Strengthening the productive capacity of the economy. Encouraging private-sector investment. Promoting public-private partnerships. Ensuring that borrowed funds are tied to measurable and economically viable projects. The National Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to scrutinise borrowing and ensure that public debt serves the national interest. My position is clear: Nigeria should borrow to build its future, not to finance inefficiency or perpetuate fiscal irresponsibility.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
Post a Comment