ONE ON ONE WITH DCN. IDIAKE

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State recently inaugurated its Campaign Council for the 2023 general Elections.

During the inauguration of the Council which has Rt. Hon. Patrick Ikhariale as the Director General (DG), the PEN Media Network, Publishers of the PEN Media Online/Magazine had an encounter with one of the candidates Dcn. Patrick Akhimiemona Idiake who is vying for the House of Representatives, Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency in the 2023 general Elections. He spoke on his aspirations and the political developments in Nigeria especially now that the elections are scheduled for 2023. 

The interview was conducted by Francis Akhigbe, the Publisher and Editor-in-chief of the PEN Media Online/Magazine. 

Excerpts.

The PEN: May we meet you Sir?

IDIAKE:  I am Dcn. Patrick Akhimiemona Idiake. I am from Illeh Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.  I am a Chartered Accountant, Forensic Expert, a Farmer and also a Politician. I am the candidate vying to represent Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in the 2023 Elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PEN: The Campaign Council of your Party APC for Edo Central Senatorial District had just been inaugurated. What have you to say about the constitution of the Council?

IDIAKE: The constitution of the Council is a well thought-out arrangements. I thank the leadership of the Party for their wisdom.  The members of the Council are people who have impeccable characters, they have been tested and trusted in the political arena and they are political Gurus in their own right. 

RT. Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, the DG was a two-time Commissioner, a two-time member of the House of Representatives and a Lawyer by Profession. Hon. Kenneth Ihensekhien was at various times Commissioner in Edo State, was a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, was a Principal Officer in the Office of the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and also a Lawyer by Profession. RT. Hon. Festus Ebea was a two-time  member of the Edo State House of Assembly and  also a former Speaker of the  House. You can see that with these calibre of people along with others in charge of the Campaign Council,  APC is home and dry for the Elections. And by the grace of God, we are sure of victory.

The PEN: What have you to say about the candidates of other Political Parties vying with you for the House of Representatives?

IDIAKE: To be honest with you, I don't talk down on any candidate especially from other Political Parties because no matter the Political Party you belong, we are first of all brothers and sisters. But as for the House of Representatives election, there are two candidates, namely Dcn. Patrick Akhimiemona Idiake and others put together if any. If any, in the sense that the leaders of other Political Parties like the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State cannot even as at now pinpoint who are their candidates for the offices being contested in 2023. This is as a result of their inability to do the right thing by conducting a transparent and credible primaries. I will like to stop here.

The PEN:   Some people  are saying that you have contested Elections about three times and why are you still interested this time again?

IDIAKE: Let me put the records straight. I have not contested for the House of Representatives thrice. It was only in 2019 that I contested election for the House of Representatives. I can boldly tell you that I won that election, but intrigues and manipulations robbed us (APC) of victory. I have put that behind me  and the task ahead is what matters to me now.

Secondly, I was an aspirant in the 2011 House of Representatives election. I was prevailed on to step down because the zoning arrangement did not favour my Area. As a loyal and dedicated party member, I obeyed my leaders and humbly stepped down.

In 2015, I was an aspirant and I narrowly lost the primary. If it is the primaries they referred to as contesting election, it is okay.

The PEN: How possible is it for your opposition Party, APC to defeat the ruling PDP in Edo State?

IDIAKE: It is very very possible to defeat the ruling PDP in Edo State. I told you earlier than I lost the 2019 election through the intrigues and manipulations. By the grace of God, we (APC) are doing everything humanly possible not to allow intrigues and manipulations as it happened in the past. Today, the awareness that other Political Parties especially the PDP have nothing to offer is very high. The people have realised their mistakes voting PDP and that is why you see them leaving enmass to the All Progressives Congress (APC)

The PEN: The PEN Media Network recently carried out vox populi on the chances of the candidates in the 2023 Elections in Edo State. You were the one favoured for the House of Representatives election for Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency. What is the secret behind your popularity and acceptance, that cut across all the political divides.

IDIAKE: There is nothing extra ordinary in my popularity and acceptance by my people. Firstly, it    is by the grace of God. Whatever you do, put God first. Secondly, let your dealings with  anyone or people be transparent, sincere and honest. All through my political adventure till now, I have never deceived my people with vague promises or do anything that is inimical to them or the leaders of my Party. This is not to say that I am a perfect person, but I always do my best to be above board. I believe that these are some of the qualities the people have seen in me that are making them to route for me to represent them in the House of Representatives in 2023 and I use this medium to assure them that I will never let them down.

The PEN: What message do you have for the Electorates in your Federal Constituency?

IDIAKE: My message to them is simple; that is, they should keep hope alive, they should not relent in their support for me, they should get their permanent voters card (pvc) ready and on the day of election, they should go to their polling units early and vote for APC on which platform I am contesting.

The PEN: It is obvious that people are not happy with their present Representatives. What do you think is responsible and what difference can you make if eventually you are elected?

IDIAKE: Well, at the beginning of this interview, I told you that I will not throw banters to the present crops of our Representatives because we are all brothers and sisters no matter the political parties we belong. The people not happy with their Representatives may be due to many factors.  It may be due to the Communication breakdown. What I mean by communication breakdown is that the Representatives extricating themselves from the people that voted for them, they are no longer accessible, their gates are always under lock and key with the Security guards standing at alert, telling people that'Oga is not around, drop a message' where as it was not so during  campaigns.

Secondly, it may be due to poor performance. In the past, we heard of some of our Representatives being tagged as, 'Sleeping Representatives'. This was because of their inability to present at least a bill that will benefit their people, move a motion or even contribute meaningfully during debate. Thirdly, it may be lack of consultations. For instance, if Community A needed a borehole and you gave them a block of class room and Community B that needed a block of class room is given a borehole, it is a misplaced priority.  If you had consulted with the people, you would have known their areas of needs.  Definitely, the people would not be happy with their Representatives and even the projects. There are other factors too numerous to itemize here. I will bring all to bare during campaigns.

The PEN: What have you to say about your Presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu?

IDIAKE: Our Presidential candidate, Jagaban Ahmed Bola Tinubu is a household name in the political landscape of Nigeria. He has paid his dues in all ramifications, he knows the nitty gritty of this Country. He is qualified to be President of Nigeria. I appeal to all Nigerians to vote for him and I know he will do well.

The PEN:  Your final words Sir.

IDIAKE:  My final words in this interview is that Nigerians should be prayerful, focused and peaceful before, during and after the Elections.

To my good people of Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency in Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State, I thank you for your overwhelming support. I appeal to you to let us translate the support to victory by voting for me during the elections. And I Dcn. Patrick Akhimiemona Idiake, your son, your brother and your friend promise you that a vote for me is a vote for all of us. We shall surely know and enjoy the full dose of dividends of Democracy because I am coming to serve.  May God see us through in Jesus Name. Amen.

The PEN: Thank you Sir for your time.

IDIAKE: You are welcome and thank you for having me.

Francis Akhigbe (standing), the Publisher and Editor-in-chief of the PEN Media Online/Magazine.