By PETER ANOSIKE

The Secretary of Igbo Stakeholders Forum, Elder Daniels Soni Ezeanochie, has said that the appeal by a lot of people for Prince Nixon Okwara to represent Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency 2 in the forthcoming general election is apt.

Speaking in an interview, he described Prince Okwara as a round peg in a round hole for the federal consistency.

According to him, one of the reasons why Oshodi-Isolo Federal Consistency 2 is not measuring up to the other federal constituencies in Lagos State with regard to development is because of poor representation in the National Assembly.

However, he said that with Prince Okwara, who has lived in the area all his life, the situation would be different if given the mandate.

In this interview, he also speaks on other burning national issues.

Excerpt:

Why is a lot of people in Oshodi-Isolo Federal Consistency clamouring for Prince Okwara to join the race to represent the constituency in the National Assembly?

“Well, the reason is simple. Prince Okwara in his private capacity has played a tremendous role in the development of Oshodi-Isolo Federal Consistency. According to Bill Gates, success is about understanding what truly matters and focusing your effort on actions that drive progress. Prince Okwara was the former chairman of Green Field Estate, which is one of the biggest estates in the entire federal consistency. When he was elected the chairman, the entire land was swampy, there was no access road into the land. He was the one that encouraged, inspired and motivated other people that the place could be made habitable. He has this belief that impossibility does not exist. Today, Greenfield is like Dubai. When governor Babatunde Raji Fashola came to commission the estate, he was marveled by what he saw and praised Prince Okwara for his ingenuity. According to the governor then, Prince Okwara and his team made what a lot of people, including Lagos State Property Development Corporation(LSPDC), had thought was not possible, possible. Because of the feat that he achieved at Green Field Estate, he was made the chairman of Ago-Okota Landlords association, so that he would join in the development of the area and today, Ago-Okota is among the fastest developing areas in Lagos State as a whole.

What influence does he have in APC in Lagos State?

That is a very good question. When you talk of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, Prince Okwara has paid his dues because he is one of the pillars, most especially in Oshodi-Isolo in Lagos West Senatorial District. In the last general election, he was a member of All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council and he delivered his ward. He is also one of the financiers of the party in the federal consistency. So I can say without any fear of contradiction that he is not just a good but also a very active party man.

What would you say stands Prince Okwara out?

What I can say stands him out is optimism, combined with empathy. Prince Okwara is somebody who believes that impossibility does not exist. He has this mindset that everything is achievable. This is the philosophy that has been behind all his feat. He is also an embodiment of empathy. He is someone who feels what other people are feeling and always on hand to help out. He sees other peoples’ problems as his. In fact, you don’t knock twice at his door, before he opens. That is why I said that what stands him out is optimism, combined with empathy and that is the type of leaders that we need in the country. People who are problem solvers and not those who put themselves first before others.

What is his view about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?

To be very honest with you, he is an avowed Tinubu’s man. He defends him everywhere he is, even at the risk of his own life. Imagine wearing Tinubu’s cap in the southeast but he wears it with pride. He said that his joy is that since the inception of Tinubu’s administration, he has not disappointed him and the other people who believe in the President’s to transform Nigeria. According to him, from the first day Tinubu assumed office, he took responsibility. He has never given excuses either for the challenges he met or the consequences of the actions of the previous government, rather he has always pleaded with Nigerians to give him time to fix the economy. So, he is of the view that Tinubu is a man who knows where he is going and is very focused on getting there. That shows how strong he believes in President Bola Tinubu.”

What advice do you have for Lagos APC?

The advice that I have for the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State is that Prince Nixon Okwara is the best man for the job in Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency 2, so I am pleading that he should be given the ticket, because he has the capacity to win the election for the party. His support base in the constituency is massive and politics is a game of numbers. For the dividends of democracy, he has done a lot for the people of Oshodi-Isolo Federal Consistency 2, so going to the House of Representatives will give him the opportunity to do more.”