Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, is one of the candidates seeking the All Progressive Congress APC governorship ticket for the Edo 2016 gubernatorial election.
In this interview, he explained the reason for not giving in his aspiration to govern the state and why he thinks he is the most competent of all the aspirants to step into Adams Oshiomhole’s shoes.
You have been in this race since 2007,why do you think you must govern the state?
Thank you for this sensitive question. In the first place, I’m a Nigerian, a law abiding one at that. A Nigerian of Edo State origin, who has no criminal record. An indigene of the state who is in constant touch with the people both high, the middle and the low class. Someone who has shown concern and still showing concern for the well being of the people at every given time, in respective of class, belief , religion, and political affiliations. Some one who is sincere in his dealings with everyone who comes in contact with him. Someone who has nothing to hide, someone who can walk on the road freely without being afraid of who is coming behind because I do not engage in shady deals. Someone whose doors are open to people with various problems, demands and requests. Someone that is a giver, someone who starves himself to satisfy others and above all, someone who loves God and is loved by God in return.
Yes I have been in this project since 2007,the reason is because I believe that I have something to offer the good people of Edo state.I have a burden in my heart, a burden to take the people of this state to the pinnacle of development, to make the people have a sense of belonging, to treat our people equally without any form of discrimination. I have a burden, the burden is to take the teeming millions of our unemployed youths off the streets whether educated or not. A burden to take poverty, hunger, and bitterness off the faces of our people. I have a burden to improve on the structure our comrade governor has put on ground. As an indigene of Edo state, I came from a poor home, I have tested poverty, I feel what the less privileged in our society feel,I know the pains of a woman that has no husband, because my mother was a widow . So each time I see mothers that cannot afford to feed their wards my hearts bleeds for them. Thank God today that I’m not a hungry man, God has blessed me in every area of my life. I’m not going to government House to cart away tax payers money. I am going there to help the the less privileged, the needy, the widow, the homeless, the disable, and those that life has boxed to corner as a result of one problem or the other. I know with the support of Edo people, we will together build a state that will be inhabitable for all.
For the past 10 years, you have been on the streets of Edo state sharing Rice and other gifts items, should the gesture be taken to be part of your political gameplan ?
Good it is not every rich man or the wealthy that has the spirit of giving. This thing I’m doing is a special gift from God, It is a ministry God has given to me because of my past life experiences. God blessed me so that I can be a blessing to others. It is a super natural gift given to me many years ago at a time in our family life to eat a meal a day was a tall task. I can remember vividly during one Christmas celebration, there was no money for my widowed mother to buy a cup of rice for us to cook. So one particular evening, I went into the room and locked up myself and started to pray to God to bring someone that can give my mother money for us to buy a cup of rice to eat, and I also made avow to God that if he blesses me when I grow up, I will give rice to the poor at every Christmas. And so God in His infinite mercy answered my prayers. Just few days to the Christmas, a woman from Igara came to my mother and gave her some cups of rice to cook for us. Miraculously too an old man brought cock for my mother .I tell you that was the happiest moment of my life and the best Christmas for me and my brothers . The pains of not having father at that particular period left us.some pain. Thereafter I went into covenant with God reminding him the promise he made to me. Today God kept to His promise. He has blessed me in all ramification of life, I told Him that I will keep to my vow. So what you see me do today is by His grace. And I will continue to give to the poor in our society as long as I live. I’m the happiest man on earth each time I see myself sharing and giving to those in need. This is how Edo people gave me the name ‘Rice man’.
Getting the A P C governorship ticket seems an uphill task considering the fact that you are not in the good books of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, what is your take on this?
Look my destiny is not in the hand of any body, it is God Almighty that has the final say, and power is in the hands of God. In this 2016 governorship election in Edo state, it is you and I that will determine who becomes the governor, it is the good people of Edo that will decide who will be their governor.. Governor Adams Oshiomhole is my governor, he has done excellently well for the people of Edo.I as a person, I have nothing against him and I don’t think he can work against me, because he is looking for a person like me that can help maintain his good legacies. Yes the battle will be tough, but I want to say with God all things are possible. A P C wants me, P D P wants me, Labour party wants me, and the good people of Edo wants Kenneth Imasuangbon. So I’m not afraid, what will be will definitely be.
Are you comfortable with the leadership style of those piloting the affairs of this nation at all levels of governance?
World over, democratic government to me is best form of government, this is why countries like America which every nation in the world tries to emulate are practicing democracy. Good leaders are born not made, it is a divine gift from God for one to be a good administrator. Every leader in Nigeria both past and present have their own leadership style. So it is for the people to judge their leaders . I’m not here to run down anybody what is expected of us the followers is to support and pray for God’s own wisdom for all of them so that they can be able to give Nigerians that change that we desire at all levels of our human life.
Last year you and your team visited Hospitals, prisons, motor parks, motherless homes etc, how do you feel doing this?
Well like I said before I give glory to God who has made it possible for me to reach out to the people. You see, each time I see myself paying hospital bills for people in sick beds, I feel very happy, each time I give to the needy, I feel very glad, each time I visit the orphanage homes, to give out relief materials, I ‘m the happiest man, when I go to the prisons to give to the incarcerated, I feel very fulfilled that I’m doing what God has sent me to do. At the Oko prison in benin, you saw the standing ovation that greeted my entering it was as if the I have come to give them presidential pardon, so there is nothing in this life, it is live and lets live. My greatest joy is that my life is imparting on people. There is no way those prisoners will eat my cow, Rice and other gift items that I presented to them and offer curses to me. So what a do today is for tomorrow reward and I know God will never leave me alone.
I’m from Edo state I have no other place, so anything I can do to help my people I will continue to do it not minding what my political opponents will say. The most important thing is that this thing has been on ever before I joined politics. I have stood with the people for the past years, my background, vision and focus are clear evidence of my sincere intention to serve the people of Edo state. I count on their support and i rely on the grace of God to see us through and pray that the people will make the right choice. So help us God.
About The Nigerian Blogger
0 comments :
Post a Comment