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  In this interview with journalists in Lagos, a former Minister of Youth Development, Senator Olasukanmi Akinlabi, speaks about his aspiration to govern Osun State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party among other issues. SESAN Olufowobi was there. Excerpts:
  
  Having served as senator and minister of youth development, why are you now in the race for governorship?
  
  I am in the race because of the problems, because of the issues, because of the challenges that our people in Osun State are facing since the emergence of Governor Aregbesola after his judicial victory.
  
  Have you taken into consideration a possible rancorous which could follow your party primaries?
  
  I am telling you that the PDP remains a family. We disagree and agree. Even before the emergence of Olagunsoye Oyinlola, I want to tell you that 23 aspirants came out that they wanted to fly the flag of the party in that election against Bisi Akande at the time. When the candidate emerged, everybody rallied round him. And this time, we are only four and I believe that the way PDP does its things, once a candidate emerges, I don’t have any doubt that all the other aspirants will definitely support him – in line with our tradition in the party. The PDP is not a one-man party. You know our party is the largest party not only in Nigeria but in Africa. We do our things democratically.
  
  What role did godfathers’ play? Who is your godfather?
  
  I don’t have a godfather, I only have role models. Every PDP leader is my godfather and I look forward to them, I respect them, I learn from them, I tap from their fountain of wisdom. So every PDP leader is my godfather. When President Yar’Adua was there, you all know that he dissolved his cabinet when he reappointed 20 of 42, I was reappointed and sent back to the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. I was the only minister that spent four years in the ministry throughout the tenure of both administrations. That tells you that I don’t have a godfather.
  
  What about what some call the Oyinlola factor? You will agree that leaders do play a role.
  
  You see, Oyinlola is one of the leaders of the PDP in Osun State. His factor is going to be like the factor of any other leader in the PDP like Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun; Chief Ebenezer Babatope; Dr. Olu Alabi; Chief Olayinwola Ogunrinade. They will sit down together and what they have always been saying is that the people’s wish must prevail. I have absolute confidence in the leaders of our party in Osun State and nationally that they will allow the best candidate to emerge to face the incumbent governor.
  
  By 2014 when the governorship poll will take place in Osun State, other political office-holders such as members of the House of Assembly, local government chairmen and councillors will still be in office. Don’t you see this as a challenge?
  
  I have already told you that the election is going to be decided by the people of Osun State. If they are satisfied with Aregbesola’s performance in office, definitely they will vote for him, but if they are not satisfied with his performance in office and they don’t want their trauma to continue, I am sure he is going to be voted out. So, the election is not going to be decided based on propaganda.  I am sure the election will be free and fair and the people’s votes will count.
  
  The major thrust of our programme will be education and employment. We have to make our youths, especially the unemployed productive.
  
  Fortunately, we have National Youth Development Centre located in the state. We are going to make sure that the youths genuinely learn skills, vocational and entrepreneurship education so that they will not only be useful to themselves, they will be useful also to the community.
  
  Which area of Osun do you come from?