Former Secretary to Ondo State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, who is a senatorial aspirant for Ondo Central Senatorial District, speaks on his political ambition among other issues. NewsQuest brings the exceprts;
Q: What influenced your resignation as SSG to contest senatorial seat?
Interestingly, a lot of people were surprised when I declared my intention to contest for the Ondo Central Senatorial seat shortly after resigning as SSG. But for me, the decision was driven by conviction, experience, and a deep understanding of our people and our communities. Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving the state at very high levels. I served as Chairman of the Hospital Management Board and later as Secretary to the State Government.
Those positions gave me rare exposure to the true condition of our communities and the challenges confronting our people. As Chairman of the Hospital Management Board, I travelled extensively across the state. I saw firsthand the conditions under which many of our people live, particularly in the areas of healthcare, infrastructure, and social development. Then, as SSG and chief administrative officer of the state, I gained deeper insight into governance, policymaking, and the political structure of the state. Bringing all these experiences together, I came to a simple conclusion: many of the challenges confronting our people require strong representation, bold advocacy, and practical legislative solutions. I saw gaps that needed to be filled and problems that demanded urgent attention.
At that point, I asked myself: if not now, then when? Leadership is about stepping forward when you have the capacity, experience, and opportunity to make a difference. As the saying goes, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. For me, declaring for the Senate was that step toward contributing more directly to solving the problems affecting our people. So, my decision was not driven by personal ambition alone; it was driven by a genuine desire to serve. I have seen these problems closely, I understand where they are coming from, and I believe I can contribute meaningfully to providing solutions through effective representation at the National Assembly. That, fundamentally, is what informed my decision.
Q: What do you think you can do differently from the present occupier of the seat?
In Ondo State today, the people are yearning for purposeful and courageous representation. What I believe I can do differently at the hallowed chamber is to offer representation that is visible, accessible, and genuinely connected to the realities of our people across the three senatorial districts. For too long, many people see the Senate as a distant institution, but I believe a senator must remain constantly in touch with the grassroots — from the farmers in our rural communities to traders, artisans, youths, professionals, and traditional institutions.
My approach will be people-oriented and development-driven. From the Ondo State perspective, one major area I intend to prioritise is attracting federal presence and infrastructure to our state. Ondo has enormous potential in agriculture, bitumen, oil and gas, tourism, education, and maritime development, yet we have not maximally benefited from these opportunities at the federal level. I will push aggressively for policies and projects that will unlock economic growth and create jobs for our youths. I will also give strong attention to federal roads and abandoned projects affecting our people.
Roads linking Ondo communities have remained in poor condition for years, affecting commerce and movement. The issue of insecurity in farming communities and highways must also receive urgent legislative attention because no meaningful development can happen where people live in fear. Beyond motions and debates, I want to build a Senate office that is responsive and accountable to the people.
Constituents should know what their senator is doing, the bills being sponsored, the interventions attracted, and how public resources are being utilised. Representation must be measurable. Another thing I will do differently is to promote the politics of inclusion rather than division.
Ondo State needs leaders who can build bridges across interests, generations, and political tendencies for the collective progress of our state. At the national level, I will support policies that stabilise the economy, strengthen institutions, improve education, empower small businesses, and protect the interests of ordinary Nigerians.
