For the Minister of National Planing and Deputy Chairman National Planning Commission Dr Olanrewaju Suleiman, the currently unfolding trends in Kwara state politics are needed to give the state, a true sense of democratic governance. In this interview with ABIODUN FAGBEMI in Ilorin, the minister said the state would not only return to the mainstream politics by re-joining the People's Democratic Party, (PDP), but would also begin a process that would make the state the bastion of democracy in the country.

Speaking on the mandate of the National Planning, he notedthat, " the Commission is to plan and come out with visions and aspirations that can take Nigeria to its zenith as a nation, socially, economically and politically. That we have been doing well as a ministry. But in the area of projects monitoring, we are yet to get it well.

So far, in my few weeks in office, we have realised that many of the projects in this country are being duplicated, most especially, those given by donor agencies. Some were not even implemented to specifications, in the process, the donor agencies had to revoke the contracts and such have become abandoned projects. In all of these, the donors have become discouraged just as the motivation to do more will be lacking. Nigerians are thus at the loosing end. That is why we are now coming up with a new monitoring exercise, which will take us to all the six geo-political zones of this great country.

The flag off will be done in all these zones, we will mainly involve the academics and journalists. They will serve as monitoring agents to see if the projects are in line with laid down specifications. With all these, there will be changes and Nigerians as a people will know it for better."

On whether his ministry has a plan to churn out for Nigeria an accurate population figure as against the estimated figures being supplied, he said, "there is no country in the world irrespective of its technology on data collation that has accurate population number. In Nigeria today, we are using estimated figure of about 170 million people. Before now, it was 140 million figure that was being used. If you look at the concept of the random figure it is progressing. Population issue is an ongoing thing, it is not a fabrication. The body in charge of this is improving on its skill.

The agency on registration is working on getting a coherent data especially in those areas as births and deaths records. It will give us the number of employed and unemployed Nigerians. All these will give us an insight into the accurate figure."

ASSESING the spate of developments in his state (Kwara) in the last three and a half years ago, Suleiman described the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government as ineffective. According to him, "it is disheartening to note that in Kwara state today, there is no concrete development. What I have seen is substantial increment in the number of jobless people especially, the youth. Thugs and hoodlums are springing up on daily basis. We have deplorable roads everywhere.

In fact, if you are entering Kwara from Ekiti state, you will see good road networks terminating in Ekiti state. Immediately you enter into Kwara, the story is different. The comfortability instantly disappears and you will want to find out if you are no longer in Nigeria. The road in Kwara is simply deplorable. Good roads stop when you get to Kwaran boundary with Ekiti.

I have seen children dying and adults suffering due to the dearth of needed health facilities. No clear-cut free education policy unlike states around us. Even though Osun and Lagos states are controlled by the APC, you can still see some fair education policies in those states. What I have seen is a synergy between two people. Besides, individuals have privatised public sector. Probably, the only development we have seen here is that our people's eyes have opened, they are now very conscious of what is happening around them. They are simply yearning for a change."

He spoke on what Kwara stands to lose if it continues to be an APC state: "Playing the role of an opposition the way Kwara government is presently doing will not augur well for the growth of our state.

Let me tell you one serious thing about the relationship between the state and the federal now. The Governor no longer attends the National Executive Council. We see only the Deputy Governor there. Don't forget that the Deputy Governor has no mandate to speak for the state at such a meeting.

Besides, due to the antagonistic posture, we are losing so many things especially grants and technical aids from the Federal Government to other states. No federal government will give anything to the state that thinks it can bring down such government. We need to stop the antagonism now. Don't forget that the appropriation will not be given to saboteurs with their antics.

As a minister from the state I have within my capability in the last few weeks of assumption of office, facilitated the employment of over 60 qualified people from this state. Somebody was there before me, how many people did he assist from Kwara as a minister during the three years or so of his stewardship? He operated under the tutelage of a god father. The results are there today for everybody to see. "

For the minister, PDP will win the 2015 general elections in the state as the party is daily spreading its tentacles across the six geo political zones. He said, "PDP is wining Kwara in 2015 polls. Specifically President Goodluck Jonathan is bond to win.

He is already wining. People like Ibrahim Shekarau, Bunu Sheriff, Chief Tom Ikimi Peter Obi have decamped to the PDP. Even, we believe Chief Olusegun Osoba is joining the wining train very soon. Now tell me one political leader who had decamped from PDP to APC apart from some states'governors who are today complaining and regretting their actions. Kwarans today are willing to vote for us.

The level of wreckage and sabotage in governance are the indexes that show that Kwara as a state needs a change. Look for instance, I am not an aspirant but a minister. Everywhere I go in the state, people are giving me rousing welcome and recognition. It is overwhelming.

By every indication, our chances are clearer and brighter. By the grace of God, PDP members will resist any attempt to steal their votes in 2015. We have done well our home-work. We can't continue to be in opposition. The arrogance of those in power is making our people poorer by the day. Our people really trooped out for voters registration exercise. Very soon, we shall be free."