Election Tribunal: Opposition in court for publicity – Kwara APC Secretary

Chief Olabode Adekanye is the State Secretary of the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who replaces the late Yemi Afolayan. In this interview with Head Politics, MUMINI ABDULKAREEM, he spoke on a wide range of issues regarding the office and the politics of the state. Excepts:

How can you describe your political journey in the state?

I came into active politics in 2001 then when I joined the PDP. During the election of the first tenure of Senator Bukola Saraki as the governor of the state, I became active through the closeness of a close childhood friend of mine, Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin who happens to be the Deputy Publicity Secretary then and I felt coming from the same constituency and local government, I should give him my own support. Again, the altitude of late Governor Muhammed Lawal was not something I agree with, this altitude of divide and rule, thuggery approach to politics to surprise our leader then, late Dr Olusola Saraki, which was nothing but a fad and the desperate bid to secure leadership. I came out in 2003 to be part of the election in my ward and we won and when it came to political benefit, I thank God I was remembered by the Saraki when I was appointed Permanent Member Local Government Service Commission from 2004-2008. That was how I found myself here today through my loyalty to the leader.

Why do you think you were picked for this job?

The late state party secretary, Hon Afolayan was my senior in all ramifications, age wise and politically, but what the leader, Dr Bukola Saraki noticed in me for preferring me to be here, that I don't know and I cant say. I have so many friends that showed interest in this position who are eminently qualified and many of them were better than me. I want to tell you that three of them were lawyers in their respective rights but where not chosen. But maybe it was for being in the political corridor and my performances in places where I have served. I am a Permanent Member Local Government Service Commission, appointed as the Chairman, Agency for Mass Education which I believed I did my best and performed very well, the records and my contribution to the growth of the place are there for all to see. But at times, politics goes beyond just being brilliant. The late secretary is a senior colleagues in everything, he has been there long enough and very vibrant, everybody with his own style. But I thank God so far how it has been judging from people's reactions and comments.

There are many political bigwigs in Kwara South especially in the opposition but they lost the election

There is no body bigger anywhere unless one is calling himself a big man politically where there is none. We were told that the PDP governorship aspirant, Senator Simeon Ajibola used to claim that he has not lost any election, but that supposed record has been shattered because he lost the last gubernatorial election. He is the only one that can answer why. But for followers of political events in Kwara politics, we will know that if you are lucky to hold on to Saraki's garment, you are healed already (politically), I am a Christian. But immediately Ajibola's separated himself from his associating with the dynasty, his so called record was shattered and he lost. Other people that are bragging about their status, the last general elections have properly situated everybody where he/she belongs. Unless anyone wants to hide under a finger, the last general election went peacefully throughout Nigeria. There is no how a woman would give birth without traces of blood. Everybody can now use the election to measure our level. In some wards or units we lost and we know why because we know some opponents that are very strong in their constituencies, even in the three local governments where it can be said that we have performed poorly, it is on the average and a gallant lost rather than woeful defeat. Those that have been shouting about freedom and liberation for Kwara, it is funny that after they have lost are now struggling to return to the captivity they claimed exist in the dynasty? They are the only ones that can explain why they are now falling head over heels to get to the leader again. Leadership is how God designed it and it naturally emerges. Anybody who believes in that will not have problem. The major problem of the opposition PDP is the lack of leader from the Apex to the grassroots and that is the result of anybody, town, community that lacks a leader, it will crash-land Just as the opposition have done in Kwara State.

But some of the opposition are now in court challenging the election

We just have only about five litigations in courts here in Kwara state which I believe some of the opposition are pursuing just to make their names popular rather than having a genuine case. Those are the two reps from Kwara South, the senator also from Kwara South, Kwara Central Senator and a party called ADC that said its party logo was missing from the ballot papers.

What have been you greatest challenge since you took office?

I have been facing such challenges for a long time, that is having people pressurising me for one thing or the other. To be the secretary of the party in Kwara State is not easy, passing information round and trying to ensure that everybody is carried along and get involved. I work mostly all the time and it's like a 24-hour job. I receive various complaints from people on a daily basis and I have to meet up with their demands. I mostly delay my writings till around 6:00pm-11:00pm and sometimes I stay up in the office well over 1:00am daily. That is the time I am always more comfortable without the task of attending to people to write. I have to make this sacrifice and commitment because I don't want to disappoint my leader, Senator Bukola Saraki. This has been tough for me, but I am used to it.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you can take out of this office?

I want people to judge me as a very hardworking secretary who is very diligent with his job and dispensing it with justice to the best of his ability and fear of God. That will give me greatest joy. I don't want people to see me as being partial or somebody rebellious to my party. I want the leader to see the genuineness in appointing me the state secretary of the party. That's all, other things can follow.

Have you had any cause to regret your appointment?

Absolutely not at all. I am in smooth and cordial relationship with relevant stakeholders in the party including the local government party chairmen and the state party chairman, Hon Ishola Balogun-Fulani. And I pray I will not have anything to regret.

How has the finance of your office been?

I get my request on anything that has to do with my office or performance from the party. There is no problem in that line.

How did your local government fared in the recent politics of the state?

We performed close to 70 percent in the last presidential and gubernatorial elections. Our performance is okay and we can only build on that.

#JUDICIARY