KUNLE ODEREMI and DARE ADEKANMBI engage a former deputy governor and Senator from Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore who speaks on the Bola Ige murder, why people see him as violence-personified, the PDP crisis, why Osun deserves a change of guard, among other issues. Excerpts:
YOU hail from a royal family that is equally known for partisan politics, perhaps that is why you are also into politics. Is it hereditary in the family?
Politics and royalty are about service. So, every average prince or princess is politically inclined right from birth, because the idea of royalty is about service to the people, the immediate community, township or immediate amulet.
With your sojourn on the political turf so far, how would you rate your experience?
My experience in politics has been interesting and a mixed bag, because politics has really enforced me to appreciate human nature and human character more. I have told my colleagues that if they are not into politics, they are not likely to know human beings properly. Human beings are a commodity in politics; they are the raw material for politics. If you check the Bible, the Quran and wise sayings critically, you will realise that human beings are the most difficult creature to manage. There is a common saying that if you are a herdsman with 1,000 cattle, you can have the number increased to 1,500 in one week and you will be sure they are growing. But in politics, a person who says he is behind you can have his mind in 1,000 places as well. So in politics, it is a different ball game because human beings are involved. Politics makes me appreciate humanity, life, the level of people’s comfortability.
Politics and royalty are about service. So, every average prince or princess is politically inclined right from birth, because the idea of royalty is about service to the people, the immediate community, township or immediate amulet.
With your sojourn on the political turf so far, how would you rate your experience?
My experience in politics has been interesting and a mixed bag, because politics has really enforced me to appreciate human nature and human character more. I have told my colleagues that if they are not into politics, they are not likely to know human beings properly. Human beings are a commodity in politics; they are the raw material for politics. If you check the Bible, the Quran and wise sayings critically, you will realise that human beings are the most difficult creature to manage. There is a common saying that if you are a herdsman with 1,000 cattle, you can have the number increased to 1,500 in one week and you will be sure they are growing. But in politics, a person who says he is behind you can have his mind in 1,000 places as well. So in politics, it is a different ball game because human beings are involved. Politics makes me appreciate humanity, life, the level of people’s comfortability.
When you find yourself in the midst of some desperate politicians, who are afraid of your intelligence, endowment and of the fact that you are younger and more accessible, and are more exposed, you are bound to have some problems with such politicians. This was what happened when I was in the Alliance for Democracy (AD) during the Chief Bisi Akande and late Alhaji Lam Adesina saga, when I was framed up with the murder of Chief Bola Ige. The old guard feared the younger elements in the AD and did all sorts of things to debar us from contesting against them in 2003. They planned to win the 2003 elections using Ige’s murder, which they framed around me, to score a cheap political point. But, they forgot that when man proposes, it is God who disposes. By the grace of God and the support of the people of Osun State, they lost the election to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into which we had defected. With this experience and benefit of hindsight, I can now weigh the balance of politics. It has been a worthwhile experience for me.
Have you at anytime wished you had not gone into politics?
Despite the circumstances that I explained earlier about my experience on the political terrain, I am still happy I went into politics because I am able to change lives and create another brand of politics in Yoruba land, particularly in Osun State. I have been able to chart a new course for politicians in the state and I have also brought intellectuals and professionals into politics, unlike in the old days when the political field was peopled by ruffians and thugs. I attracted the best brains into the politics of Osun.
You grew up as a pious person, serving as an altar boy to priests. What is the difference between the Iyiola Omisore of that time and the one we are meeting now?
There is no difference because a person essentially remains a person, except the perception created in the press by my opponents. I am still the Omisore that was an altar boy. But if you are not careful, your opponents can create an image or even images around you, so as to scare people from hearing your side of the story or create an impression that you are a tough person. Yoruba do not encourage cowardice, which is why everybody wants to appropriate the cognomen omo ekun, that is, scion of a tiger. Yoruba appreciate being bold and courageous. So, I am not a coward at all. Even as an altar boy, I was never a coward. The Bible says we have to be wise as serpent but be gentle as dove. This has defined the way we should manage our lives.
Earlier, you talked about being framed up. How do you mean?
I made reference to the issue of Chief Ige. He was attacked in Ibadan and they now created a story around us in Osun, so as to divert the attention of the people from tracking his killers. Those who created that story were trying to cover up their own track. If they had allowed the Police to do their work, maybe by now the security operatives would have unmasked the killers of Chief Ige. The story of his murder was created around us in Osun because of the then pending 2003 elections which they felt we would not allow them to win. Despite all that they did, I won my election from prison. That showed God and my people were with me and are still with me.
Even despite the court acquittal that you got, whenever your name is mentioned, it still comes to people’s minds that you are the prime suspect in the assassination.
That is those people’s perception of life. People who still say that are probably not knowledgeable or they are mischievous ab initio because the court that acquitted me was so clear in its judgment after a three-year trial. Those who still link me with Chief Ige’s death are either unreasonable, partisan or are misguided.
Many believe you are a violence-personified politician. Do you agree with them?
I have not even fought anybody in my life.
They say that was why the issue of Bola Ige came up in the first place.
There was no track record of violence in Ige’s case if you followed the case well. It is all part of the man-made theory of conspiracy against me.
What about the incident at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, where the cap of the deceased was removed in a disgraceful manner?
I was not present at the scene and was never involved. Before Ige died, he was stoned in Owo [in Ondo State] and abused at Ijebu Igbo [in Ogun State] before he died and so what is the difference there?
What then occasioned your frosty relationship with Ige while he was alive?
Our relationship was never frosty. We only had political differences.
How do you mean?
Chief Ige supported Chief Bisi Akande and I was in another camp of Afenifere, a silent faction of the group. Ige led a faction of Afenifere and [late] Papa Abraham Adesanya headed another of which I was a member. Chief Ige and I were supposed to meet at Esa-Oke for our usual end-of-the-year meeting the following day he was killed.
There was this issue that, perhaps if you had not allowed inordinate ambition to overshadow other interest, maybe things would not have gone the way they went.
What ambition? There was nothing inordinate about any ambition. I wanted to be governor. I stayed away from Akande on my own, willfully. I was the one that formed the AD.
Do you mean singlehandedly?
Oh yes!
How?
The AD was formed in my room in Abuja. The certificate of AD is with me and I have said this times without number, if you have been following history. The AD was conscripted, impregnated and delivered in my room in Abuja suite. I paid for the registration of the AD. I was the frontrunner governorship aspirant in the party in Osun but stepped down for Akande willingly. Go and check Chief Mojisoluwa Akinfemwa’s tweet, where he said I stepped down for Akande willingly. You have to follow history properly and balance your story.
Why did you step down?
I did that to promote orderliness in the party and that contradicts the issue of inordinate ambition. If I was ambitious, I would not have stepped down for him. I not only stepped down for him, I funded his election, the whole process throughout. I was made his running mate and we had an agreement he would run only for a single term. Chief Ige imposed Akande on Osun State. I am supposed to be celebrated for that singular act because it was very gentlemanly. These are things that we have to let the public know.
The killing of Chief Bola Ige has become an albatross on your neck, which is why some people are saying though you might be a good person in some respect, that issue is enough to scuttle your governorship ambition?
I went through a court process after which I as discharged and acquitted. The court said I had no business being in court at all because there was no linkage between me and Ige’s death. Even when I was arrested, the police said there was no evidence linking me with the murder. So, it depends on who and who are talking. They brought a lie detector from the United Kingdom and tried to influence the British Police. But, those ones said “No.” So, what you say about Chief Ige’s death is a forgone issue. I have won elections after that. If you repeat this question before the people of Osun, they will tag you an enemy of the state, as an antagonist of the people. That is the reality. That is to show their love and support for me. And this they also did when I won an election while I was in prison. I won even in Esa-Oke. where Ige hailed from.
Doesn’t the issue give you any serious concern?
Not at all!
Why?
Because it is a matter of conscience and as you know, I have been vindicated by the court. So, why should I bother myself about it? I am now a happier person because of the vindication even after my ordeal. The conspiracy theory against me on Bola Ige is funny. His son rushed to police station and said armed robbers attacked his father and stole Dollars, wristwatch and traveller’s cheque and a ring. After some time, when election was drawing near, they changed the story and said it was assassination. Police kept the two reports. And the court had to free me because it saw I had no case to answer at all. I have already sued the Oyo State government and the police for malicious damages to the tune of N20billion and they are running helter skelter for that. They are even begging for time now. Falsehood has been established, conspiracy has been established and they must go and tell the court why they conspired.
Some people say you are a dangerous fellow that people should not move near. Why do you think they have that impression of you?
I am hearing this for the first time. I have not heard that from anybody except you.
Who is more dangerous between you and Rauf Aregbesola?
I don’t know any dangerous person at all. As far as I am concerned, I am a gentleman per excellence.
Some even say anytime you are in Osun, even your home town, IIe-Ife, fear catches your fellow aspirants and other political figures who take to their heels.
That is an act of God. The Bible says they will see you and see God’s glory in you. Are you not a Christian? Are you a Muslim? Go and read your Bible properly. It says they will see me and see the fire of God in me. When you see a thorough man of God being used by God, his presence will invoke fear. The issue of leadership is not about noisemaking; it is an act of God. Leadership perception is that you must create fear in the minds of the people. This was given to Nehemiah when he was governor in his time. It is God who gives this to people like us and it makes people to want to listen to what we have to say. It is a basic thing that cannot be forced down on people. When the aura and presence of God is around you, fear is invoked in people’s minds.
Why did you betray the former Osun governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola by not going to APC with him, which some say is the clan of the progressives?
Oyinlola has said he is not in APC. And he has no choice but to come and work for us in Osun because I worked for him to become governor in 2003. Two, what is progressive about Nigerian politics? What is the meaning of progressive?
Have you at anytime wished you had not gone into politics?
Despite the circumstances that I explained earlier about my experience on the political terrain, I am still happy I went into politics because I am able to change lives and create another brand of politics in Yoruba land, particularly in Osun State. I have been able to chart a new course for politicians in the state and I have also brought intellectuals and professionals into politics, unlike in the old days when the political field was peopled by ruffians and thugs. I attracted the best brains into the politics of Osun.
You grew up as a pious person, serving as an altar boy to priests. What is the difference between the Iyiola Omisore of that time and the one we are meeting now?
There is no difference because a person essentially remains a person, except the perception created in the press by my opponents. I am still the Omisore that was an altar boy. But if you are not careful, your opponents can create an image or even images around you, so as to scare people from hearing your side of the story or create an impression that you are a tough person. Yoruba do not encourage cowardice, which is why everybody wants to appropriate the cognomen omo ekun, that is, scion of a tiger. Yoruba appreciate being bold and courageous. So, I am not a coward at all. Even as an altar boy, I was never a coward. The Bible says we have to be wise as serpent but be gentle as dove. This has defined the way we should manage our lives.
Earlier, you talked about being framed up. How do you mean?
I made reference to the issue of Chief Ige. He was attacked in Ibadan and they now created a story around us in Osun, so as to divert the attention of the people from tracking his killers. Those who created that story were trying to cover up their own track. If they had allowed the Police to do their work, maybe by now the security operatives would have unmasked the killers of Chief Ige. The story of his murder was created around us in Osun because of the then pending 2003 elections which they felt we would not allow them to win. Despite all that they did, I won my election from prison. That showed God and my people were with me and are still with me.
Even despite the court acquittal that you got, whenever your name is mentioned, it still comes to people’s minds that you are the prime suspect in the assassination.
That is those people’s perception of life. People who still say that are probably not knowledgeable or they are mischievous ab initio because the court that acquitted me was so clear in its judgment after a three-year trial. Those who still link me with Chief Ige’s death are either unreasonable, partisan or are misguided.
Many believe you are a violence-personified politician. Do you agree with them?
I have not even fought anybody in my life.
They say that was why the issue of Bola Ige came up in the first place.
There was no track record of violence in Ige’s case if you followed the case well. It is all part of the man-made theory of conspiracy against me.
What about the incident at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, where the cap of the deceased was removed in a disgraceful manner?
I was not present at the scene and was never involved. Before Ige died, he was stoned in Owo [in Ondo State] and abused at Ijebu Igbo [in Ogun State] before he died and so what is the difference there?
What then occasioned your frosty relationship with Ige while he was alive?
Our relationship was never frosty. We only had political differences.
How do you mean?
Chief Ige supported Chief Bisi Akande and I was in another camp of Afenifere, a silent faction of the group. Ige led a faction of Afenifere and [late] Papa Abraham Adesanya headed another of which I was a member. Chief Ige and I were supposed to meet at Esa-Oke for our usual end-of-the-year meeting the following day he was killed.
There was this issue that, perhaps if you had not allowed inordinate ambition to overshadow other interest, maybe things would not have gone the way they went.
What ambition? There was nothing inordinate about any ambition. I wanted to be governor. I stayed away from Akande on my own, willfully. I was the one that formed the AD.
Do you mean singlehandedly?
Oh yes!
How?
The AD was formed in my room in Abuja. The certificate of AD is with me and I have said this times without number, if you have been following history. The AD was conscripted, impregnated and delivered in my room in Abuja suite. I paid for the registration of the AD. I was the frontrunner governorship aspirant in the party in Osun but stepped down for Akande willingly. Go and check Chief Mojisoluwa Akinfemwa’s tweet, where he said I stepped down for Akande willingly. You have to follow history properly and balance your story.
Why did you step down?
I did that to promote orderliness in the party and that contradicts the issue of inordinate ambition. If I was ambitious, I would not have stepped down for him. I not only stepped down for him, I funded his election, the whole process throughout. I was made his running mate and we had an agreement he would run only for a single term. Chief Ige imposed Akande on Osun State. I am supposed to be celebrated for that singular act because it was very gentlemanly. These are things that we have to let the public know.
The killing of Chief Bola Ige has become an albatross on your neck, which is why some people are saying though you might be a good person in some respect, that issue is enough to scuttle your governorship ambition?
I went through a court process after which I as discharged and acquitted. The court said I had no business being in court at all because there was no linkage between me and Ige’s death. Even when I was arrested, the police said there was no evidence linking me with the murder. So, it depends on who and who are talking. They brought a lie detector from the United Kingdom and tried to influence the British Police. But, those ones said “No.” So, what you say about Chief Ige’s death is a forgone issue. I have won elections after that. If you repeat this question before the people of Osun, they will tag you an enemy of the state, as an antagonist of the people. That is the reality. That is to show their love and support for me. And this they also did when I won an election while I was in prison. I won even in Esa-Oke. where Ige hailed from.
Doesn’t the issue give you any serious concern?
Not at all!
Why?
Because it is a matter of conscience and as you know, I have been vindicated by the court. So, why should I bother myself about it? I am now a happier person because of the vindication even after my ordeal. The conspiracy theory against me on Bola Ige is funny. His son rushed to police station and said armed robbers attacked his father and stole Dollars, wristwatch and traveller’s cheque and a ring. After some time, when election was drawing near, they changed the story and said it was assassination. Police kept the two reports. And the court had to free me because it saw I had no case to answer at all. I have already sued the Oyo State government and the police for malicious damages to the tune of N20billion and they are running helter skelter for that. They are even begging for time now. Falsehood has been established, conspiracy has been established and they must go and tell the court why they conspired.
Some people say you are a dangerous fellow that people should not move near. Why do you think they have that impression of you?
I am hearing this for the first time. I have not heard that from anybody except you.
Who is more dangerous between you and Rauf Aregbesola?I don’t know any dangerous person at all. As far as I am concerned, I am a gentleman per excellence.
Some even say anytime you are in Osun, even your home town, IIe-Ife, fear catches your fellow aspirants and other political figures who take to their heels.
That is an act of God. The Bible says they will see you and see God’s glory in you. Are you not a Christian? Are you a Muslim? Go and read your Bible properly. It says they will see me and see the fire of God in me. When you see a thorough man of God being used by God, his presence will invoke fear. The issue of leadership is not about noisemaking; it is an act of God. Leadership perception is that you must create fear in the minds of the people. This was given to Nehemiah when he was governor in his time. It is God who gives this to people like us and it makes people to want to listen to what we have to say. It is a basic thing that cannot be forced down on people. When the aura and presence of God is around you, fear is invoked in people’s minds.
Why did you betray the former Osun governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola by not going to APC with him, which some say is the clan of the progressives?
Oyinlola has said he is not in APC. And he has no choice but to come and work for us in Osun because I worked for him to become governor in 2003. Two, what is progressive about Nigerian politics? What is the meaning of progressive?
A progressive follows in the footsteps of Chief Awolowo and we have governors who believe in and are implementing this philosophy in the South-West zone and other states in the North and South-South and South-East seem to have joined the fray now.
So, Rotimi Ameachi that was a speaker under PDP in Rivers State for eight years and later became governor and about two months ago joined the APC has become a progressive? Is that what you are saying? So, if anyone changes toga within one or two weeks, he or she becomes a progressive? Who among those governors is following in the step of Awolowo? Are they following Awolowo by destroying schools, by awarding road contract for N2billion per kilometer; by stealing money blindly? Or are they pro-Awolowo in destroying people’s houses and shops under the guise of infrastructure? Tell me one thing that is progressive in all of these things that I have mentioned?
So, Rotimi Ameachi that was a speaker under PDP in Rivers State for eight years and later became governor and about two months ago joined the APC has become a progressive? Is that what you are saying? So, if anyone changes toga within one or two weeks, he or she becomes a progressive? Who among those governors is following in the step of Awolowo? Are they following Awolowo by destroying schools, by awarding road contract for N2billion per kilometer; by stealing money blindly? Or are they pro-Awolowo in destroying people’s houses and shops under the guise of infrastructure? Tell me one thing that is progressive in all of these things that I have mentioned?
There is nothing like progressive in Nigerian politics today. What we have is PDP 1 and PDP 2. APC is PDP 2.
How do you mean?
APC is PDP II because they have been going all over the country to beg PDP members to come and lead their new party. So, there is nothing progressive about APC. APC is just a mere nomenclature and a party of deception. That is all.
Are you making reference to 1998/1999 when those who formed PDP but had differences and settled for another party?
Yes, we are going back to that system now. When you say progressive, it is bullshit in Nigerian politics. Going to woo Ameachi, Kwankwaso and others is bullshit. There is nothing like progressive in Nigeria; it is just an impression being created to the public through the press. In the United States, you will never see Republicans and Democrats running after a particular politician because ideological difference is a sharp thing. APC just wants power by all means; they are a set of desperate people. They are desperate so that they can protect their loot. Bola Tinubu, who is their leader, is afraid that he will be exposed in the future, which was why he went begging people to come and join his party. You have to properly understand these things as journalists so that you don’t mislead members of the public. All over Nigeria today, we have PDP members. It is bullshit to say a politician has become progressive by joining APC. When that fellow leaves APC, will his progressiveness change? This makes me unhappy as a Nigerian. Every party must have their distinct ideological line and there is nothing like that in this country today.
Including in your party, the PDP?
No, PDP is on its own. The party has not changed. It is they who are taking from PDP.
Can you pinpoint the ideology of PDP?
PDP’s ideology is one Nigeria.
But Nigerians are saying they are fed up with PDP which has been in power for more than 14 years now with little to show as achievements.
I am a Nigerian and I am not fed up with PDP and so are other Nigerians.
Many are now saying the country should experiment with an alternative…
By my own assessment, most Nigerians prefer and want PDP.
How?
They want us to continue in government because they know we are doing well and that there is hope for them. What does APC have to show for their being in control of some states?
Lagos appears to be a model for APC governors in terms of good governance in the country.
Which good governance where they are doing a bridge for N27 billion?
As an engineer, you should know that a quality job will go for a big cost
A kilometre of road with a good quality is supposed to go for N200million but, they are giving the contract out for N2billion. This is nothing but stealing and daylight robbery. Between Gbogan Junction and Sekona in Osun State, the contract was awarded for N18 billion but, the government has increased the cost to N48 billion and there is nothing they are doing on the road. Where is the quality job? The road between Osogbo and Kwara boundary was given out for N8.9 billion and they changed it to N19 billion. The Osogbo East Road was awarded by the former government at N2.9 billion but they have taken it to N9 billion. On these roads, we have the same design, width, depth and the same material.
What do you say of PDP which has been in power for 14 years and cannot fix electricity; roads are bad and many other infrastructure gone decrepit?
Let me educate you properly. I am an engineer and a properly certified one as that. Between 1955 and 1999, there was no single investment in the power sector. Anywhere in the world you see power stability today, such country invests in power every day. What the PDP met in 1999 will take at least 20 years to get to where we should be. Power is not like bread and sardine which can be easily produced. You are novices and I want you to educate the public. There are generation, transmission and distribution legs in power. The power sector had collapsed completely by the time the PDP got to power because there was no investment and our population kept increasing rapidly. The gestation period for power plant is about seven years. The military that should have invested half of what accrued to the country in the power sector did not invest a single kobo. President Goodluck Jonathan has been able to generate about 4,100 megawatts but, the transmission lines are totally weak, about 10 per cent capacity only working. People just talk carelessly. How many Nigerians pay up their electricity bill?
How do you mean?
APC is PDP II because they have been going all over the country to beg PDP members to come and lead their new party. So, there is nothing progressive about APC. APC is just a mere nomenclature and a party of deception. That is all.
Are you making reference to 1998/1999 when those who formed PDP but had differences and settled for another party?
Yes, we are going back to that system now. When you say progressive, it is bullshit in Nigerian politics. Going to woo Ameachi, Kwankwaso and others is bullshit. There is nothing like progressive in Nigeria; it is just an impression being created to the public through the press. In the United States, you will never see Republicans and Democrats running after a particular politician because ideological difference is a sharp thing. APC just wants power by all means; they are a set of desperate people. They are desperate so that they can protect their loot. Bola Tinubu, who is their leader, is afraid that he will be exposed in the future, which was why he went begging people to come and join his party. You have to properly understand these things as journalists so that you don’t mislead members of the public. All over Nigeria today, we have PDP members. It is bullshit to say a politician has become progressive by joining APC. When that fellow leaves APC, will his progressiveness change? This makes me unhappy as a Nigerian. Every party must have their distinct ideological line and there is nothing like that in this country today.
Including in your party, the PDP?
No, PDP is on its own. The party has not changed. It is they who are taking from PDP.
Can you pinpoint the ideology of PDP?
PDP’s ideology is one Nigeria.
But Nigerians are saying they are fed up with PDP which has been in power for more than 14 years now with little to show as achievements.
I am a Nigerian and I am not fed up with PDP and so are other Nigerians.
Many are now saying the country should experiment with an alternative…
By my own assessment, most Nigerians prefer and want PDP.
How?
They want us to continue in government because they know we are doing well and that there is hope for them. What does APC have to show for their being in control of some states?
Lagos appears to be a model for APC governors in terms of good governance in the country.
Which good governance where they are doing a bridge for N27 billion?
As an engineer, you should know that a quality job will go for a big cost
A kilometre of road with a good quality is supposed to go for N200million but, they are giving the contract out for N2billion. This is nothing but stealing and daylight robbery. Between Gbogan Junction and Sekona in Osun State, the contract was awarded for N18 billion but, the government has increased the cost to N48 billion and there is nothing they are doing on the road. Where is the quality job? The road between Osogbo and Kwara boundary was given out for N8.9 billion and they changed it to N19 billion. The Osogbo East Road was awarded by the former government at N2.9 billion but they have taken it to N9 billion. On these roads, we have the same design, width, depth and the same material.
What do you say of PDP which has been in power for 14 years and cannot fix electricity; roads are bad and many other infrastructure gone decrepit?
Let me educate you properly. I am an engineer and a properly certified one as that. Between 1955 and 1999, there was no single investment in the power sector. Anywhere in the world you see power stability today, such country invests in power every day. What the PDP met in 1999 will take at least 20 years to get to where we should be. Power is not like bread and sardine which can be easily produced. You are novices and I want you to educate the public. There are generation, transmission and distribution legs in power. The power sector had collapsed completely by the time the PDP got to power because there was no investment and our population kept increasing rapidly. The gestation period for power plant is about seven years. The military that should have invested half of what accrued to the country in the power sector did not invest a single kobo. President Goodluck Jonathan has been able to generate about 4,100 megawatts but, the transmission lines are totally weak, about 10 per cent capacity only working. People just talk carelessly. How many Nigerians pay up their electricity bill?
When Obasanjo came in 1999, there was no single movement of train. But today, rail transportation is back on track. Why do you people blame those who have come to rescue you? PDP is a rescue team to all of you. If it had been the people in APC that had been in government, they would have looted the country dry.
But, APC says it is the party that is actually on a rescue mission.
They can say anything now, you should know that. What are they rescuing? Who is the most corrupt person in Nigeria today? You will find the person in APC. You will also recall that their leader, Bola Tinubu, went to Ondo when they tried to take over the state and told the whole world how he helped Governor Segun Mimiko with N3 billion. If Tinubu had money in 1999, he would have paid for the registration of AD. When I was trying to make AD stand on a firm ground, Tinubu would have come to my aid if he had money then. So, you journalists should analyse these issues for the public to be properly educated. Corruption is worse is APC-controlled states than with the Federal Government. The present Osun State government has borrowed about N413 billion in three years. The PDP was in the state for almost eight years and did not borrow a kobo. So, where is corruption? The school uniform, which is ordinarily about N400, costs N2, 400 per pupil in Osun. On the Opon Imo that Aregbesola made a lot of noise about, he gave out the contract to his son at more than N8 billion and up till today, there are not more than 2,000 units of the facility in the schools in the state. So, it is you press that are helping them to deceive the public. Look at the two sides and tell the public the truth. In 2005/2006, Osun State came third in NECO examination and second in UTME. Today, we are in number 35. So, education has gone comatose in my state. The health sector is paralysed with a prostate cancer. There has been no single litre of water added since the last government of PDP in the state. Wealth creation is nil in Osun.
You are surely saying all these because you want to be governor in 2014….
No, not at all! These are facts and you can contradict me if you have anything contrary. These are the realities on ground in our state.
Or, you must be speaking out of envy?
There is nothing like envy. I have presented to you facts and figures. Go and find out more. There has been no business in Osun because people are being brought from Lagos to come and work in Osun.
Why do you think you are better than Aregbesola?
By every standard, I am far better than him. One is by my pedigree; my birth place, my background, parentage and upbringing. You can’t compare me with Aregbesola in these areas. My parents are known. I am a chartered engineer and a Ph.D holder in engineering. I was deputy governor, chairman Appropriation Committee in the Senate and I disbursed about N52 trillion for Nigeria without any blemish. So, how can you compare me with Aregbesola, somebody who parades himself to be a technician and even calls himself an engineer? He changed his title overnight from Engineer Rauf Aregbesola to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. It is political insult to compare me with Aregbesola. I should not be contesting for the same position with Aregbesola if not for Justice Ayo Salami from whom they bought judgment. Aregbesola is facing a criminal charge in court for allegedly forging a police report against the Osun State government at that time. By November 2014, trial will resume in the case against him.
But, APC says it is the party that is actually on a rescue mission.
They can say anything now, you should know that. What are they rescuing? Who is the most corrupt person in Nigeria today? You will find the person in APC. You will also recall that their leader, Bola Tinubu, went to Ondo when they tried to take over the state and told the whole world how he helped Governor Segun Mimiko with N3 billion. If Tinubu had money in 1999, he would have paid for the registration of AD. When I was trying to make AD stand on a firm ground, Tinubu would have come to my aid if he had money then. So, you journalists should analyse these issues for the public to be properly educated. Corruption is worse is APC-controlled states than with the Federal Government. The present Osun State government has borrowed about N413 billion in three years. The PDP was in the state for almost eight years and did not borrow a kobo. So, where is corruption? The school uniform, which is ordinarily about N400, costs N2, 400 per pupil in Osun. On the Opon Imo that Aregbesola made a lot of noise about, he gave out the contract to his son at more than N8 billion and up till today, there are not more than 2,000 units of the facility in the schools in the state. So, it is you press that are helping them to deceive the public. Look at the two sides and tell the public the truth. In 2005/2006, Osun State came third in NECO examination and second in UTME. Today, we are in number 35. So, education has gone comatose in my state. The health sector is paralysed with a prostate cancer. There has been no single litre of water added since the last government of PDP in the state. Wealth creation is nil in Osun.
You are surely saying all these because you want to be governor in 2014….
No, not at all! These are facts and you can contradict me if you have anything contrary. These are the realities on ground in our state.
Or, you must be speaking out of envy?
There is nothing like envy. I have presented to you facts and figures. Go and find out more. There has been no business in Osun because people are being brought from Lagos to come and work in Osun.
Why do you think you are better than Aregbesola?By every standard, I am far better than him. One is by my pedigree; my birth place, my background, parentage and upbringing. You can’t compare me with Aregbesola in these areas. My parents are known. I am a chartered engineer and a Ph.D holder in engineering. I was deputy governor, chairman Appropriation Committee in the Senate and I disbursed about N52 trillion for Nigeria without any blemish. So, how can you compare me with Aregbesola, somebody who parades himself to be a technician and even calls himself an engineer? He changed his title overnight from Engineer Rauf Aregbesola to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. It is political insult to compare me with Aregbesola. I should not be contesting for the same position with Aregbesola if not for Justice Ayo Salami from whom they bought judgment. Aregbesola is facing a criminal charge in court for allegedly forging a police report against the Osun State government at that time. By November 2014, trial will resume in the case against him.
The Bible says by their fruits, we shall know them. We know each other by our pedigree. The Yoruba are not like other tribes that do not appreciate pedigree. We don’t mortgage our pedigree in Yoruba land.
But, how do we reconcile your claim with the fact that a question mark is hanging on your post-graduate qualifications? Your masters and Ph.D qualifications are being doubted in many quarters.
They can question anything. I am a Ph.D holder. It is not a question of fable. You can go to my school and verify. Why are you bothering yourself? My schools are public and you can go to their websites. Why do you say a question mark is hanging on my qualifications? You are a journalist, so go and find out.
Does it the mean you started your post-graduate programme while you were in prison?
You are not an illiterate now. You went to school. So, go and find out. Go to the school’s websites and find out about my qualification. There is no point in disturbing me about this. I am a fellow of chartered engineers in England and Wales.
Why are your opponents raising this issue then?
They do so because they do not have anything to say. When you are a star and they don’t have anything to smear on you, they start to feed people with lies. I don’t feel disturbed by this at all. When you are in a political war and your opponents are feeding people with lies, you should feel comfortable because they have nothing to say and their lies will fall like a pack of cards. How can somebody who is not a graduate tell a Ph.D holder he did’ nt go to school? I told Aregbesola to present his HND certificate but, he has not done so up till today. And my own is everywhere. A public person should expect criticisms. But when such are based on falsehood, you should thank your star. Tinubu’s certificate is still a thing of mystery till today. Aregbesola calls himself an engineer and up till today, he has not shown his COREN number. Go and ask these characters such question and not me. I am far above an average politician by any standard.
You once wrote on your Facebook wall to ‘send them back to Lagos”. Have you got the capacity to do this?
APC did not win Osun ab initio and so why will it be difficult to send them out. You all know they came in through the back door through the assistance of Salami. And till today, they have not won any election.
But, they won National Assembly elections in 2011…
Their so-called victories are being cancelled by the Tribunal and they are appealing against the cancelation of their election at Akure [Ondo State] now. They are just buying time. I want you to do more study on Osun politics. They rigged the election that you talked about. That means you are not current yourself.
People have been endorsing Aregbesola…
No single individual in Osun has endorsed him. Maybe he has endorsed himself. The only things we see in Osun are billboards everywhere. Any governor that is performing does not need to erect billboards everywhere. When you have done well, your achievements should market you. The state is being defaced with billboards and posters. They held a programme in Ilesha recently and I saw about 100 buses chartered from Lagos to Ilesha. Are those Osun people? Aregbesola will be booted out of Osun in June by God’s grace. He is good at setting up groups and NGOs and this won’t save him.
Most people believe you are arrogant, that you don’t respect elders and that even when you greet traditional rulers, you stretch your hands to them. How would you react to this?
That is also part of envy. Every prince and princess is taught to respect elders. We have better training as princes and princesses than the people on the streets. This is because we have trainers in the palace that train us the tradition and culture of Yoruba. This may not be open to members of the public. I have happy I have won the battle in Osun because all allegations being leveled against me are pedestrian and baseless. I am from a humble background and I respect elders a lot. These are lies from political scavengers.
But, how do we reconcile your claim with the fact that a question mark is hanging on your post-graduate qualifications? Your masters and Ph.D qualifications are being doubted in many quarters.
They can question anything. I am a Ph.D holder. It is not a question of fable. You can go to my school and verify. Why are you bothering yourself? My schools are public and you can go to their websites. Why do you say a question mark is hanging on my qualifications? You are a journalist, so go and find out.
Does it the mean you started your post-graduate programme while you were in prison?
You are not an illiterate now. You went to school. So, go and find out. Go to the school’s websites and find out about my qualification. There is no point in disturbing me about this. I am a fellow of chartered engineers in England and Wales.
Why are your opponents raising this issue then?
They do so because they do not have anything to say. When you are a star and they don’t have anything to smear on you, they start to feed people with lies. I don’t feel disturbed by this at all. When you are in a political war and your opponents are feeding people with lies, you should feel comfortable because they have nothing to say and their lies will fall like a pack of cards. How can somebody who is not a graduate tell a Ph.D holder he did’ nt go to school? I told Aregbesola to present his HND certificate but, he has not done so up till today. And my own is everywhere. A public person should expect criticisms. But when such are based on falsehood, you should thank your star. Tinubu’s certificate is still a thing of mystery till today. Aregbesola calls himself an engineer and up till today, he has not shown his COREN number. Go and ask these characters such question and not me. I am far above an average politician by any standard.
You once wrote on your Facebook wall to ‘send them back to Lagos”. Have you got the capacity to do this?
APC did not win Osun ab initio and so why will it be difficult to send them out. You all know they came in through the back door through the assistance of Salami. And till today, they have not won any election.
But, they won National Assembly elections in 2011…
Their so-called victories are being cancelled by the Tribunal and they are appealing against the cancelation of their election at Akure [Ondo State] now. They are just buying time. I want you to do more study on Osun politics. They rigged the election that you talked about. That means you are not current yourself.
People have been endorsing Aregbesola…
No single individual in Osun has endorsed him. Maybe he has endorsed himself. The only things we see in Osun are billboards everywhere. Any governor that is performing does not need to erect billboards everywhere. When you have done well, your achievements should market you. The state is being defaced with billboards and posters. They held a programme in Ilesha recently and I saw about 100 buses chartered from Lagos to Ilesha. Are those Osun people? Aregbesola will be booted out of Osun in June by God’s grace. He is good at setting up groups and NGOs and this won’t save him.
Most people believe you are arrogant, that you don’t respect elders and that even when you greet traditional rulers, you stretch your hands to them. How would you react to this?
That is also part of envy. Every prince and princess is taught to respect elders. We have better training as princes and princesses than the people on the streets. This is because we have trainers in the palace that train us the tradition and culture of Yoruba. This may not be open to members of the public. I have happy I have won the battle in Osun because all allegations being leveled against me are pedestrian and baseless. I am from a humble background and I respect elders a lot. These are lies from political scavengers.
You were hailed as the stabilizer of the Senate for David Mark during your time in the Red Chamber. How did you achieve that?
In the Senate, we were all colleagues and mature people. I achieved that through interaction, appreciation of individuals and respect for one another. And of course you can’t take away my performance as the chairman of Appropriation Committee. So, these were what endeared me to people’s hearts. God also played the biggest role in this regard.
APC has taken over the House of Representatives and is raring to go to the senate. Do you see your friend, David Mark, surviving the tempest when it breaks?
APC take over of the House is just in the press. PDP has six members more than APC in the House. If APC truly is in the majority, they will have changed the House leader and this is the law in the chamber. Since we still have Mulikat Akande-Adeola has the House leader that means PDP is still in the majority. Please, try and educate the public about this. A House leader is from a party that is in the majority and there is no rocket science about this. It is from day one you reach the target of majority that y change your majority leader. There are also 18 members of Labour Party and APGA who are pro-PDP.
In the Senate, we were all colleagues and mature people. I achieved that through interaction, appreciation of individuals and respect for one another. And of course you can’t take away my performance as the chairman of Appropriation Committee. So, these were what endeared me to people’s hearts. God also played the biggest role in this regard.
APC has taken over the House of Representatives and is raring to go to the senate. Do you see your friend, David Mark, surviving the tempest when it breaks?
APC take over of the House is just in the press. PDP has six members more than APC in the House. If APC truly is in the majority, they will have changed the House leader and this is the law in the chamber. Since we still have Mulikat Akande-Adeola has the House leader that means PDP is still in the majority. Please, try and educate the public about this. A House leader is from a party that is in the majority and there is no rocket science about this. It is from day one you reach the target of majority that y change your majority leader. There are also 18 members of Labour Party and APGA who are pro-PDP.
Senate is more mature and they can’t even get close to PDP there. A lot of the Senators in states where governors have moved to APC are not willing to go with their governors. David Mark is very comfortable in the Senate. The governors who left PDP will soon come back to the umbrella party. Has anybody left PDP and not come back? The freedom politicians enjoy in PDP they can’t enjoy in APC. They will come back because they will not get the quality of leadership they want. They won’t be able to express themselves in APC. When Tinubu celebrated his 60th birthday, Fashola publicly told him to be more democratic and objective. Immediately, he replied Fashola that if he was democratic, Fashola would not have been governor of Lagos today. Tinubu is an unrepentant dictator. If anybody imposes candidate in PDP, aggrieved parties will go to court. But in APC, you will sign an undertaking that you won’t go to court.
What are you going to do differently from what Aregbesola is doing if you become Osun governor?
One, I will take schools back to their original status and reverse this re-classification nonsense. I will restore dignity to schools by going back to regular school structure. I will give every school their identity which is their pride. Aregbesola was not brought up in Osun State and this is why he does not appreciate the educational legacy of the state. He is a stranger in the state and this is why he could destroy schools and shops like he is doing. He is just a political jobber. He came to grab and go away. He came to Osun with a portmanteau and when the state is in dire strait, he will just pick his portmanteau and go back to Lagos. I will review all these inadequacies in the name of constructions in Osun. I will revamp the health sector. I will restore water. Osun is broke now, we are in a deep shit.
He has created more than 10, 000 jobs…
Is that the kind of job you pray to get for your child? Answer me now Mr Journalist. Aregbesola’s O-YES scheme is debasing human dignity. He puts a uniform on a graduate of three years for a menial job. He can get other people to do that kind of job but not graduates. He gave his undergraduate son, Kabiru, a contract of N8billion and gave graduates a job of N10, 000 a month. He is just debasing our labour force. I will create genuine employment for our people.
What is your relationship with the Ooni of Ife?
Ooni is my father and we were together in Ife recently.
Do you prostrate for him?
Of course, I do so not only for him but for every elderly person too. If my staff is older than I am, I will prostrate for him.
Is it because you are brave and daring that you have a killers’ squad?
If there is a killers’ squad anywhere, I don’t know. Being brave does not mean I have a killers’ squad. I am not aware of any killers’ squad by me. In fact, I am hearing it for the first time from you. Maybe you are the head of the killers’ squad, I don’t know. Or you want to give me a killers’ squad? I will just ask you to take it to somewhere else.
What about your army of thugs that you are said to surround yourself with?
I don’t go with thugs. No way. Except you want to call Diran Odeyemi, a thug.
tribune.com.ng
What are you going to do differently from what Aregbesola is doing if you become Osun governor?
One, I will take schools back to their original status and reverse this re-classification nonsense. I will restore dignity to schools by going back to regular school structure. I will give every school their identity which is their pride. Aregbesola was not brought up in Osun State and this is why he does not appreciate the educational legacy of the state. He is a stranger in the state and this is why he could destroy schools and shops like he is doing. He is just a political jobber. He came to grab and go away. He came to Osun with a portmanteau and when the state is in dire strait, he will just pick his portmanteau and go back to Lagos. I will review all these inadequacies in the name of constructions in Osun. I will revamp the health sector. I will restore water. Osun is broke now, we are in a deep shit.
He has created more than 10, 000 jobs…
Is that the kind of job you pray to get for your child? Answer me now Mr Journalist. Aregbesola’s O-YES scheme is debasing human dignity. He puts a uniform on a graduate of three years for a menial job. He can get other people to do that kind of job but not graduates. He gave his undergraduate son, Kabiru, a contract of N8billion and gave graduates a job of N10, 000 a month. He is just debasing our labour force. I will create genuine employment for our people.
What is your relationship with the Ooni of Ife?
Ooni is my father and we were together in Ife recently.
Do you prostrate for him?
Of course, I do so not only for him but for every elderly person too. If my staff is older than I am, I will prostrate for him.
Is it because you are brave and daring that you have a killers’ squad?
If there is a killers’ squad anywhere, I don’t know. Being brave does not mean I have a killers’ squad. I am not aware of any killers’ squad by me. In fact, I am hearing it for the first time from you. Maybe you are the head of the killers’ squad, I don’t know. Or you want to give me a killers’ squad? I will just ask you to take it to somewhere else.
What about your army of thugs that you are said to surround yourself with?
I don’t go with thugs. No way. Except you want to call Diran Odeyemi, a thug.
tribune.com.ng
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