Interview

How I feel at 60 —Babs Oduyoye

Honourable Babatunde Oduyoye represented Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2007,during which time he also served as AD Whip of the House. He is a man of many parts, having cut his political teeth as a students’ union leader at the Polytechnic Ibadan and later the University of Ibadan, where he served as SUG President. He has been a constant face in social and political circles before recently serving as Special Adviser (Politics and Strategy) to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. He clocks 60 years on October 1, 2023(today). In this interview, he speaks about his politics, social life and his firm belief in altruism in politics. Excerpts:-

60 years is no joke. Looking around you, listening to the well-wishes and realising how far you come, how do you feel at 60?

Thankful. I am thankful in the sense that I looked back to when my late mother clocked 60 and I look at myself now. I still find it hard to believe that I am 60, because then, the way I saw my mother at 60 is different from the way I see myself at 60. What do I mean by that? I still feel very young at heart, because I relate effectively well with young folks, most especially when I went back to school to pursue a degree in Law.

I hate it when somebody calls me daddy outside my home. I am someone who believes in the youth taking over. I believe in generational shift, and I believe strongly too that the future belongs to the youth. So, I still see myself as the voice of the youth, which I have been over the past decades, and I don’t feel like I should abandon that path now. In fact, I still feel young at heart.

Babs, as you are popularly known, means different things to different people. When you look at the past decades, your relationships, education, and the people you have come across and in whose lives, you have made some sort of impact, what would you say is your motivation or driving force?

I don’t think I have helped anybody the way you are trying to make it look and the issue of motivation is relative. I believe that when people meet or come in contact with me, then we must remain connected. From my university days, my viewpoint and approach to life has always been what I can describe as participatory and contributory. It has also revolved around doing something for the society, giving back to the society.

You said that I mean different things to many people, well, I don’t know that. But, right from my University of Ibadan days, I was Babs. When I was in the United Kingdom, I remained Babs. When I got back and set up my business in the hospitality sector, people referred to me as Majerita. As a socialite, I remained Babs. In the National Assembly or in the government of Governor SeyiMakinde, I still remain my humble self, Babs. It has all been about contributing something to society; doing my own part and bit and having the spirit of leading others to achieve common good.

My motivation is the burning desire to fulfill purpose. While I was in the University of Ibadan, I was probably one of the youngest presidents of the SUG. I never felt intimidated, neither did I feel special. I believe I have a purpose in life, and I have always done everything to make sure I fulfill it. Now, I don’t know if I have done enough to touch lives or make impact on others as you have said.

You have said you don’t know if you had touched lives or not. But people in the social, political and academic circles have said things about what you have done in their lives and how you have kept your focus, despite the vagaries of power as a two-term member of the National Assembly. What inspired you and how did you manage to keep that focus?

Well, I can tell you that it has always been God and it will continually be God. Also, the late Uncle Bola Ige, of blessed memory, inspired me. My mother was at the wedding ceremony of the late Uncle Bola Ige and she was very close to him. I saw him as a mentor, and he motivated and stood by me. He inspired my being in the Alliance for Democracy, AD.

And about how I have been able to keep focus, well, we cannot discountenance my background in student unionism right from the Polytechnic of Ibadan to the University of Ibadan. I have always believed in altruism, and I have allowed altruism to guide my dealings with others across all facets of life. Unfortunately, altruism is now absent in governance and representation. Altruism is absent in all facets of governance. People now go into government because of what they want to acquire. People go into government because of what they want to gain.

But for me, right from Fatima College to the Polytechnic Ibadan and to UI, it has always been about service – serving my immediate community. Being a member of the Students Representative Council at the Polytechnic Ibadan, setting up the Basic Students Association in the polytechnic, getting into UI and contesting to be president of the Students Union, failing the first time, aspiring a second term even running away from the campus but then going on to win the election, it was all about what we could contribute to our immediate community. It was all about service and it was all rooted in altruism. Sadly, altruism is now something strange to leadership. It is strange to governance and has disappeared in the face of politics today in Nigeria.

I believe that when given the opportunity to serve the people, you must represent the people well and ensure their interests come first before your family’s interest.

You found yourself in politics, but will you say that was by chance or by design? And, as a young man, what propelled your interest in wanting to give back, to serve and to be in the face of the people?

As a small boy growing up in Ekotedo, Ibadan, I grew up to know my father, MajekodunmiOduyoye, as a politician. He won elections into the Ibadan Municipal Council five times. My grandfather was also an active member of the NCNC and someone who fought for the rights of thepeople in Ibadan municipality. I found myself in a family that was well-rooted in politics and service.

So, by the time I got into Fatimah College, I was a member of the Young Christian Students. From there, I went to contest an election to be president of the Young Christian Society of Ibadan Diocese. Then, Ikire was part of Old Oyo State. So, I became the president of the Young Christian Students and got baptised as a Catholic. My baptismal name is Michael and when I was confirmed, I was later named Jude after the St. Jude Thaddeus. The spiritual identity of St. Jude was that of an intercessor, someone who stands between the line for people. Someone who intercedes for the poor. Many people don’t know I am Jude, because it has never appeared anywhere among my names. But I found out that my later life as a student activist and as a politician revolved around interceding for people around me. Wherever I find myself in the community, I am always interceding. I make bold to say that identity as an intercessor has defined my existence.

So, to answer your question, my grandfather was a politician who fought for the rights of the people in Ibadan. My father fought for the rights of the underprivileged. I am the third generation of the Oduyoyes that served or participated in the electoral politics of the old and present Oyo State. So, in all, I just believe I have a historical responsibility that has to do with the family, my birth, my religion, my background, my orientation but all rooted in altruism, that responsibility is service to humanity.

Let’s talk about Babs the student unionist. How did you emerge as president of the UI SUG?

I contested the election of the SUG in 1984/1985, but I lost the election. Prince Shina Agunlejika of blessed memory won that election but that did not stop my activism. I was not bothered. My friend, GbengaAmusan, who later worked with the American Embassy, was the Secretary and Speaker of the House. He and the president went for a meeting in Port-Harcourt regarding the NANS crisis, but they were arrested and detained. Our students’ union vehicle was also impounded. But despite having lost to Shina Agunlejika, when I saw that his Vice President was not doing what was necessary and the issue was getting prolonged. I mobilized students from the campus, and we embarked on a fierce demonstration. During our demonstration, a member of the Nigerian Army drove into the UI campus in a Land rover vehicle to drop the daughter of a high-profile person in the country. This happened when we had already declared no-entry into the campus. So, I moved in and took custody of the vehicle and the soldier man and took them to the student’s union building. I did all of that and negotiation started, and I told the Federal Government, acting on behalf of the students’ union, that my president, Agunlejika, who was unduly arrested for legitimately asking for what is just, should be released and the vehicle of the SUG should also be released. I gave those conditions as the only basis for releasing the soldier-man and the Land rover. It led to a lot of issues that I had to appear before the Students Disciplinary Council.

The following year, I was in my final year, but students wanted me to become the president of SUG. I ran away from the Campus because I did not want to contest, as I believed it was going to affect my academics. But on the day, I assumed was the last day to register to be a candidate and that I had missed the process when I ran away, I went back to UI. However, there was still a day open. Unknown to me, DiranOdeyemi and Ayo Aluko-Olokun had already filled the form and all I had to do was to sign. So, I can say that I became president due to my readiness for service, representation, standing for people, and being a voice.

Some of your contemporaries have talked about your tenure as SUG president. It was said that you once hijacked a caterpillar and drove it to block the UI Gate during a demonstration. At 60, when you look back at those things, do you have any regret doing some of those things?

I got into UI in 1981, I was very young; I think I was about 18 years. But to speak directly to your question or what you heard about me, it was not a caterpillar, but it could be regarded as one.

Do I have regrets, no. But I must tell you something; Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo is a good man, and I always look forward to getting an opportunity to present his credentials on what he did not only for me as an individual but also for the emancipation of students. He did so well to maintain students unionism and curb students’ unrest. It was under his tenure as the Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan that I had the humble responsibility of serving as the SUG President. I was sworn-in on December 23, 1984 and I became the President for 1985/1986 session. I was in my final year. So, I had to take a sabbatical leave, even without the knowledge of my parents. I held my academics for one year to serve the interest of the students and I did that effectively. At the same time, I made sure that as a Students’ Leader, I didn’t end up having 3rd class or failing woefully in my primary assignment.

You have fought many battles, especially on the political field. Which one would you regard as the greatest of them all?

The battle that defined me as an individual and as the scion of Oduyoye dynasty of politicians in Ibadanland was my re-election in 2003.

In 2002, I was elected as the AD Whip of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, at the National Assembly. By that election, I became a Principal Officer of the National Assembly. I also became a member of the NEC of the AD. So, I was to benefit from the decision of the party to give automatic tickets to National Assembly members. But back home in Oyo State, some people had other ideas. While my governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina, of blessed memory, and other people had automatic return tickets to contest for their second term, I, as a member of NEC, having benefited from the automatic return from members of NEC, was to be deprived of that opportunity.

What I am saying in essence is, my party, my governor and some other people felt I did not deserve a second term. I went to meet the late Governor Adesina and he was indifferent about the issue. One lady, who wanted to be a member of House of Assembly, AdebukolaAdebusoye, was being prompted to go to the House of Representative to contest my seat. So, they came up with a rotational policy that the House of Reps must move from Ibadan North-West back Local Government to Ibadan South-West, not minding the fact that I live in Ibadan South-West; not minding the fact that I have my business, Majerita Hotels, in Ward 11, at Ibadan South-West. Somebody wanted his daughter to be in the House of Representatives, while another one wanted the House of Assembly for his son, they set up this policy to move the House of Reps seat from Ibadan North-West, because I am originally from Ward 9 and Ward 5 of Ibadan North-West. It was actually a long battle and, to God be the glory, I got the ticket and won the election.

But then, litigation ensued and it was a long one that got to the Court of Appeal. The incumbent Attorney-General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, was my counsel, while his father in the Law, the chamber where he cut his teeth, Chief AfeBabalola was the counsel for the plaintiff at the Court of Appeal. But, to God be the Glory, I won at the Court of Appeal.

After that battle, you took a sabbatical from active politics just like you said you did while in school. It is also on record that apart from the Alliance for Democracy, which you actively participated in, you have not formally joined any other party. What informed your siddon-look and why have you not formally joined any of the existing political parties we have now?

I contested to go to the Senate in 2007, under the banner of the Alliance for Democracy. In the same race, we had the incumbent governor of Oyo State, ‘SeyiMakinde, who contested on the platform of ANPP. We had the son of the strongman of Ibadan politics,AlhajiLamidiAdedibu, KamoruAdedibu, who contested on the platform of the PDP. We had Ismail Adewusi, who contested on the platform of AC and my humble self, who contested on the platform of AD. Those of us who refused to transit to the AC as of that time were in AD. That election was violent and messy. But by the end of the day, we all lost. Most of the candidates lost, and KamoruAdedibu won that election. While I would not want to go back into the issue of that election, I want to make bold to say that after that election, I did a cursory look and made a conclusion that we needed to do more regarding the issue of elections in Nigeria, which has manifested in the Electoral Act amendments that have taken place.

I don’t want to condemn that election but after that election, I decided to take a break. Not only that, members of the National Assembly, who started under President Olusegun Obasanjo, were disrespected and seen as thieves, looters and made to look like people who were not representing the interests of Nigerian populace. Let me also add that it became inelegant to be referred to as the representative of the people, because when you go outside and you hear people say “Honourable,” an average Nigerian would see you as somebody contributing to his misery. So, I felt why are we doing this? After that election in 2007, I abstained from active politics, but I still participated in others NGOs and assisted other people whom I noticed had the genuine intentions to make a positive difference in the Nigerian polity.

Your name was a common decimal in the songs of King WasiuAyinde Marshall at some points in the 90s. You were also a notable socialite. What made you slow down and now that you are 60 and with the kind of talk-of-the-town birthday we heard you are planning, are you returning to the social circle?

The idea is to stay young and remain young. King WasiuAyinde is a friend and he was somebody I promoted under Majerita Promotions. I set up the promotions company primarily because of King WasiuAyinde Marshall, not for any other thing. That Majerita Promotions did not promote any other person except Wasiu and it came about after he participated in the first show in Abuja where Abacha wanted to remain president for life and there was a lot of backlash.

I remember that Otunba Wale Ademonwo, WasiuAyinde and myself met in my house and we designed what we wanted to do to save WasiuAyinde from beingostracised and to relaunch his image. I devoted my resources and person to rebuilding and restablishing the interest and status of King WasiuAyinde Marshall in the social scene, because we believed in him and we knew that his participation at the Abacha Rally was not out of personal willingness but he had to do that because it was under the military regime. So, what we did was to relaunch his image and, to effectively do that, I had to set up a company called ‘Majerita Promotions.’ We took him to all educational institutions in the South-West and eventually, the truth prevailed.

On the issue of being a socialite, I come from the Oduyoyes who have a rich history of being socialites. My father, MajekodunmiOduyoye, was nicknamed ‘Abolodefeeloju’. MAJEK, while I was growing up, would contribute money for someone who was holding a christening party in his community. He would buy ram and do other things to make people happy. My father would ensure that anybody in his vicinity, who needed to do something socially or otherwise and did not have money, did not end up disappointed. He would provide the food, drinks. That was the family I was born into.

Eventually, some of my friends including Prince AleshinloyeAbass and others have also begun to call me ‘Abolodefeeloju.’ You would also recall that theOlubadan of Ibadanlandconferred on me the chieftaincy of OsiBaameto of Ibadanland.

For me, it is all about being thankful and enjoying ourselves to the fullest without losing focus of our dreams academically, socially and politically. If you call me a socialite, I am one.

First, you said there was a time it became unattractive to flaunt the title of being a representative of the people in this country, which made you to withdraw from active politics for some time. What do you mean?

To answer your first question, I got disappointed in the fact that people were ready to attack members of the NASS after the 2007 election, because an average Nigerian saw National Assembly members as looters and having no solution to uplift the country or do anything to reduce their suffering. What am I saying? It became a norm that members of NASS were known for corruption, padding and so on. In simple terms, altruism in governance became something that is now wrongly seen as a misnomer.

At that point, I decided to take a break and I did that effectively for close to 12 years until Governor SeyiMakinde walked into my house to talk to me about wanting to be governor of Oyo State, and I listened to him, because I saw in him a young and dynamic person that can turn the fortune of not only Oyo State around but also that of South-West and Nigeria.

One major incident that occurred during your time in the National Assembly was the third term agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. How did you members of the AD contribute to sinking the third term plan?

I believe the last has not been heard of the third term agenda of Obasanjo. I have some people who are former members of the NASS, and have requested of me that we should do a book on the Third Term Agenda and the role of the AD members. I think I should apologise for not making myself available. I was an active participant in the third term debacle and I was the AD Chief Whip at that time. I did not collect any money for the third term agenda. At that time, my father died in 2006 and his body was still in the mortuary. N50m would have been so useful and expended towards a successful burial ceremony for my father. But I bluntly refused to collect the money allocated to me for the successful execution of the third term agenda.

Why did you reject such a huge offer?

By my background as the SUG president of the University of Ibadan, my orientation as somebody who believes in the rule of law and the sanctity of the Nigerian constitution and as somebody who believes that Nigeria must be great and experience transformation, I rejected the third term. I have no regret for rejecting the money and working against the intention, and for moving against it in all ramifications.

While talking about your battles, one would expect that you would talk about winning elections two times right under the nose of Chief LamidiAdedibu. He was in a different party at the time, so, how were you able to survive the colossal political outlook of the strongman of Ibadan politics?

AlhajiAdedibu was, indeed, a colossus. He was someone who was down-to-earth and loved the masses. He was always there for the masses. He was that man who would collect from the rich and give to the poor. He had the knowledge and wisdom of representing one legally more than a lawyer or a Barrister at Law. Unfortunately, we were never in the same political party. Due to the influence of the late Uncle Bola Ige, I found myself in the AD and the late Adedibu was of the opposing PDP.

Baba Adedibu was somebody I respect, somebody that contributed greatly to the politics of Ibadan. But whatever he achieved, some people still refer to it as a misnomer and I maintain that whatever he achieved can never again happen not only in Ibadan but in Oyo State.

As per the elections, in 1999, because of the love of the people for Chief ObafemiAwolowo and MKO Abiola, the AD which I belong to and which my group, National Movement for Genuine Democracy, merged with, won all seats in the National Assembly. I was the candidate for Ibadan North-West/South-West and I won the election by a landslide. But in 2003, President Obasanjo, who won the presidency in 1999 but did not win most of the seats and votes in the South-West part of Oyo State, wanted to make a statement. So he moved to take over the whole of the South-West to ensure his success in capturing the ticket of the PDP and to legitimise his hold on the South-West. The re-election of most members of my party became impossible in that election. I was perhaps the only person that got re-elected out of the serving National Assembly members from 1999-2003. It was a tough battle. There was no underhand tactic that was not deployed by the PDP. There was unprecedented violence and all that. But the people of my constituency rose, stood by me and fought gallantly to repel the tendencies of the adversaries to unseat me. I was perhaps the only sitting member that got re-elected. Another member of the AD that got elected was our former governor in Oyo State, late Senator AbiolaAjimobi.

However, though I got reelected as a member, I faced a lot of litigation from within my party and the PDP, before my election was validated at the Tribunal and Court of Appeal.

Looking through some pictures in this study, one sees the picture of you and the current President of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in which both of you look very young. Did your paths cross during your political journey?

President Tinubuis a brother, friend and a compatriot and somebody that has visited me in this house that you are conducting this interview. In 1998, the famous D’Rovans saga where Chief OluFalae was elected to represent the AD above our own Uncle Bola Ige, after the primary elections, the current president retired to my house and stayed here for over five hours. It was at some point that we took these pictures.

Also at a point, President Tinubu, myself, TokunboAfikuyomi, Lai Mohammed formed a tact team in Afenifere and in AD, and we were dictating the progress, principles and policies for the AD. I am close to Tinubu and I believe he will do well for Nigerians.

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