You are slugging it out with men in the governorship race. What motivates you?
It is just a gain say that politics is meant for men because they seem to have the strength. I feel the definition of men’s strength is more of thuggery; they have strength to pull things. The way our political institution is, especially in Nigeria, they are more of criminals, applying force, making women to do things against their will, etc. By nature, women as mothers we are calm and caring. The question then is how would I inflict pain on fellow human being just because I want to have my way? I am out for ideal way of running politics which is to present your paper, put your card on the table and let people consider you. It should not be forceful or do or die, rather a matter of hearing my programmes and if it sooths you, you can follow it.
I am tired of looking at things decaying in my state and nation. So, I perceive within me that I have something to offer. Even without being a candidate, I had done many things as an entrepreneur to affect lives positively. I have equipped jobless youths with skills. Entrepreneurship is just in our educational curriculum but it is not really functioning. You will see an Electrical Engineering student that cannot even fix bulb in a lamp holder. I put all of these thoughts together and rise to contest. Even if some people believe governorship seat is meant for men, I want to disagree. Let us try out a woman as a governor and see what will happen. I am promising that better things would happen because an average woman cannot see her children cry and shut her ears.
You made mention of children that were supposed to be in school but are on the streets. Does it mean you are in the race basically for women and children?
I talked about children, women, youths and entrepreneurs that are struggling to thrive in their businesses. So, I generally want to run this race to help the helpless, thereby bridging the gap between the rich and the poor. The truth is that our economy can sustain all of us, if it is people- centered.
When you go to hospital, you will realise that every transaction in general hospitals has to be paid for. You will pay for needle, cotton wool and spirit that would be used for you. You will even have to pay before getting a card in the hospital. So, nothing is free. If government does what it is supposed to do, the crime level will reduce. I deliberately use “reduce” because some people are born criminals, no matter what you do.
The issue is that the women, children and youth are our tomorrow. What investment are we putting together for our tomorrow to be better than today? I think that is where my problem is. We are supposed to put quality education in place so that our tomorrow will be better than today. Nowadays, there is no quality education. We should think about what to be put in place.
What have you seen as challenges associated with politics?
If people would be sincere to themselves, will they say the way our politicians run government is godly? Are we enjoying them? The answer is no. So, if the answer is no, have we made up our minds to continue in this race until Jesus comes down to set us free, or we are ready to put an end to the wrong ways of doing things? Government did not pay salaries for a long time, but when they wanted people’s vote, they started the payment.
I have been preaching for almost two and half years. And when the call to serve people came, God told me that He is sending me to a school where I am going to practice all I have been preaching. And within months of campaign, promoting the party and my intention, I discovered a lot of things. If you look at my manifesto, I am going to create jobs, still make myself available even answer calls by myself. I am still going to do more. Even from my personal money, I have done a lot for almost 23years from Kaduna till I got back to Ibadan. Wherever I find myself, I am always pathetic and also sympathise with the economy, the condition of people and I keep on going after people to make sure that things are well for them. Money in envelopes will finish, but if you see someone that wants to give you a reliable future, it will never finish and it will give you a long-lasting job. I know that there will be challenges and I have made up my mind that no matter the challenges, I will not bend because God knew who I am before, and now that He is sending me a message, I have promised myself that whatsoever that will not make God happy, I will never do.
Does it bother you or not that your party is very young and not so popular?
I do not see it as a problem. My party is Advance Allied Party, precisely inaugurated on the 13th of August, 2018; we are about six months old. Our presidential aspirant, Chike Ukegwu, from Imo State, is 35 years old.
A large number of the members are struggling. They are people with something in common which is, mere looking at ourselves, we know that we are not wealthy. The party members are like activists that are saying: enough is enough, things must change. If we just keep quiet and say the big parties should continue, nothing good will come out of it. But let them see that there are people that can challenge their attitude and also do it better.
Do you have structure in the 33 local governments of Oyo State?
We are just six months old. Talking about the structure, we have structure in some places while we do not have in other places. Yet, we will work everything out.
Aside all you have said, what are those things that you want to do that have not been done by the bigger political parties?
There is one thing that has not been put in place in Nigeria called work and study programme. I seriously want to introduce work and study programme in our schools, because I do not like too much of study that does not involve practical. This means that the school syllabus will permit students to work for about two days in a week. Your output will determine the money you will be paid.
I dream of schools whereby the theory work load will be reduced and students will be exposed to practical aspects of their disciplines. There will be opportunity for the students in higher institutions to be working, especially when they get to the third year.
and then