I’m in politics to serve my community —Ogedengbe

Abdulazeez Ogedengbe is an Ogun State House of Assembly aspirant in Ijebu Ode Local Government Area of the state. He addressed the media recently where bared his mind on his journey from real estate to politics. BAYO ALADE was there and brings excerpts:

YOU are one of the House of Assembly aspirants in Ijebu Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State, what motivates you to go into politics and aspire for this position?

The motivation came from my people due to their suffering they have experienced as a result of bad governance. I was born into the family of Araga Sosanya of Oke Ijasi, Ijebu Ode community. I know the problems my people face and what they need. There is an adage that says if you allow a fool to govern you, you will have to abide and comply with the rules and regulations he imposes on you.

I desire to change the way our representatives in government handle governance because the political environment has become saturated with selfish leaders and my people have been calling me to come and join them to fight such people in the government. To pressurise me the more, they told me that my family had been engaging in unquantifiable philanthropy, helping the youth and women in my community and I should therefore join politics to institutionalise this.

I promised that I would continue to engage in philanthropy without joining politics but they did not agree. Then, I consulted my family. My family was reluctant, particularly my wife, but they later gave their blessing.

Surely, government cannot provide job for everybody, but they should be able to provide an enabling environment to allow businesses to thrive with youth empowerment. I was worried, then I sat down and looked at the situation in the country, especially in my area. I’m not happy seeing my mates requesting assistance every time. I became convinced that if I get involved in politics I will be able to do more than if I am outside government. I can’t just sit back in my own comfort zone and allow the youths in my constituency to suffer.

 

You are a real estate person and now into full time politics. What is the secret?

It is all about the zeal to promote development in my community, the zeal to right the wrongs and let my people feel the impact of good representation.

ALSO READ: 2019: Adeola’s loyalists join ADC in Ogun

You are doing well in your profession and the expectations of the people are high about you. What will be your agenda if you eventually win both the primary and election proper.

They should expect quality, vibrant and resourceful representation. I make bold to say that I desire to showcase my experience during my sojourn overseas and show them how they governance is done over there.

 

You belong to the opposition party in Ogun State. What’s your political background like and what do you think would make people vote for you?

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is just a platform for me to run for elective office. I have the backing of everybody both in the PDP and APC, including other parties in my constituency. There is a promise that if I emerge as candidate in the primary, I have their mandate. Once I am elected, my people’s voice will be heard in the House. In 2019, PDP will not be in the opposition, and I will bring my people holistic development and dividends of democracy.

Believe me, the current administration is not doing the best for the people. Though my party is in the opposition now, people would prefer them in 2019. They have tasted both sides and they prefer us the PDP next year.

 

What are the major issues affecting your constituency and how do you hope to tackle them if you win?

Unemployment, poor power supply, poverty and all sorts of socio-economic problems. The level of unemployment is massive, unimaginable and annoying which all combined to cause gross retrogression. The youth believe they are not being carried along in all the decision-making. If unemployment is being addressed and the youth are engaged, there would be no miscreants constituting nuisance to the community. The youth would behave responsibly and security will be stable.

I know there are more women than men and so my main agenda would be to help women to the best of my ability because by doing so, one is helping so many families. I will introduce town hall meeting to be held quarterly in order to have feedback and if things are not working as expected, we will quickly know where how to correct the problems.

To cap it all, we will provide enabling environment for everybody to work and thrive; most importantly we would grant loans to small and medium enterprises and by this productivity would increase and my people would experience prosperity.