We need to raise standard of representation in National Assembly —ADC Reps aspirant, Abidikugu

Dr Kazeem Adesina Abidikugu (KS0) is a United Kingdom-based psychiatric consultant, an alumnus of prestigious Ibadan Grammar School and an aspirant for Ibadan Northeast/Southeast federal constituency in the House of Representatives under the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC). In this interview with YINKA OLADOYINBO, he speaks on development issues in Nigeria, his ambition and the legislature. Excerpts:

What factors would you consider as your main motivation for seeking election into the House of Representatives?

According to Plato, “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” Nigeria is currently at a precipice, hanging by a cliff. If you truly love this country, this is not the time to sit on the fence. All citizens have a responsibility to engage in public life or risk sustaining poor leadership from those less capable, which we all agree has been the bane of our problems.

Living and working in the UK showed me how good governance can truly improve people’s lives, especially in healthcare, where systems work, rules are followed, and policies are taken seriously. When I think about Nigeria, I see the gap clearly, structural failures across healthcare, infrastructure, and inequality that have gone on for too long. I can no longer sit back and complain from a place of comfort, as many of us do. There is no justification to remain on the fence any longer.

As a medical professional, I’ve been trained to identify problems, find practical solutions, and prevent issues before they grow. I believe our leaders should think the same way. Nigeria needs honest, capable people who are ready to serve, not just succeed personally. My goal is simple: better healthcare for everyone, more opportunities for people to grow, and real efforts to reduce poverty. I also believe in holding leaders accountable and ensuring government works with the people, not against them.

How would you describe your experience in the murky wates of Nigerian politics?

My experience as a technocrat stepping into Nigerian politics has been both sobering and defining. The political landscape in Nigeria is not for the faint-hearted; it demands clarity of purpose, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to public service. The frequent characterisation of our political system as “murky waters” is not mere rhetoric; it speaks to deeply entrenched structural and institutional challenges that test resolve at every stage. My journey into Oyo State politics was not accidental, but intentional and purpose-driven, anchored in a firm commitment to contribute meaningfully to state and national development. Without conviction and the courage to confront difficult and uncomfortable realities, many are discouraged and forced to retreat, but I chose a different path, to stand firm. Having attained the pinnacle of my medical career in the United Kingdom as a Consultant Psychiatrist, I made a conscious decision to return and serve. I am resolute in my mission to challenge the status quo, redefine legislative representation, and reshape governance, aiming to reposition Oyo State, and rebuilding Nigeria, to assume their rightful place within the comity of nations.

You left the PDP before factional crises became unresolved, what was the reason behind your decision?

My resigning from the PDP was not an easy decision. It was painful, but as the saying goes in my place, “when a house is on fire, you don’t stay inside because of attachment; you must step out to save yourself and find a better path.” I have always believed in service and in standing with the people. However, I had to ask myself a very honest question: can I continue to belong to a party and system that no longer reflects the hopes and struggles of the ordinary people I seek to represent? The answer was no.

Over time, it became clear that the PDP had drifted away from the values that once gave people hope, the voices of the grassroots; the market women, traders in Iwo Road, Oje, Bere, Mapo, Felele, and Challenge. The artisans, Okada riders, and our teeming youths were no longer being carried along. Politics became about a few individuals, not the welfare of the many. Internal democracy within the party structure was weakened, fairness declined, and accountability was no longer a priority. For me, politics must be about service to humanity, listening to the grassroots, understanding their daily struggles, and working to improve their lives. When decisions no longer reflected the will of the people, I knew I could not continue in good conscience.

My decision to join the ADC is rooted in a clear belief that things can be done differently. To me, ADC represents a fresh start and a new direction; a platform opening its doors to ordinary people, not just career politicians. In my discussions with the party’s leadership at both state and national levels, I saw sincerity and a genuine commitment to change. There is room for everyone; young people, women, professionals, and those long sidelined in the political process. ADC is more than a political party; it is a movement for those tired of being ignored like the market trader, the struggling student, the civil servant, the unemployed youth, and every citizen who believes Oyo State and Nigeria can be better. 

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What informed your decision to contest the seat of IBNE/IBSE federal constituency?

My decision to aspire to represent the good people of Ibadan Northeast/Ibadan Southeast Federal Constituency is deeply rooted in a lifelong commitment to service, justice, and the urgent need to restore purpose-driven leadership in our political space. At the heart of my political identity is a clear conviction: governance must work for the people. It must improve lives in practical, measurable ways. 

This is why my focus is on promoting equitable healthcare, strengthening human capital development, and reducing poverty through policies that empower communities and support sustainable development. I believe that when people are healthy, educated, and economically empowered, society becomes stronger, more stable, and more prosperous. My mission is simple but firm; to advance policies that directly impact the daily lives of our people, while also providing effective legislative oversight that ensures accountability, transparency, and integrity in governance. Representation is not just about occupying a seat; it is about being a voice, a watchdog, and a bridge between the people and government. Sadly, this is where we have fallen short as a nation. It has been widely observed and rightly so, that one of the major challenges within Nigeria’s political class is the failure to put forward our best to represent the people. 

This failure is most evident at the National Assembly, where lawmaking and oversight responsibilities are critical to national development. Unfortunately, what we see in many cases is poor representation, weak oversight, and disconnect between elected officials and the constituents they serve.

What do you think you can do differently if elected?

My reflection on Nigeria’s political system shows that effective representation requires three essential qualities: credibility, competence, and compassion. Without credibility, there can be no trust; without competence, no meaningful contribution to lawmaking; and without compassion, no genuine understanding of the people’s needs. These are the values I bring. One troubling reality is the inaccessibility of many elected representatives. Some lack functional constituency offices and fail to hold regular town hall meetings to engage the people. This creates a leadership gap where the voices of traders, artisans, youths, professionals, and elders are not properly heard, documented, or represented at the federal level. This must change.

My aspiration is not about personal ambition; it is about collective progress. It is about raising the standard of representation and demonstrating that leadership can still be driven by credibility, competence, and compassion, alongside a genuine desire to serve. Our constituency deserves better, our people deserve to be heard, and together, we can build a future where governance truly reflects the will and welfare of the people.

If given the mandate to serve, I will prioritise regular engagement through structured town hall meetings, a fully functional constituency office, and open communication channels that ensure my people’s voices are not only heard but acted upon. I will take the concerns of the people from the streets of Ibadan Northeast and Ibadan Southeast to the floor of the National Assembly, where they belong.

The present occupier of the seat is from your local government area; don’t you think the people of Ibadan Northeast will kick against your aspiration? 

In Nigerian politics, it is often unfortunate that sentiments, identity politics, and divide-and-rule tactics are sometimes used by the elite to advance narrow interests rather than the collective good of the people. These narratives of geographical politics may appeal emotionally, but in practice and empirically, they have rarely translated into better outcomes for ordinary citizens. The fact that an incumbent comes from a particular local government area should never be mistaken as a guarantee of advantage or improved development for that area. Experience and history have shown repeatedly that such assumptions do not hold true in our political reality. What truly matters is not where a candidate comes from, but what they bring to the table in terms of credibility, competence, capacity, and compassion. While I fully support equity, balance, and fair representation across all parts of the constituency, these principles must not come at the expense of quality leadership. Development does not respond to geography; it responds to effective representation and responsible governance. We must therefore move beyond the politics of origin and focus instead on the individual’s ability to deliver. The key question should always be who has the competence to legislate effectively, the capacity to engage meaningfully at the national level, and the compassion to represent all constituents regardless of political affiliation or Local Government background.

Once elected, I would not just serve a section; but the entire constituency. Every community whether in Ibadan Northeast or Ibadan Southeast deserves equal attention, equal voice, and equal commitment, that is the standard we must insist on if we truly desire progress and that is what I bring with me.

How my education, experience as a medical doctor with training in Nigeria and the United Kingdom will better the lot of my constituents, because my experience and training have exposed me to both the near ideal systems and the persistent structural failures across healthcare, infrastructure, and social equity in Nigeria that demand urgent, deliberate action. Working within the highly structured healthcare system in the United Kingdom, has shaped how I see service, responsibility, and leadership. In that environment, nothing is done by guesswork. Every decision is guided by discipline, clear systems, accountability, and most importantly, the wellbeing of the people. That mindset has taught me that when systems work properly, people live better, healthier, and more dignified lives.

I have also seen firsthand that true care is not only about treating illness, but understanding the struggles behind it poverty, lack of access, and social inequality. That experience has strengthened my compassion for people at the grassroots, especially those who are often forgotten. This is what I will bring into representation. Lawmaking is not different from healing a community, you must understand the problem, listen to the people, and act with responsibility and evidence. My medical background has trained me to pay attention to detail, work with different people, and make decisions that affect lives.