Would you say that your recent visit to your home state, Ekiti, was to build up your political ambition?
I have been part of grassroots politics and I had been a party member long before I left Nigeria. But I am much more interested in my source, Odo Ayedun Ekiti, in Ward 8. My resent visit to Nigeria, particularly in Ekiti State, was to reconnect with my people as well as assure them that the APC has a greater vision for the state and Nigeria at large. It was also to express my readiness in contributing my own quota to the development of Ekiti State. I am a proud son of Ekiti, and I am interested in the development of my home country. My visitation had been planned in the last two years, and it has no link to political ambition. In fact, I did not only visit my wards, I also made a formal visit to the APC party secretariat in Ajilosun, Ekiti, where I was received by the party secretary, on behalf of the APC Ekiti in the UK to show our support for the governorship election.
How will you describe the candidature of Dr Kayode Fayemi as a governorship candidate in the coming election?
It is a good development and a worthy step in restoring decency in governance in our state. Though there was contention at the primary, the party was able to handle the situation. The APC UK is happy about the development and I am personally delighted too. I want the entire state to support Dr Kayode Fayemi’s governorship ambition and ensure he returns as the next governor through their votes. The total development of Ekiti is what concerns all of us, and we must all rise to support a visionary leader and I am confident that Fayemi has what it takes to make the state greater.
How is the political atmosphere abroad, especially as politics in Nigeria begins to gather momentum?
Politics in Nigeria is not really different from the Diaspora. We have the positions too, but the APC is on ground as well as following the trend of things. We give kudos to our great leader of the party, Chief Bola Tinubu. Personally, I have known him from my student union days; we have had interactions on several occasions and I respect him for who he is and the tremendous things he is doing to make the party succeed despite all its challenges. He is a progressive leader that is worthy of emulation. I deliberately aligned with the party even when I relocated abroad, because of its philosophy. The party has been doing great under the leadership of the chairman APC UK, Dr Philip Idaewor, who is a member of the APC Convention Planning Committee; and his deputy, Honourable Tunde Doherty. APC UK has been doing everything to ensure the Buhari-led government is fully represented, and most importantly, to counter positions and sponsored movement against President Buhari and the party.
In the Nigeria politics, who would you describe as your role model?
I am proud to let the whole world know that it is the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. This could be personal, but I would love to cue into his vision and philosophy. I learnt that he made my dad an educated person through his free education system. My dad dropped out when he couldn’t afford to go to school, but Awolowo’s free education programme made him return to school. With this, I hold Chief Awolowo in very high esteem, because he made me what I have become today, indirectly.
Are you satisfied with the way Nigerian politics is going?
We are definitely growing and we are going to get there. We don’t have to rush things. There is the need to have a collective development. We must not take community development with levity. We need to make a lot of sacrifices to develop our immediate environment, community and the nation at large. People get more involved in politicking abroad, and there are a lot of party activities, which are rare in Nigeria.
What is your take on the criticism within the party?
I think it has to do with our culture and I am sure that it is going to change with time. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with party members correcting a leader or party chairman of a ward or unit that is going wrong. It should not be a big issue. That is one of the reasons I said we are evolving. This is the longest democracy era we have ever had, and it has not been truncated. We are growing. I understand the plight of Nigerians; because they want the best, especially with the fact that the APC promised change. I am confident that the party and the Buhari-led government will definitely fulfill their promise. I don’t regret working with Buhari; he will achieve a greater result.
How will you react to the news doing the round that there is division in the APC in the Diaspora, especially in the United Kingdom?
I want to state categorically that there is no division in APC United Kingdom under the leadership of Dr Philip Idaewor. The excos and members are fully behind him. Though there certain persons causing trouble. We have decided to ignore them, because we don’t want to be distracted from moving the party forward. I repeat, no faction in the party in the UK.
How has life been, aside politics?
It has been interesting, though I had to start life afresh when I got to the UK, because everything was completely different; There were lots of volunteering opportunities and I volunteered with Bedfordshire Police and Green House Mentoring, which trained me how to mentor youths. As a result of this and other commitments within the community, I was nominated as an Olympic torch bearer during the London 2012 Olympics. I am an IT Consultant and I consult with her Majesty’s Government at the cabinet office at the Moment. I love my football and I am a qualified referee.
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