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Former legislator, hotelier, writer, producer, actor and one-time senior staff of NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation), who is the Chief Executive Officer of Oodua fm speaks with Apagunpote Olayimika Chocomilo on pertinent issues. Makinde, one of the close Lieutenants of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Executive Governor of Osun state spoke on a number of issues and his political ambition.*

 

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*Can we have a peep into your background?*

 

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I was born and brought up in Ile-Ife before the civil war. I grew up in Ile-Ife where I attended Ansarudeen Primary School; Ile-Ife. I started my secondary education at the Okuu-Omoni Grammar School in Ile-Ife. Later, I continued my education at the Government Teachers’ College in Sokoto state. After my secondary education, I gained admission into the Sokoto state polytechnic now Waziri Ibrahim Polytechnic located in Kebbi state where I studied Accounting and graduated as a National Diploma Holder. I did my Industrial Training (IT) at the National Bank, Marina after which I proceeded for my Higher National Diploma (HND) at the Kwara State Polytechnics. I served at the NNPC and was later retained as a staff where I worked for 20years before I resigned willingly in 2006. I had my PGD at the prestigious university of technology; LAUTECH and I had my MBA certificate in finance at the prestigious university of Technology; LAUTECH. I ventured into Automobiles business even as a staff of NNPC and I also have two hospitality businesses to my credit namely; Glorious Day Hotel; Iyanapaja Lagos and Capriconian Hotels; Ajuwon, Alagbole Lagos.

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*We learnt you were acting before your sojourn to politics?*

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That is true. I got engaged in the entertainment industry for leisure, exhibition of talent as a writer and performing artist. I grew up watching the likes of Ishola Ogunsola as mentor, role model and apprentice of art, lived with the love of art. I grew up with the famous ace presenter, broadcaster, poet and Ewi exponent; Prince Gbenga Adeboye. He attended Oranmiyan Grammar School and as a result of close relationship with him and his brother; Femi Adeboye. All these encouraged me into theater and I produced my first movie I’m 1995 titled “Ohun Eniyan”. Although my second movie titled “Ojo Eye” brought me into limelight which was produced in 1998 and I recieved several awards to complement my hardwork. Antar Laniyan won best actor and Laide Bakare won the best upcoming actress in 1998. I have featured in close to 200 movies like Ore Ojiji and many others.

 

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*How did you venture into politics?*

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First and foremost, if touching lives, being vocal, defending interests of the few and helpless, speaking, writing against powers of captives and agitating for the rights of the people can be described as politics; it means that I have been a politician from birth.

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I ran into Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aremu Aregbesola in 2005 while still in active service of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). I discovered him as a person who has genunine intention to champion the cause of good governmace. I interviewed and questioned his decision to create a movement for positive change and as a person who is not satisfied with the present state of Nigeria most especially Osun state as at then; I joined Oranmiyan movement in 2005 and I have been an active participant till date. In 2006, I voluntarily resigned from NNPC and offered myself to contest and represent my community as a senator. I have never been a member of any party apart from the progressives. I contested for senate at the party level but the party in its wise decision asked me to contest for House of Representatives as a candidate of Action’s Congress of Nigeria in 2007. All aspirants under our party were cheated in the 2007 elections in which we all went to court before the party in its wise decision asked us to step down our charges and face the gubernatorial election court charges.

 

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*Some might suspect you were influenced or selected by the power that be like in other states where governors influence party’s choice of apsirants. How true is this claim?*

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Such claim is false. My candidacy was not influenced at all. Aregbesola is different from APC. Aregbesola is a governor and APC is a party. Aregbesola is in charge of governing the state of Osun while APC is in charge of party affairs. What liars and perpetuators of falsehood fail to know is that we withdrew all charges of election misfortune to face the governorship charges. It was the supremacy of the party that led to the coming back of election losers or let me say those who were victims of election misfortunes in 2007.

 

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*It is the belief of many people that most aspirants rode on Ogbeni’s popularity as a result of the appeal case he won to win elections in 2011. Did you ride on the popularity of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in 2011 as well?*

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I refuse to believe that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has pointer yet as at 2011. Ife people voted for me because of my pedigree. I have  been  over the years reaching out to people and touching lives before aspiring. Forget not that I already have a comfortable job; as a senior staff of NNPC which I believe is a luxury one that I have used in touching lives. It is an open secret that I have been a popular person before stepping into politics by virtue of my romance with nollywood.

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Without being glorious or exagerration, there is no household that does not know Makinde. If popularity is an addendum to winning elections; I have it. The party was at the peak of its fame in 2011 coupled with Aregbesola performance barely three months before our elections gave us the winning shot.

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*Is it true that you sent your wife away after being elected in 2011 as opined by the public?*

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It is ungodly and absolutely wrong for anybody to say that when fortune smiled on me; I left her. I really do not appreciate talking about her because she is a mother of my loving kids. No one knew she left me on 26|11|2010 when Aregebsola was swored in as the governor of Osun state. That day was the saddest day of my life. All these years I was never involved with any woman until 2013 when it dawned on me and I became conscious that of what benefits it is for a king who has no queen. Legitimately; I got married to the lady who unlocked my closed heart and gave me reasons to love again. And she has given birth to lovely kids as well.

 

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*Sighs….If I may ask what is your relationship with the governor of Osun state?*

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It is cordial. Although Rotimi Makinde is a person with an independent mind but I have a cordial relationship with the governor and the party. I’m one of his loyal lieutenants.

 

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*Won’t your cordial relationship with Aregbesola influence your choice as a party candidate for Ife Federal Constituency in 2019?*

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If you are so predicting that for my loyalty with the governor and cordial relationship with him; there is an awaiting reward for me; so be it. I’m loyal to my mentor and the party.

 

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*What’s your view on the current crisis rocking your party; APC in Osun State as a result of some people dividing the party along the line of home based and foreign politicians?*

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I am not aware of any crisis within my party; APC but there are divergent views as a result of shortsightedness and closeminded people. If working with NNPC makes me an Ajele; its myopic. If my sojourn to Lagos to cater for my family needs makes me an Ajele; its unfair. Ajele is used for completely foreign and different people with different views. When He was radicalising, campaigning rigorously and funding the party; he was not referred to as Ajele but due to personal malice and divergent views they now call him Ajele.

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It is insulting and mischievous to brand some people locally made and based; of what benefit is someone locally made; living within his exposure and has not called for service. I’m not an apostle of zoning. I’m a bonafide son of Ife; I supported Aregbesola based on his capacity and leadership skills even when one of my kinsmen aspired for the same office.

 

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*Considering your noble achievements while in office and the belief of some people that you have done well while in office; why do you want to contest again in 2019 as a member; House of Representatives; Ife Federal Constituency?*

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I feel as a legislature and someone who has a call to serve; I’m unfulfilled. I moved a motion while in office that there should be a flying over bridge along Ilesha, Ife and Ede Federal Road; a well populated area for the security of lives and other reasons. It was widely accepted by the house but nobody to continue as a result of my absence in the house. I moved another motion that there should be establishment of National Open University in every prison but nobody to continue to from where I stopped. I moved another motion that no police officer should leave his or her house without guns like in Tokyo. All these bills are paused because nobody to continue from where I stopped.

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I have many times raised alarms over our failed budget system. Budgets should be constructed from the grassroots. Protection of NNPC pipelines can only be done and achieved by states and communities. Pipelines protection should be awarded as contracts for dwellers. Stolen funds retrieved from corrupt politicians should be used to provide weapons and tools for the police. All these are what I meant when I said I’m unfulfilled. Let’s learn how to invest in people. House needs a vibrant, courageous and sound individuals.

 

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*Are you not afraid of the opinion of the masses about Aregbesola’s administration defects might affect your candidacy at the general election? Do you think that you will emerge if given the party’s ticket?*

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I’m one of the many people who will never disown Aregbesola. I’m one of the many people who know that Aregbesola is working within limited resources. I will not describe him as a fanatic rather a man of uncommon courage. An uncommon crusader doing uncommon things in uncommon ways. However like I have told you earlier; I will be proud to defend myself if I’m challenged about my call; no politician in this vicinity as ever touched lives like Rotimi Makinde. I have empowered people with cars more than 100 for transport business and given out more than 150 scholarships; cars for transport business not for luxury. I have worked towards the employment of numerous youths and my quarterly empowerment programme has engaged more than 200 small scale businesses across my federal constituency.

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Let me make some vital clarifications before I proceed. Aregbesola’s image is not battered and no sane mind would see his image as a battered one. No single person in Osun state won’t be happy about the changes in education system; the infrastructure and new look of Osogbo townships, construction of roads across every local governments and bridges. With limited resources; he gave us Osun of our dream; Aregbesola is our selling point. The 2019 election is never about Aregbesola rather its about progression. I walk freely in Ile-Ife and I have never been stoned that shows how acceptable I’m. Aregbesola is not working in an isolated area which shows that there is transparency and openness in his dealings. He is magnanimous and has refused to send workers away like other states.

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I have put many programmes in motion; some programmes are dead while some are static as a result of non- continuity. If given the opportunity with my profile, pedigree and checks on my political excesses and corrections made; and my party gives me the ticket; I will surely emerge.

 

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*Now that PDP has resolved their differences and state party congress has been held even though there are still some little misunderstandings; what signal does it sends to your party APC?*

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First of all; no serious contender will think towards the misfortune of its opponent because APC has many selling points. Nothing good can come out of PDP; a party in power for 16years without nothing significant to show for it. What miracle can such party of despair and hopelessness make? It takes someone who has a communal call to effectively utilise the limited resources in Osun.

I know a local government here in Osun where there are 8drivers on government payroll and there are 3 vehicles. Situations like this where workers are much than work available. Its bothers sane mind. I do not want to celebrate their misfortune but it is glaring that a united PDP could not defeat us a party; and you want me to be bothered about a falling one. Its impossible.

 

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*There was a time you had issues with the deputy speaker of House of Representatives; Lasun Yusuff. Some people insinuated that you attacked him to impress Aregbesola or what really happened?*

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Although its been a while that it has happened but it is never to impress Aregbesola or bootlick him. If you watched that video very well; no word was uttered against him. I would not love to go too elaborate on this incident because I do not want his fans or supporters to see me as a stumbling block or hindrance.

Based on my exposure in the house; the office of the DSP deserves some respect and in terms of age;as an older person deserves respect. The bad news is that Lasun Yusuff was at malice with National Assembly caucus. This is not known to the public. Lasun Yusuff was very unfair; respect is reciprocal. We have so many unsettled scores within us at the national assembly and it is majorly on moral. I’m not a violent person. We never exchanged blows, no physical confrontation. All I said was “I told the governor that our realignment should not be open” and one of his aides heard me saying this to the governor and reacted in an angry way and his boss became angry. The governor belongs to all; I think I have every right to talk to my governor and leader of my party.

 

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*What are your plans for youths in your constituency?*

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I am presently documenting the needs of the youth and all these needs shall be seriously worked upon. Youths should be rest assured that all documents will be well executed. Youths are essential tools in development of a society and together with my team; we are ready to develop IFE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY.

 

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*Thanks for your time and attention. I really appreciate your patience and understanding. Hope you will graciously give us attention next time sir?*

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Yes of course. Its my pleasure