Encomium
HON. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye Oladapo is a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). She has now decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives.
She spoke with ENCOMIUM Weekly about how she has worked assiduously in her constituency and what she has to offer if given the ticket for House of Representatives.
We learnt you are contesting for House of Representatives.
Yes, I am a politician and a legislator. Naturally, legislators are agitators. So, I believe my people are still not where they are supposed to be. After all, I am still available for them. I will still be working for them.
You were once in PDP, then you moved to APC, now back to PDP. Why?
Like I tell people, a taxi can take you to Oshodi, you have the option of taking BRT or go in your car. Your ultimate aim is to get to your destination but you need a vehicle. Political parties are vehicles that can take you to your destination. Second, we don’t have independent candidates yet. Therefore, politicians generally will continue to move from one party to another. The issue of political ideology has taken a back seat in Nigeria. From my experience of over 20 years in politics, I can say categorically that the difference between party A and party B is like the difference between six and half a dozen. So, people will continue to move. You need a solid platform to contest. They can also decide to tell you that they are not giving you the ticket, just because you know what you can offer and people are yearning for your continuous representation, then you have no choice but to move to another political party. There is a song in Yoruba that says, Ibi won fe mi fe bukata mi, bi ba gba yin o wo ni (meaning, a married woman who married a married man and the man treats the woman’s children well but because of the eldest wife their living together is not blissful). So, it also depends on your personality in the party. Not only Adijat that moved, others also moved from APC to PDP. People believe when you move from a particular party to another, they consider you a devil. But when you move from one to another, no matter what you might have done while you were in the other party, you become a saint immediately. Movement at this particular time is mere coincidence.
Why the choice of PDP, why not SDP and others?
Unfortunately, while I was moving, there was no option. Yes, there was SDP but it wasn’t really a party to court because I left before the likes of Chief Osoba moved to SDP. With the party that was in power then, I felt PDP is the only option for me. There were things I considered because I was in PDP before, so I decided to go back to PDP which is my source.
If you want to compare these two parties, do you see any common goal in them?
As I said, with my over 20 years in politics, the difference between the two parties is not that much. Some prominent members in both parties actually make the difference. Some see PDP as a very bad platform and it also applies to APC. As good as APC is, you still see some of the governors who are performing woefully.
People no longer look at the party, they look at the person who is in the middle of it. That is, the person who is driving. That’s why I have been a very strong advocate of independent candidates. The elected will be directly answerable to the electorate.
The general elections are by the corner, what can you say about it?
I pray that God will keep us until that day. It’s only God that can grant us that wish. As a politician, a Nigerian you get concerned. All the parties are guilty of domestic crises. We are politicians. So, we will continuously prepare for the coming elections. I am a candidate of Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency. We have started campaign. I tell my people to compare those that were there when I was there and if I brought any changes, I want you to give me your vote so as to render the same service I gave at the National Assembly.
Did you actually win the ticket?
I have to keep quiet while they resolve the issue.
Has it been resolved now?
No, not yet.
What if it is resolved and it’s not in your favour?
It’s about supremacy. The former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel told them not to give me the ticket, I should return to the House. Rather than return to the House of Assembly, I will not contest. The only thing that is constant is change. There must always be life outside politics because I am passionate about my people. The only thing I look up to now aside the House of Representatives is to be a governor.
What has been the situation in the House?
We have people from various parties. So, we relate like brothers and sisters and when the issue of party comes up, you have to defend your party.
What would you like to be remembered for in your constituency?
What gives me great joy is when people greet me and I ask who are you? And the reply I get is, ‘I learnt from your skill acquisition programme.’ It gives me a lot of joy. So, I want to be remembered for the people I impacted.
Would you continue with the skill acquisition programme when you eventually win as an Honourable member?
We will improve on what we have started there. There will be continuity and I will forever build more.
How will you describe your experience?
It’s been a wonderful experience. I am an adventurous person. Politics can be good today and tomorrow, the other way round. Because of my personality, I have enjoyed every bit of politics.
Can you tell us the sweetest part of politics?
(Laughs) It’s when you are contesting and after election you are declared the winner.
What is your greatest pain in politics?
It’s when you have contested and you have put in your best and after the election you are declared the loser.
Would you say Hon. Adijat is a fulfilled politician?
Yes, so far so good. Glory be to God.
-TADE ASIFAT and TEMITOPE OYEDELE
