As election into 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the Lagos is fast approaching, political parties candidates has being exploring all venues to reach out to the electorates in addition to door to door campaigns.
Recently, Peoples Democratic Party Chairmanship candidate graciously granted an exclusive interview to Kosofe Post.
Here are excerpts of the discussion with Mr. Samuel Oluwole Dahunsi who is also aspiring for the office of the council’s chairman in Agboyi Ketu LCDA Area of Lagos.
May we meet you sir?
My name is Hon. Samuel Oluwole Dahunsi, I am from Osun State, Odo Otin Local Government. I am a Christian, and a son of the Dahunsi Family, and also related to Baale Oshogun, My forefather was the first Baale of Oshogun. I am a great grandson of Baale.
Not only that, I am the Disciplinary Committee Chairman of Oshogun Youth Initiative Forum (OYIF). I was the former Financial Secretary of Sociological Department. Also member of faculty committee University of Ibadan.
How long have you been into politics?
I can’t say how long I have been into it because I started from my childhood days. I was the captain of my class in Secondary School. When I gained admission into the University of Ibadan, I went into school politics, I ran for the position of Financial Secretary of the Students Union, I won the election unopposed. Some aspirants stepped down their ambition for me though. After my tertiary education, I learnt a lot about politics from my mentor who was then a Councilor in Somolu Local Government.
From then, I have been actively into politics. I served as a Zonal Chairman in 2005 – 2011. Not only that, I have served as an LCDA Secretary in PDP from 2011 – 2015. Also, I proceeded to be an ex-officio till date. I have gathered substantial experiences from these services.
What is your view of the Mayor Dele Oshinowo’s led administration in Agboyi Ketu LCDA vis-a-vis the developmental strides so far?
Mayor Dele, although, I know him in person. I have noticed his negligence on some things he ought to have done. The first one, in Agboyi-Ketu, we are suffering from access to adequate water supply. I remember my childhood days,adequate water was not available .
The members of the community are experiencing turbulence and are afraid day and night due to continuous cultist activities and clashes and the insecurity issues.
Also, he neglected the wards in the LCDA. Take a look at the bad condition of our roads. Car owners and drivers will definitely visit their engineers if they plied these roads for a week. Not only that, in terms of security. The member of the community is afraid due to the continuous cultist clash and other insecurity issues. I believe he should be able to proffer a lasting solution to this issue as the Chairman of the Council.
In the area of creating employment, he failed woefully in that aspect. He didn’t do anything in this regard. I know I can do far better than him if given the opportunity.
What is your agenda/blueprint for Agboyi Ketu, if elected?
As I have said earlier, water is a major concern to everyone here in Agboyi-Ketu. If elected as the Chairman of this LCDA, during my first 100 days, I will construct a minimum of 7 boreholes. Not only that, during my first 100 days I will ensure that most of the roads are graded. Also, I will introduce mobile toilets. I have noticed my people need this a lot. This would help put an end to the defacing of roads and bus-stops with feaces.
I will also make soft loans available for traders in order to help their trades. I will also create employment through the agricultural sector by introducing my people to other lucrative types of farming they can venture into, such as snailry, fishery etc. Also, youths would be supported with lands to start farming.
Also, I will provide at least 4-5 buses to aid the transportation system in the LCDA, this is to curb the incessant price hike and to ease the people’s transportation stress during the rainy season. Also, I will urge the okada riders in the community to partner with the Council in terms of providing them with buses which will be monitored by the council.
Apart from the monthly Federal Allocations. How do you intend to boost the economy of Agboyi Ketu?
Other means that I will employ to generate funds in the levies. I do not believe in overburden of people with levies, but through the fines levied against law offenders, I will be able to generate funds for actualizing my plans and projects.
Why did you venture into politics and what is your political ideology?
My love for politics. I love politics. For my ideology is helping people. I have noticed that most of our politicians out there do not have the love of the people at heart. I believe I will be able to create jobs for the number of graduates in this LCDA. I also believe that many of these graduates have beautiful ideas, I will speak with them to know their ideas and talents in order to identify where they need help.
My objective is to work on how to make Agboyi-Ketu better in terms of infrastructure, security and employment.
I will dialogue with the cultists that have been disrupting the peace of the society in order to arrive at a lasting solution to the issue.
What is your opinion on the local government autonomy and how would it impact on the local administration if fully implemented?
I totally support the Local government autonomy because, most local governments, are fed peanuts, they do not have access to enough funds to carry-out projects. This is one of the reasons they don’t perform excellently during their tenure. The State government often carry-out projects expected to be done by the Local Government, this is because the LGA does not have enough funds, the allocation they get most times covers the salary of workers. This is why many LGAs & LCDAs Chairmen fail woefully.
Why do you think you are the best man for the job, apart from other parties’ candidates?
My integrity is the first. I know the problem of the people. Also, I do not believe in giving crumbs to people, I believe in teaching people how to fish so that they can be self-reliance. Also, I have a passion for people. I am a part of the people, I know the problem we are facing, and I will speak up for them.
What’s your final message to the Electorates?
It is time to get it right! Many people believe in money, do not vote for money, vote with your conscience, and vote the person you believe. If you believe in me, vote for me and if you believe in other candidates vote for them. But, vote responsibly and vote integrity.
Is there any question you feel we should have asked but did not ask you?
In terms of Security, you didn’t inquire about the causes of the insecurity in Agboyi-Ketu. It is a relevant question because this LCDA used to be the most secured area in Lagos State. This was caused by the Chairman’s inability to curb the excesses of these people. You should wonder why members of a cult move freely with guns in public and nothing could be done because whenever they are arrested they are being released in a short while.
I know how to resolve the issue but I will keep it to myself. You can ask other candidates the same question also.