By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Former Kosofe Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party Youth Leader, Sulyman Olayiwola, better known as Opomulero, has explained to The Kosofe Post why he’s throwing his weight behind the New Nigeria People’s Party candidate for the Kosofe Federal constituency, Abdulwaheed Omotayo Odunuga, among other sundry matters.
Kosofe Post: How would you rate the two-term performance of the outgoing lawmaker, Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye?
Opomulero Sulyman: In all modesty, ROT has tried his best. He has served the people of Kosofe with his best understanding. His major setback is within his own party.
Truly, it is difficult to satisfy everybody. Back in the day, political party members were not as numerous as a whole community, and so the juice went around to all members. But in this day and age, the members themselves are a community or even a town.
Making the juice go around the town is the biggest problem, and those in the same town who are not opportune to get a sip of the juice will say the Honorable is a poor representation of the people.
One truth is that no member of the town or community is asking for the good of the generality of the town or community; all they demand as a yardstick to measure good representation is what is good for their personal interests.
For me, ROT, though highly criticized, still remains the best representative the Kosofe Federal Constituency has had.
In fact, I do not know anyone within Kosofe who spoke against him more than I did. I was the major voice, paired with a few comrades who joined me to put ROT on the hot seat.
He eventually turned a listener’s ear. He serves both the APC and the opposition party. Some opposition members refuse to benefit from him, as though the man was representing his party in Abuja.
It is a fact that the person his party has in position to take over from him is another puppy.
KP: What’s your relationship with the Labour Party?
OS: My relationship with Labour predates the advent of Peter Obi. My relationship with Labour brought Labour into the limelight in Kosofe, and all thanks go to those who introduced me to the leadership of Labour at the state level.
“I still love the Labour presidential candidate, and on that basis, I am an Obedient at the national level.”
Politics, they say, is local, hence my choice of Abdulwaheed for the local affairs of the Kosofe federal constituency.
I chose to run under the Labour ticket, but I had to bow out because those within the party in Kosofe that complain about the PDP and APC are far worse than those they condemn.
Their selfishness and personal interests outweigh those of Jagaban.
Currently, you will see that, after my bowing out, they are yet to get a candidate for Rep., even though the candidate they have for Assembly is still in doubles. Even with less than 3 months until the election, there are two Labour candidates for Kosofe 1 and Kosofe 2, respectively.
The labor issue is a glaring example of how those youth who are waiting to finish Nigeria under the pretense that we can do it better are more than those currently putting the knife in our neck.
I am not saying we don’t have a number of good people there, but their influence is little compared to that of power mongers.
Like my brother Fatoki said, I am not a party man; I do not give loyalty to parties more than humanity. What is good is not a function of a political party.
I currently reside in the United States, and my learnings of US politics show that a larger number of Americans discuss candidates and issues, not parties. I pray Nigerians get to that level.
KP: We have Kafilat Ogbara on the platform of the APC and Florence Adepegba on the platform of the PDP. These are the 2 major political party candidates. So, why did you decide to declare your support for NNPP candidate Abdulwaheed instead of the duo of Ogbara and Florence?
OS: The Bible says wisdom is profitable to direct. How will anyone in his right mind see Kafilat Ogbara in a contest with Abdulwaheed and then choose to support Ogbara? Where is Ogbara when the people of Kosofe are not adequately represented? What was she being doing, and what has she done for Kosofe? Coming out within four years to do Mummy’s Christmas is not enough. Some of us have been fighting for good representation for Kosofe while Kafilat Ogbara was jumping from Ogun State to Lagos State, from the PDP to the APC, and from the OGD group to the Raymon Dokpesi group, all because she was looking for power and money.
A lot of people in APC have double standards. How many of them know Kafilat well? We knew her in her PDP days; as a foremost unionist at Ogun State University, we knew her moves and political maradona in Ogun State when she was looking for relevance. Time will not permit us here to spill the milk, but in the coming days, we will be revealing the mask behind Ogbara. Her representation will be the biggest scam in Kosofe.
For me, Florence Adepegba is just a tool in the hands of Francis Adebayo. If Francis himself had run for Congress, he would have given the PDP better representation than the woman whose political understanding of Kosofe is zero.
What is good or bad for Florence Adepegba is determined by Francis Adebayo. Does she know how many polling units are in her ward? Politics is mathematical; politics is social; politics is giving; politics is serving; politics is influence; politics is relationship.
Florence’s greatest shock will be knowing that executives within her political party will vote for and work for Kafilat. Mama Odunsi, Salaudeen, and co. will betray her.
For me, the only ideal candidate in the 2023 contest for Kosofe Rep is Abdulwaheed, whose ability, integrity, and passion for good governance have been tested and trusted even by the performing chairman in Agboyi Ketu LCDA.
IF AGBOYI people believe Mayor Dele is good and performs well, we can ask the mayor if Abdulwaheed performs the few responsibilities the LCDA gave him.
KP: Some state assembly lawmakers’ representation has been described as that of their family members and party members alone. What are your expectations from the state and federal lawmakers who will be elected in 2023?
OS: Government is not rocket science. What is good or bad is not a function of party, age, tribe, or community. If what you term “good representation” is empowerment, then you are not fit to be my representative.
My expectation is for them to deliver good governance and policies that will benefit all, not just empower some and share money with a few in the community.
KP: To defeat the two major political parties, APC and PDP, it will be a herculean task given the state resources at their disposal. So, what’s your advice to the smaller opposition parties still struggling to put party structures in place and put up posters ahead of the February election?
OS: My simple advice is for all to collapse and support the ideal candidate. Truly, politics is not as expensive as relationships. If we must defeat the menace in Kosofe, we cannot defeat it in pieces.