The final basic Election has been concluded with many upsets right here and there. Many hitherto established politicians misplaced their positions to those that had been initially thought of as upstart and underdogs. The youth made their presence rely as they received many seats in each the state and the Federal legislatures. OLAOLU OLADIPO spoke to 2 of them, George Adegeye, the brand new member that may symbolize the individuals of Amuwo-Odofin constituency, who’s son of Juju Music maestro, King Sunny Ade, in addition to Ms Rukayat Shittu, the marvel lady who secured the mandate of the individuals Owode-Onirin state constituency in Kwara State Home of Meeting. Excerpts:
May you inform us what impressed you to contest this election?
I’m very captivated with points regarding good governance. My aspiration is not only one thing I woke as much as do identical to that. It has been the eagerness that I’ve dreamt about for thus lengthy. Proper from my College days, I occupied a number of positions within the scholar union authorities of the Open College of Nigeria. I did a variety of volunteer work for presidency actions. I’ve additionally attended a number of workshops prior to now concerning good governance and politics. At the same time as a journalist, all I’ve performed mainly is superior points regarding good governance and politics. What we focus on in my programme are such points of fine governance and politics. We did that to encourage individuals to participate in politics and why they need to be a part of politics as a type of civic accountability.
While you began, what sort of response or vibes did you get contemplating that many really feel you’re younger on this a part of the world?
The response from the individuals and stakeholders was not so detrimental with reference to my age or persona per se. The present authorities is Kwara State has prioritized points regarding the youth and girls. The federal government has been in a position to carry the ladies and the youth alongside in all its actions. Whether or not we prefer it or not, everyone within the state has now realized that points regarding youths and girls are of utmost significance to the federal government. It has turn out to be considerably of a tradition right here in Kwara.
Would you say that made it simple so that you can win the election? Sure!
To a big extent, in case you are to look throughout the nation as we speak, Kwara is the one state the place you have got the youngest lawyer basic and commissioner for justice. The commissioner for communication is simply 27 years outdated. The present authorities has been making it some extent of responsibility to encourage younger individuals to come back into authorities. This isn’t actually an element for political ascendancy any extra right here in Kwara State.
There isn’t a method you play politics with out cash, what was the function of cash in your election?
It was with the assistance of Allah and help of members of the family, buddies and properly wishers, these identified and people unknown who all got here collectively to help me. One factor about life is that zeal wants to come back first. The place you have got the eagerness and you’ve got the worth that you just wish to undertaking then the individuals will naturally rally spherical you in help. That’s simply the route that I travelled to the place I’m now. I agree that I spent cash however I didn’t spend as much as what my opponents spent through the election. My age was one of many constructive components as a result of individuals might see what I had performed to this point despite the fact that I’m younger.
Do you have got a godfather someplace?
No! The individuals of Owode Onirin state constituency are my godfathers and moms.
So, that implies that you just received’t be reporting to a godfather someplace?
I don’t. The one individuals I can be reporting to are my constituents.
Kwara State is thought to be predominantly Muslim, how had been you in a position to win the election as a feminine?
Was your gender an inhibiting issue? Let me react to the non secular dimension that you just introduced in. Two days in the past, I used to be on the Emir (of Ilorin’s) palace. Happily for us, our Emir is a really educated man who has travelled extensively. I’ve met with him a number of instances however two days in the past I used to be on the palace with the governor and different newly elected members of the state Home of Meeting. When it was my flip to greet him, he mentioned ‘wow’. He was so pleased to see me. He mentioned, ‘so, that is the lady everyone has been speaking about?’ that ought to inform you concerning the false impression individuals had been having about our group being hostile to girls who take up management positions. I have to commend Governor Abdulrahaman Abdurazak for altering that narrative. Many really thought we couldn’t safe the ticket to not discuss of successful however he modified the narrative. I can inform you that it was we the feminine contestants who made the entire contest pleasurable for the voters to select from.
Does your election in any method put some type of strain on you? Sure!
It does. There may be this saying that there is no such thing as a free meals anyplace for anybody to eat. As leaders serving the individuals, we simply have to simply accept duties hooked up to our task. That is no extra about age. If I had acted like a child, I wouldn’t have achieved this peak. I’m now the consultant of a specific constituency, accepting the duties that include it. It’s nearly how we handle success.
What can be the main focus of your advocacy while you ultimately are ultimately sworn in?
In my manifesto after I declared my intention to contest, I enunciated a four-point agenda. The primary one being high quality illustration, legislative development, government oversight. An important factor is high quality illustration, which is getting issues performed for our individuals. That is about bringing the dividends of democracy throughout to the individuals. It’s about facilitating authorities presence to the group. Mainly, the very first thing I can be doing is to conduct the wants evaluation of our individuals. Although, I had performed one earlier than, it received’t be the one I did as a person, it will likely be a complete one performed by people who find themselves able to bringing issues to actuality. Secondly, being a youth, I’m not solely representing my constituency, I’m representing the youth too. I’m additionally representing the ladies as properly.