Osun State PDP Chairman, Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo is by all standards, a polished and refined gentleman. In this interview with AKINLOLU ABAYOMI, the former state lawmaker spoke on recent political developments in the state particularly, the September 22nd governorship election, how he reacts to rumours and other issues.
Could you tell us about yourself?
My names are Hon. Clement Olasoji Adagunodo Oluwatukesi, a native of Ilowa in Obokun Local government. I am a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and a holder of three Masters Degrees; precisely in Managerial Psychology, Business Administration and Public Administration. I am currently the PDP Chairman, Osun State.
Ahead of the 2019 general elections, do you envisage a peaceful election or are there fears?
Under normal circumstances, I expect a peaceful election but with the experience we had during the recently held governorship poll in Osun State, I have my fears about the ability and the preparedness of the ruling party to conduct a peaceful general election.
You were at a time a member of the state House of Assembly, would you say the legislative arm of government has been allowed to function effectively at the state level, what was the experience like during your days as a state lawmaker?
We are a developing nation; democratically, technologically and economically, we are therefore not there yet. The legislative arm of government is the strength of democracy but strange enough we still give the executive all the attention. Masses look at the direction of the executive for money and business because government is the only viable economy in the country. For now, the executive determines a lot and dictates the pace for both the judiciary and the legislature, therefore it is a common belief in the subconscious minds of the people that the executive is a senior partner in government, but like I said we are still growing. My experience during our time as House of Assembly members cannot be compared with what we have now, because we have two different personalities as governors at the two different times and they are different both in character and in conduct.
Your party shook the political scene of Osun State by allowing the ruling party, the APC, to narrowly secure victory, it was a hard won; how were you able to record such outing?
It’s the Lord’s doing. We give all the glory to God. However, we want to thank the true people of Osun for believing in our great party, the PDP and our candidate Senator Ademola Adeleke. I laid emphasis on the two words ‘true people’, because so many people came to Osun State for the said election and they personated the ‘original’ voters in the state but notwithstanding we still have the results. We know, and the whole world knows that the PDP actually won the governorship election.
Your party is currently challenging the victory of the APC guber candidate, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola in the tribunal, do you believe you have a good case? Did you actually win the election?
APC stole our mandate in Osun State, which by the special Grace of God will be retrieved, reclaimed and returned to Senator Ademola Adeleke and our party, the PDP will be returned as the ruling party in the state. We have faith in the Judiciary and we believe the judges at the Tribunal will surely do justice to our petition.
Your party has consistently expressed doubts in respect of the ability of the President of the Court of Appeal to be an impartial arbiter in the case, the APC has rather asked you to prepare for a legal battle rather than dissipating energy on such issue, cognizant that you cannot ask that she be sacked principally because her husband is a politician?
Go and read all what we said very well, we did not express doubts about the ability of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Adamu to be impartial rather, we raised the alarm and told the whole world that the APC has offered a Greek gift to her husband by placing an unsolicited senatorial ticket on his laps when he did not contest or win the senatorial primary election. It is certainly a ploy by the APC to make him indebted to the party and in turn use that to influence the wife. I have told you earlier that we believe in the capacity and the capability of the judges and have faith in the Judiciary, because they are men and women of impeccable characters and integrity. The judges will surely not let Nigerians down because they are the last hope for the people in Nigeria.
Your emergence as the state chairman heralded good days for the state PDP as your party produced a senator within a few months of assumption of office, however you must have in your private moments obviously faced confusion when you get to hear the various rumours spread about you, how do you react to such rumours?
It is normal in politics and I was prepared for such situations the day I made up my mind to lead the party as the Chairman. I have not allowed rumours and blackmails to deter me from doing what I am supposed to do for the benefit of our party because I consider such as distractions. Notwithstanding, I can boldly challenge anybody, anywhere and in my party including the aspirants not just candidates this time around, all the aspirants from the House of Assembly to the governorship levels whoever has ever given me money to influence my judgement in the running of the party to come out publicly and say it. I am a man of integrity, living a life worthy of emulation. I have built a reputation that cannot be smeared in whatever way, shape or form. Yes, I may have taken some decisions that were not in tune with the expectations of some people, however at the time of taking such decisions, I must have truly believed it was in the best interest of our great party, the PDP.
There have always been the rumours of your humble self-hobnobbing with Gov. Rauf Aregbesola and sealing deals with him, it began right from the period the state PDP had two factions, why do you think this version of rumour keep resurfacing? In all honesty, do you perhaps have any secret deal with the governor?
It is all blackmail. It is also clear now to Nigerians that those who were blackmailing me then were the ones truly working with the APC and Governor Rauf Aregbesola to undermine the fortunes of our great party, the PDP. I made it clear then but most of the people did not believe me. I am now vindicated as they have openly worked and declared for the APC. They were also involved in anti-party activities during the Ondo State gubernatorial election by working in connivance with Governor Rauf Aregbesola to support Olusola Oke who was the AD candidate. They jointly funded AD in Ondo State but I thank God that I am vindicated. Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola is also alive, hale and healthy, whenever you have an opportunity to interview him, ask him this question. I never for once had any secret deal with him. Even in 2013 /2014 when some of our leaders that I associated with politically joined the APC, I refused bluntly. Apart from that, I influenced a good number of our members not to defect to the APC. I believe in my party, the PDP as the best in Nigeria and I will never involve myself in anything associated with anti-party till I die. Those who are close to me know that I don’t pretend, if I am through with you I will let you know and I will be blunt about it. I don’t double deal and I will never ever do that.
What have been your happy moments in politics?
Changing the fortunes of PDP in Osun State from a losing party to the winning party, and in essence changing the face of the party in Nigeria has remained a source of happiness. When Osun PDP won a senatorial seat, it changed the momentum and people’s belief and rating of the party. Winning the last Osun gubernatorial election for the party, notwithstanding the stolen mandate has also set our great party, the PDP, to the vantage position of winning the forthcoming general election, nothing can certainly be more comforting.
In 19 years, we are yet to have a woman governor, Senate President, Vice President or President, where do you think the women fold got it wrong and when do you think we can have a woman governor?
The time will come very soon. It is a prediction. In some advanced countries, they still face same problem, it is therefore not unusual. Our democracy is still growing. We will soon be there.
What were the factors that made you develop interest in politics?
I developed interest because I believe we needed to change the belief that politics is dirty, and to create awareness that there is room for professionals like myself in active politics. I also want to impact my idea of bringing good governance to the country. I introduced many innovations towards strengthening democracy in my constituency and the records are there till today.
