Honourable Ayobami Olufemi Oguntayo is the National Coordinator of the Youth in Christianity of Nigeria for Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) in the last general election, in this interview with NURUDEEN ALIMI, shares the story of how youths were mobilised for President Bola Tinubu, and examines the administration since inception.
PEOPLE often claim politics is a dirty game. How did you find yourself in such murky waters?
I was a member of students’ representative council during my days in Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo. In 1999, I formed a youth organisation to work for the victory of late Governor Segun Agagu in 2003. I’m a member of Ondo Youth Action Group (OYAG) led by the former commissioner of Works in Ondo State and presently the Vice-Chairman of APC (South-West) Honourable D.I Kekemeke which joined other youths organisations to work for the victory of Late Dr Segun Agagu. I have paid my due. I put in everything to make sure that I meet the expectations of my people and act strictly based on ethical standards and principles. Leadership is very important. It requires that there have been other leaders before and that it is now your turn to be a role model and reference point in history because leaders come and go but the system remains. What do you want the people and the society to remember you for? Don’t forget that life is a learning curve and we must always strive individually and collectively work to make the society better because we have no other country.
Let’s talk more about politics now, especially party politics over the years in the country. Before now, what has been your track record in politics?
In the course of preparing for the election that ushered in the late Dr Olusegun Agagu, I formed and coordinated a formidable group in Akure South local government of Ondo State for the party. I always delivered my ward and poling unit for the party. I constantly liaised with the party and candidates to ensure total victory and good governance. Every politics is local. You must have a base. Your success at the local government level will recommend you to those who wish to form collaboration for the purpose of winning elections. Again, politics is a game of numbers, coupled with principle, character and integrity. You can’t do it alone, the people form your bulwark. And once you are honest, forthright, compassionate and pious, you are bound to enjoy maximum support of the people. That is my greatest joy; I carry the people along in making decisions. There is a lot to gain or benefit if you live based on the principle of sharing and making everyone happy, as well as having a sense of human dignity..
As a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), what was your contribution to the success of the party at the last general election?
I worked tirelessly with the party at all levels. I was a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). I attended all the rallies held in the states and Abuja. I had the honour to do a solo campaign using the instrumentality of my unique apparel and the bell to draw people’s attention to the campaign and our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which attracted multitudes to the party and its well loved candidate as” Jagaban Woli”
At the state level, I joined the party at the state to campaign for the party in all the local government areas of the state. As said earlier, I led and mobilized my group at the national, state and local governments level to support and campaign for the party. We went from door to door, mobilising groups, market women, youths associations across the country. As a national coordinator of Youth s in Christianity of Nigeria for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I made use of my contacts and reach to reach critical groups and stake holders at the national, state and the local government levels. During the elections, we deployed youths to man polling units as agents and made sure my state was delivered to APC.
Months after the inauguration of president Bola Tinubu into office, what is your impression about his government?
The government has started very well with its well thoughtout economic policies like withdrawal of fuel subsidy, harmonisation of exchange rate, provision of palliatives to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, as well as appointing competent people into positions to drive the renewed hope agenda of the government. I am also impressed with the return of students loan scheme and measures currently being implemented to eradicate poverty and improve living conditions of the people.
There is also renewed vigour in providing adequate security to the people through strengthening the Armed Forces and the police. In addition, the machinery of the government has hit the ground running. Ministers have outlined their priorities and are focusing more on improving the quality of life of the people. Critical infrastructure projects are being pursued like roads, railways that will make life easier for the masses, for example the recent announcement by the Minister of Works to fix some selected roads in the country. Also, there is the plan to dredge Rivers Niger and Benue to stop the incessant floods and improve their navigation and irrigation activities. All these and many more in aviation, health, education, humanitarian and poverty reduction measures being put in place are really endearing this government to the people.
But Nigerians have been groaning and facing difficult times since the coming of this government, what hope for them?
Every new policy has a gestation period. The benefits of this policy will start manifesting shortly.
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