Olayinka Kamorudeen Dawodu is the Head Of Media And Publicity of Youth Democratic Party of Nigeria (YDPN.
In this exclusive interview with DAILY MONITOR, the outspoken politician spoke on how EndSARS protest led him into politics, his view about the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vision for the people of his community among other issues.
Excerpts:
Kindly introduce yourself?
my name is Olayinka Kamorudeen Dawodu. I’m the councillorship candidate of Labour Party, Oluyole L.G Ward 2 of Oyo State. I had my SSCE certificate here in Ibadan at Debby International School Molete; had my NCE (Computer Science \Physics Education) at Federal College of Education, Osiele. After my NCE, I proceeded to University of Ibadan (affiliated with Federal College of Education, Osiele) for my B.Ed in Physics Education.
I have been practicing politics right from my tertiary school days. During my NCE, I was the treasurer for the students union electoral committee and when I was in the university for my B.Ed program, I was part of SUG movement and I was the President of National Association oF Physics Student.
When I left tertiary institution, I didn’t relent, I kept showing my leadership skills within and outside of my community. Even some of the community leaders that saw the leadership skill that had been embedded in me, encouraged me to actively practice politics in order to bring succour to the grassroot level. I started practising politics at my former community at Olomi-Omiyale before moving to Orita-New garage both in Ibadan. I was the youth PRO (AJOTA YOUTH VANGUARD) a community youth organisation at Omiyale. I am also a coordinator of a project too at that community.
What motivated you in joining politics?
What promoted me into politics was the EndSars protest. We all heard about the atrocities that were being committed by our security agencies especially at Lekki-Toll gate, Lagos.
That revolution was what led to a movement called Youth Democratic Party of Nigeria (YDPN). I’m also part of the people that initiated the organisation in Lagos State before we spread our wings across Nigeria. By the special grace of God, I am the Media Head in Oyo state.
Our plan then was to register this organisation as a political party in order to encourage youths to be actively involved in politics and also vie for any political positions. But unfortunately, when we got to Abuja, they refused to register us as a political party.
During this struggle, I and Oyo state coordinator of YDPN came back to Oyo state and strategized on which political party we could collaborate with in order to achieve our aims and objectives as it’s youth 0’clock. So, we decided to join Labour Party. We tried our best for Peter Obi and other Labour Party candidates, during the presidential election but we strongly believed that the election was rigged. After the presidential election, we can’t continue to fold our hands, that’s what promoted people like me to come out and participate in the forthcoming local government election in Oyo state as Councillorship candidate, Oluyole Ward 2
Oyo state has been a stronghold of both PDP and APC. what are the strategies that your party has put in place in order to win the election?
Thank you for this question. You will agree with me that in the past, the incumbent governor always interfere in the local government election, but this time around, things have changed even the present Governor Seyi Makinde has vowed not to interfere in this election, he also promised all the candidates to go out there and test their popularity and also gave assurance that there would be adequate security during the election. With these statement, it shows that Governor Makinde wants to leave a legacy by conducting a free and fair election.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working towards local government autonomy. As a councilor, what do you think would be the benefits of the masses?
I applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when I heard the news because this is what we have been clamouring for. There will be rapid development in all local government areas in Nigeria. The chairmen doesn’t need to rely on state government order anymore, because the allocations would be paid directly to the local government account. Councillor is the closest politician to the people of a community. The masses are going to feel the impact of the autonomy positively at the grassroot level
Nigeria is facing insecurity and inflation, what can you say about the present administration?
Assuming that Peter Obi won the election, I can assure you that the country would not be faced with this economic hardship because Peter Obi had already stated on how he would curb Nigeria problem. He also made it known on how he will revive the economy during the presidential debate. You can’t compare Peter Obi with Tinubu. Obi is an educated man and also an entrepreneur. He knows how to make things happen. If you look at the ministerial appointments made by President Tinubu administration, many of them are not capable to be in that position that’s why we find ourselves in this messy situation.
Are you saying that most of the Ministers appointed by the President are not capable?
Yes of course! if they are capable, we won’t be experiencing these economic hardship that we are facing as a nation. Bag of rice is now selling at the rate of N80,000 while cup of garri is being sold at N150. Naira keeps stumbling against dollar almost everyday. This indicates that all the people that surrounds President Tinubu are not contributing positively to the nation.
What pedigree do you think you have that makes you a better candidate?
I have a lot of pedigrees. When it comes to popularity, I am well-known in my community and the ward that I’m representing. My cordial relationship with community leaders makes me to stand out among my contemporaries.
As a grassroot politician, I have empowered many youths in my community and I’m not relenting at all in making sure I alleviate poverty in my ward.
If elected, what should the people of your ward be expecting from you?
My main focus is to facilitate development to all communities which am representing in both infrastructure and social amenities. if elected, I would make sure that inter-community road grading is being done from time to time. Student’s welfare scheme is among what youths would benefit from me. I will provide teaching aids to all schools in my ward. there will also be a regular educational seminar in partnership with many Non Governmental Organisations in the state. Medical outreach with free treatment, agricultural development program for farmers in the community, securities of life and properties, and being of good representative, transparency and accountability of good governance with social justice and equal opportunity
