Adeola: Local Government Gives Power to the Electorate

Abolaji Adeola, a pastor and the newly elected Councillor representing Ofada Ward in Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State is also the Deputy Leader of the Legislative House. In this interview with Mary Nnah ARY NNAH, he expresses optimism on the possibilities at that level of governance

Why were you inspired to contest as councillor in Obafemi/Owode local government area of Ogun State?

I am a registered resident of The RCCG Redemption Camp in Mowe, Ogun state and the camp is under Ofada Ward of Obafemi Owode Local government. My ward, especially as its name implies is the base of Ofada rice production in the southwestern region, it is also the first point of call into Ogun State along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the largest ward in Obafemi Owode LGA. For a politically aware person like me who has spent a good number of years in a particular environment, it is difficult to ignore the several salient features that make up my community. If I don’t know anything about my LGA, I know it is rich in its culture, it’s entrepreneurial landscape and religion. As a matter of fact, my ward accounts for a large chunk of economic power attributed to the LGA as a whole due to the several businesses and facilities it houses. This however did not inspire my decision to run for counsellor, my decision stemmed from the desire to see developments come to my people at the grassroots. I have mentioned on several platforms as an argument that since my ward accounts for a good number of Tax returns in the local government, it is only right that the ward also enjoys a reasonable amount of infrastructural and human development.

As a pastor in politics, how do you ensure you don’t compromise your faith?

I understand the importance of the righteous getting into power. In this dispensation of Nigeria as a country, a lot of things are going in the direction that doesn’t favour the righteous and the country as a whole, so except we as the church go into the system, we cannot successfully effect the changes we want to see in government. This understanding informed my decision from the onset. It doesn’t matter what role or responsibility you carry in church, as long as you have the zeal and the backing from heaven, make that move.

As children of God, there is a standard for our conduct wherever we find ourselves. No matter what is presented as the status-quo, it is important to remember that we are light sent to shine in the midst of darkness. My office as a politician cannot be separated from my responsibility as a shepherd in church. In fact, as a shepherd, I’ve been called to the unbelievers, hence my place in the political space, particularly “the dirty” political system, is highly pivotal to the kingdom agenda. While other people are bothered about compromising my faith, I remind myself of how God has brought me to where I am and place my focus on setting an example for other kingdom minded individuals who hope to find themselves in a position like mine one day. Permit me to also remind us that as children of God, we are saddled with the responsibility of standing in the God through prayers for our leaders and particularly the righteous that are in politics and government.

What skills and strengths are you bringing to do things differently?

My skills and strengths cut across different industries and fields and they all play important roles for my job a s councillor. I have an MBA from Redeemer’s University. I have a training in Politics and Leadership from The School of Politics, Policy and Government which is Affiliated with Nexford University (Nigeria) and I am a skilled digital communication practitioner. Aside from my skills in the digital and communication space, I am also a trained security expert and private protection consultant. These skills position me in a space where I understand generational trends, possess a wide horizon of knowledge across industries and it provides me with necessary information needed for statutory modalities like security consciousness and individual conduct. As one who “chests” all of these qualifications and skills, I see myself as “rightly equipped for the job”

Can we say that RCCG sponsored your aspiration?

It is totally wrong and out of place to attribute funding of my political career to the church. Indeed I am a pastor in RCCG but it is necessary that I remind myself that I am not the only RCCG Pastor who is actually in government. Funding for my campaign came from my purse, support from the party as well as support from good friends and family.

At the just concluded party primary, we learnt that your nomination came as a surprise to many, can you tell us how you were able to beat other notable aspirants to get the party ticket and also how you intend to unite the party or if the winner takes all approach?

My nomination at the primaries was solely a product of the right qualification and God’s Grace. I cannot rule out the fact that God had a hand in it, indeed there were several backs and forth as to who the party will send forward, but the several parameters for qualification set me on the advantaged side during the process of selection.

What do you hope to achieve in politics?

In my position as councillor and deputy leader of the legislative house, I carry both executive and legislative powers. I am grateful to God for this right positioning because it places me at an advantaged point where I can effect decisions that favours the church and the community at large. I have spent years observing from a distance how the underrepresented community is marginalised in legislative corners. Nonetheless with my capacity as a Councillor to the government and a deputy leader in the legislative house, my position sets me as the mouthpiece of the community to the government as well as the bridge between where we are and where we ought to be.

Would you say the state independent electoral commission should continue to conduct elections at the local government level?

I am a product of elections that took place at the ward level which is an offshoot of the local government level. We must remind ourselves of the advantage we will have for ourselves if we see some decisions from the angle of the intention and its end product. Elections at the local government level gives the decision making power to the actual electorates and benefactors of an elected government.

What is your assessment of the needs of your constituents?

The problems in my constituents have been identified even before I got into power. They feature in mostly infrastructural and economic activities. Plans are already in motion to strategically effect changes and improvements where necessary.

What areas of cooperation are open between your ward and other wards in Obafemi/Owode LG, in order to positively impact the lives of the people?

Our community is blessed with its rich capacity for young and vibrant individuals. These youths carry a good level of energy and have shown their willingness to cooperate with innovation and development; I have first-hand experience with this from the support they gave me during the campaigns and the election. I am confident that the new changes and developmental projects coming up in the Ward will influence collaboration and mutual cooperation between my ward and the other wards in Obafemi Owode LCDA

What is your take on the quest for full autonomy for local government?

The way for the citizenry to enjoy dividends of democracy especially at the level of the grassroots is to go the route of autonomy. If all the actors, that is, the federal and local governments play their parts effectively with transparency, autonomy will serve us better.