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INTERVIEW: My Ordeal As A Toddler During June 12, 1993 Saga Informed My Decision To Be President – Olufemi Ajadi, NNPP Vice Presidential Hopeful

Published

2 years ago

Jul 10, 2022.

Paul Mbagwu

Olufemi Ajadi is a Vice Presidential Hopeful under the platform of the New Nigerian People’s Party, NNPP; he is also the convener of a vibrant youth movement, All Nigeria Youth Reoriented Movement, that desires to see a new Nigeria emerge in the 2023 elections. EKO HOT BOG Paul Mbagwu caught up with him at a meeting with an online Journalist group in Lagos where he shares his desire to become the president of Nigeria.

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Excerpts:

You are in contention for the vice presidency of the nation, under the auspices of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), could you please throw more light on this?

Well, it is true just like you have said. And it is in deference to the ideals of the party who have already settled for a presidential candidate before now, otherwise, my initial aim was for the Presidency of our country.

In making this clarification, I would like to let you know that I did not just wake up and say I want to be president. Yes, every free-born Nigerian could aspire to any office he feels competent in, but my case is different. It came in a divine direction. Some people may have heard my story before now, and it was during the June 12, 1993 saga, when people had to flee from their abodes in search of safety.

You needed to see how my mother was dragging me along, a mere toddler because she was trying to take us to a place of safety.

I had to cry out to my God because of the stress. I began to ask God why we were being exposed to such suffering and he told me that I had a role to play in Nigeria so that such suffering would cease. That is the long and shot of the whole thing. The full story, I have shared it before, and I can get you the publication, but for now, I am into politics as directed by my creator.

Good to hear that, but one would have thought that you would begin from other positions other than the presidency and then graduate. Did you consider that at all?

You are right but if you had listened carefully, it is not about me just trying to contest an election. It is about me trying to fulfil the assignment I was given so that the suffering in the land could stop.

I am just following what I had been instructed to do. There are other things about this person you are speaking with, to explain why I do not just do things that I want to do, but the things that God has asked me to do.

When and why did you change from the office of the presidency to that of the vice presidency?

One was because some party elders and my close associates intervened and offered advice. I have received many people, from within and without the party, urging me to also consider the vice presidency given some things that I may not explain here; as a loyal party man, I had to reconsider.

Besides, you know that the office of vice president is as important as that of the president for any party that truly desires to rule well, that is why.

The vice president works in a direct relationship with his boss, supports him, and helps to ensure that the programmes and policies of the party are implemented and that the masses feel the impact of good governance in their land. He is there when the president is out of the country, for example, to ensure that there is no stoppage of the process of governance, and this is important.

In occupying the office, one would have the opportunity of maturing politically, and if it pleases God for him to get to the presidency, he would be better equipped for that position.

Why NNPP? Why didn’t you go to the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)?

The reason is that I am not in the race like any other politician. It is because I did not just choose NNPP. I have already said that my coming to the party is divine. So, it is because of the divine mandate on my head and there is no other political party that has the same mandate.

From the time I had the revelation of leading the country, I had been asking God how it would work out. I had asked Him to lead me about it and when I came into contact with NNPP through some friends, it was clear to me that that is where I am supposed to be.

When you are doing something that you had been ordained to do, there is always peace in your spirit and soul.

The vision is about a new Nigeria, and NNPP is about a new Nigeria. It is about a country where the citizens would be proud to live.

It is about a country where the citizens would enjoy all the respect of other nations when they visit, not that they would be asked to leave, or considered as criminals because of a negative reputation at home.

I am talking about a country that would not be known for corruption, failure in government, the lack of electricity, the lack of infrastructure, killings and stealing and unemployment.

It is about a country where all the youths would find employment when they leave school, where they would have the opportunity to contribute their quota to the development of the country.

Only good leadership can make it possible because the country already has the other things that it needs to be great.

What were the steps you took upon receiving this vision you have talked about?

Well, the first thing was that I needed to understand it properly and also know how to make it work. It took a while for me to understand why and what God was saying I should do, but eventually, I formed the All Nigeria Youth Reoriented Movement, which we have been using in sensitising youths on how to contribute their quota to national development; on how to promote peaceful coexistence, value addition etc.

This was why, during the last #EndSARS movement, it was easy for our members to play an active role. We were actively involved as a youth NGO because the idea of a peaceful demonstration was in line with our beliefs and principles.

NNPP, from its name to its aims, has the same principles as the New Nigeria Youth Reoriented.

Was there a formal meeting with the leaders of the party before you decided to align with them, and does this suggest that you have collapsed your association for the NNPP?

Not a collapsing of the NGO like that, but aligning our activities with the party, making our structures and members available for the party, because the whole idea is a better Nigeria.

In fact, how I came in contact with the party is in itself a proof of divine hand, and that is why we did not find it difficult to align with the party.

You said your coming to the NNPP was divine, could you please throw more light on this?

All the time we were running the All Nigerian Youths Reoriented, I didn’t know about a party called the NNPP, not to talk of knowing that its principles and ideals tallied with ours. However, it was God who arranged everything.

It was somebody, one of the young people in our midst, who drew my attention to it one day, and I was surprised. I was thinking it would be like the other political parties. It was a different thing however when we met the people behind the party.

How I met the founder of the party, Mr Boniface Aniebonam is in itself miraculous, but suffice to say that it became clear that both organisations shared a common philosophy – a new Nigeria. It was like discovering the pathway to the realisation of your long-held aspiration.

Now that you have become a card-carrying member of the NNPP and in fact in the race for its vice presidency slot, what becomes of the New Nigeria Reoriented?

It is still there, active in the different states of the federation where we have chapters. Good enough, it is an organisation that is based on effective structure. And it is contributing effectively to the party’s strength, especially amongst the youths and women. Our members are excited that the NNPP is providing a vehicle for the realisation of the new Nigeria of their dream, and as a result, they are ready to do anything that would make the NNPP emerge victorious.

That is why, if you come to our platforms, they are lively; members come up to promise dedication to the job of giving Nigerian quality leadership.

How do you see your position within the NNPP hierarchy? How for example, would you describe your relationship with Sen Kwankwaso, who happens to be the presidential candidate?

Very cordial. I am somebody who finds it easy to relate with others. I am tolerant and I am a complete loyal party man. I believe that God has given each one of us the qualities and resources with which we could become useful in the lives and efforts of others towards a better society. The problem is that sometimes, people do not understand that we need ourselves. Once you know what you have and you are ready to use it for the betterment of society, you would not struggle with others. The truth is that we are unique as individuals.

Also, I am someone brought up to respect elders – elders of our party, either by age, by position or just elders by first being there. I give everyone their due respect, be they young or old. I am not contesting anybody’s position, but in the party to fulfilling an assignment. This makes the difference.

I am ready to expend any resource in advancing the course of NNPP. I am playing my role as God has ordained me. I believe that anyone who has the interest of the party at heart would do the same.

People are rooting for you to become the vice presidential candidate of the party; do you honestly think you have all it takes to take up that position?

With every sense of respect, yes, and this is in addition to the fact that I am in the race due to revelation, and everything that God has His hands on will succeed, I also believe that I have the qualities for the position.

I am from the Southwest, while the presidential candidate is from the North. And the founder of the party is from the Southeast. In terms of geopolitical consideration, there is already a balance there.

Those rooting for me to be vice president see my potential.

Do you think you could handle Nigerian if given the chance?

I have great ideas for Nigeria most of which I have seen work in other countries where I have been. Ideas rule the world. Our country already has all the resources it needs, but there is a need for ideas to drive and utilizes such resources.

Ever since I got the leadership vision, I had been working. I had been developing ideas and programmes, comparing policies of other countries, and drawing out a place of how these can help our country.

It was from there that I developed my ten-point agenda. It contains things that can put the country on the path of greatness just like God has blessed her.

Of all the contenders for example, what do you think qualify for to be picked as running mate for the presidential candidate of your party?

I have youths on my side, vitality and vibrancy. I will be a very strong support to the president, standing like a bridge between the young and the elderly.

Also, I have been a successful entrepreneur before now, employing Nigerians and contributing to the economy. I have business associates with whom I have already entered into some kind of agreement and collaboration which would impact the key areas of Nigerian society once we start it. All they are waiting for is for the party to mount leadership and they would be ready to come in. I am ready to put forward for the development of this country, all the resources available to me.

The generality of Nigerian youths is behind me because we have an agreement to bring them to the Centre stage of governance in the country. I have sincerity of purpose and I am committed to any project that I put my hand into. These are the qualities that I would be bringing to the Nigerian leadership.

Your presidential candidate is Sen Kwankwaso, do you think he has what it takes to lead this country as president?

In fact, all it takes; he is one of the biggest political assets of this country. I believe 100 per cent in his ability to lead this country. He was a two-time governor of one of the biggest states in the country, Kano, and did very well in office. Aside from that, he had been a minister of defence and you know what that means? You do not give that ministry to somebody who does not understand what he is doing. Also, he has been an elected senator.

That was why early in this journey, I led a strong delegation of party faithful to his residence in Abuja.

Many politicians find it easy to make promises they never plan to fulfil

You are right, but I also say the electorate has a role to play here. Why vote for a politician that has no track record. Look at what is happening in our country now, some people open their eyes and support a politician with no proof of sincerity simply because of N1, 000. It is already clear that such a person would not deliver. Let’s even say the electorate has made a mistake in electing the wrong politician, nothing stops them from moving for his recall. We have seen this happen, and if it becomes commonplace, most politicians will become careful about what they do in public office.

What is the assurance that you would make a difference?

I have said from the start, that I am ready to be called to account, should I fail to fulfil the promises that I make to the Nigerian people. I have already made the challenge for people in my constituency to begin the process that compels me to give an account of any promise that I make in the course of this campaign.

Aside from this, I have seen life on the other side before God lifted me. I cannot even pray suffering for my enemy. In a situation where God has made me a channel of blessing to others, I will not be disappointing myself by not performing in office.

FURTHER READINGS:

What does Olufemi Ajadi do for a living? I ask that question having at the back of my mind, the concerns in some quarters that Nigeria does not need a political leader who has no definite profession, or sustainable source of livelihood.

I am an entrepreneur, the Chief Executive Officer of Bullion Neat Global, a beverage and drinks manufacturing company based on the Ogun outskirt of Ibafo.

Bullion has an entertainment arm that undertakes talent hunt, training and marketing of artistic performers.

In the group, we recently began a strategic expansion programme to enable us to accommodate more customers and clients and also cover more territories.

There is also a security services outfit in the group, Final Guards Security Limited, and it is involved in supplies and installation of security equipment, as well as training of manpower.

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