In this interview with Southwest Editor, JOHN SILAS, Hon. Jude Emeka Idimogu, the former Lawmaker who represented Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, says the privilege God gave to him, money cannot buy it. Excerpts:
You have run 8 years both as a PDP and APC candidates, how has it been?
To God be all the glory, he has been faithful to me and my family for attaining to a height I never expected I would get to when I was younger. For me getting to the Lagos house of assembly was a good one, a good platform I prayed for to serve humanity that was my greatest joy, we met a lot of people, it helped me to express myself and take the problems of my community to where they should be heard, am very grateful. It was indeed a stepping stone in my political career. The privilege God has given me, money cannot buy it.
The aspect I cherish most is that I went there with good health and am back in good health, my family is intact.
Kudos to my leaders, especially Asiwaju who is today the president of Nigeria my leader Mudashiru Obasa, my wonderful colleagues out there. All my APC leaders in the state and my constituents who have helped me. I wouldn’t forget prince Adewoyin who has always been there for me right from the days of PDP, my beloved wife. To me, it was a good outing.
As an Igboman here in Lagos, what made it possible for you to do eight years in the house?
It was specifically the grace of God and humility that worked for me. It was also a privilege for me an Igbo man to come up in a foreign land and achieve what I have achieved. Not only that as the only non-indigene that has achieved such feat. I never brought shame to the Igbo race. It’s a good news for the Igbos in Lagos they could be entrusted with more opportunities of power regardless of the constituency, they would always refer them to my track record.
What actually inspired the enthusiasm and zeal with which you supported the candidacy of Tinubu despite the wave of Obedients across the land and that Peter Obi is an Igbo man, a lot of igbos are wondering why you supported Tinubu with all you have, all in your arsenal?
One, am a party man, an APC man. But inside me, something tells me Asiwaju will win because if you check his antecedents, he has never put his hands on something and fail. Even when there was crisis in the party at the national level, whenever he speaks, anytime he says one or two things, the whole thing will tilt to what he says.
He is not someone that stands and talk anyhow, he will study the terrain so well before he utters a statement, he doesn’t talk flippantly. He is a democrat.
This GAC, Governors advisory Council, you see the way Asiwaju works, once an issue is raised, he will ask each an everyone his or her view.
You will not be allowed to stay aloof so long as you are a member, after saying your mind, he will come out and summarize it. That’s what makes him a true democrat but people don’t know this, they think he lords it over or bully people, not at all.
It’s after they have taken decision, he will only be a spokesperson. When I moved to APC, initially, my party leaders did not want to accept me, but he told them, he defeated you, and he is coming with his team. You must accept him with his leaders.
He will always do the right thing. He has been consistent in his political exploit. He is always building structure, he started building many years ago, like he said, power is not served a la carte which is his regular refrain.
To me, he is one man I have always believed he will do the right thing, he is always building structure, he encourages people, when you fail, he will come to encourage you that there is always another day.
He will ensure you are comfortable it might not be immediately, when he makes a promise, he makes sure he fulfills it, no matter how long it takes.
When he sees you, he remembers it.
When is I critically analyzed the persons contesting with him, obi and Atiku, when I look at him, I was never scared, he has what it takes to match them. One other thing that works for him is that he is a generous giver. he builds people.
His first cabinet were only 10% lagosians, the rest were not. If you have listened to the information minister, Lai mohammed, he stated that this journey started 20 years ago. I was with one journalist he shocked me with the information that asiwaju has been on this struggle for quite a long time now.
To cap it all, during the victory gathering, he told us that this is his 30 years political struggle. If you have a closer eye at him, you will recall that during June 12, he was behind Abiola and abacha also there, he has also been incarcerated He has been fighting for democracy over a long time now, even when he was Lagos governor, he was championing true federalism.
When Obasanjo seized the state’s (Lagos) resources, he never gave up, he has gone a long way, posterity will judge him. Where were these people then? We didn’t know them.
Even when he ran away as a NADECO member, he was supporting other people there in London, feeding them till things calmed down, you want to tell me that this man that have invested and built bridges will be a pushover to anything he put his hands in?
I felt that there was no way he would lose, he knew power is not served a la carte. He will fight and get it.
Power is struggled like a tug of war, some people are getting him wrong that he said others should be killed, no, he was not telling to kill, rather he was telling his people not to go and relax thinking it will come their way on a platter of gold. You must work for it.
He will always encourage you to put in the best of efforts to win, he knows the true situation of politics in this country especially the presidential election we practice. No matter where you go, they will ask for something. The people will always ask. Its not only having the money, you must be ready to spend it here in Nigeria.
For me, service is key.
I prayed to God to give me a platform to service humanity. I believe everything is not money. That goodwill shows the people.
My people will support
Can we say you are the only Igboman that has succeeded to longer years in elective position outside your home?
The only person that tried getting closer to that was Nnamdi Azikiwe outside that, not at all, no other person.
How do you intend to use your advantage to reach out help your state /governor now the state governorship election in the state is around the corner?
The key is loyalty, though politics is more expensive in the Igboland. If I have opportunity to be in Imo politics, I will bring by experience to bear. I have played a laudable political game.
When you talk of administration and politics, its important you learn how to carry your people along, be open minded, dialogue, its not a one-man affair.
Sir, you are back home after 8 years, what is your advice to your igbo brothers especially now the subsidy issue is biting hard?
Subsidy is gone, for me, it’s the best decision. I want to applaud, Asiwaju for this bold step. I tell people always that asiwaju has political will to take bold decisions. Some leaders do not have it, he has political will to take difficult decisions, so many people do not have it, he knows how to play then politics in it to make everyone flow with him. Give it to him, he knows how to take tough decisions in the interest of the masses, give it to him.
Many are to come. Those things others would not dare try, those decisions that are for the betterment of the masses, he will do them.?
We just pray for him for good health. majority of my people are businessmen, however, its not only them that are facing the challenge of subsidy removal, everybody will adjust. Unfortunately, we now trek and exercise or ride bicycle now.
With time, competitiveness will take over. In the next few months, the price will drop, hopefully, let us bear and support him though am optimistic he is working out palliatives and support to businessmen and women.
Everybody will eventually receive positive result in due course, he is trying to fix the nation, it needs sacrifice.
Now you are out of the assembly, if you are called up for any appointment, will you be ready to offer yourself once more to serve?
Why not, my calling is to serve humanity, political position will give me a better platform to serve our people. If opportunity is given to me, I will take it and I know that is service to my community, state and service to Nigeria. I also call on our leaders to imbibe that spirit of service. You are there does not mean you are better than others, it’s privilege to service your constituency, your state and nation. Selfless, go there and do it.
Your message for those in coming into the house of assembly and your colleagues still serving?
For those coming in, it’s a new school, they have to be patient and learn from their seniors. The joy of parliamentary business or law making did not start now, even in America, you see people spending over 40 years as parliamentarians. To them, it’s like an old wine, the more the wine is getting older, its more better.
Apart from that, much money is spent on training lawmakers both locally and overseas, so when you have many beginners, you are slightly setting the system backwards because these new ones will come to learn again. Precisely, before they will understand what is happening, it has taken you two years to understand the dancing steps.
That does not mean that new ones should not go since it’s not tagged with tenure limitation. I wish the new once well, they should learn from their seniors and be loyal to their party and leadership
