My father’s political associates drafted me into politics –Adefulire, Lagos Deputy governor

Lagos state Deputy governor, Princess, (Mrs.) Adejoke Orelope, Adefulire speaks on her entry into politics, the advice and support of her father, the dream that catapulted her to the exalted position she now occupies, as well as the value and importance of godfathers in the political process.
She also x-rays the Lagos of our dreams, female presidency and the inexorable march of her political party, the all Progressives Con­gress, APC to power in 2015, amongst other issues, in this commemorative 55th birthday interview.

Excerpts
Let me start with your growing up. How was it like? Can you remember any spe­cial incident that shaped, or propelled your interest in politics?
I thank you for this opportunity to speak with you. Growing up as a child, I used to see my father with his colleagues, friends and political associates, holding political meetings in our family house.. As a young girl, I was held spell bound by the meet­ings which held in the mornings, afternoons, or evenings. It is either caucus, ward, Local Gov­ernment Area, (LGA) meetings. There were series of meetings in my fathers house. I hardly saw my father without his people. I could not understand the Logic, or reasons behind these meetings, but as I grew in age and entered secondary school, I found out what they were all about. The way they approached my father, and related with him, gave me a lot of courage and joy. For example, the name ‘Orelope,’ was a name given to him, because he was a kind hearted man, just like my mother.
I am excited that I am their offspring. As I pro­gressed in secondary school, I started participating in the meetings, helping them to organize meetings, setting and arranging the chairs with my siblings, and at a time, I started taking the minutes of meet­ings for them, when the secretary was unavoidably absent. I worked briefly after my secondary edu­cation before I proceeded to the University. I was working when ex-president Ibrahim Babangida banned old breed politicians, which paved the way for the younger generation of ours in the third re­public. That was how I came into politics through my father’s political associates who believed that my father should be rewarded for all his efforts, struggles, and for being a good leader. Up till now, meetings are still being held in our houses . I con­tested and won election that was held in 1992 to the Lagos State House of Assembly and represented Alimosho, constituency 1.
Did your father at any time sit you down to tutor you on the rudiments of politics?
I would say yes, because initially, when I was nominated to contest for a seat in the House of As­sembly, my father was not in the picture. It was hidden from him, because they knew that he will not allow me to contest. He would rather say why will it be his own child? Why not other people’s children? It was when my posters were printed and pasted that people went to him to ask him how to support my aspiration. He called me, and I ex­plained to him. After the election, he sat me down, told me a lot of things, that I had an obligation to either build his name or ruin it. He explained that politics is about consistency honesty and dedica­tion, ability to render positive services and to make impact, while you are in office, so that when you leave office, your legacies will trail you. He coun­seled that his name is too dear to him, and I must protect and guide it jealously. He pleaded with me that whatever I can do to help my fellow human beings, I must not hesitate to do that. He spoke on other good human virtues like being good to one another, kindness and the readiness to render help at all times. He said I should take a cue from him and my mother. He also emphasized on the virtues of keeping principles. Using himself as an example, he said he has been a progressive, all his life. For me, these were tall orders, and I have been very happy not to have changed from being a progressive. I have never changed my party. If you don’t have someone who is experienced to guide or counsel you, one may miss the road in politics.
If you take, a look at Lagos from your vintage position as the number two citi­zen. What are the issues that worry you about this state? Again, can you recall a memorable day as Deputy Governor?
I give glory to God for the opportunity of being the Deputy Governor of Lagos state. It can only be God; because it is not by my power, might, or hard work. I know that I normally do my job diligent­ly, it is part of my passion. But it’s not about that work. It is by divine grace of God. I will continue to give glory to God for this opportunity of serv­ing my people. Lagos state is cosmopolitan. I am happy to be a Lagosian. It is a state that everybody in this country loves to come, to live and work . What worries me is the fact that people tend not to obey the laws of the land. When you disobey the law, you disrupt government’s plans,projects and programmes. Law, as you know, is to guide our activities and regulate our actions. But when you don’t obey the laws, you frustrate the efforts of the government. It is important to note that if you must come to Lagos, you have to go by the rules. Don’t sleep under the bridges, don’t trade on the road set-back. Imagine if we don’t have street trading in Lagos? Imagine if we don’t have ‘Okada’ on our major roads in Lagos? . Imagine if everybody goes by the rules and obey road traffic laws? You can imagine how beautiful Lagos state would be when there is order and disci­pline. You queue at the bus station, and don’t litter the environment with wastes.We have to stop the bad driving habits Some of the bad driving hab­its are creating avoidable accidents on our roads. The road traffic law that has taken ‘Okada’ off our major roads has saved many lives. Perhaps You know how many broken legs, broken heads, bro­ken spines we have saved through the road traffic law? A lot of people have had partial or permanent disabilities before the law came on stream, and those that had been widowed in the course of us­ing Okada as means of transportation can tell you their sad stories. A lot of children are orphaned. As a responsible government part of our responsibili­ties is to save lives and make lives worth the while. So, I want to appeal that our people should respect and obey the law, so that Lagos will be a state of our own collective dream. Again, the happiest mo­ment of my life is the political progress that God had helped me to achieve, and seeing more wom­en doing well in politics. So there is no doubt that one can get to the fact that one can get to a level that God has destined one for I give thanks to God for the opportunity, but I see this as a responsibility that comes with opportunity.
As one of the leading women in poli­tics today, what do you see as the major issues for women in Nigeria today, and how can they advance their cause in poli­tics and governance?
The major problems facing women, generally is domestic violence. Let me start from the major problem of women. The increase in domestic vio­lence is worrisome. I think that our husbands and partners must be able to respect our gender, in the sense that we should be treated like their friends, wives, colleagues and mothers of their children. Imagine a man beating his own wife, that he has promised to preserve and protect and take good care of her. when taken from another family with a promise that he will take good care of her. It is the same woman that you raise your hand to beat?. No matter what the situation is, talking to each other will solve a lot of problems. I have never seen or heard that beating a wife had resolved an issue. You still have to come to the round table to discuss. Why don’t you use that option ab- initio to resolve the problem, rather than beating each other?. Some people complain of frustration. But will beating take away frustration? So, there are a lot of ques­tions to ask. Is it psycho-social problems? Is it complex or whatever the situation? men should respect themselves and try to resolve issues with­out beating. I will also sound a note of warning to our women, that your husband is your husband, he should be treated like a friend and companion,we must respect our husband. He is your father, he is your friend. We must respect our husbands and stop nagging or raising your voices on your hus­band. I will not be a party to a woman nagging, or raising your voice on your husband. Your husband is the head of the family. He is the authority in the house. No doubt that women has influence .Yes .And we should use our strategies to manage our husband and develop our children.No matter the position,we find ourselves, we should not raise our voices on our husbands. We must be extremely tol­erant. For the benefit of our children. I believe that tolerance in our homes will save a lot of domestic violence, because the consequences are unlimited. It can break the home, you displace your children. The women will do well if there is peace in the homes and will be able to think deep and plan for future.We have the platform now to showcase our ability and capacity.courage determination and resolution to take the firm decision is what is need­ed to take us to our destination.There is no doubt that we have to pas the baton of leadership to the younger generation and they need to be groomed nad prepared for the leadership position.There is no inhibition, in the laws of the land that limits the capacity ability of women to leadership position..
Let me take you from 1999 to 2014. The various groups associated with you – AD, AC, ACN, APC are very formidable in Lagos and South West. Why is it so, and what makes APC standout as we ap­proach the 2015 elections?
Our party, Alliance for Democracy, (1999) be­came Action Congress, AC, later Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and now APC. It is a progressive party, so to speak. We started good governance in the South west. We later became the AC to allow for other progressives minds to participate and be­came feasible to change.The change of name does not make make us lose focus on our party objec­tives of being progressives all along. At a time, we were called a regional party, and now we are a national party. When we merged with other in­terested political groups,definitely the name must change to take care of other interest groups and political parties . That was why we became APC. APC is a party for the common man. This is a par­ty that cares for the grassroots, this is a party that cares for the low, medium and high classes. It is a party for men and women, young and old. When you look at the states we APC operates or govern, it is very obvious that there is a lot of difference. You will see a lot of difference, positive difference and change that can make Nigeria become great again.APC will restore Nigeria’s lost glory,and place Nigeria back in her rightful position as the giant of Africa. We are approaching 2015, and by the grace of God, my party will rule this country. God will guide us right, support us, and give us the enablement, wisdom and courage to emerge victorious and to rule this country.
What is your view on female presi­dency? Do you think that Nigeria is ripe for female presidency now? Do you also believe that the powers that be will allow female presidency? If that is so, what is your own take on god -fatherism in Nige­rian politics?
A female president for Nigeria is feasible. We have seen it in developed countries, and even in Africa. I do not think anything can stop women from becoming president.The law allows for it. I believe that we women of integrity have the capac­ity and ability. We also have the leadership skill that will take us there. When you look at the population of Nigeria, it is about 55-50. And I am sure that 55% – 50% shows women has the population to become President in Nigeria. I am sure that if any woman decides to contest for the office of presi­dent of Nigeria now, 25% of men will give their support. This is about change and to correct the wrongs because we know that women have pas­sion for whatever they do. They are committed, ef­fective, and are efficient. So, with all the attributes, and if it pleases God , women can conveniently be the President of Nigeria.
Talking about god- fatherism, it is good to have political godfathers. I had shared with you the im­portance of godfathers.They provide guidance, en­courages you and monitor your activities for direc­tion. They will be available to give quality advice. like I have.
I have my father, and still have many godfa­thers. You know the importance of god fathers is that they will guide your activities, actions, coun­sel you and give you quality advice, that this place you’re going, you shouldn’t go that way. This is what people love and you have to do it that way. When you are in public office, you will not be able to see everything. But your godfather will not only be there to help you or advise you, but will guide your actions.
I want you to put on your binoculars. How do you see the shape of the 2015 elections in Lagos and Nigeria?
INEC has promised that there will be free and fair elections in 2015. We are praying hard to see that the election will come and go without rancor, bloodshed, and unnecessary hostilities. APC will bring positive change to Nigeria. People should see the change and give glory to God.,
APC is strategizing because we know that it is only our party with the help of God that can make a positive change in Nigeria. My party, our party, the party for the masses , the party for Nigeria.
A while ago, our sensibilities were as­saulted by the involvement of young fe­male suicide bombers. There was also this abduction of the CHIBOK school girls by the notorious Boko Haram group. Do relate the two and give us your impres­sion.
It was sad to wake up on that day and read on the pages of Newspapers, and hear that over 200 girls had been abducted in Chibok in Borno state. Going by the 2003 child rights act of the National Assembly, some sections of the law prohibits ab­duction, and any form of abuse of Nigerian child. . And that’s why emphasis must be laid on child survival, protection and development. If we all re­spect the law, the law to protect the children, some elements or group of people will not have cause to abduct the Chibock girls. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government and other concerns to please do whatever can be done to bring back the girls , to their families. The pain of losing these children has caused a lot of de­pression, death and psychological trauma on their parents.I am sure we are not waiting for a year an­niversary when the children were abducted before we can get them back. It is very, very disturbing, and disheartening for parents especially mothers to lose their children to strangers, the agony will be too much for the parents.
The case of Female suicide bombers? I am sure it is abnormal. I don’t want to believe that it is an­other trick of manipulating these girls, because it is not a usual scenario. It is about taking advantage of them, and to exploit them. When you indoctri­nate a girl, you take advantage of that girl and you manipulate her and tell her what to do and if the girls knows the implication of what they are doing, they would not have done it. I am also sure that illiteracy, ignorance have come to play.
2015 is just beckoning. It is next year. What are we expecting from you, politi­cally?
Thank you,it is an opportunity to be the Dep­uty Governor of Lagos state. I cannot thank God enough for the grace.I am praying to move fore­ward but everything is in the hands of God. He is the Alpha and Omega,the beginning and ending.I am consulting him to give direction. I will continue to appreciate God’s grace and mercy in my life. I want to go forward. I love to move forward, but I will let you know and let my good and happy peo­ple of Lagos and Nigeria know the next actions. I want to appreciate everyone that has helped me, in the cause of my political journey , my father, my mother, my godfathers, my friends and well wish­ers, the constituency, that I represent, women and my children. I thank everyone for giving me maxi­mum support and for their prayers.
As you celebrate your birthday in a few days time (September 29) what special word do you have for the upcoming gen­eration?
I want to seize the opportunity to plead with my people especially the women, to let us re­main dedicated, focused, and steadfast. And to our younger ones,to be committed and consistent, I want to charge them that the sky is not only the limit; cannot be the limit to anyone who wants to achieve greatness. Hard work, determination are the key to success. Let us shun anything taht can bring distraction to our project and our lives. It is about Hard work, hard work, and dedication only. I thank everyone that has helped me in one way or the other.
I know in the course of my duties, I would have offended some people. Please pardon and forgive me. . I am still at the learning age. Please pray more for me and always encourage me to be your friend.

Credit/ The Sun