Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi , a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is a former House of Representatives member in the Second Republic . The former National Vice-Chairman (South-West) of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, speaks on latest developments in the Lagos state chapter of the party, controversy over zoning of presidential ticket and other issues. Excerpts:

There were reports last week that a peace meeting you called on the instruction of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to end the crisis in the Lagos chapter of the APC flopped as many APC leaders failed to turn up. What do you think was responsible for that?

In the arena of politics, my colleagues gave me a name. They call me ‘The Prince of Peace’. I have always been in harmony in resolving crisis, in bringing people together and ensuring that brotherly atmosphere exists in anywhere i am or any organisation I belong to. With very great humility, I can claim today that I am one of the oldest politicians in Lagos state. I played my part in the organisation of the APC as well as pre-APC days. Therefore, I cannot stand aside watching while a house that I laboured with others to build crumble or collapse. As a senior member of the party, I have a responsibility to make things right.

Apart from that, on a number of occasions, the elders of the party and politicians in the South-West have charged me with the responsibility of leading a reconciliation team. I took part in the reconciliation in Ekiti state. I also took part in the reconciliation process in Ondo state. I also took part in the reconciliation in Ogun state, that led to the emergence of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as the governor of that state. I also took part in the reconciliation between the late governor of Oyo state, Lam Adesina who was my friend and colleague in the House of Representatives and the late Abiola Ajimobi. That reconciliation led to the emergence of Ajimobi as governor of Oyo state.

I want to say that I have had the honour of visiting Senator Rashidi Ladoja, former Oyo state governor at his residence both at Ibadan and Lagos in the cause of making peace. So, it is my trade to make peace and I love doing it because it gives me great joy seeing people work together as brothers in unity. Nothing succeeds in an atmosphere of bitterness or rancour. I am not ashamed of peacemaking. But I want to say categorically that it is not correct to say that a particular meeting flopped because it did not constitute a quorum. No meeting was summoned in the first place. I have a proposal for a meeting to hold but the issue of COVID-19 and the standing instruction of various state governments as regards assembly, social distancing was mentioned. With that, I put a stop to my intention to invite my friends and colleagues to the proposed peace meeting. So, no meeting was ever summoned. It is very wrong and a misinformation for anyone to say that there was a meeting and it flopped because there was no quorum. I want to say that I have a useful discussion with my colleagues, brothers within the party in respect of resolving all crisis that we have in Lagos. I have a meaningful discussion with the past chairman and other important leaders of the state and I am happy with the progress made so far. I don’t want to get into any controversy on whether a meeting flopped or not. My assignment with respect to peaceful resolution of all conflicts within the party is on course and I thank God for the respect given to me by all the leaders that I have spoken with.

Are you saying it was not Asiwaju Tinubu that asked you to convene the meeting so as to put Lagos APC in order?

It was my own volition, not anybody. I called the meeting as an elder. I want to emphasize that by the grace of God, I have spent 84 good years on earth and most of my colleagues in the arena of politics would certainly stand in the position of my children. I am old enough to be a father to anyone who has attained the age of 60. So, I am a father and a leader and I do not need to receive the instruction of anybody. I want to repeat that, I do not need to receive the instruction of anybody except Almighty God. I believe that I am being motivated by spiritual forces to embark on this mission. The problem is gigantic, with various interests but by the grace of God, we will resolve it. I have even requested for support from other elderly colleagues. It’s a gigantic task that is even beyond me as a person but I believe that I am being motivated by my creator. I sent information across about my intention to a couple of leaders, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Asiwaju regards me as an ‘egbon’ (elder brother) and as a leader. So, therefore let’s put all these things that will create dissension aside.

There has been controversy in the APC as regards zoning of the presidency in 2023, with many talking about a gentleman’s unwritten agreement. Where do you stand on that?

I don’t want to make any pronouncement as regards the zoning of the presidency. However, I want to say this; I have been in politics for a very long time. I have had the opportunity to make friends across the entire nation. I have had the opportunity of serving as a member of the National Assembly. I have had the opportunity of serving as the National Vice-Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). So, the peace, progress and development of this country is of paramount importance to me. We should all be given equal opportunity to discuss and look at the merits and demerits, look at those who have had chances in the past, look at those who have not been given those chances and then look at the circumstances of the time and then decide where we are going to zone the presidency to. It is for the party and all sectors of the party should be given the opportunity to have a say. At the end of the day, we will put the thing in a place that will be for the best interest of our country. That is my position.

Chief Henry Ajomale, immediate past state chairman of APC last week said there is a gang up against Asiwaju Tinubu by some members of the party who do not want him to contest in 2023. Do you also share that view?

Individuals have their opinions. All these are issues that exist in the world. Even in the churches or mosques, when you go there, you will have people who belong to either side A or B. Even you have different views in the interpretations of the two Holy Books. So, i don’t want to discuss on whether there is a gang-up or not against Asiwaju based on my own position. We all should just pray that God moves this nation forward.

https://www.independent.ng/tinubu-regards-me-as-his-leader-and-elder-brother-olusi/

Sorry who is he?

Truth is always sacred that humans always find it very difficult to swallow.Fingers cross.

Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi , a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is a former House of Representatives member in the Second Republic . The former National Vice-Chairman (South-West) of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)

helinues:
Sorry who is he?