He might be a political bigwig in the country but in his residence in Ilamoshe estate ejigbo Lagos,Sir Jude Emeka Idimogu is a philanthropist with a distinction, a humble man to a fault. He has decided to contest for Lagos State house of Assembly under the umbrella of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Oshodi-Isolo Constituency. He is from Imo State but has lived in Lagos for 25years, hence the decision for aspiring to be a legislator in the state is eligible. In this inter view, he spoke on various issues concerning his intention to vie for house of rep in oshodi-isolo constituency. Excerpts:

What prompted your aspiration to run for Lagos State Assembly?

I want to serve my community. They are in pain, all our representatives have failed to hear our cry. We are being deprived of a lot of things. It’s not the wherewithal but sometimes the will to do it; some of our representatives are so bad one can weep for us. But, by the special grace of God, if God gives me all the possibility to be there, I believe I will change lives positively for people. My lifestyle will make other politi cians, who have been there before to have a re-think to understand that being there is to serve humanity and to serve God.

Don’t you think to serve your com munity, there is no much to do from Lagos House of Assembly?

For now I want to take it from the grass roots; so I have decided to go for the Lagos House of Assembly from the grassroots; then from there, depending on how it goes, I will move forward. But for now, there is much to be done for this constituency, if you look at Oshodi/Isolo community, it will disgust you. Our roads are so bad that and is the major thing. The road is bad and the gridlock too much.

The many hours we lose in traffic is so much and these are the things I wonder and I look at it and weep. When you ask the representatives about the road, they will tell you it is federal road and state road. What’s the meaning of that? We are the people that use it, not the Federal or state government. These roads are meant for me and the people of our community, so most times, no matter how good your car is and you are taking bad roads, there is no way your car will not have problem and at the end of the day, you will go and visit the mechanic. When you look at the cost you incur on the road and because of the problem, your car will develop inconve­nience and a lot of time is wasted.

All these will spur disgust for the area. Investors will avoid our area. Yet our cost of living is high like every Lagosian but not enjoying same benefits. It’s not good enough for me. If we are exactly patriotic, it is not necessary that you tar the road; you may not really have money but you can find granite and level the road pending the time help comes from the federal or state govern ment. As long as those in federal and state governments are also human beings, when they see that you have started to proffer a miniature solution to it, they will be urged to come with standard solution. They will feel ashamed that the people or community are challenging them. Before you know it, the help will come sooner than later.

Why do you think your representa tives have not tried to help the com munity?

Our representative is a-one man army. They think they can do it alone. They have forgotten that lobbying is politics. When you are in politics, you lobby because it is not you alone in the State House of Assem bly. You are to be closer to other members and when you have your problem, you table it and lobby every member, including the speaker that your own needs are more important than others. They will allow you to have your way, depending on how you relate with others there. Everything is about relationship and lobbying and before you know it, you will gain more stability and what you want for your community and that is your bottom line.

There is a popular belief that Nigerian politics is about money and godfatherism. How do you see it?

For now, money partially runs politics in Nigeria. For me, my godfather is God. You must also have people that have been there before you, even in terms of money. They can encourage you, advise you and also help to give you a soft landing and to direct you. In everything, even in the world of politics, we have people that you naturally want them to direct you. You may call them god fathers but in Nigeria, the godfathers that are being talked about are your financiers. If it is a godfather who finances me, I don’t have one. From experience, godfathers are people who will direct you the right way to follow, guide you towards success. Politics is an ide­ology that needs guidance. So, there is need for an advisor, not a financier. You know you can’t do it alone, you need elders around you; elders that will speak on your behalf to their associates and acquaintances. Such elders you come across by doing good and being hardworking. When they have seen your quality and your determination to really serve for the benefits of the people, you will definitely have it.

Why did you decide to run under the PDP umbrella?

For today, I represent PDP and the reasons are that PDP controls the centre and because All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed my constituency. The only way for me to make impact is from the opposition. I believe that PDP will make an impact in Lagos State in 2015. Among the people the APC has failed are the Igbo. The Igbo have been suffering under APC. They have been molested. In the history of the world, it was in Nigeria that a governor of a state decided to deport indigenes of another state.

Do you think you as an Igbo man will get your party’s mandate to con test in the main election?

I don’t have a doubt. The problem we have in Nigerian politics is empty promises but I am happy after all that things are gradu ally changing; people are asking questions. I don’t need to be boastful, people have started asking questions; who is that person, what is he made of? For us to move forward, if I get my party’s mandate, I will make it. I am not saying I will make it alone; a tree cannot make a forest. Most people say I am not part of them, yet, I am married to a beautiful wife from Yoruba land. What more do they need? I am the only son of my parents; despite that, I was allowed to marry my heartthrob be cause I love her even though I had ambition to do politics in my hometown but suddenly my mind changed. I felt a stint in Lagos; I have lived in Lagos for the past 30 years and besides, we are all Nigerians and not only that, my wife is a daughter of the tribe. We need to forget tribal boundaries to move this country forward.

He is a joker....

We support U Sir, time to put tribalism aside and move Nigeria forward

With all his gestures, why can't he just go and rule in his own state? Everyone always want a piece of lagos and the south West.

Just saying

He won't win PDP primary talkless of main election . Anyway wishing him the best.

mankand:
With all his gestures, why can't he just go and rule in his own state? Everyone always want a piece of lagos and the south West.

Just saying

Tinubu, Fashola and Ambode are they Lagosians?

Yeye dey smell

you are already a winner sir u shall bring development to your constituency in lagos state

dridowu:
He won't win PDP primary talkless of main election . Anyway wishing him the best.

my brother I am a yoruba like you and I will boldly tell you sir jude is a very good man,sorry to say he is the PDP flag bearer in oshodi-isolo state constituency 11,he won the primaries a flawless victory,stop the tribalism it will only take you no where.

mankand:
With all his gestures, why can't he just go and rule in his own state? Everyone always want a piece of lagos and the south West.

Just saying

Nobody wants a piece of south west nor lagos,this is beyond that,this man his made and his decision of involving in this feat is nothing but the desire to redeem the people of this constituency from the hands of the opposition party doing nothing to develop the constituency. Leave tribalism out of this,this is a call from God and the people of oshodi-isolo constituency.

Aliyulukumon:
my brother I am a yoruba like you and I will boldly tell you sir jude is a very good man,sorry to say he is the PDP flag bearer in oshodi-isolo state constituency 11,he won the primaries a flawless victory,stop the tribalism it will only take you no where.

this is not a tribalism matter but a bitter pill that is difficult to swallow. Congrat to him winning d pdp primary. It will take a million plea for a non-yoruba to a a sit in the house of assembly.

Aliyulukumon:
Nobody wants a piece of south west nor lagos,this is beyond that,this man his made and his decision of involving in this feat is nothing but the desire to redeem the people of this constituency from the hands of the opposition party doing nothing to develop the constituency. Leave tribalism out of this,this is a call from God and the people of oshodi-isolo constituency.

The fact is that, he should extend it to his state and region and not the south Western region. People like this should be role model for the youths, up coming politicians to stay and develop their regions instead of coming to another region to do it.

What form of development and empowerment does he want to give you the people of the region is is contesting for, people like this if you go to their village, you won't even find a good pipe borne water before we even talk about other infrastructures

Descartes:


Tinubu, Fashola and Ambode are they Lagosians?

Yeye dey smell

At least fashola and tiunubu as well as ambode are of oduduwa descent. Just as a British man can run for any political post in Australia or USA, but a Russian cannot run for any post in those regions because charity begins at home

mankand:


The fact is that, he should extend it to his state and region and not the south Western region. People like this should be role model for the youths, up coming politicians to stay and develop their regions instead of coming to another region to do it.

What form of development and empowerment does he want to give you the people of the region is is contesting for, people like this if you go to their village, you won't even find a good pipe borne water before we even talk about other infrastructures

yeye boi

mankand:


At least fashola and tiunubu as well as ambode are of oduduwa descent. Just as a British man can run for any political post in Australia or USA, but a Russian cannot run for any post in those regions because charity begins at home

Sounds illogical

dridowu:
this is not a tribalism matter but a bitter pill that is difficult to swallow. Congrat to him winning d pdp primary. It will take a million plea for a non-yoruba to a a sit in the house of assembly

Am sure you will not commit suicide with otapiapia when such happens.

Just quoted you for posterity

This is what I call brain drain. He abandoned his own region just to develop another man's region. What makes him think oshodi yorubas will vote for him? Ibos won't even vote for him just as they abandoned sir ojukwu when he needed them the most. Who even wants to vote for PDP in lagos?

Descartes:


Am sure you will not commit suicide with otapiapia when such happens.

Just quoted you for posterity

you need. To stop dreaming and face reality. I know you want such to happen but that shouldn't cloud your sense of reasoning. I also want a yoruba man in anambra house but know fully well that such is a pipe dream for now. People like you ought to encourage him to go home. With the pool of resources he claims to have instead of using it to benefit the yoruba region. I guess PDP sold that form to him knowing fully well he can't make it to the house.

baLLoTBOxX:
you need. To stop dreaming and face reality. I know you want such to happen but that shouldn't cloud your sense of reasoning. I also want a yoruba man in anambra house but know fully well that such is a pipe dream for now. People like you ought to encourage him to go home. With the pool of resources he claims to have instead of using it to benefit the yoruba region. I guess PDP sold that form to him knowing fully well he can't make it to the house.

OK then, let's keep our fingers crossed and watch with keen interest as the event unfolds

Cheers

Chop the fool's money and abandon him

Lagos is a no-mans land.

Nwanne,you have every right to vie for any elective office in lagos

Una wan kill these people with unnecessary heart attack.
LMAO!

baLLoTBOxX:
This is what I call brain drain. He abandoned his own region just to develop another man's region. What makes him think oshodi yorubas will vote for him? Ibos won't even vote for him just as they abandoned sir ojukwu when he needed them the most. Who even wants to vote for PDP in lagos?

I am not really in support of this, I prefer my people shold focus home.
I still need to ask you why yon never talk about your state which is Oyo?
You should have told Lai Mohammed's son that his constituency in Kwara state needs his attention too.

Collynzo9:

I am not really in support of this, I prefer my people shold focus home.
I still need to ask you why yon never talk about your state which is Oyo?
You should have told Lai Mohammed's son that his constituency in Kwara state needs his attention too.

so long you are a yoruba man, you are welcome to contest for any post in oodua land. Though your actual state of origin might be debated, once it is cleared that you are competent above every other contestant, your true origin becomes irrelevant so long it stems from oodua nation.

baLLoTBOxX:
you need. To stop dreaming and face reality. I know you want such to happen but that shouldn't cloud your sense of reasoning. I also want a yoruba man in anambra house but know fully well that such is a pipe dream for now. People like you ought to encourage him to go home. With the pool of resources he claims to have instead of using it to benefit the yoruba region. I guess PDP sold that form to him knowing fully well he can't make it to the house.

stop saying non sense this man,Abundance will win that election hands down,the past people PDP has been fielding has not been able to win election,now we yorubas in this constituency know this man very well,he spent a large chunk of is life in lagos and has really contributed in our community,just make out time and survey Isolo-ejigbo-okota,question people about sir Jude and u hear what people will tell you. Sir jude is a tax paying nigerian and lagosian,who says he can't be our representative? Will get his biography for you to see soon.

At least this one is going for house of assembly and not governor, but then again what's wrong with doing it in his own state?

Descartes:


Am sure you will not commit suicide with otapiapia when such happens.

Just quoted you for posterity

Commit suicide 4 wetin ? Thank you 4 quoting me , may God guide and protect both us beyond 2015. Come 2015 you will see the result . He will lose at the poll not because he is PDP candidate but because he is Igbo. I repeat again

dridowu:
this is not a tribalism matter but a bitter pill that is difficult to swallow. Congrat to him for winning d pdp primary. It will take a million plea for a non-yoruba to win a sit in the house of assembly.

dridowu:
Commit suicide 4 wetin ? Thank you 4 quoting me , may God guide and protect both us beyond 2015. Come 2015 you will see the result . He will lose at the poll not because he is PDP candidate but because he is Igbo. I repeat again

OK tor... till then

Meanwhile

Sai Okoroji for Lagos 2015!!!

vivalavida:
Lagos is a no-mans land.

Nwanne,you have every right to vie for any elective office in lagos

you guys need to grow up and away from this "no man's land" mantra. Can't you see that of all the over 300 tribes in nigeria, it's only the ibos that say that nonsense? Other tribes know who the owners are that's why you don't hear such from them. I wonder why educated ibos still go about saying it along with the illiterate ones. Aren't they educated enough to know that the yorubas control the government and the traditional offices? 90% of the streets and and neighborhoods are named in their language, yet you people still believe in that nonsense. You guys need to put your heads together and think of a way to develop a SE state to the status of lagos. Look at abuja, the northerners can boast of it as theirs. The SS are doing everything possible to build akwa ibom....emulate them instead of encouraging brain drain. If that man should get to that house, he's going to lose his igboness and become like joe igbokwe.

Aliyulukumon:
stop saying non sense this man,Abundance will win that election hands down,the past people PDP has been fielding has not been able to win election,now we yorubas in this constituency know this man very well,he spent a large chunk of is life in lagos and has really contributed in our community,just make out time and survey Isolo-ejigbo-okota,question people about sir Jude and u hear what people will tell you. Sir jude is a tax paying nigerian and lagosian,who says he can't be our representative? Will get his biography for you to see soon.

my question is, does his party have the political stamina to move him to the house? NO

dridowu:
He won't win PDP primary talkless of main election . Anyway wishing him the best.

He has already won it

what is fu*ck*ing wrong with this igbo dudes for christ sake they still believe lagos is a no man's land if so let just give them a little snippet of this region come 2015 election and last bullet @OP only your moniker cannot convince me you are from my region and stop hiding under this great tribe names come clean and i can give you a little consideration then