Prince Solagbade Amodeni, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two-time Commissioner in Ondo State, is 70. In this interview with Correspondent TOSIN TOPE, he reflects on his early life, business journey, politics, and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Can you briefly tell us about your background?
I was born on November 7, 1955, in Ipesi Akoko, into the Oke Dofin ruling house. My late father, Oba Peter Odu Amodeni, was the immediate past Olupesi of Ipesi Akoko, and my mother, Lydia Wuraola Amodeni, was the Olori. I was also blessed with a stepmother, Ayaba Amodeni, whom I hold in high regard due to the role she played in my upbringing.
I started life on a very humble note. I attended St. Philip’s Primary School, Shagamu, Ogun State, while serving as a houseboy to the late Reverend M. R. Alabi for five solid years. It wasn’t because my parents couldn’t provide for me; it was destiny. My father had consulted an oracle in Kogi, and he was told to send me away to serve. That experience taught me discipline, humility, and endurance, which shaped the man I later became.
What was your early life like growing up?
In 1969, I gained admission into Methodist High School, Ibadan. To be honest, I never enjoyed reading. I was not a “book person.” I was promoted on trial, and that made my parents very unhappy. They moved me to Victory College, Ikare-Akoko, where I continued from Form 2. But I still didn’t like reading. From Form 2 to Form 5, I was always promoted on trial. I completed my secondary school in June 1973, but I didn’t perform well.
If there was a record for failure, I broke it—not because I lacked intelligence, but because academics didn’t excite me. I was more practical-minded, even at that age.
Why do you think you performed poorly in school?
I discovered early that I had a business instinct. While in school, I sold second-hand clothes and even rented them to classmates who wanted to attend disco parties. That was my first taste of entrepreneurship.
When I finished school, some of my classmates had excellent grades—Grade 1, 2, or 3. The only paper I passed was Yoruba, and I got a P8. I thank God today that I failed because if I had passed, I might have ended up as a civil servant or a schoolteacher. With my outspoken nature, I doubt I’d have lasted long in such a system.
I returned to school in 1974 to repeat my exams. This time, I paid my fees myself from my business. Four of us sponsored my education together, including me. Again, I didn’t do well. Later, I attended Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, where I obtained my Higher National Diploma. I only went because, in Nigeria, people respect certificates more than competence. I wanted to satisfy my parents, not because I needed it for success.
Before most of my mates graduated, I had already built a house and bought cars. My company, Sholagbade Enterprises, was thriving. I was trading, supplying goods, and winning contracts long before I got my HND.
How easy was it to succeed in business back then?
It was far easier to succeed through hard work and integrity. You could get jobs or contracts based on merit. Civil servants didn’t compete with contractors like today. The society was structured, with a clear distinction between the lower, middle, and upper classes. I rose to the middle class early in life through business.
God blessed me at a young age. I became one of the first young men in Ondo and Ekiti States to own a brand-new Mercedes-Benz. I was among the major contractors for the then Federal Polytechnic, Akure. The warehouse that later became the Great Hall was built by my company, Sonicom Nigeria Limited.
I was also the first private person to supply drinkable water by tanker in old Ondo State. I sold raw foodstuffs in Akure and supplied food to Federal Polytechnic Akure (now Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti). Later, I handled construction projects for the army at Ekenwan Barracks in Benin City and for the Nigeria Prison Service—now Correctional Service—where I built 12 classroom blocks at Olokuta.
I also handled projects for the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), including the office complexes near Denki Wire and Cable. I even constructed Wema Bank’s branch on Taiwo Road, Ilorin. Those were challenging but fulfilling projects that taught me persistence and discipline.
What’s your greatest regret at 70?
My greatest regret is that my mother stopped me from learning a trade when I tried to become an automobile mechanic in 1971. If I had acquired that skill, it would have complemented my business life. I believe that practical skills are as important as formal education.
Still, I thank God. My life followed divine direction. If I had been a straight-A student, I would have ended up in an office job, bound by rules. That’s not who I am. I’m happy that I found my calling early, creating jobs and speaking truth to power.
When did you venture into politics, and what inspired you?
I ventured into politics quite early, during the era of the late Baba Adekunle Ajasin. Initially, I wasn’t a politician per se; I joined their campaign train to seek opportunities for business patronage. But that experience drew me closer to public service.
My first breakthrough came through that involvement. I was awarded a contract to build a health clinic in Imoru (now in Ose Local Government Area). The project cost N75,000 at the time, which is equivalent to several hundred million naira today. That single contract transformed my life and gave me the confidence to pursue bigger goals.
Who were your contemporaries in politics in those early years?
I have been in politics for over 35 years. My first major contest was for the state chairmanship of the National Republican Convention (NRC). I worked closely with respected leaders like Adamu Ciroma, the late Dr Bode Olowoporoku, and Chief Lawrence Agunbiade. Back then, Ondo and Ekiti were still one state.
Later, I became a foundation member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). I was also among the youngest NADECO activists in the Southwest and a member of Afenifere. I followed the likes of Baba Adefarati to Ijebu-Igbo for strategic meetings.
After General Sani Abacha’s death, when political activities resumed, we initially joined the All People’s Party (APP). However, Chief Bola Ige insisted that progressives couldn’t stay there, so we pulled out and formed the Alliance for Democracy. I contested and won the chairmanship of Akoko Southeast Local Government.
Even President Olusegun Obasanjo, who rarely praised opposition politicians, recognised my work and awarded me the Best Local Government Chairman in Nigeria.
What were your major achievements as Local Government Chairman?
I introduced a poverty alleviation programme, which was later adopted at the national level by the PDP. I even mortgaged some of my personal property to lease heavy equipment, like pay loaders and graders, for council use. This was unprecedented at that time.
I built information centres in all six major towns in my local government and provided vehicles for traditional rulers. My focus was on human capital development and infrastructure. I didn’t see local governance as a place to enrich oneself but as a platform to serve.
You later served as Commissioner under two governors. What was that like?
Yes, I served as Commissioner under Dr Olusegun Mimiko for 23 months and later under the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Both experiences were quite different but equally valuable.
I am known for speaking truth to power. Whenever I feel that a government is deviating from its promises, I step aside. That’s what I did both times. Still, I respect and cherish both men. Mimiko remains my lifelong friend—we had planned his eventual governorship for 17 years before it happened. I’m proud I was part of that journey.
You’ve been quiet in politics recently. Have you retired?
No, I haven’t retired. I’m still very active, but politics today is different. It’s now driven by money, not ideology. I’ve shown interest in becoming the APC State Chairman. But let me be clear—I won’t buy delegates or spend a kobo to get that position. If my experience, integrity, and service record don’t earn me the post, I’ll remain content.
During the impeachment crisis involving Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, I played a mediating role. I gathered stakeholders and told them the impeachment could not stand—not because I’m close to Aiyedatiwa, but because it was unconstitutional. When Akeredolu passed away and Aiyedatiwa became governor, I visited him and offered honest advice.
How would you assess Governor Aiyedatiwa’s performance?
So far, I think he’s doing well. He has continued many of the projects of his predecessor, Akeredolu, and has also initiated new ones. I’m particularly excited about plans to develop the seaport. If that project comes to fruition, it will transform Ondo State’s economy forever.
He’s also making efforts to revive the bitumen project at Agbabu. I spoke with him recently, and I’m impressed by his focus. Continuity is key in governance, and he seems committed to that.
What’s your view on President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms?
I’m one of the frontline supporters of President Tinubu, and I believe his economic reforms, though painful, are in the country’s best interest. They remind me of chewing bitter leaf—bitter at first, but sweet at the end.
Tinubu inherited a battered economy. Every sector was riddled with corruption. Repairing such damage takes time and courage. Removing fuel subsidy was a difficult but necessary decision. The short-term hardship will yield long-term benefits.
Today, we’re already seeing signs of stability. Inflation is easing, and government revenue is improving. Tinubu’s emphasis on skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure—especially concrete road construction—is visionary. Bitumen roads have failed us; concrete roads will last.
Do you believe President Tinubu deserves a second term?
Yes, without hesitation. He deserves a second term, not just for continuity but for the stability of Nigeria. Many governors who are defecting to the APC understand this.
However, I must be honest: many Nigerian youths need a mindset change. Too many prefer following politicians as personal assistants instead of creating opportunities for themselves. During our time, we built our lives through hard work. I built my first house before I clocked 25.
Tinubu’s reforms favour those willing to work, innovate, and endure. Quick riches don’t last. Real success comes from patience and discipline.
What would you like to see in Tinubu’s second term?
He should expand his cabinet further. Some say it’s too large, but I disagree. Nigeria’s size is equivalent to about ten West African countries combined. Governance here requires more capable hands, not fewer.
He must also enforce local government autonomy. Power should be devolved more to states and councils. When local governments function effectively, citizens feel the impact of governance directly.
Are you worried that Nigeria is gradually becoming a one-party system?
No, not at all. Politics is cyclical. There was a time the PDP controlled almost every state, except a few in the North and Southwest. The same thing will happen again after Tinubu’s second term; strong opposition will re-emerge naturally.
For now, what we need is stability and unity. Let 2027 be a stress-free election cycle that consolidates democracy.
Do you support power remaining in the South?
Yes. It has stayed long enough in the North. Fairness demands that the South continue for now.
What’s your message to Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi ahead of 2027?
They are important voices, but their approach to opposition politics is wrong. They criticise everything without acknowledging anything good. That’s not how mature opposition works.
Even when government policies are right, they refuse to commend them. Tinubu is not their enemy—he’s their rival. Constructive opposition strengthens democracy; blind criticism weakens it.
Frankly, I find it disappointing that a respected figure like Atiku joined protests demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu. That’s beneath his stature. He’s had his time. He should now play the role of a statesman, not a street activist.
Where do you see Nigeria in the years to come?
Nigeria will rise again if our judiciary stands firm and we amend our constitution to reflect modern realities. We need a national conversation—a referendum—to determine how we want to coexist.
We are a nation of over 250 ethnic groups, yet I still believe in one Nigeria. Unity, justice, and fairness will take us far. I’m optimistic that with leaders like Tinubu showing courage, Nigeria will fulfil its destiny soon.
