The appointment of a 72-year-old illiterate carpenter Olatunde Afolayan as Caretaker Chairman of Moba Local Government, Ekiti State, by Governor Ayo Fayose has generated controversy in a state reputed for its prowess in education and scholarship. But, Afolayan, in this interview with reporters, which was conducted in Yoruba, maintains that he is equal to the task. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA was there.
How would you describe your appointment as a Local Government Caretaker Chairman?
It was God’s miracle through the governor, Ayo Fayose. This is because I was working when the governor called me to tell me that I would become the chairman of my local government. It was curious and I was shocked that the governor could do this.
What were you doing before now?
I was a carpenter and I made furniture. I also farm. I actually have retired from my carpentry work because of my age and I have faced farming full time. I also play politics and I’m well known around the state. I’m from Ward 2 in Otun and I’m popular among those who support Governor Fayose. However, I must say that before he joined the governorship race, I had decided to stop active politics. But when Fayose came on the scene, I reactivated my interest and declared total support for him because I like his forthrightness with issues and believed in him. Some of my people chided me for this and said I shouldn’t be running after a governorship candidate at my age. But I was determined to help him succeed. Part of the reasons I love Fayose is because when he governed the state the first time, he brought uneducated people to prominence. He appointed many uneducated people in our area into positions in Moba Council and this caused an influx of members into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the local government area. With my appointment, people will see a lot of activities in my council area.
What kind of activities?
This endeared him to many people and I don’t think anyone is planning to fail in their endeavours. I know that with my appointment, a lot of people will come to join the PDP.
What were the roles you had played in the PDP to be strong in Moba?
Before Fayose, I had a group and we still meet. Our group ensures that members’ welfare and sundry issues are not toyed with. When anyone of us is working to leave, we visit him and ask questions and convince such person to stay. We remain united. This is just one of the many things we do to strengthen the party. All I do now is pray for Fayose to keep progressing and I know that he is still going far in politics in this country.
You’ve been the Moba Council Chairman for about two weeks now. What are your plans for the council area and its people?
First, there had been power outage for 13 months in the council headquarters. When I assumed office, I asked questions and approved that they should buy diesel to power the generating set. I’ve been to the electricity distribution company for them to reconnect the council and we are going to solve that problem soonest. The day after I resumed, I noticed that workers come late to work and I locked them out. They pleaded with me and gave assurances of good behaviour and we’ve agreed that this won’t repeat itself. Now, they are up and doing and we are getting down to the business of improving the life of our people.
The governor has announced that local government elections would hold in December. What are your plans to ensure victory for your party in the polls?
When I wasn’t in a position as this, we delivered our area for our party let alone now that we are in a position to show our people what could be done when they support us. I’m very sure that the opposition can’t get anything in our area; in fact, I know that some of the candidates would return unopposed in my area. We have worked and we are still working hard to ensure that no opponent of ours wins anything in Moba, both at the councillorship and the chairmanship.
There have been speculations about your educational qualification. How much of western education do you have because some have said you terminated it at Standard Six?
I never went under any teacher. I’ve never been to school but even if I don’t know the reckoner, I should be able to reckon with my brain. So, I didn’t go to school and I must tell you that, when we were growing up, it wasn’t that fashionable. However, when I learned my trade, I was able to learn measurements.
When did you actually join active politics and who were some of your contemporaries?
I can say politics met me in Moba. We started it together there. I vividly recall Honourable Atolagbe, who was the representative from our area then. Whenever he was to travel to Ibadan, we contributed half a penny each (tóró) with which he would fuel his vehicle, a Volkswagen Beetle then. From there, we graduated to the Second Republic, when I became a ward chairman. I had also served as party chairman. I can’t recall the exact years but, I know that in Moba, I’m not a pushover in the politics of the area. I’m still active and my activities made people to refer to me as “Baba Fayose”. I used to dress in various kinds of costumes to bring awareness to the people. I got the flak for such, especially from those who refer to my age. But in the end, it’s well worth it because Fayose rewards loyalty and does not leave his loyalists in their suffering.
Compare the politics of yore with today’s, what your take?
I think things are getting better. I pray for our governor because a lot of things had gone wrong in the party before his stepping in. In fact, he came when I had said that I was washing my hands off politics, and that made me change my mind. However, part of the party’s problems in the state was leadership. Once some young people had been a councillor, they would assume leadership position. The PDP would have been dead in Moba LGA, if not for Governor Fayose. I spent my money to buy soft drinks for our meetings, but some would say I was wasting my money and even query if the money was coming from my farming, since I had retired from my carpentry work. Nobody wants to contribute resources to the growth of the party. I even give people some money for their transportation and I did all these because of the love of Fayose.
Fayose wasn’t giving you money?
For such meetings? No. I gave some N200 for their transport after meetings, depending on the distance, and buy soft drinks. He wasn’t giving me money. But somehow, he got to know about about it and one of the things is that anywhere he sees me, he’d greet me and say “Baba Sebotimo, thank you for taking care of me.” I was just doing what was necessary for the party and for Fayose.
So, you see your appointment as a reward for your loyalty?
I give glory to God and acknowledge the governor’s magnanimity. There are so many politicians you would work even harder for and it would end just like that after they must have won elections. They won’t even remember your contributions. So, I see Fayose as being sent by God to reward all the work that I had put in all my political life.
You would work with a lot of educated people who could exploit your lack of western education to their advantage. How would you guard against financial fraud and other possible corrupt practices you possibly can’t identify, and which could mar your tenure?
Leave that to me. “Òpòn tí rí ‘nà s’ilè k’ójú tó fó.” I said earlier that, even if I can’t read a reckoner, I can reckon with my brain. I also believe that anyone who was taught to do evil and he perpetrates it, he already had evil embedded in him. Yes, I agree that people could cook books and only God knows what the future holds, but we also have the power to scrutinise in our little ways. For the short time, we would run the council, even the governor would know that a man was here. I believe God and I’m sure that nobody can force my hand into unwholesome things. The Director of Administration and Treasurer can testify to the difference in the few days that I had been there as chairman.
Then, we’ve been meeting with political leaders, ward chairmen, career officers and so on on how we can all succeed together in the council. I’ve given the workers moral and Christian suasion on the need to consider my age, support me and work with me to make a success of this term. I’m sure they know by now that I can never sign any document that I don’t clearly understand. We would look at all documents together and all the necessary people must agree and we would take decisions together.
How do you feel as chairman of a local government?
I have suddenly become a political personality. I noticed that my appointment by Fayose has even become a prayer point in many religious places. People had even come to meet me in the office, from outside the state to ask questions after what the media did with my story. I really thank God.
It was said that the personal assistant that was appointed for you is also your son?
Yes, he is. Interestingly, he had never seen any of my children, not even my wife. He knows nothing about my wife and children because those has never been in most of our discussions. My son he chose that day is a graduate and he also has people around who would help him. I have children and they are all well educated. Most of my children are outside Moba, except for three that had just graduated. During a coming thanksgiving service, people would see and know my children. They’d also be of help in their own ways.
What’s your relationship with the council staff?
You could come discreetly, in 30 or so days, to the council to verify what’s going on. You cannot force everyone to cooperate with you, but it’s worth it, if whoever would make your work to succeed is courted in some ways that are not unhealthy. So, we are also thinking along that line while we strive to build a healthy relationship with the generality of the workers. I want to leave my positive mark in the council and I want us to achieve this together. I don’t want the trouble that could arise from my illiteracy and I will guard against it but any worker that makes that a source of trouble for the council would be dealt with.
How would you advise people, considering your experience?
Don’t ever think it is all over for you. Secondly, when you are out to do something, do it with all sincerity. I say this because I noticed that Governor Fayose distances himself from insincere people. But, if you’re on the right path, don’t deviate from it. In politics, I told people that if you want to work for Fayose, go ahead and work for him and be sincere with him. He is a generous person and all those who know him know that he has a large heart. Again, the workers must be diligent because you’re being paid. Since you are getting your wages, it is expected of you to do your job. It’s as simple as that.
