The expansive compound, housing the headquarters of Ajisope Development Initiative at Oroki Estate, Osogbo, was bustling with activities when this reporter arrived for this interview. Despite his busy schedule, Hon. Prince Durojaye Afees (PDA) graciously created time to engage with this interviewer.
The interview proved far from an easy task, as the aspirant for the House of Representatives seat for Osogbo Federal Constituency answered every question with remarkable confidence and the composure of a seasoned politician who clearly understands the dynamics of the political landscape.
This report was compiled by the Editor-in-Chief/CEO of Mega Media, Starryman Samuel Arimiyo. Below are excerpts from the interview.
Question: For the purpose of our readers may we meet
you?
Answer: My name is Prince Durojaye Afees PDA
from Oba-Oke, Ward 10 in Olorunda local government Area of Osun state. I was
born in Oloba Oke’s compound, in a royal family; but I grew up at Oba-Ile under
the tutelage of late Alhaji Hassan Omoniyi also known as Sakotun. I attended
St. John’s Anglican Primary School Oba-Ile for my primary education and from
there I proceeded to Aderounmu Grammar School also in Oba-Ile after which I furthered
my education to Osun State Cooperative Training Center at Dada Estate, Osogbo.
After this, I got employed at Oba-Ile CICU as secretary. From there I went for
my OND in Accounting at Osun State Polytechnic Iree, after the required one
year Industrial attachment; I went back to the same Osun State Polytechnic Iree
for my HND also in Accounting. After my Youth service at Argungun local government
Area in Kebbi State, I joined the services of the Federal Capital Territory
with my HND only to discover that there’s a dichotomy between HND holders and
B.SC holders in the civil service, so I had to proceed to Nasarawa State
University to Obtain a B.SC in Accounting, but before then, I had gone to a
professional institution, the School of Accountancy in Jos for my ANAN certification
where I got inducted as an Accountant in 2013. The induction was done in
Katsina, I now used my professional certificate to apply for my Master’s degree
in Business Administration, MBA Finance, also at Nasarawa State University,
Keffi.
Question: It is said that politics is a
dirty game why did you leave a lucrative job to come into politics that was
said to be a dirty venture?
Answer: To me politics is not a dirty game, it is all
about perspective, according to Abraham Lincoln he said and I quote “If wise
people refuse to participate in politics, unwise people will be ruling them”
you cannot be outside the gate and be complaining about the people that are
inside on how they are running things you need to join them and see things for
yourself.
Question: So why did you join politics?
Answer: I didn’t just join politics now; I
have been in politics since 1998 during the time of Alliance for Democracy (AD),
my interest developed when I see my uncles who were in politics talk in public
so boldly, I was like whao, I want to be like this in the nearest future. When
AD later metamorphosed into Action Congress (AC), the current President, Bola
Ahmed Tinubu became my role model in the sense that I admire the way he was
able to hold Lagos as the only surviving AD governor and the way he was able to
win back most states in the South West when AC again metamorphosed to Action
Congress of Nigeria ACN. I listen to him critically each time I see him on TV
and I made up my mind that this politics, we will do it together, but having
said that, I have been participating in political activities in my hometown
from the beginning. I make tangible contributions to any political event in my
ward and local government, if I am not there physically, I ensure I am there
financially and many people can testify to this, especially the leaders of my
constituency. There was even a time that I invited the elders in my federal
constituency to my house for a get together and they were asking me “what are
you contesting for?” and I said no, I am not contesting for any position, I am
just trying to build the party, but I am waiting for God’s time.
Question: So has God’s time come now?
Answer: Yes, recently, the Chairman of
Ajisope Development Initiative called me that my people would want me to
represent them at the Federal House of Representatives and he too is throwing
his weight behind me. I had no choice but to answer the clarion call of my
people of Osogbo Federal Constituency to represent them. Myself and Ajisope are
from the same community, in actual fact, he had someone he wanted to promote
and give his full backing before me but unfortunately, the man passed on, may
his soul rest in peace, so Ajisope came to Abuja to invite me into the race saying
in all the consultations that he had made, everyone was rooting for me and by
the time he was introducing me to the people, they were all saying oh we know
this man, he’s a good man he will represent us well. As I said earlier on, it
was just a payback time because of my own little contribution to the party and
the people’s welfare, for instance, since 1999, any political office holder
that is coming to Abuja, I make it a point of duty to host and take good care
of them, I am always happy and elated anytime I see my people in Abuja. Also, I
always call my brother Hon. Moroof Ibikunle that anytime they have any
political activity he should let me know so I can make my own little
contribution.
Question: So how has it been since you joined the race?
Answer: It’s been wonderful, when I came back
from Abuja and Ajisope started taking me around to introduce me to party
leaders, I was amazed by people’s positive comments about me; citing many
instances of my benevolence to them, some of which I don’t even remember. They
were all saying, this man is good, we want him.
Question: Now, you have been presented to the people as the aspirant that Ajisope
supported, you have obtained, filled and submitted your nomination form, how
difficult was it for you to do all that considering the fact that 30 people
must put their signature to paper in your favour from your federal
constituency?
Answer: Honestly, I was amazed at the level
of cooperation we got, Ajisope contacted the party leaders in all the local
government Areas and they said bring it and within two days all the necessary
documents were signed and they all did it joyously!
Question: How did the screening exercise went in Abuja?
Answer: It went fine, the screening wasn’t as
tedious as I envisaged, they asked salient questions and I answered them with
equanimity and I later took a bow; so we are waiting for the result any moment
from now.
Question: How do you convince the people of Osogbo Federal constituency that you
are the best man for this job?
Answer: Any serious minded person vying to go
and represent the people must have plan and purpose, it shouldn’t be a race for
all comers, my manifesto, which I printed and distributed everywhere is
watertight and persuasive.
Question: What are you going to do differently when you get to the lower chamber
considering the fact that many have been there to represent your federal
constituency without any meaningful impact?
Answer: I so much love this question because
I am also a victim of the fall out of not being well represented. Some past
representatives cannot point to anything they did for the people or any project
they facilitated to any community. Mine is going to be different, it’s going to
be a radical departure from the past as I will challenge the people to hold me
responsible if I fail or disappoint them. I will make myself available and
listen to their complaints to know their immediate needs; I will open a
constituency office for that purpose. I will use my constituency allowances equitably
and judiciously, our people will see a great difference this time around by the
grace of God Almighty.
Question: Your
last word of advice to the people.
Answer: Yes, the party primary will be held
in few a day’s time but we are yet to know the mode of the primary, whether
it’s going to be a consensus or Direct primary, if it’s Direct primary, I am
appealing to all card carrying members of our party to kindly vote massively
for me and if it’s through a consensus, I equally appeal to our leaders to
please repose their confidence in me for quality representation.