Barr. Aladodo berates political parties in Kwara, says they’re deceivers

…promises good representation if elected lawmaker

Abdulateef Aladodo is an Ilorin based legal practitioner who has carved a niche for himself in the legal world. The lawyer cum politician defeated all his rivals in a keenly contested primary election to emerge candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), representing Ajikobi/Alanamu constituency for Kwara State House of Assembly. The young lawyer who is the principal partner of Aladodo Solicitors & Co. speaks with this medium on his aspirations and perceptions of other parties in the state.

Excerpts:

We seem to be having young progressive minded people participating in politics now, what informed your interest?

The basic thing that motivated me to join politics is the zeal to serve my people in my localty and to serve the state as a whole. I could see how my people are suffering, how they are being deceived and not contempted with that. I feel it’s time for people with good personality and integrity to come onboard and serve with no personal interest. My people are not being well represented and it’s not a thing of joy. Politics is about equipping people with sustainable values and resources, is about making them smile.

What do you mean by saying your people are being deceived?

As I’m aspiring for house Assembly, those people who have served us before, we couldn’t see their impacts. The PDP that left the scene, we didn’t feel any impact likewise the present honourable member of the ruling party. We supported ‘Otoge’ then because we wanted to benefit and enjoy government, but, it’s a pity, nothing to show for it. Some of my people, particularly, the youths, they want me to come out to challenge the PDP and APC, they know I won’t disappoint them. Ever since, the pressure has been much on me to answer the Clarion call. My coming into the game is not to enrich my pocket but to better the lot of my people. I’ve been a legal practitioner for some times, people can testify of how I’ve used that profession to assist them in different ways.

Do you think your chances are bright in YPP, being a new party?

I decided to declare my intention under YPP because it’s a party with people of integrity. People who have no stains or corruption allegation. Before I joined the party, I first checked all the parties on ground, I looked into PDP, I discovered deceivers are there. SDP is not a party where I can achieve my interest. I’ve observed ever since I joined, people in YPP don’t have interest in corruption. It’s a corruption free party.

You’re relatively young, under 30, do you think your age will count in your favour?

We’ve tasted the old people and no impacts, I’m young, vibrant, intelligent and ready to pillot the affairs of my community to a greater heights. They tell us we’re the future of tomorrow, and we’ve kept on wandering when that tomorrow will come. People who are old enough to be our grandfathers have retained themselves in politics, refuses to give younger blood a chance. If we don’t challenge this, and come out, they will continue

People say you don’t have deep pocket to prosecute your election.

What matter is objectivity, and I’m very optimistic with what I do. Studying law and going to law school is not an easy task. I’m not from a rich family but God always support me and make things easy for me particularly when I pray. I believe in God. Regarding the issue of expenses, God will do it. Over the years, I’ve been serving people, doing cases on pro bono. As a matter of fact, cost implications is settled, people who gave me go ahead are solidly behind me. They are ready to continue their philanthropical gesture.

Looking at the game of politics and governance from the years past in Kwara State, what will you say?

Kwara State is crawling, in fact, it’s like we’re not moving at the right pace. During Saraki regime, before you can get job, one must know a political figure in PDP, but the present government is not like that, this government is trying by giving a level plain ground to all regardless of their political affiliations.