A known figure in tourism and hospitality development and investment in Nigeria, Chief Samuel Olu Alabi has carved a niche for himself in politics and is now a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Kwara state. In this brief interview with Royaltimes, the Erin-Ile born legal practitioner popularly called Oluomo shares his opinion on the 2019 election in Kwara and also about his political ambition.
Royaltimes: What is your evaluation of the election in Kwara state and especially in your immediate constituency?
Alabi: So far, everything went well. As a stakeholder who was also on ground to ensure that the conduct was good and also played my civic responsibility to ensure that we usher in a government who has the love of the people, I can commend INEC and Security officials for a job well done. Against what people may say in any other place, this election was free, fair, peaceful and credible. It is a great accomplishment to know that the vote of the people counts.
Royaltimes: In 2015, you were an aspirant for the Senate, why didn’t you contest again in 2019?
Alabi: In 2015, we had a party that was already properly grounded and formed. This time around, we have a party where some members have left to join the PDP. Some other members of the existing PDP also left to join us in APC. With that development, I think what should be my utmost agenda as a leader is to be the fusion of the two elements. My ambition, I felt will cause division within the party. So, I swallowed my own agenda in the interest of the survival and cohesion of the party.
Royaltimes: So, subsequently, are we likely to see you coming out to contest again?
Alabi: Position is of God. A man that believes in his own wisdom alone will not last long. If God inspires me to come out and try, why will I not do so? But for me, as at now, I have no such agenda. All I crave for now is to see that APC is strongly rooted in Kwara state, in Oyun local government and particularly in Erin-Ile, my country home. That is my ultimate objective. And so far, I have no cause to regret not vying for any position.
Royaltimes: And do you feel your people are satisfied that you did not vie for any position?
Alabi: Leadership entails carrying along the people. A leader must be able to explain to the satisfaction of the followers why a particular decision is taken and why some others were not. And I think they were satisfied with the explanation that the first thing to do is find cohesion within the party, make sure that you are one. There are several people showing interest in some other places and unwilling to sacrifice, making the whole thing murky. We can’t do that. Rather, the ultimate goal must be the interest of the party and the people.
Royaltimes: You are a big name to reckon with when it comes to Kwara politics, how prepared are you to work with your party?
Alabi: Kwara has come of age. There is a moving train and anybody who loves Kwara will want to jump on the train. I had always said that I am confident that the APC will sweep the offices in Kwara at the polls. Anywhere the party wants me to serve, I will surely be there, even if it is to clear the hall that the inauguration will take place, I will do it with joy. I have no preference for whatever position. Again, the ultimate aim for people like me is to make sure that the people who gave APC the mandate are not disappointed.
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