Yewa South deserves better representation – APC aspirant

A marketing communications professional and the Group Managing Director of First Katalyst Group, Soji Odedina, speaks with FELIX OLOYEDE on why he is seeking to be a candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency for the 2027 election

You have been a professional for years. How do you intend to navigate your way in the political space?

I’ve been talking to my people at the local level. Do you know that Ipokia Local Government, which I’m hoping to represent, has not had light in five years? And the question I’ve been asking is, who is talking to Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company on this? Who is talking to all the other relevant agencies of government? And I promised them, we will engage, and there will be light. Actually, one of my slogans is “Imolede.” We are embarking on an empowerment programme to distribute solar lights to homes in the next couple of days. So, we are going to make promises to our people and fulfil them consistently.

Apart from the issue of light, what other things concern you about your constituents?

So, if Tongeji starts tomorrow and is built up, the entire Ipokia Local Government will not lack electricity. But the question is, who is leading this conversation for my people? Who’s engaging on their behalf? Now, the Chinese are heavily present in Nigeria, and they are investing in different sectors of the economy. I was talking to a senior person who works with a Chinese company recently. I said, “Let’s work on this together. Let’s bring these Chinese investors to Tongeji and bring up Tongeji. It will be to the benefit of everyone in Yewa land.

What we’ve seen in the past is that people just go to represent us, and do things for themselves and come back home. This ambition is all about the development of my constituency; otherwise, I should be resting.

What do you intend to do differently?

First of all, I’m untainted. I’m a fresh face. I’ve never been involved in politics until six months ago when I threw my heart into the ring. I have seen the world. I’ve worked in Dubai, I’ve worked in Nigeria, I’ve worked everywhere. I’ve met people. There is no door that I cannot knock on. I want to follow the footsteps of Senator Solomon Adeola. In the history of development in Ogun West, Senator Solomon Adeola has done a lot, as he knows the right doors to knock. The development that we have seen in Ogun West in the last three years beats what has been seen in the 50 years of Ogun State. He did the road at the apex point of my village, and it was named after my family, Odedina Road. We never believed that anything like that could happen. So, Yayi brought development. I want to follow in that trajectory and ensure that I add to what is on the ground. We will bring opportunities to our people. We will get young people employed. That’s the difference I’m going to bring. There is so much opportunity in Nigeria, but you need to know the right people, the right source, the right businesses to attract. That’s why I think I have an edge.

Apart from grassroots support, have you been able to get the buy-in of political leaders in the state?

I’m relying on the promise of President Bola Tinubu. There’s a new Electoral Act which states that candidates emerge either by consensus or direct primary. Consensus means that if six persons are vying for a position, they must all agree in writing on whom they are supporting. If there is one dissent, then all of us must go to the field. At this point, in direct primary, every party member of the APC has an opportunity to elect whoever they want. So, it’s an election before the real election. That is why I am building momentum from the grassroots, as when a direct primary happens, I know I have an edge.

You’ll be representing two local governments. How do you intend to ensure nobody is marginalised?

My father is from the town called Ijofin in Ipokia Local Government. When Pastor Oshofa stepped into Nigeria, that was the first place he stepped into, and he worshipped there. Nigeria’s first Customs post was built in Ijofin. It’s in the corridor of the border with the Benin Republic. My mum is from Ilaro in another local government. So, I have my two legs in the two local governments. And I understand the needs which I will cater for separately.

Politics is local. You are seen as a Lagos-based man. How have you been able to connect to your grassroots?

Some time ago, I went with all my friends to my town from Lagos. As we were going along that Idiroko Road, immigration officers stopped us and asked where we were going. I told him we were going to Ijofin, my hometown. The guy said, “You are not from Ijofin.” And I said, “What do you mean?” He said, “You cannot be from there.” I said, “Is there a way Ijofin people look that I don’t look?” But to be honest, in the last 6 months, there’s been so much awareness and acceptance. Again, most likely because our people see a fresh face. They see compassion. The people see someone who can take them out of the wilderness. And that’s what we represent. Everywhere we have gone, the reception has been overwhelming.

You are vying for the ticket with six other people. That must be a huge task for a new entrant like you.

I refer to the Electoral Act. The first thing is to try to find a consensus among all of us. And to be honest, if they all agree to support me, that will be beautiful. That will be the best. But if they don’t, then we get to the field. Democracy is a test of popularity. Let’s see who has done the best field work. Let’s see the person whom the people want as their representative. So, we will stick to the Electoral Act and then explore all the opportunities it has given us.

What do you make of the chances of the African Democratic Congress in the next general election?