Engr. Abduljelil Adekunle Kariheem is the family head (Mogaji) of the popular Adanla compound in Ibadan. He’s the arrowhead of the group of family heads (Mogajis) of Ibadanland who endorsed the second term ambition of Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde last week.
Though their decision has been opposed by some other Mogajis who felt they acted on their own and have since distance themselves from the purported endorsement. They said though they have nothing against Makinde’s re-election bid but that they never at any point in time endorsed any governorship candidate.
But Adanla has insisted that there is no division among the Mogajis whatsoever. He maintains that what happened was just a communication gap between the Mogajis and that it has since been resolved. In this interview, he spoke on why the Mogajis believe Governor Seyi Makinde deserves a second term. He also speak about his relationship with other 2 main contenders in the governorship race, as well as his new lifestyle as the Turaki Adinni of Oyo State.
The recent endorsement of Gov. Seyi Makinde’s second term bid by some Ibadan Mogajis which you are part of has created a kind of division the chiefs. Tell us about it?
Well, there is no division. What happened was just a kind of little misunderstanding among the Mogajis. It has since been resolved amicably. The decision to support Engr. Seyi Makinde’s second term ambition is in the interest of Ibadan, and Oyo State generally. Our decision was based on the achievements of Governor Seyi Makinde in the last four years. These are the achievements people can see.
Don’t you think this kind of endorsement can create enmity since there are other Ibadan indigenes in the race? Don’t you feel the Mogajis should be apolitical?
I believe Mogajis can endorse, and I have said it severally that it has been done in the past. There is no big deal about it. The fact that we are not politicians doesn’t mean we can’t contribute to issues that are pertaining to development of Ibadanland. Mind you, not all the governorship aspirants are Ibadan Indigenes. Fine, the three major contenders are from Ibadan – His Excellency Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, Distinguished Senator Teslim Folarin and Oloye Bayo Adelabu.
So, we don’t want to be foolish. We want to manage the slot very well. We don’t want to play to the hands of others. So if we say let’s use our slot judiciously, let’s go for this person. I don’t think there is anything wrong in that. I have said it on several occasions that the other two candidates are qualified as well. Folarin is a third time senator. He has been around for a long time. He is also an Ibadan senior chief, an Olubadan in waiting inshallah. He is a good brother of mine. His house is just behind this place (pointing to the other street). His father happens to be the first Baale of this area, may his soul rest in peace.
Oloye Bayo Adelabu is very smart and young and charismatic. They are both good products as well. I’m just pleading with them to let’s allow Engr. Seyi Makinde complete the good projects he has embarked upon. The most popular among them which is the biggest is the south circular road. If that is left abandoned, it is going to be too much loss for us to bear.
But governance is continuum, anybody in power can complete government projects? Are you saying your endorsement was based on Ibadan sentiments?
We are not just supporting Engr. Seyi Makinde because he is an Ibadan Indigene. As mentioned earlier, we possibly have about five Ibadan Indigenes as candidates of different political parties in the race. So, we didn’t endorse him on that grounds. We endorsed him based on the fact that he is a promise keeper. For being a leader with listening ears and being a visionary. It’s very glaring, walk around Ibadan in the night, every corner you will see lights. When streets are well illuminated there is reduction in crime. There is a popular saying in Yoruba that, “Oru la seka” (crimes are perpetuated in darkness).
Look at our roads, look at the education sector, security etc. The endorsement was done based on assessment of his performance.
Are Mogajis doing this in the interest of Ibadanland or for their personal gains? Is there any financial attachment to the endorsement?
This question has continued popping up all the time. I have made it clear that there is nothing like that. I don’t know the amount of inducement that can make me compromise on my believe. You have known me for years now. And to be honest with you, I don’t fall in the category of poor Nigerians that could be easily bought over.
This same Engr. Makinde was the one I told before 2019 election that, “we’ll work for you and Engr. Rauf Olaniyan but when it comes to Oyo South, am with Senator Soji Akanbi of ADC then”. I also told him that if he fills his house with dollars and give them to me, it won’t change my mind on that. This is the same me that was with Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for half an hour, negotiating soft landing for APC in Ibadan before 2019 election. I made it clear to the Vice President that APC should forget about Ibadan. When that couldn’t be resolved, the Vice President called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and we shitted the meeting to Bourdillon. I said to Asiwaju that “Baba, please forget about 2019 because Ibadan is not with APC”.
So, if I can take Ibadan struggle to that level and didn’t fall to inducement. Now tell me how someone can think we are doing this for personal gains. This is purely on merit.
So you see Governor Seyi Makinde winning the coming guber election based on your assessment?
Why not? The great Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja once told us when we were arguing about who will and who won’t win election. He said politicians are less than 20%, voters carry the majority figure. So, if a candidate is in good order with the voters. Yes, he can win. Am not saying politicians are irrelevant and can’t add value. But because you have few aggrieved politicians doesn’t stop anybody from winning an election. Remember after late ex-gov Ajimobi’s first term, the Ibadan elites that believe they can pocket any governor and want contracts award to them became rebels when that didn’t happen. Did it make any difference? No. Ajimobi still won the second time. So, Governor Seyi Makinde will win the second time based on merit and the love people have for him.
Is this political side of you just evolving or it has been there all along?
I have been involved in politics in one way or the other since the days SDP and NRC.
Tell us about it?
We were with Late Chief R.A Okedina, the father of Hon. Leye Okedina, the Mogaji Toki. We were opening drinks for them and all that but we have been listening and have learnt a lot from them. And till today, am still a keen observer of what is going on around me. You don’t just want to fold your arms or be a coward. That is the difference between me and the other people. I’m not a coward. Whenever I see something that is not good, I must speak. I fought late former governor Ajimobi for years. I was asked to be induced and I said no. That was why the presidency came in before Asiwaju was later involved.
I’m still not a politician though. Am not a card-carrying member of any political party. I’m just someone the Ibadan people believe in and want to listen to. I have never attended meeting of any political party.
Whoever wants to dispute that is free to come out. Today, am talking well of Engr. Seyi Makinde of PDP. Tomorrow I could be talking well of someone else from Labour Party or APC or SDP. I have them all as friends. So this has nothing to do with any political party. But when it comes to Ibadan interest, my people know me very well.
As you have seen the good side of Governor Makinde, there must be other areas where he’s not doing well. Have you ever called his attention to his lapses too?
I can’t be your friend without fighting you when need be. Like I stated at the early stage of this interview that I had once said to Engr. Seyi Makinde in his house before 2019 election that, nothing can make me change my mind regarding Senator Soji Akanbi.
Who happens to be a third generation family friend. Our fathers have always been friends. So, whenever I see something that am not comfortable with I will approach him. You don’t just wake up and become an engineer. It takes two things to become an engineer. You must be competent. And if you want to go back to oxford, it defines competency as combination of skill and ability. Skill is what we acquire through school, vocational trainings etc. But ability must be inbuilt. Engr. Seyi Makinde is a very smart person. If you give him superior argument on issues, he will play by your theory. And that is why I said he has listening ears. Of course, no human being is perfect. So, whenever there is mistake you take it to him, he will listen and make amends.
You seems to have been off the social circle since you became Turaki Adinni of Oyo State?
Of course, my social outings have reduced but not totally gone. I do attend social events but they are selective. It must be close family functions. Yes, my position as Turaki Adinni of Oyo State is responsible for the change. Another thing is also change of lifestyle. You know am over 50 now. When I clocked 50, God revealed many things to me. Since then I do things as commanded by God. He wants me to concentrate more on serving him and humanity as well. We have had fun, I have seen it all. So when I clocked 50 God said to me, “big man this is a turning point for you”.
So how have you been coping with this new lifestyle, having used to attending parties and being mention by musicians?
I have been coping very well. You know despite all the fun we had, I have never taken alcohol in my life. I have never smoked in my life. Though many people may not know that, seeing you at parties and being sing praise by musicians doesn’t mean you do what every other person is doing. I’m from a very religious background. I grew up that way. So, the change to me is almost nothing. It makes me more happy. I have inner peace, I’m more committed with God. I listen to His voice before taking any action
What does it takes to be Turaki Adinni of Oyo State?
Many things. You must be consistent. Our family happens to be the first set of Ibadan people that embraced Islam. Most of us in Oke-Are are known for that. We have always been great champions of Islam in Ibadanland, and that is what really contributed to my emergence as Turaki Adinni of Oyo State.
What is your main role as Turaki Adinni?
To make sure the interest of my people is protected. Turaki is actually a borrowed language. The meaning is someone who is a crown prince of a palace, not technically the king but whatever he says goes. Protecting the interest of my people, which I have always been doing even since my secondary school days. I’m now doing more of that. Like I told some guys few days ago that, if there is any of Governor Makinde’s policies that is affecting Muslims negatively they should let me know. I will confront him with it.
