In this interview with DIRISU YAKUBU, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Alade Jimoh, who is vying for a seat in the House of Representatives in the 2027 election, speaks on a wide range of issues, including the quest for Ogun West Senatorial District to produce the governor in 2027, the tax laws set to begin next year and the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun
Take us through your journey as an engineer and a politician
I am an engineer by training. I hold a Master’s degree in Technology and Industrialisation. I did my National Youth Service Corps scheme in 1987/1988 with Guinness Nigeria Limited, in Ogba, Lagos State. I’m a corporate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. In 1996, I became a chartered engineer, certified by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria. Outside the shores of Nigeria, I attended the Institute of Public Private Partnership, Virginia, United States of America; I participated in the Strategic Corporate Leadership, Maryland, USA and Power Generating Plant Technology Process and Management, Texas, USA. I worked and retired at the Nigerian Ports Authority. To work at the engineering department as an electrical engineer is the highest level of service to humanity that one can give to an establishment. Providing constant power supply to the ports for 35 years without any blemish is the highest level of commitment, a legacy anybody can leave behind. I did this for 35 years and retired without any blemish in 2018. Between 2018 till date, I have been involved in a lot of community projects across Ado/Ota Federal Constituency.
Can you tell us about some of these community projects?
Yes! As a Rotarian, I facilitated the renovation of Ilogbo Health Centre in Iju Ward, Ota Constituency 1. I was also involved in the renovation of Osi Health Centre when I was the President of the Rotary Club of Ota. I was part of the Committee that renovated Otu Health Centre, all within Ota. As a Rotarian, I also facilitated the installation of a computer e-learning programme at St. Stephen’s Comprehensive High School in Ado-Odo. I succeeded in renovating Ado-Odo Health Centre 11. I was the chairman of the committee that renovated Ado-Odo Palace Conference Centre. At present, I’m the Baba Adini of Ado-Odo. That allowed me to chair the committee that renovated the Ado-Odo Central Mosque. These have been my community projects across Ado-Odo/Ota in the past seven years.
Has this given you adequate political visibility to vie for a seat in federal parliament?
Oh yes! Just mention Alade Jimoh, the acceptability is there, the respect is there. I believe that if I have the opportunity to represent my people, I will promote a lot of changes. I will be a good ambassador to our youth. They already like me, they accept me, and they believe I will be a good role model to them. The intention is to serve my people in a bigger capacity. I will influence a lot of good policies and decision-making. As an engineer, I will surely drive development. As a politician, your closeness to the people is key. I have never been disconnected from them. They are always in my thoughts, always, even while I am not holding public office. You can imagine what the situation would be when I’m elected.
You ran for the parliamentary election in 2023 and lost. What are your chances in 2027?
I was chairman of the Campaign Committee that received Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor Dapo Abiodun during the 2019 campaign in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Areas.
During the campaigns, I was well organised and received by everybody. The campaign was a success, and I am proud to tell you that this launched me into Ado-Odo/Ota politics. Back to your question, in 2023, I contested against the formidable politicians. It is not that I lost the election. I had to respect the party’s policy. It was a well-contested election. The acceptability was massive, but you know, party policy is supreme ahead of personal interest. I have learned my lessons, too. One thing is to be sound, another thing is for one to say, ‘Look, I want A or B.’ I did not lose that election. For me, it was a win. Like I said, I have learned a lot from the odyssey in politics. When I contested, I got to know a few things, and those things would guide me in realising my dreams. What drives me is a passion for the people. I love the people, and they love me too. They know what I stand for. They know that if given the opportunity, I will do more for them.
What is your position on the 2027 Ogun governorship election?
For all intents and purposes, it is the turn of Ogun West to produce the next governor. For Ogun West to produce the next governor, it is not only a demand; it is long overdue. It is for justice, peace and unity. The slogan of our party, APC, is justice, peace and unity. There is this saying in the engineering corridor that it is an injustice when equals are treated unequally. In Ogun State, we have Ogun East, Ogun West and Ogun Central Senatorial Districts. Ogun State was created in 1976. From 1976 to date, Ogun West has never produced the governor of our state. The governorship has been rotated between Ogun East and Ogun Central. In all the elections, both Ogun East and Ogun Central always depended on Ogun West to win. It will be an injustice for Ogun West, which has been the sole determinant of their winning the elections, not to produce the governor. This time, we are calling on leaders across the state, even at the federal level, to support Ogun West to produce the governor in 2027.
As a stakeholder in Ogun West, have you identified anyone from the senatorial district with the right pedigree to vie for the governorship?
We have gotten a good aspirant, and that is Senator Adeola Olamilekan, popularly known as Yayi. Yayi is an experienced politician who has been in the system for a very long time. He has what it takes to lead our dear state. As an accountant, this is his second term in the Senate representing Ogun West. He is currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. He knows what goes on everywhere. He knows what goes to Ogun State and where Ogun State should be. Give him the mandate, and he will transform Ogun State. His empowerment always caters for the three Senatorial Districts. He does not discriminate. He is a leader who believes in the infrastructural development of the entire state, not just his Ogun West Senatorial District. He is a bridge builder we need to take Ogun State to the next level. As a senator, he has done a lot for the people, facilitating the construction of roads across the state. Yayi distributed Information and Communication Technology tools for many secondary schools in the State. Others are bursary and scholarship awards for tertiary institutions and intensive care units for all general hospitals across the five local governments that make up Ogun West Senatorial District. 2027 should be a year of fairness to Ogun West when its solidarity with the other senatorial districts over the past decades is expected to be rewarded. The conversation around this should prioritise the interests of Ogun West so that the people will know where they are in the political scheme of things.
How would you rate the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration?
Governor Abiodun is doing a wonderful job. He has really lifted Ogun State forward with many developmental projects. Some of these include New Airport Road, Attan Agbara Road, Owode/Ilaro Road and the Ijebu-Ode/ Epe Road. These projects, among many others, have improved the image of Ogun State. Yayi will consolidate on these achievements if given the opportunity. The APC-led government mean well for the people. The party is development-driven and people-centric. Gov Abiodun has justified his election as governor, and it is our hope that Yayi will take it a step further. Given his antecedents, the people are anxious to see him mount the saddle and make Ogun State better. But there is a process, and we know that the party knows what to do at the appropriate time.
Nigerians are bracing for the take-off of a new tax regime next year. What are your expectations?
The implementation of the tax reforms will take off in January 2026. More taxes will mean more money for the Federal Government’s purse. This means that more projects will be implemented across the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The tax implementation may prove a bit tough on Nigerians, but I urge them to embrace it because this is the right time for it. I plead with the Federal Government to make the implementation a gradual process. The low-income earners will pay less, and some of them will be exempted from paying tax. The new tax law is good news for small-scale entrepreneurs. As an engineer, I know there will be more money in the system to the states and to the local governments. The Federal Government should be stricter with the local governments in the utilisation of these monies. We hope that as they receive more money, there will be something on the ground to show for it. We used to be carefree, but in the near future, this country will move forward. The new tax laws have come to stay, and we should face them.
As we all know, new economic policies often come with challenges, but with time, the impact will be felt and everyone will be happy. The removal of the petroleum subsidy is tough on the people who are finding it difficult to cope with the level of their disposable income. Nigerians will gradually feel the impact of these policies and will be glad that the President did well by taking the steps he took to put the country back on the path of prosperity.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).