Although he stays in Illinois with his beautiful wife, Temmie, Ibadan is the hometown of ace writer, English teacher and literary editor, Kola Tubosun. He was born in Ibadan and grew up in the city. He went to some of the finest public schools in Ibadan and had brief spell at some of the city's media outlets including the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo state (BCOS).
In this exclusive interview with IBPulse.com, Tubosun reminisced on the political turf in Ibadan when he was in the city. He also shared his opinion of past administrations and the state and tried to explain the principle behind the no second term jinx.
What
do you find intriguing about the politics of Ibadan and Oyo state?
Well, the most fascinating is that no governor has ever won
a second term in the state. That will surely have consequences for continuity,
though I’m also all for removing whomever is not doing well to serve the people
of the state.
Who would you describe as the best leaders the state ever had?
The Action Group leaders of the eighties did a number of
good things, including free education at all levels. We’ve also had some good
military administrators, one of which was Adedeji Oresanya who led the state
while I was growing up. I have seen a number of good things by the current
administration, so you can give him kudos too. Best? I have no idea. The Akala
and Ladoja years are certainly some of the most forgettable.
The Ladoja-Akala times should be best forgotten. It was a
most disgraceful time.
What
was your favorite election period?
I don’t have any. No state in Nigeria is ever quite livable
when elections are going on. Until that is fixed, we haven’t yet arrived
anywhere.
How
would you describe the average Ibadan voter?
Speaking of myself: an extremely careful one. You want to
exercise your rights, yet you don’t want to lose your head to the excesses of
street thugs or their law enforcement accomplices.
What
do you think Ibadan voters desire or require from their leaders?
Accountability. Respect for the electorate. A delivery of
basic social amenities: power, water, good roads, education, and health.
What
is (or are) quite peculiar with Ibadan voters?
Give Ibadan voters (or voters anywhere) the basic amenities
I listed above, and they’ll vote for you. Or else force your way into the
governor’s office as we’ve seen in the past.
Oyo
state is currently the only state where it has not yet been possible for a serving
governor in the state to get a second term. Why is this so?
Popular participation and political consciousness by the
people? Luck? Jinx? I don’t know! I’d like to think that it’s a result of the
republican mindset of Ibadan politics. The fact that you have to deserve
anything before you get it. And the fact that the populace is politically
conscious enough to kick out any non-performing governor. However, the truth
might just be a combination of luck, brute politics, and chance.
What
is your opinion on the second term jinx?
Not much. If a leader performs well, he should be re-elected
(though if a leader is a hardworking one, he may not even have to need a second
term anyway).
En
route 2015, what are your desires and aspirations for the city and state –
politically and governance-wise
I want a state that is relevant to the lives of the people.
Not a governor too invested in politics as to spend all his time in Abuja with
national politics and Governor’s Forum etc, but one who cares about what the
citizens of the state want. Ibadan used to be West Africa’s largest city. It
deserves a plan and a governing philosophy that treats its citizens and
structures as decent people, with needs for a decent living conditions.
How
would you rate Gov. Ajimobi’s performance so far?
From the little I’ve encountered, he has done a number of
good things. Roads, especially. The Ilorin-Ojoo route is an impressive work, as
is the Mokola bridge. Now let’s focus on health, education, water, and power.
If
given the chance to decide for the people of Oyo state, who would you put
forward as the ideal candidate?
I don’t know the aspirants. A woman, maybe?
You seem to
be in support of a female governor for Oyo state. Have you lost faith in the
male politicians?
No, but I like new things.
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