The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Kwara State House of Assembly candidate for Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, Ambassador Salahudeen Lukman popularly known as Eluku Omo Adugbo, in this media interaction tagged “RESCUE TALK SHOW WITH ELUKU”, elucidated his manifestos, plans and other issues bordering his candidacy.
Enjoy the excerpts:
Q: Out of the shores of politics, what is your biggest challenge in life?
AIG Eluku: That would be the choice of being truthful or deceptive at the particular time we were conducting our PDP primary election. All of us (aspirants) numbering five were asked to choose our mode of election – primary or consensus. We chose the latter. We also vowed to support any among us that later clinched the ticket. At that point, we were asked individually; how do we merit this ticket and what’s our popularity and chance of winning. Expectedly, everyone gave self promoting reports, their respective capacities and popularity. This was so challenging for me. I coul not claim a level of popularity I was yet to attain in Kwara, Offa or my Constituency (Ojomu/Balogun).
I told the truth about my popularity, thus put the other aspirants ahead of myself despite we were in a hot contest for the same ticket. It was so challenging but I remained grateful to my creator for taking that path of truth because truth and sincerity are always the best foundations for whatever one wishes for a rewarding end.
Question: What would you describe as accountability?
AIG Eluku: Accountability is giving accurate figure of physical, infrastructural and human resources as entrusted in one’s care. It’s a pure definition of one’s sincerity to those we are accounting to.
Accountability also means giving sincere and true state of things devoid any sentiment or interference. It establishes godliness of an individual and how much such fellow fears his/her creator. This is because whatever a man covers, the Almighty God is in the best knowledge of it. It is therefore beyond figure accuracy but confirmation of one’s sincerity and level of God’s fear in his or her heart.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 20 years?
AIG Eluku: Only God knows tomorrow but it is good for a man to plan ahead because the secret of success is for a man to be ready whenever the opportunity comes.
As a young emerging political leader from Offa local government with wide network of politically conscious and young Nigerians across the six geo political zones and 36 state including FCT, it is my dream to preside over the affairs of Nigeria someday, with special focus on national assembly as senate president.
Q: What is your view on the politics of Ojomu/Balogun constituency before and today?
AIG Eluku: Ojomu/Balogun constituency remains the heart of Offa local government area of Kwara State. It’s the constituency that hostS the major economic hub of Offa land and Ibolo Kingdom, the great owode Market. It also hosts all the commercial banks.
It is the most populated as well. Hence, the constituency remains the most strategic that deserves every attention of state government. The constituency have also produced great people and powerful political leaders of great thoughts and reasonable political elites as well as business giants.
We have the likes of great Late Chief JS Olawoyin, Late Chief EO Adesoye among other prominent elderly statesmen in the constituency.
We have equally produced Offa Local Government Chairmen times without number and those we produced remain the best among others that have served our people delightfully and diligently.
The politics of the constituency have always favoured the young emerging political leader, taking you aback, High Chief Isiaka Shittu former Offa LGA Chairman now High Chief Asalofa of Offa. He ascended the seat of chairmanship in his 30s. Also Chief Barrister Segun Olawoyin became Offa LG chairman in his 30s, too. Hon Saheed Popoola equally rose to political prominence in his 30s.
So, it is not out of place to say Ojomu/Balogun Constituency is very youth friendly and is an enabling environment. This remains my view.
Q: You have never contested/served in any political office, what is the secret behind your sudden popularity?
AIG Eluku: The simple answer to this is Alhamdullilah. Let’s just give thanks to God. Like I mentioned earlier, once your intention is pure and clean, everything falls in place because God judges not by actions but intentions. Immediately I secured my party PDP’s nomination as candidate, I have being conducting myself with absolute sincerity.I don’t fake my lifestyle nor make fake promises. I offer every support I can within my reach and I have being spreading the gospel of new direction, fresh brain and new idea for new political gains. And to the glory of God, our people have seen the sincerity of purpose, undisputable determination and readiness to turn things around for good, hence our wide acceptability beyond political party line fell in place.
Q: What Would You Do If You Become Governor Of Kwara State?
AIG Eluku: If such opportunity comes, Industrialization of Kwara is a point of concern. Industrial revolution by attracting and winning investors to the state will be my first task.
Moreso, I will be committed to end insecurity, hunger and poverty in the state. Reasonable job creations, expansion of state IGR beyond multi taxing system currently employed will change our story from being a salary earner state to a producing state.
These will be my first targets.
It also boils down to getting off good numbers of youths off the street, engage them in productive acts so as to end insecurity and poverty.
Q: How best do you manage your emotions?
AIG Eluku: I have long locked my emotion to destiny and circumstances, I pick consolations from the Holy Quran or Hadith so nothing happens to me with shock. I accept fate faster before anything hence, I have won every battle against my emotion. I expect nothing so when I get little, I feel grateful. I plan for positivity and negativity in every endeavour; therefore anyone that comes to me do meet me in good faith.
Q: What do you engage yourself with when it comes to personal development?
AIG Eluku: professional training, reading and traveling for on-the-spot experiences.
Q: Where/how do you see Ojomu/Balogun constituency in the next 20 years?
AIG Eluku: Ojomu/Balogun constituency will be a center of attraction, innovations and ideology to Kwara state perennial problems as well as Nigeria.
