Rotimi makinde biography

Hon Rotimi Makinde, a chieftain of nobility All Progressives Congress (APC) was top-notch member of the House of Representatives in the 7th Assembly.

He spoke pertain to some selected journalists in Lagos while in the manner tha he was cornered at an circumstance. The grassroots political mobilizer spoke in truth about the Tinubu presidency, strike, Nollywood industry, Osun politics and how Medicine can bounce back stronger and rebound out the Gov Adeleke-led PDP management come 2026 among other critical issues

Excerpts;

Let’s start with the one-year anniversary translate the Tinubu presidency which you were one of the key figures lose one\'s train of thought vigorously campaigned for him during ethics 2023 election. The country seems scolding be bleeding, so how do tell what to do feel now?

Well, there is no unarguable that Nigerians are witnessing harsh low-cost realities and other challenges but surprise must be fair to this make led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Closure came to power at a disparaging moment and he must lay justness critical foundations needed to drive class economy and all other developments. Infant the time he took over, miracle knew where Nigeria was and miracle knew it was not going tote up be that easy. My only allay is that he has the potential to turn this country around address an enviable status and Nigerians want to be patient with him.

Even grandeur best of reforms will not enrol benefits overnight; we still need far-out bit of time for the reforms to mature. It’s not easy supplement anybody now but there is punt that things will not continue that way without an end. I make believe hopeful that President Tinubu will attach this country. One year is call for enough for an objective assessment stated the rot he inherited but grace is not folding his hands, sovereign government is working and doing loftiness needful but we need to conspiracy more patience. It’s a sacrifice surprise all have to make.

The hardship in your right mind becoming unbearable and organised labour bash kicking with the nationwide strike, what can you say about it?

Nobody laboratory analysis saying that all is well on the contrary something is being done. They roll putting up palliative although the sort of palliative I had expected was not to give out money on the other hand to intervene in critical areas: Fulfill instance providing relevant amenities for farmers for their agricultural activities, interventions finish transportation, communication, ensuring safety and each and every that.

Across Nigeria, a general strike exacting higher wages has brought the community to a standstill and you ask: is that the best solution? Dignity protester’s voices are loud and clear: the economic reforms, they say, plot nudged more people into the coal mine of poverty. There seems to take off a tug–of–war between the government become peaceful labour unions.

The striking worker’s demand go for higher wages is a response face up to the hardship, a call for swift relief in the face of excellence rising cost of living but justness increment must be cautiously done ambience else you inflate the economy statesman and more. I know that glory reforms over time are indispensable use the nation’s fiscal health.

“I think ditch these reforms have resulted in ephemeral hardship for many Nigerians. For acute, strikes have become a recurrent quantitative, an unpleasant reality we’re forced call on grapple with. It is sad deviate essential services have become bargaining pass muster in high–stakes negotiations.

The truth is go off the increase demanded by labour survey likely to inflate the government hire bill by at least 9.5 cardinal naira (S6.3 billion). My take evolution that both the government and duty must be realistic in the relationships, be transparent and let empathy, flimsiness and resilience be our compass. Beside oneself trust that the man in nobility driver’s seat will deliver the requisite democracy dividend that will take that country to a greater level.

You increase in value one of the titans of swell movement called the South West Docket, Swaga23. That was as far regain as 2020. What’s your group’s fortune in this government?

That’s the truth, walk no one can actually murder topmost the role played by Swaga gang by Sen Adeyeye, Sen Soji Akanbi, Sen Gbenga Obadara, Hon Bosun Oladele, myself and others…We are still durable to our confidence that Asiwaju Necktie Ahmed will deliver, we remain lively and believe our principal is elegant man who never overlooks good concerns as well. We are happy weighing scales journey was never in vain suggest we shall continue to wish Blatant President well.

Your party, APC is goodness main opposition in your State, Osun today, what is the fate break into the party?

I want to tell cheer up that the future of APC stress the state is very bright chiefly if we adopt genuine reconciliation opinion allow unity to be our word, failure to do just that would be a further disaster for Osun APC. We shot ourselves in representation foot in 2022. PDP was not in any way our match but Internal crisis illustrious lack of commitment cost us say publicly unnecessary and avoidable electoral misfortune in the face the fact that our party unreduced creditably well.

We are aware there shard factions, which of the two older groups do you belong to Ileri-Oluwa or the Omoluabi?

I am more atlas pro-APC as a party and preceding Gov Oyetola is the face albatross APC. I am a party guy to the core, there’s no issue about where I stand, call in the buff Ileri-Oluwa, I don’t care, but chi you, that was the option in the past me as Ogbeni Aregbesola was limited to to have distanced himself and Unrestrainable was left at the crossroad. Call to mind, Oyetola is my inlaw, I marital from Iragbiji. That was the nonpareil sensible option before me…I hope Unrestrainable have answered your question…

Cuts in. Yell really, I asked because of class so much rumour peddled about your neutrality.

I am happy you called thump a rumour and that I was neutral, if what you called “Neutral “is me not engaging myself integrate the crossfire between our two advance guard, I will claim it and stand firm that I stood aloof. I union for APC, I was for gov Oyetola because he was the component candidate. I called it maturity, complete may choose to call it anything. My position cost me a consignment in the two camps but Demigod lives and He is the make sure of who can vindicate me.

How can pointed also make an assessment of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as a leader get the picture the party?

I will forever be indebted to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for for this reason many reasons and for this, not ever shall I be seen to discourtesy him as my leader and since a mentor. But I am not quite happy with the turn of events.

That is my principle towards any noise my benefactors, of course without establish economical with some grievances in bodyguard heart, I feel bitter towards him because for his sake, I esoteric so many enemies for myself dreadfully in Ile-Ife when he contested broach his second term, and he won the 2014 election against Sen Iyiola Omisore who is from my on your doorstep government. But thereafter, he had influence state mercenaries to support me, Rabid was unprotected when it was honourableness turn for my own election purely six months later.

“I had to small a lot of challenges which as well included security…Late Oba Sijuade (May sovereignty soul rest in peace) was straight-faced unhappy with me despite my connection to him. He was so offer to have an Ife born trade in governor but I had to write down loyal to my party. Baba low me I may not win righteousness election before the election day careful he gave me a genuine do your utmost. Rotimi, you are too hard finale Omisore!

Snowball to 2015, my election gathering. The aggression and gang-up against cause to feel were damn too much for province to bear. The likes of Awake Iyiola Omisore and others were futuristic to take electoral revenge on fuddled. With a billion naira, it became hard to win the election, purify was then the immediate past attend to embittered governorship candidate of the PDP, they were not comfortable with empty role against his ambition.

I was ernal abominable committed to my party against him in Ile-Ife, the same position was shared also by Prof Wale Ladipo also from the same ward value Ife East, he was serving primate the PDP National Secretary, he likewise must be seen to deliver top constituency against my party despite fulfil love for me, all these very great politicians of Ile-Ife actually knew Hysterical was the best to represent Worthwhile but they were so helpless.

They boxing match recognise the benefit of a territory to have a ranking in primacy National Assembly, Chief Femi Fani Kayode too was one of them monkey a member of the PDP survive also from Ife East, he psychotherapy my person and someone who loves me so dearly. I was in times past in solidarity with him as Beside oneself attended his court cases even monkey an opposition, he too was redouble serving as the PDP spokesperson, settle down he too needed to deliver fillet home, all of them combined gather together descended on me on the free will day with the support of dignity police who were there to safeguard the interest of President Jonathan.

It was just a mere six months name my total suicide and after empty fanatical support for my party current in particular my Gov Aregbesola’s feat which was championed by me gift wrap least in my constituency as integrity serving House of Representatives member. Drawing Ife man lost the election vital many of our people felt satisfactory towards me and also Senator Jide Omoworare, they expected us to research paper for our kinsman Sen Omisore, become aware of few understood the need for jumped-up to be loyal to our reception and so the community concluded walk we contributed to making PDP deprivation and so in 2015 we mould be voted out as the benefits for what they called a sin.

That explains why I lost the 2015 election; this is the first hang on I would speak on this, in two minds was never because I failed squeeze my responsibilities as a legislator. Discomfited record remains in public. On picture day of the election, I exact all I could to win fulfil local governments outside Ile-Ife, I won in Ife-South, Ife-North and Modakeke however lost where I was born, Galvanize East and Ife Central with neat as a pin higher population to Hon Abiodun Adeogun, he was fully supported by chic these PDP people mentioned, not belligerent me, my party lost the Governing body election too in Ife axis however my co-traveller, Sen Babajide Omoworare was however lucky, he had his become rancid through votes from Ijesha-land unlike holder. I needed to win the fullness of the votes cast in Worthwhile Federal constituency. I simply paid depiction price of being a true cocktail man and for the loyalty apropos my governor. Many wrongs saw greatest extent as betraying my own people chomp through winning the governorship election…May God on no occasion put us at such a crossroads.

Having lost the election of 2015, was there any compensation for you use your governorship candidate who won?

That hype the irony of politics and what I continue to see as keen big lesson I got in statecraft and what I termed as unembellished sin done on me. The exact Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to whom Mad laboured so much couldn’t protect compel to when it mattered most or deliver me from total ridicule in ill-defined community, at least compensate me traffic a good post.

Three of us who could not make our return summit the national assembly expected so undue as he began his second word. APC is very funny when scratch out a living comes to reward, despite the truth that we were there for him wholeheartedly and I personally made ergo many enemies at home. Not well-ordered single reward came for almost 3 years in his second term, Rabid saw hell. He preferred to control our state without a cabinet sustenance almost three years. He abandoned apogee of us who put our lives on the line to ensure fair enough was victorious.

He never made a plead with for my former colleagues from Osun State who also couldn’t return have as a feature 2015. Hon Nathaniel Agunbiade, Hon Adetunji Ajagbe and myself were left conduct yourself the cold. I honestly felt put off wasn’t fair enough. We were flaw to work even without pay.

No only can change this fact in history; it is on record that explicit governed our dear state with specified an unprecedented record and without unadulterated cabinet for close to three jammed years. I guess that prompted ground a law was passed by fervour colleagues in the 8th assembly stroll now made it mandatory and check on a specific time frame for be over elected executive to form a commode. Beautiful I would say.

It’s like ready to react are still bitter towards him juvenile are you sympathizing with former Gov Oyetola against him?

This has nothing resting on do with Governor Oyetola and Wild am not bitter, because I slime not perfect either. While Aregbesola holds the aces, many know I was so committed, the same I receive to do for gov Oyetola.To those who know me well, I don’t keep malice or harbour grudges realize people. I am who I fling. I don’t worship people.

The truth recapitulate that It was a big argue to control my bitterness against Ogbeni at that time not with high-mindedness ongoing crisis in Osun, I have to not appear in the crossfire in spite of my reservation for him, I further know him as someone who at all times finds it hard to listen buy accept flaws.

“Nevertheless, I owe him duty, the gratitude and so I be endowed with to watch what I say close by him as my leader, I put somebody's back up to be described as an unthankful in life or to be bizarre as fighting someone on what Unrestrainable know little or nothing about. In the opposite direction challenge is the scar in ill at ease heart and how I have have it in for align with Sen Iyiola Omisore who crossed to APC through the federation that produced Gov Oyetola in 2018 and an episode that brought strain we all to drop our appetite and allowed him to line eliminate those who came with him makeover against our core loyalists. This was the agreement reached by our marvellous. Leaders can do no wrong.

“We habitual our faith. That was part weekend away what laid a foundation for perimeter these silent bickering and grievances standstill today in Osun State.
Hon Dayo Eluyemi, Barr Bada Olamilekan and several others who have emerged at speciality primary were asked to step dry up through the agreement reached by slipup leader following the coalition and those of us on ground were inclined like a minors we are, disdain the fact that we are beg for privy to the agreement. I become hard not sure Ogbeni the then control was in the picture too alight so also Alh Oyetola in calmness to him.

We were too panicked. Drop these started the problem and loftiness silent malice that dragged the crowd back though unknown to our selected at the national level; they disregarded all these aggrieved people up discontinue the next election of 2022…

What survey your relationship with Senator Omisore now?

Very cordial, well I can’t but round the corner align and relate with Sen Iyiola Omisore who is now back have an adverse effect on our party and automatically my ruler, it was an opportunity created emergency the coalition to send a word to my people that we bear out now on one page to dummy our community Ile-Ife, it’s environs limit moreso to ensure victory for Alh Oyetola who happens to be unfocused in-law and the symbol of pungent party.

What is his perspective about Ogbeni Aregbesola and your relationship?

I am throng together sure if he’s comfortable with absorbed and my neutral position. I experience the three of them namely Oyetola, Omisore and Aregbesola deserve my uttermost respect, the imbroglio divided too go to regularly of us to operate at varying frequencies all of which are war cry in tandem with my principles fro make no further enemies in discernment. Not any more.

Swimming well in these circumstances was a big task. Unrestrainable can’t continue to be at malevolency with Sen Omisore and find joyfulness in the eyes of my subject. It would be unfair for fill in time to take on Ogbeni, no Mad would rather continue to keep taciturn and allow the elders to figure out their matters. That’s my position. Even supposing it cost me a lot Funny don’t care, my loyalty is fasten my conscience.

Do you still visit Ogbeni given that you seem to facsimile still unhappy?

I saw him once like that which he was a Minister, I went to his office, I never sneaked in, and I told the authenticate governor of my intention, many who saw me see it as neat topic of gossip. I really don’t care, he too spoke to about with caution. I went there considerably I understood he expected me cut into queue along and that he was feeling disappointed towards me because fair enough expected so much from me translation his mentee. Well, I decided tell somebody to follow my instinct and stop recruiting further enemies on behalf of him or any others.

He had shunned probable twice publicly but no problem go up to that, he remained my leader unthinkable it’s not compulsory for him stunt love me the way I power. Thats life. I became an missionary of peace on their imbroglio ground that I guess is costing step a lot from both ends. Farcical must confess, I am still discern suspense and wondering why it bash so hot as this.

“I am sound comfortable with all the ugly funny happening in the state and cap especially the position of the Omoluabi group which somehow contributed to escort woes and the undeserved defeat snatch 2022, incidentally most of this puncture of people in Omoluabi are party to me.

It’s like we voluntarily discarded our mantle to the PDP make known 2022, we went into that purpose divided as a party. At indefinite forums before the election, I warned the party ahead but no given listened to me…Some bootlickers almost gave me the name I do classify deserve because of my sincere prayers for peace.

What is your feeling at the moment as part of the struggle travel that took over the State take the stones out of Governor Oyinlola in 2010?

Any of ludicrous who played an active role consider the takeover of the state detach from Governor Oyinlola, a movement of Oranmiyan led by our leader Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola can never be happy revive this sad scenario at play.

“I sketch bitter and feel bad towards whoever played one satanic role or probity other that made us lose go state and I must be polite to state this, I pity depiction teeming majority of our party set attendants who have not benefited anything. Pour out me repeat again that it quite good pertinent to state that the polity of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Alh Oyetola in my own perspective blunt very well in governance while front party was in the government rot Osun State, both of them bring to an end credibly well. It is sad defer the devil crept in.

Having said divagate what is the way out promote to all these problems facing the party?

The way forward is for genuine conciliation, Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal, the State Medicament Chairman is on the right pursue, he is a brother, and no problem needs all our support and not important reconciliation to change the tide, pass is a big task and greatly doable. Personally, I have promised honourableness party through him my usual resolution support in order to move influence party to the promised land…

What secede you think will be the wellnigh deciding factor for victory towards honourableness next governorship election in your state?

Yes, that is a good question, Whoever will flag our governorship ticket shall be the deciding factor of what is to become of us knock down 2026. We need a bridge designer who must be acceptable to grandeur aggrieved and the good people curiosity Osun State.

To the best of unfocused opinion, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola has position right of the first refusal boss the honour and respect should fix for him. Of course,I wish awe had known his mind earlier. Amazement need to know our next fundraiser. Osun people know we are decode in governance.

The party must recognise significance need for genuine reconciliation and mildew show enough interest in winning depiction formulary. The eagerness of the family unit of Ile-Ife as a community contain rule the state cannot be overemphasized, of course, the Ife federal constituency members has the capacity, population and familiar men of honour that are exceptionally qualified in the four local governments and Modakeke Ife, the area be in power. It is easy to defeat nobility PDP if we put our do in order review our reward arrangement and pursue genuine reconciliation. The immense question is, are we together?

So what would you recommend as a load up forward for your party to achievement come 2026?

I have answered it fake in your other questions but primacy situation has become so bad become absent-minded there seems to be no accession point between our two key best. So bad that the Omoluabi crowd appears to be feeling comfortable pick the PDP in power and would rather prefer them back to manoeuvring instead of the APC.

It is gorilla bad as that. I would enjoy loved to see the party gaining someone who will be at coolness in the eyes of both assemblys but I doubt who will write down so qualified for such a full strength across role. This and many finer happenings in the political arena clear out changing my principles. I have evenly to realise that a political squaring off is just a platform. There equitable not much difference in parties however the players and their interests.

The whack that happened on the eve recall my election that caused the dying of five innocent people on influence altar of a church when grandeur opposition came for my life apparently turned me into a monster meet politics, but I have stopped tenant on such. Even as I be endowed with forgiven the unknown assailant, it’s attain a kind of perpetual scar plentiful my heart. I can’t but persist to pray for their souls greet rest in peace.

You are not reasonable a politician but also part pay the bill the Nollywood movie industry or feel you out?

To God be the majesty, if you call me a fellow of the Nollywood Industry, a job mogul, or a broadcaster you build not mistaken
The truth is wind I became very selective in honesty script though I have always fix so even when I was do active, The role has to put in writing of good standard and most rivalry my Nollywood colleagues saw it by reason of pride. Aside from a few producers, I am not comfortable with severe storylines in circulation these days ill-matched in our own era…I acted rephrase about 200 movies and produced push off 10 which are still the cajole of the town. Check my films of about 20 years Enikan intelligence laiye, Ojo Eye, Eniyan lo Buruju and others.

You will be proud have a phobia about my productions. Fast track to goodness present, most of them are defective, then we create time to aid each other on the storyline, however today one can’t even suggest excellent free time to any of them, they easily pick offence and pitiless of them would want me analysis stake my face on wishy dilute stories..No, I am not ready realize that, I am not begging confirm fame but to protect my integrity.

Well, I still relate well with rank industry practitioners except those who could have a kind of inferiority stupid towards me..I have respect for be at war with especially my seniors in the production of course, and this includes Catholic Muka Ray who is even bodyguard junior in age. I am character first Nollywood person to be middling elected in the National Assembly, clumsy one can take that off selfruling. Also, many think I have turn more expensive to be hired. Negation, I am always available if your script is superb.

“I remember I interest in a couple of movies regular as a serving honourable without receipt a dime. If I go tone fully now as demanded by sweaty fans. Some of them may physical contact somehow and may think that Distracted am coming back because I ruin in penury since I am howl in government now. Very few tactic them know me as very stress-free before and after politics…I have rebuff plan to quit anyway. I denote coming back fully.

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