Yunus Akintunde is a household name when it comes to politics in Oyo State. In this exclusive interview with Sikiru Akinola, the Oyo-born former commissioner explained that right from his undergraduate days, politics has been with him.
He also opened up on his ambition to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi ahead of the 2019 gubernatorial candidates.
Who’s Yunus Akintunde?
I am an indigene of Pakoyi area of Oyo town in Oyo state. I was born on March 6, 1962 in Lagos State. I had my nursery and modern education at Ansaru-deen Nursery School and its Modern school before relocating to Lagos to complete my education. I obtained an Ordinary National Diploma in Physics and Electronics from The Polytechnic, Ibadan and later moved to the Lagos State University, LASU, where I bagged a degree in Pure Physics. I also bagged a master’s degree in Human Resources and Personnel Management from the Premier University of Ibadan. Recently, I completed my PhD in Energy and Environment from the University of Ibadan.
How was your beginning like and can you say you were born with the proverbial silverspoon?
I can say I was born with a silverspoon but I was never over-pampered because my father was a principled man who lived a modest life even as learned as he was. He worked with PZ Company in Lagos State where he met my mother, a Lagosian with a wealthy background. As the last child of the family, I had several sources of income- from parents, sisters and the extended family members of my mother who had houses on the Island.
My father sponsored my education up to the Polytechnic level but because of my passion for a higher education, I proceeded to the university. The passion for knowledge was indirectly influenced by the then governor of Oyo State, late Chief Bola Ige who undermined the academic abilities of polytechnic students while we were on a protest to his office that year. Addressing us, he said “why would you favorites of three credits disturb us just like the undergraduates from UI.” I got quite challenged by this statement because I had eight credits and I was determined to advance in education as soon as I was done from the The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
On my admission into the university, a thought came to my mind, seeing multitude of students that were admitted that same year. I questioned myself “can the government accommodate all of us as workers upon graduation?” Knowing that would be impossible, I made up my mind to make my existence outside the government and never to be a job seeker.
How he forayed into politics
Before delving into politics, I have been a business-oriented individual. I have been quite enterprising since I was in the university. As an undergraduate, I used to travel to Benin Republic on weekends to buy rice, condensed milk and other products to resell in Lagos because as border issues with the Custom Officers was not as harsh as it is now. Like I said, I had so many sources of income but I believe in the multiplying factor for my allowances. I was also involved in Students’ Union activities and Muslim Students Society then.
By extension, I became close to late business mogul and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola who established the Wonderloaf Bakery in the premises of Concord Press where some of my favorite personalities like Alhaji Layi Atanda, Femi Abass, Tunji Akanni, Alhaji Tella and so on worked.
In spite of my fore-knowledge about the establishment of Wonderloaf Bakery, I decided to leverage on my connections with Femi Abass and the rest to work at the Bakery. This was as a student. I became a paid distributor for MKO Abiola’s Bakery and I shuttled between Surulere and Ikeja where the elites live, to distribute bread. At a point, I started travelling to Ibadan, to distribute bread, using Alhaji Isa Yagboyaju House at Iwo Road as base. By the time I got to part two in LASU, I had my first house in Oyo. And as a youth corps member, I got another landed property in Lagos. Significantly, I had started flying to Egypt, Libya and Cote D’ Ivoire around 1988 and 1989. So I had buoyant capital base to thrive in any endeavour of my life before the end of my service year.
Coincidentally. I lived in the neighborhood with Alhaji Muritala Elewi, a brother to late former Communication Minister-Alhaji Aruna Elewe, who was politician in Oyo State. Somehow, Alhaji Aruna Elewi, an ally of Late Shehu Musa Yar Adua, led me into politics as I was convinced of his political achievements and his business acumen as well.
As the national secretary of National Council of Muslim Youths Organisation, NACOMYO, I had working relationships with individuals like late Dr. Lateef Adegbite, Prof. Jubril Aminu, Dr. Bola Ajibola and others. All along, my business acumen lured me into politics.
Why do you think you are the best man to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi
I have done my assessment thoroughly and I am convinced beyond doubts that I am the most capable person to be the Governor at this time. I have served as a Civil Service Commissioner for four years. I am not new in politics. I was once a factional chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. I was also a commissioner for works and housing and an executive assistant to Governor Abiola Ajimobi. In terms of educational qualification, I have degrees in human resources.
As a gubernatorial hopeful, my intention is to manage three things – man, material and money. To manage man, it can be categorised into three- politicians, workers and the masses. As a trained human resources and personnel manager, I can adequately put this to place in Oyo state. My company- TradeCode was registered when I was in school. The record is straight and there to see on how brilliantly I manage staffs. I can manage people. I have won awards as an entrepreneur.
As commissioner for works and transport, I was honoured with a meritorious service award in 2012 by the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE. The accolade has not been given to anyone in the state before and after then.
To add to these, at the 79th Birthday celebration of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi categorically stated that I singlehandedly brought development to Oyo town as a commissioner. So, if the community can certify me with such, the entire Oyo state will do same.
Who are the major political decision makers you have consulted concerning your gubernatorial ambition?
There are two major people one should consult when aspiring for governorship or other position. They are God and your family. One impressive lesson I learnt from Governor Ajimobi is to put your family first always. He is a typical example of this. Besides, I have secured the support of the Alaafin of Oyo. The Governor of Oyo State has also given me political insights on the actions to take as my ambition grows. The state executives of the All Progressives Congress, APC and some other stakeholders are in support of me.
How can you assess Governor in less than 7 years in office?
I am part and parcel of the system. By my assessment, Ajimobi has done very well and we are progressing. However, governance under Ajimobi can be rated 50 to 60 per cent. Nobody is perfect. And no single person can do everything. And that is why government is in continuum. There are yet a lot of things yet undone. Electricity can be improved upon.
What’s your agenda for women and youths if given chance to govern Oyo State?
Women and youths are part of the ecosystem. The society as a whole should and will be catered for with no bias on any group. Why? Poverty is not limited to age or gender. Same with other social problems like insecurity and unemployment. They cut across all without isolation. It is only deceptive to campaign that one has a programme for the women and youth. I think we should see much more beyond these. Electricity as a challenge in Oyo state affects all and not some groups only.
If I become governor of Oyo State, I promise to solve 50 per cent of epileptic power supply within one year. Governance is just about knowledge to do things aright not by empty promises. The problem of electricity isn’t about distribution which makes some legislators to distribute transformers; it’s about generation of power. If some cities and locations in Oyo State like the Secretariat, University College Hospital , The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Bodija area and few others can generate power, then others can as well enjoy the generated power from the national grid which is the main source. This is a matter of idea and concepts and this is my strength as a PhD holder in Energy and Environment.
Do you feel challenged being the only gubernatorial aspirant from Oyo town considering the fact that Ibadan has the numerical strength?
There is a saying that noise makers will never be newsmaker. I have never been threatened by this reality. I believe the kind of acceptability I have from my four Local government areas, none of the aspirants from Ibadan and its environs can boast of it.
What’s your favourite food and how do you spend your day?
My favorite food is ogi and efo riro (pap and vegetables). My hobby is reading. I read for at least two hours and that’s done after observing my morning prayers. I also watch football once in a while and I am a supporter of Shooting Stars Sports Club, 3SC.
