Hon. Sunday Akere is the Special Adviser to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Political affairs. In this exclusive interview with Osun Newsroom, Akere, who is also the Oluomo of Igbajo land, talks about sundry issues including his duties and responsibilities as a special adviser, what makes Governor Oyetola the man to beat in the coming election in Osun, and the preparation of the APC-led administration in making victory swing its way after the conduct of the July 16 guber election in Osun state. Excerpts:
Osun newsroom:
Let’s have a peek into your activities as Special Adviser on political matters to the governor.
Akere:
The governor is the principal, the leader and father to each and everyone of us working with him. I know that for every position created by him, he has mandates of duties and responsibilities attached to each position for its holder, either male or female, so as to live up to expectations. I am his special adviser on political matters. I don’t believe that whatever role I play at the moment as one of his political foot soldiers will interfere with the functions and responsibilities of other members of his carefully chosen and assembled team. It is simply a reflection of our principal as a man of coordination.
Osun newsroom:
How do you mean? The impression is that you are also one of those who enjoy the support and goodwill of the governor especially as a special adviser on issues that are political in nature.
Akere:
I am a team player and in a situation that I feel that certain things should be done for the growth and development of the party, I do not hesitate to ensure that such tasks are done. Probably someone is supposed to do something and the person is not there, I will always ensure that I call the attention of such person to it. Doing so will enable us to be able to play our various roles and responsibilities effectively to the expectations of the governor who appointed us into all these positions. In other words, our roles and duties will never overlap or interfere with that of the other person. We work as a team in the spirit of Team Oyetola as the governor of Osun and leader of our party in Osun as well. We are not working as if we want to outshine one another. That will be counter-productive and a dishonour to our leader. Honour must be given to whom it is due and Mr Governor is honour personified. We must therefore give it to him 100% .
Osun newsroom:
In a simple term, what actually are the duties and responsibilities of a Special Adviser to the governor on political affairs?
Akere:
As the title of my position connotes, I advise and assist the governor on all things that are political in nature. I ensure that there’s a smooth relationship between the party (APC) the government and the larger public.
Osun newsroom:
Not long after your official appointment, you set the ball rolling in full force as if you earlier had an inkling that you will be appointed into that very sensitive place.
Akere:
You are correct, but I didn’t know neither did I have any inkling that I would be so considered and appointed. Let me for the umpteenth time thank our governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, for deeming me fit and counting me worthy and capable.
Osun newsroom:
What was your first assignment when you took up the mantle of affairs in such a very sensitive political position?
Akere:
The first assignment as Special Adviser on political matters that was given to me by Mr Governor was overseeing the conduct of the various congresses conducted by APC across the state last year. Even before the announcement of the position, I had been silently carrying out other duties and responsibilities for Mr Governor. Perhaps that was one of the reasons he again decided to give me the present position. Governor Oyetola loves and believes so much in me, I must confess. In return, I also accord him full honour, the best one can give to any good leader. Governor Oyetola is a man after my heart. I do not hide that fact anywhere I’m privileged to speak. I love him and I am proud of working with him anytime any day, since his maiden political appearance in Osun politics as Chief of Staff.
Osun newsroom:
How far and how well have you gone in your present assignment, more so now that very soon, Osun will conduct its governorship election? In other words, now that the Congresses of APC have been held, what next?
Akere:
There are quite a lot to be done in spite of the many that have been previously done. My target now, just like any other serious-minded member of APC in Osun is to win the coming guber election for my governor and for our party in Osun . We are certain that victory is going to be ours.
Osun newsroom:
What was the idea behind the strategic tour of Mr Adegboyega Oyetola round the state last year?
Akere:
When I came on board as one of Oyetola’s Special Advisers, as a listening governor who is always prepared to take advice, I harped on the necessity for him to embark on a meeting with the people to appreciate and thank them for their love and support. He never objected to this advice and I want to believe that with the success the whole idea turned out to be, we were able to gauge and know the good feelings of the people of this state to the Oyetola-led administration. We had a tour of all the local governments and we felt fulfilled at the end of it all, because we saw the reception that APC, and indeed, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola received from the people, we saw how the people hold the governor so dear to their hearts. The tour, as a matter of fact, was a wake-up call to all the party members, executives and leaders for us to do more for the people.
Osun newsroom:
What were your other findings after the tour?
Akere:
We got fully energized to the call that we must be determined to stand by our performing governor in ensuring that his second term ambition becomes a reality.
Osun newsroom:
But there seems to be a disquiet in appeasing or wooing back the aggrieved members of your party known as ‘TOP’
Akere:
Our party is not foreclosing the various moves being made by Mr Governor and other leaders of the Prince Gboyega Famodun-led Osun APC, towards reconciling with them. After all, they were with us before and we are of the opinion that in spirit they are still part and parcel of us. Therefore we are silently and systematically going about the reconciliation exercise and so far so good, we are making progress.
Osun newsroom:
What do you tell them in the course of your discussion?
Akere:
We usually tell them calmly and faithfully that in any political and non-political contest, there must be a winner and a loser and that the moment a winner emerges, all of us must embrace him/her by ensuring that we work together to achieve our common goals and objectives as one united family.
Osun newsroom:
How in tune are they (members of TOP) with this position when juxtaposed with the cases still in court filed by these aggrieved party members who are now aloof from the party?
Akere:
Politics on its own thrives on conflicts, disagreements and what have you. It is normal and absolutely so, to go through what is currently happening in Osun APC and it is also absolutely correct to say that it is a temporary thing which will soon fade into oblivion. However, on behalf of Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the leader of our party, may I once again appeal to everyone on the other side of the divide to once again embrace peace so as to form a united force to achieve success during the 16th July governorship election in Osun state.
Osun newsroom:
What gives you the confidence that you are winning the election come July 16?
Akere:
Like I do tell people, Oyetola has no match with any of the candidates in other political parties in the state trying to have a taste of what it feels to control the affairs of Okefia Government House, Osogbo. Majority of them are just out to make public showings. When the time comes, the people of Osun will decide on who takes them again to the promised land as confidently and evidently showcased in the first four years of Oyetola. Oyetola has done it and will do it again. I am very confident that APC as a party will win the coming election in Osun state. Oyetola has no rival. To think otherwise is mere wishful thinking. It is a political hallucination by other political parties in Osun of today to even think of wrestling power from Oyetola. In the course of time, the water of Osun politics will find its level. And this is for Oyetola. A lot of people will cast their vote for him. No doubt. Wait and see how the unfolding events would look like. Thousands of people are rooting for him already to continue because they see him as a lover of peace, good governance and somebody that is ready to move the state forward. Therefore please and please those that have left the party can now come back so that we can all share in the victory that is ahead.
