Hon. Lanre Odubote is a former distinguished member of the Federal House Of Representatives. He is a man with a brilliant mind and an impressive energy for a man his age. He is nearing 70 years of age but he certainly doesn’t look it. He looks a lot younger than his age. One of the things that excite this Lawmaker anytime, any day, is politics. He remains ever so passionate about politics and about a transformed Nigeria. Honourable Lanre Odubote is one of those Nigerians who remain positive minded about the Nigerian state regardless of the myriads of problems that’s staring it in the face. Meeting him for the first time, one of the things that will strike you about him is his unassuming nature. He is a simple man with a simple lifestyle. No airs whatsoever, no chips on his shoulder. This gentleman who started out as a broadcaster with OGBC before venturing into politics was one of the prominent guests at the 50th birthday party of Honourable Olusegun Olulade aka Eleniyan held at 10 Degrees in Oregun, Lagos. He spoke to City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) about his time in the House of Representatives and how he started out as a broadcaster.
Sir, can you share with us a bit about your background
My name is Hon. Lanre Odubote, a former member of the federal house of assembly, specifically the 7th Assembly along with Tambuwal and others. Talking about my background, I am from the media. I am one of the first generation of broadcasters in Ogun State. I started my broadcasting career in 1977 when the broadcasting house was established along with Sesan Ekisola, Tunji Marcus, Lanre Thomas and a host of others. My boss was late Onabolu Yomi, there was also Okewale. So many of us were trained as broadcasters in the mid 70s and early 80s. Later, I went back to school, ventured into business and then got into politics where I was discovered to be the chief press secretary of the speaker of Lagos state for 8 years. I served two principals in my time. I served Joko Pelumi, I served Kuforiji before I was elected to the federal house of assembly in 2011 to 2015.
Sir, how did your passion for politics evolve? How were you able to put your passion for broadcasting aside and follow politics?
In fact, I think the thing started while I was in broadcasting. This was when I was in charge of recording one of the major programs that put OGBC in the limelight, it was called Meet The Press. It was a Sunday programme. We were behind that programme. We were the ones recording it in different parts of Nigeria and transmitting it. From that platform, I was able to mingle with politicians like Abubarkar Rimi from Kano, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, I recorded and interacted with all of these top politicians. As the Studio Manager, I was in charge of the broadcast, recording and transmission, this exposed me to politicians and that was how my interest in politics really developed. So, when I left school, I ventured into politics and that was where it was discovered I had the potentials to be a chief press secretary, and that was how it all started.
When you were at OGBC, sir, was this at the time the big boss, Olusesan Ekisola was also at OGBC?
I met Olusesan Ekisola in OGBC. We celebrated the first year anniversary of OGBC together in November 1977. Actually, we were both in the Programme services. Sesan was in presentation while I was in production, but we were both working under Mr. Yomi Onabolu and Kunle Olasope of blessed memory under the department of programmes services. Wale Okewale, Alex Taiwao, Oduemi Adeyemi, Tunde Elegbede was the director of News. So, I developed my passion for politics right from my days in the broadcasting house at Aiyetoru road, Abeokuta.
How was the transition, coming from the background of a broadcaster who had reported prominent politicians to being on the spotlight yourself?
Like I told you, the passion was there. Immediately I had the opportunity to mingle with the politicians, I began to see things differently. You know, I left broadcasting for further studies. But when I came back, because of Onabanjo’s policy then which claimed they wanted to rationalize staff, I couldn’t be reabsorbed as a staff. From there I went into a few things before starting as a politician from Mainland local government as a Finance Supervisor under Dr. Olarinde between 1991 to 1993 when Abacha dissolved the whole democratic structure. Then we came back in 1999 and I got elected in 2011 to the Federal House.
How was your time as federal House of Reps member?
In fact, I can tell you that, in the history of our democratic process, especially the 7th Assembly, that was the only house that was stable. That was the only house that went all out to destroy the opposition, the PDP. Through Tambuwal, that was the house that developed what is now known as the APC because it was through that coalition that we installed Tambuwal against the wish of his party. From there, our leaders now came together and advised that why don’t we now develop a synergy where those coalitions can now form a platform, and that was how the APC was birthed and we used that to flush out the disorganized the PDP because they were not disciplined. They had problems in deciding their political leadership. They were proposing Mulikat Adeola, a Muslim, a southerner and a woman, as against the North-west that were not ready to follow a woman as the leader of the house, so we now took advantage of that from South-west, we flushed them out and we installed Tambuwal who became a toast of the house and the national assembly. It was a great experience and I’m proud of that Assembly.
As an outsider now, looking at what’s going on inside the house, do you feel the members of the House have done enough to pressure government to bring the dividends of democracy closer to the people?
Let me tell you, democracy has to germinate, democracy has to grow. How many years have we spent in our democracy for God’s sake? The United States went to war. All other climes went to war before they got to the level they are today. I believe that with time, with periodical elections, we shall get there. We have not done elections up to seven times since 1999, so we have to keep forging ahead. Truth is that a bad electoral system is better than a good military system. Because its necessary there must be intrigues, there must be confusion, there must be struggle for power. But I can assure you, before we go into elections two or three more times, things will become stable. As far as I’m concerned, we’re still in the learning process.
What’s your take on the state of the APC as we speak? A lot of people believe there’s too much crisis rocking the APC boat…
I have told you it’s a learning process. Democracy is like a human being. Political system is like human science that involves human beings, so there must be struggle for power, you don’t get power anyhow. Interests have to play in. And Nigeria is a diverse state, so all interests will definitely go into all sorts of power play. I can assure that in the next 10 to 20 years, we shall get there. It may not even take that long.
How confident are you of the APC retaining power in 2023?
Very confident. Look at Lagos as a case sturdy, can you find any PDP in Lagos state? So, there’s no opposition, it will be a walk in the park for APC to Aso Rock, I don’t see us having any issues in the elections. I can assure you that with stability in our democratic process, and with no serious opposition, there’s no need for us to fear.
Should we look forward to seeing you contest for any elective position anytime soon?
For now, as a leader, no. You know my background. Age is not on my side. People like Olulade that we are celebrating today, he’s my boy. They still have more chances than we that are approaching 70 years of age. We need to leave the scene for the younger ones to be able to guide them, counsel them and ensure we have stability so we can be able to fast track the dividends of democracy to our various constituencies.
