Olugbemi Adegbuyi served as a councillor during the time of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Known as a critic and one of the most vibrant youth leaders who represented Egbeda Local Government, Oyo state, Nigeria. In his interview with our newsmen, the politician allays his fears and how he had survived two assassination attempts…
Can you introduce yourself?
Yes…as popularly known, I am Hon’ Olugbemi Adegbuyi
I was one of the elected local government Councilors that represented, Egbeda L.G, Oyo state during the late Chief Abiola Ajimobi’s tenure.
How has public Service affected your life?
If you agree with me, the situation in Nigeria presently is worrisome and it’s affecting everybody. But the issue is that we are the ones facing the pressure from the people and in our little way calming their frustrations.
I served as an elected Local Government councillor who represented Egbeda Local Government during the time of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, I understand people’s frustration because I stay among them. We are the closest to the people, so they come every time to tell us their situation, fears and so many other things affecting them and sadly we can only do little because we are no longer in office.
But there was a time you were almost assassinated?
Actually, there were two assassination attempts. The first attempt was when I was aspiring for the seat of councilorship, just a few days before Our Party (All Progressives Congress)APC L.G Primary election.
I was at a crucial meeting in one of our leader’s house with my party excos on Tuesday 17th of January 2017 in line with the preparation for the primaries that will be coming up, at about 6 pm I started getting repeated calls from my mum, I was worried for I know she was aware I was in a serious meeting and wouldn’t want to distract me with calls, so at a point, I had to pick it to know why she’s calling and as I picked it, i was shocked to hear that my son has been shot at my resident that I should meet them at the hospital, that some people came looking for me and shot my son. I was confused and I rushed out of the meeting.
It was a bad experience, but I thank God my son did not die even though he was badly hurt on his right hand.
Eventually, the Local government primaries were postponed indefinitely by the then Oyo state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
But I thank God the primaries came almost a month after my son was discharged from the hospital after several surgeries…and as God wants it I emerged as the winner and later won the General election as Councilor.
The second was recently…. when some unknown persons chased me with a red Hyundai SUV from the Ring Road area to the Aleshinloye area of Ibadan, I noticed they were following me, I quickly drove towards Iyaganku police station and there was a police patrol vehicle parked outside with some officers around so I quickly parked behind the vehicle and that was how they drove off shouting “a shi maa mue” meaning “we will still get you”. It was their words that reassured me that they were after me.
Do you think this second one is political?
Don’t misquote me, I’m not affirming that this one is also political but I’m just saying some people are still after me.
Since the 1st assassination attempt till now, I’ve changed my child’s school more than three times and it’s tiring. I’ve reported to the police severally and I live in fear every day. I’ve done nothing wrong, all I did was serve my people, so I don’t understand the reason behind the constant attacks and threats.
Why do you think people would want to kill you?
This is not new in Nigerian politics. There were different documented scenarios, politicians getting killed and kidnapped, you can check the records, Egbeda is one of the LG with the highest records of assassination in Oyo state, so mine is not new, just that in cases like this, you can’t be pointing fingers to anyone because in politics, you won’t know your friends from your enemies.
What do you do aside from politics,?
I’m into Computer Graphics, Graphic design, Logo Creation, and Animations, and we also do hard-copy prints of all sorts with outstanding achievements. I’ve been a successful entrepreneur before joining politics and this is what has been sustaining me since the time we left office.
What do you think needs to be changed in the local government operations that will better the life of the people at the grassroots?
I think for now with what I can see…If Local government can be granted full autonomy, the councils will be able to function more effectively because autonomy allows the right for LGs to make their own decisions excluding any interference from others. Secondly, autonomy is the capacity to make such decisions through one’s independence of mind and after personal reflections, so you see why it will impact the grassroots significantly
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