Tade Ademola, a politician, is a former Lagos State chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) and recently elected president of Alumni of the Federal Polytechnic llaro Alumni Association.
In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he spoke on a number of issues, including President Bola Tinubu one year in office and the spate of insecurity in the country. Excerpt:
What is your take on Bola Tinubu’s administration one year after?
It has been a very tough year since the ascension to power by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The government and the people have not found the situation palatable with mass Nigerians in deep mess because of the economic downturn amidst rising inflation and cost of essential needs of the people.
However, we look at it, it is a no-win situation for all of us both the rich and the average Nigerian.
Democracy has not failed. We are yet to allow the doctrines of democracy to thrive.
A lot of people have knocked Tinubu’s administration so far, subsidy and the rest. What is your take?
The knock on the administration is just starting because in the real sense subsidy is still in operation. If truly there is no more subsidy the price of petrol would have been well over a thousand naira with the current price of the dollar.
Much as the administration may mean well for the country, their body language is depicting a different tone and in fairness to Nigerians this is one government they have been very sympathetic with.
Nigerians can’t eat, because of the cost of food. What do you think is the problem?
Cost of everything, not only food, has gone haywire. We need to be fair in this regard as everybody is calling on dollars but some items are locally produced with no imported input and their prices have jumped more than dollar dependent products. Our people need to be enlightened on the multiplier effect of such an increase.
We had a two days strike by the NLC last week, has the government handled the situation well?
The labour union is justified in asking for a raise while the government looks at possible positions that will not drive the inflation they are struggling to curtail. It’s a negotiation they must convince each other.
Labour must realise that wages is part of cost of production or cost of operation which is built into product or services of a company, the multiplier effect of arbitrary increase will be high cost of goods and services and also loss of job as some organisation will reduce their workforce which in the long run will be counterproductive.
What is your take on the spate of insecurity in the country?
This situation has lingered on for too long and I want to believe some people including security operatives are benefitting from it. Most of the arrests made are solo criminals who want to take advantage of the situation, not the cartel who demand hundreds of millions.
The security situation in Nigeria is multi hydra headed. I see the complicity of the international community, the security apparatus, and traditional/religious leaders.
My country, Nigeria, is a place where 90% of us live on corruption; efforts to make changes are always sabotaged.
Look at the abduction of children some months ago in Kaduna, for me it is an organised crime. Many questions are begging for answers. A layman can see the laxity exhibited by security lapses. Corruption, I have always defined as collusion and collaboration.
Those arrested for kidnapping are splinter groups who were not part of the cartel. The signs are ominous. There’re now kidnapping groups all over the country. The situation is pretty bad.
What is your take on plans by the opposition parties to merge and challenge the ruling party ahead 2027?
Merger or not, are the politicians ready not to allow ego and personal ambition overide the majority?
Do you have any political ambition for 2027?
The door to serve is never closed. I am a member of the governing council of the polytechnic and with other alumni presidents we are formidable enough to act as a pressure group to end the HND and B.Sc. discrimination. We are also urging t
You recently assumed the position of president of the federal polytechnic, Ilaro alumni association. Can you tell us your immediate goals?
The need to assist the government in providing quality education particularly in the technical areas which the polytechnics represent is the push. Alumni associations should give back to their alma mater while also assisting in building each other.
The need to guide current students in building themselves in their chosen career by creating a mentor mentee relationship. Also we can assist in providing facilities that will aid learning in the institution.
Why did you aspire to the position?
Any opportunity that is available is what I take to give service, just like I have done in the Lions Club and various groups or organisations I belong to. Even in the political circle, I have given my service which is documented.
