At exactly 5:30pm on Monday, 15th of March, 2021. The compound of Gravity FM, Igboho became a Mecca of some sort as party faithful, well-wishers and supporters thronged into the station in company of Distinguished Senator Buhari AbdulFatai to an exclusive radio interview session. As the receptionist door paves the way for his teaming followers, there was a pin drop silence. And unusual of average Nigerian politician who moved around with hefty security details, Senator Buhari’s escort beats every stretch of imagination.
In walking is the Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Abuja. He’s dressed casually, fittingly wore his face shield, same as his followers put COVID-19 measures in place. As the studio door unfurled and the interviewers, two Online Air Personalities, smilingly welcomed him to the whitely painted chamber, it became clear the next few minutes would eventually morphed into an hour chitchat which apparently proved the radio show is more than itsinitial thought: this is the perfect time for the Senator to account for his stewardship at the Red Chamber as the first to be elected twice from the district.
The interview, it turned out, was not the centrepiece of the Senator’s homecoming, it was just an opportunity to speak to the hearts of the larger audience as several projects he’d facilitated have been line up for commissioning. It was supposed to be a weeklong camaraderie. King Sunny Ade, the legendary Juju maestro’s track on ‘Nigeria’ blared out giving listeners a jolt of entertainment. And thereafter, the interview started proper.
“There is something I admire about you Distinguished Senator” one of the Interviewer, Sheriff Ibrahim, in a baritone and husky voice chimed in “and it is that, you do not censure our questions nor take pleasure in gate crashing us when questions deemed intrusive are asked”. Listeners held their breathe as all ears were set to what would first dropped from the Senator’s nearly oratorical mouth. In a typical Ogbomosho idiolect, the former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs in the state hit the ground running, saying he’s one politician who knows his onions and that he has the interest of his people at heart.
He spoke about empowerment and investment and flurry of projects he’d facilitated in the past and importantly the latest 33 motorized and solar powered boreholes and seven ICT centers across schools in Oke-Ogun. He walked listeners through the curves and contours of legislative assignment. He graciously talked about representation, one he said he’s confident about, then law making, another where he said several bills are to his name and oversight function, where he chairs Railway committee, and belong to several others. He said those were his constitutional duties and he’s glad people across the thirteen local governments have felt his presence as various projects he’d facilitated festooned every landscapes in the region.
While responding to the most touchy-feely question in the district: the proposed Federal University of Agriculture and Technology in Oke-Ogun. The Senator took time to intellectually analyze the bill current state. Reacting to various disinformation which have greeted the bill especially by those he said should know better about legislative business. Senator Buhari first hit back in a lively, deftly and swiftly manner at those who spread such starkly concocted lies about the bill, saying “ignorance as a disease is not peculiar to the unlettered but seems to have metastasized through the bodies of those who have enjoyed the pecks of what National and state Assemblies have to offered”.
He wondered why highly placed people who’ve spent four years as state and federal lawmakers would fall into such stinky mud of ignorance and allow themselves to toy with their fleeting reputations by playing politics of vilification with what is very dear to the people. He explained that, the process of establishing a federal University for instance is one backed by a bill which must first be sponsor by a lawmaker, which then must passed the rigors of first and second reading in the two Chambers before public hearing, where members of the public are invited to air their views, followed by and finally the President’s assent which made it automatically and constitutionally a law. He expressed shock at the critics of the bill which already garnered signatories of Federal lawmakers but prays that his bill, which is now on the President’s desk, eventually see the light of the day.
When asked about the approved establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, the Senator said the bill to establish that institution was the handiwork of Senator Hamzat Ayo Adeseun who represented Oyo central senatorial district in the eight assembly and that efforts are ongoing through various collaboration with stakeholders to bringing the proposed University bill to fruition — his topmost priority. Asked about his leisure time, the senator unapologetically declared his admiration for the London club side, Arsenal.
“It is worthwhile to have good relation with others” the senator quipped “but it’s crucial to have good relation in the service of a broader vision of representation, law making and oversight function”. Explaining his cordial relationship with principal officers of both houses, and ordinary members, the Senator said he was in the Green chamber with the current Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and that he’s happy to carry that harmonious working relationship with him till now. He summed the interview by asking for people’s continuous support, and prayers as he look forward to bringing impactful projects to the district.
OYO101, Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion on issues affecting Oyo State, is published on Saturdays. He can be reached via muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850.
