The Former General Manager of Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency, (OYSROMA) Engr. Raufu Olaniyan has revealed the real reasons behind his decamping from Accord Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).   

Speaking to online journalists on Tuesday during a media interactive session organised by South-West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) at the premises of CEOAfrica, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Engr. Olaniyan explained that his people enjoined him to decamp to APC.

“My people told me that they don’t need me in Accord, they want me in APC because they think that is where I can serve them better and since I am a man of the people, I capitulated to their demands,” he said.

Citing another reason for his defection, the politician, who has spent 25 years in the civil service and worked for 10 administrations of the Oyo State government, also stated that he joined the APC because of the constant appeal by the party’s leaders to join them.

“APC leaders were always coming to my house to beg me to join the party. Sometimes they will come to my house in an APC-branded bus and would appeal to me to join the party and since my people already wanted me to be a part of APC, I joined them in order to serve my people better,” he explained.

  * Engr Olaniyan (2nd Left), Media Aide, Lawrence Olisa (L) with SWEGOP Panel

When asked if his defection has strained his relationship with Senator Rasheed Ladoja, Chieftain of the Accord Party, Engr. Olaniyan responded that there is no rivalry between him and the Senator, adding that they enjoy a cordial relationship.

While reiterating that there is no bad blood between him and the former Oyo state Governor, Engr. Olaniyan noted that he feels nothing but respect for the Senator, adding that there was a time he walked out a lady for making derogatory remarks about Senator Ladoja.

Engr. Olaniyan, while speaking about his governorship aspirations, stressed that his aspirations are not for personal benefit but for the collective benefit of his people. He noted that he had been offered the position of the Deputy Governor several times but he had always declined the offer because his people need him to serve them at a different capacity.

Responding to a probe about how he intends to emerge as the a governorship candidate in APC, considering the party’s inside politics, Engr. Olaniyan stated that there is no party without its own internal wrangling, including APC, however, that has not prevented the party from winning elections.

Explaining the connection between his relationship with political bigwigs in Oyo State and his chances of victory in the next election, Engr. Olaniyan assured that he enjoys an amiable relationship with the likes of former Governor Alao Akala, Governor Ajimobi, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and many other key players in Oyo Politics, hence, he has no reason to fear that his ambition will be undermined.

 * Engr Rauf Olaniyan

In response to a question about his likelihood of succeeding in his ambition if he contests against other well-known candidates, considering the fact that he is from Oke-Ogun local government, Engr. Olaniyan stated that in any competition, there are always underdogs that spring up surprises.

He said “In spite of the fact that Barack Obama was a black man who had several things working against him, he emerged as the first black President of the United States. So, if a black man could become US President, then a candidate from Oke-Ogun can become Oyo State Governor.”

Engr. Olaniyan who noted that the qualities he looks out for in a Governorship aspirant are credibility and reliability, also stated that his blueprint as an aspirant is to accomplish development in the areas of civil service, education and agricultural sectors.

Speaking on the incessant wastage of farm produce, especially in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, the astute politician expressed displeasure at the nonchalant actions of farmers to preserve their produce.

As a farmer himself, Engr Olaniyan noted that he has about 500 hectares of cassava plantation, adding that he was also the biggest producer of cotton in the South West as people travelled from all over the country to buy cotton from him.

He noted that the problem farmers are encountering is that they have no processing plant of storage facility they can use to preserve their farm produce. He urged the government to provide an Agriculture processing industry in the Oke-Ogun area, which would not only benefit the farmers, but also provide employment for several. He also advised the government to set up agriculture farms in institutions.

 * Engr. Olaniyan (M) flanked by SWEGOP Members

Engr. Rauf Olaniyan concluded by appreciating journalists present at the meeting for the opportunity he was given to express himself. While recalling that he had enjoyed an excellent relationship and support of the press when he was serving as the General Manager of OYSRMA, he also hoped for a continued cordial relationship with the press.