He started out as a businessman, and he was able to achieve success in the terrain. Hon. Kayode Amusan, who understands the dynamism of politics and the needs of his people, has been in the Federal House of Representatives through which he has proven his mettle as a man with milk of human kindness.
Now, the astute businessman-cum-politician has a new calling, he wants to go to the senate to represent the people of Ogun Central Senatorial District. He actually wanted to contest as the state governor, but the selfless politician decided to change gear due to pressure.
The Gbagura, Abeokuta-born father of six had toured most parts of the state during his guber campaign, and with that he is armed with the necessary information on how to move the state forward.
In this interview, the amiable politician, who is contesting under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) speaks on his desire to cross to the senate from the House of Reps in 2011.
Why did you dump the guber race for senatorial race
Yeah, few months ago, I dumped guber race for Senatorial race.
What informed my decision? Let me quickly explain. Before now, I was in the race for the Senate, that was what I was contesting before, but due to pressure from some quarters, I dumped the ambition. I dumped the ambition because majority of Egba people want the next governor to emerge from Egba, and if you watch their lips and read their minds you would discover that they want an Egba man to be the next governor of the State. However, a lot of people have been talking to me, they see me as a material that can fit into the position and they tried as much as possible to convince me to dump the Senatorial ambition for governorship with a pressure. In fact, you will discover that before I started nursing the ambition, there had been the issue of zoning; Yewa- Awori and all that. Truly, we thought the issue of zoning was a joke, but eventually zoning committee was set up and they came up with a report. From the report, you will discover that the governorship was actually zoned to Yewa-Awori, but they said that an Egba could also contest but when you look at issue you will discover that the issue is so ambiguous and if care is not taken, understands the nitty-gritty of the whole thing, one would be at a loss at the end. So, that is why I turned back to where there is a lesser pressure, where I believe I can make it.
You have been known to be a politician that has left a remarkable footing, how do you think your candidature as a senatorial aspirant would be accepted by the people
You know I am a grassroots politician. I started politics with the grassroots and I can tell you that I am widely accepted among the grassroots. You will believe me that we have been very unlucky at the Ogun Central, nobody has enjoyed any of the senators that have been representing us since 2003. The first one came fighting with the PDP, the second one too is fighting with the governor and people of Ogun Central. Infact, our people have not been enjoying the dividends of democracy because there is an adage which says: when two elephants are fighting, the grass suffers. So, the grassroots suffer the impact. However, at this point in time, people are looking for an active person, a party loyalist, somebody that is close to the grassroots, somebody that opens his doors to people every time. You could see when you came this morning, the number of people that are here. My doors are opened 24/7 for people to come in. I don't have anything to hide. I can confirm to you that my candidature will be accepted by the people. If not of zoning issue, I can win governorship not to talk of the lesser portion. At the moment, I am bringing all my machinery back from the state to the senate. I have a machinery that covers the whole state before, now I am bringing it back to bear with just 1/3 of the state, you know what that means. As far as I am concerned, I am a man to beat for senate.
How cordial is your relationship with party leaders and Otunba Gbenga Daniel
Otunba Gbenga Daniel is the person I had known even before he came to politics, we are together with a group of Bobakeye of Ijebu. I know he would not disappoint me. I can tell you about my absolute loyalty, not necessarily to Otunba Gbenga Daniel, but to the state, which Otunba Gbenga Daniel is leading. I know that he has achieved so much in that respect, without sentiments, he needs to be commended.
As regards the crisis within the PDP in this state, as a strong party man, what do you think is the problem with the PDP
Thank you, there have been questions over this issue. But, let me give you my own analysis. You see, it seems we don't appreciate God for giving us 100% elected posts. All the crises going on in the state are because we don't have credible oppositions, that is why they resorted to fighting themselves. Look at Osun State today, the state is peaceful because they have strong oppositions, go to Ekiti State, the same thing is happening, not to talk of Ondo, where PDP has been butted out. But all along, I have said that all of us will still come to a round table, which is happening now.
You are an Egba man and the Speaker of the House of Reps. Hon. Dimeji Bankole is equally an Egba man, what transpired between both of you
When ideology differs; when ideas are different, there are bound to be crisis, but I won't say more than this today until in the future.
There is this rumour that you dumped the guber race because of your suspension in the House of Reps that you are broke
Let me quickly say that the rumour is the handwork of my enemies, may be it is because they don't know me. Before my emergence at the House of Representatives, I had been so busy. I am not in the House of Representatives because of money. The suspension came while I had been running for the governorship. I will tell you that I have expended more than N80million on this guber race; I spent close to N30million on billboards, I bought about 28 vehicles which is more than N30million. I have been moving from one local government to the other and in each local government, I spent minimum of N1.5million. I have gone round all the local governments except Ogun West. You will see that I have spent a lot. I am not one of those who went to the House because of money. I know some people that could not boast of N500,000 in their bank accounts before they came to the House. I had been a millionaire before coming to the House, I still maintain that stand. So, allowances or not, I will continue to have money because I make money on a daily basis, that foundation has been established.
It is clear that you had been a business man before you joined politics, can you tell us about your business concerns
As for back as 1984, I started with real estate. I moved to automobile business; I started selling cars and l also moved to hospitality business, which involves hotels. Today, I am building my fourth hotel in GRA Ikeja, Lagos where you cannot buy land less than N200 million, not to talk of the structure on it. The people that say the man is broke are short-sighted. As we speak, I have projects all over the places; Abuja, Lagos, Port-harcourt etc. I have also started building a petrol station along Mowe-Ibafo Expressway.
As a socialite cum legislator of note, what informed your dress sense
I don't believe in extravagant way of life; I wear Ankara at times, my own is, no matter the clothes I wear, I ensure that it marches and fits. Look what I wear now, it cost N2000 and I can go to any functions like this. What I care about in my dressing are wristwatches and shoes.
Where do you shop for that
I shop for them abroad; England, US, Paris etc. because I am so passionate about the shoes and wristwatches I wear.
You seem to be so engrossed with politics, how do you balance politics with your family affairs
I am a homely husband, I usually leave home for Abuja on Tuesday and come back on Thursday. Infact, the whole thing is structured and my family has adjusted to it.
How do you unwind
I do a lot of clubbing; I am a member of Ikoyi Club, Ikeja Country Club, Island Club, Polo Club, IBB Club, including Abeokuta Club, I do find time for all these clubs. Yesterday, I was at the Tennis Club, Ikeja Country Club, playing and I do play also at Abeokuta Club, everything is structured.
Where are your favourite holiday destinations
US, Britian and Dubai. Last time I asked my family where they wanted to go for holiday when we got tired of the US and they said Dubai and Britain, then we went there.
As a politician of high reputation and intellect, what do you want people to remember you for
I want to be known for services rendered to the people. I want people to remember me for the services provided of them in terms of development and infrastructural facilities among other things, that is the legacy I will like to leave behind.
Can you take us into your family background
I was born into the family of Amusan, Gbagura in Abeokuta. My father was Alhaji Lateef Akande Amusan, he was into transport business, clearing and forwarding and later became an industrialist. My mother was a trader, she was from Ijebu-Ilese near Ijebu Ode.
Well, I am married to my lovely wife, Mrs. Olufemi Amusan, I have 6 children, two of them are graduates, two are still in the university, while the other two are still in secondary school.
If you are elected as the senator representing Ogun Central District what would you use your office to do for the people
I would use the office to attract federal projects to the district. I would improve the standard of education and health. In a nutshell, all the necessary Infrastructural development would be my priority and the education of the people.
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