Hon. Dare Adeleke, born into royalty yet grounded in humility, has chosen service over privilege, dedicating his life to uplifting the downtrodden and strengthening democracy.
You were born into royalty and a respected lineage of warriors and Kinship. How did your upbringing shape your values of humility and service?
It depends on you rebirth yourself. You may come from a good family and still have bad character. But my mother was a disciplined woman, so she never allowed us to behave carelessly. She tutored us to be well behave, not to act as if we have arrived and she is a giver. Thank God for who he had made us.
Having spent part of your youth in Europe, what lessons from that experience most influenced your decision to return home and dedicated yourself to Nigeria?
Ile labo isinmi oko; home is the resting place after all journeys. You must prove yourself as Nigeria, while you follow the trends, but you come back home. I spent most of my time in Nigeria anyway, I came back home to serve. I am from Oja oba, my parent encourages me to spend time among my people. Likewise, I started politicking in Oja oba. All glory goes to God and to my people in Ibadan East Local Government.
Looking back, what defining moment made you choose politics and humanity over personal comfort and royal privilege?
I wanted to reciprocate the trust people have in me to lead them. Democracy is for the downtrodden. I spent my time with the less privileged in Oja Oba, my hometown. We supported our people to travel, to get education, and9 establish their careers etc., and we will still continue to do so.
You were part of the founders of the People’s Democratic Party and became its first youth leader in the south-west. What was that experience like during Nigeria to democracy?
I have never left the PDP. When we started in 1998, I was the state youth leader. People didn’t initially believe in our party, but I served as foreman and the first secretary. We used to move round the south-west to convince people to support former president Obasanjo and PDP, and people went along with us. We eventually won five states. My experience taught me that politics is about convincing people through actions, not lies.
Over the years, you have remained unwaveringly loyal to the PDP. What has sustained this loyalty through the party’s challenges and internal crises?
I often recall Shakespeare’s words: “The fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves”. The problem is greedy leadership. They want to take over the country, just like Obasanjo attempted to adjust the constitution. It affected PDP. PDP did so much for the country. We built a legacy before we left, and now they are calling former president Goodluck Jonathan. They removed subsidy and continued borrowing. They grabbed power and are spoiling the country. Where is the savings from the borrowing, I was at the structure renovated by Wike. The structure was not pulled down, it was renovated, all for money.
Is Wike PDP problem?
Absolutely, he is trying to be a master, but he can’t stop the party. We are moving on. We are having our convention in November and no one can stop us.
You have been appointed twice as caretaker committee chairman of the PDP in Ondo and more recently, Ekiti. What really happened in that scenario?
Yes, I served as caretaker chairman and have held many positions in the PDP. People are tired of APC’s lies. Videos are circulating, showing Ekiti’s poor roads. I can assure you PDP will win. Rigging only works where you are strong, and despite federal might, PDP has a great chance because already APC has internal problems as well. We don’t have any internal problem in Ekiti. Therefore, I believe PDP will win in Ekiti.
You are very close to Governor Seyi Makinde before he became Oyo State governor, what is your opinion on his accomplishments and achievements as governor and his interest in the presidency?
Looking at what he has done in Ibadan, the roads are world-class, security is okay, the health sector is working, every ward has is drugs. He has done very well and he deserves the presidency.
Many describe you as a kingmaker, yet you prefer to be called a simple party man. What does being a party man truly mean to you?
God make people, not people make themselves. I can’t call myself a kingmaker. I am a member of the PDP, but I give my service to the people. My people believe so much in me, so if they are calling me such, it is because I have headed several positions in the Federal Government and the State level. I was the chairman of Sure P in the south-west and PERMA, people believe I have the magic wand. Governor Mimiko called me when I was caretaker in Borno State and we delivered.
You have deliberately avoided holding elective positions, yet you remain deeply influential. Why have you chosen this path, and do you have any regrets?
It is a personal choice. I am not interested in contesting for now, but who says I cannot do so in the future? We want to establish what democracy supposed to be, not when people are coerced or forced. Those people contesting today buy their way many times, it should be free and fair. I will definitely contest one day it maybe councilor, senate or president.
You are known as a grassroots mobiliser whose presence often determines political outcomes. What is your secret to connecting so strongly with people at the grassroots?
I play politics at my roots, not just where I live. I have houses in Bodija and Oluyole, but my real politics is in Oja Oba, just like Governor Seyi Makinde and Teslim Folarin do in their villages. You have to go back to your root. My main secret is people believe in my friendship. I care for my people. I go to Oja Oba once in two weeks, we always deliver our base because they are our people.
Integrity and honour are often cited as your guiding principles. How have you managed to uphold these values in the often rough waters of Nigerian politics?
It is very simple, if you can follow the trend of morality you cannot miss it. I am over 60, and I eat just once a day. I have houses and cars etc., but I’m content with what I have. Even if you own 100 cars, you can only drive one at a time. I don’t live to compete with others. I’m happiest when I’m with my people.
Your generosity and empathy for humanity have become legendary. What drives your passion for giving and serving others?
My principle in life is simple: if you make people happy, you will be happier; if you make them sad, you will be sadder. That is what drives me.
How do you measure the true impact of your contributions to your community and political life?
You don’t need to blow your trumpet, just exhibit what you can do. Egocentric attitude like when you refuse to let your driver sit or eat where you do are not leadership. When you show wickedness to the people, they will believe that is the right way and extend it to others, but if you do good to others, they in turn will extend it. I only do good and add values.
When you reflect on your journey so far, what achievement stands out as most fulfilling?
Real achievement should be based on humanity and not the number of houses you built, because it is vanity upon vanity. I sit down with my people and discuss together. Being a senator or chairman of this or that is not an achievement, seeing others happy through what I do is more fulfilling for me.
What advice would you give to young Nigerians who aspire to service selflessly in politics or public life?
They must remain focus and try to do it better than the way we are doing now. They must be determined that democracy must work in their own time, because the present people have destroyed it. During Jonathan and Obasanjo’s time, there was true democracy, but under Buhari it turned into autocracy. The youth must rise and restore democracy.
