Otunba Dare Kadiri was the former Deputy Speaker of Ogun State House Of Assembly. Otunba Dare Kadiri is a household name in the political affairs of Ogun State, and Nigeria. He represented ljebu North II constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly in 2015 and 2019; and became the Deputy Speaker in 2019. He was later impeached due to some allegations levelled against him, but he challenged it in the Court, relying on various evidences to affirm his transparency and appropriate dealings at all levels. The Court ruled in his favour, and this made him to become a Political pace-setter, just like in other aspects of his life. He is assertive, honest, focussed, a visionary, and one of the few politicians standing for the truth and justice. He is an astute businessman and well-trained ex-soldier, and he applies his business sense and discipline to everything he does, including politics. He has a good parental background, and this reflects in all his activities in life. In this interview, he discussed on his political background, his controversial issues with the Former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, his mindset and perceived solutions concerning issues like insecurity, and general issues presently facing the Nation.
Welcome to Interviewers Magazine. Can you please tell us about yourself and family background, sir?
Thank you. I was born at lle-lfe in the 1960s to Pa Dr. Taiwo Kadiri and Princess Adetola Kadiri. My father was a former staff and lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. We hail from Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. I attended my primary school at Ede and my secondary education at lle Ife and Ago-Iwoye respectively.
I joined the Army in 1988 and I served in the 9th Brigade Defence Cantonment as an Infantry Soldier. I left the Army in 1994 and, along with a friend, started a business of building and renovation of properties in Lekki area of Lagos State. I was a young man then. Then I travelled to Holland in 1999, and later to Belgium, where I started to run an Import and Export business.
I attended Chartered Institute of Management, London, where I did my Levels 5 and 7 Diploma in Leadership and Financial Management, and Strategic Management and Leadership respectively. That is equivalent to a Masters degree in Nigeria. I graduated in 2013.
I later contested to represent my constituency, ljebu North II at the State House of Assembly in 2015, and against all odds, I was given a ticket mandate by APC. This is because that is where Late Senators Kashamu, Jibril Martins and some other known politicians in Ogun State came from. I guarded my Mandate jealously, and was re-elected in 2019, also against all oppositions. I later became the Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly.
I was impeached in 2022, but I went to Court and the Judge ruled in my favour. Being in government for 8 years is a long time, and I am trying to have a break. I came back to Belgium in 2023 and have since continued with my Import and Export business. Presently, I am undertaking some diploma courses in Management and Leadership.
Who has the greatest influence on your political career?
They are majorly two. The first person is my mother, who has been a politician since the time I grew up to the age of discernment, when we were at lle-Ife. My Dad did not have interest in politics. His interest was in his career. But my Mother has always been encouraging me to develop interest in politics, She practically brought me into politics.
The second person to whom I am really grateful, is Senator İbikunle Amosun. He taught me severally and gave me tips I need to become a successful politician and leader. I applied same, contested for membership of the State House of Assembly and won. I was under his training wings for four years, and he continued to give me political training, guidance and advice. He is a great man, and he has so much influence on my political career.
What is your biggest regret as a Politician in Nigeria? Would you do anything different if you had a chance to do it repeatedly?
None other than my honesty and open-mindedness in all my dealings, because that is usually the root cause of being at loggerheads with people at different levels. But I don’t regret it at all, because I will still remain honest in all my dealings. It pays off at all levels.
As a politician, if you could change one thing about the Nigerian socio- political and economic environment, what would it be?
Let there be autonomy granted to the House of Assembly. Also, let the State Governors grant autonomy to the Local Governments. Let there be a drastic reduction in the powers granted to the Governors. To a great extent, remove their immunity clause, and make it possible for them to be sued when they go astray.
Also, let Governors always make total disclosure and accountability for all funds they collect from the Federal Government. Anyone serving the nation at different levels must be compelled to always account for whatever is kept in their care.
How would you go about handling current national insecurity issues?
I was once in the Army, and I know it is possible for government to tackle all the issues causing unrest in this nation. The governmental bodies responsible just needs to get down to serious and sincere business in their operations against bandits, terrorists, and all groups causing insecurity in the nation. This is all about the political will of Mr. President.
Also, there is need for government to invest more in modern technological equipment. There are several apps that can be used to detect and locate people wherever they are. More can be developed if necessary. They can organise Situation Rooms where such can be monitored and prompt actions taken as soon as discovered. It’s not just about settling with the usage of drones alone.
Very importantly, it’s high time to stop restricting the soldiers to handling internal security alone, as they need to start engaging the enemies causing such insecurity.
What is your opinion about the APC government’s political and economic policies?
One of them is having State Police. Truly, people are agitating for State Police, but I will not support it because, with proper foresight, one can easily see that no state can single-handedly boast of having the well-trained and equipped manpower to handle such at a good level.
Another reason I don’t support it is that Politicians may soon turn them to tools which they will be wielding against their political enemies. He who pays the piper dictates the tune, and they will surely owe allegiance to their State Chief Executives or Controllers. So, it might end up not auguring well for the nation at large. What we are trying to avoid might end up staring at our faces without any way out of it.
Also, clash between Federal Police and State Police might soon start erupting. I agree that it will provide jobs for some people, but will the end justify the means?
How did you feel when you were impeached, and your situation at the time?
Honestly, it was not easy at the initial stage. It looked scary. But thank God for the resilience and other great virtues instilled into me during my past military training. My friends came around to support. My mother, family members, and some members of the House of Assembly were also there for me. I went to Court and it was not a funny experience, because at a point, I was facing about five cases at the same time. Of course, it became tiresome, and it almost drained me financially and mentally. But I am happy that everything turned around for my good, as truth will always prevail.
What is your take on your former Speaker’s (Oluomo) impeachment?
With the right evidences in place, justice will surely prevail. He is presently with EFCC, and it is now left for Judiciary to carry out their proper investigations, follow due diligence in all their dealings, and handle him appropriately.
“Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people who have a right… and a desire to know” – John Adams
