Professor Salewa Olafioye was a former United Nations Diplomat and Aare of Ikale Land. Prof. Olafioye who is a leading figure among the cohesive network of Nigerian professionals in the United States of America and the Director – General of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Supports Groups in the Diaspora shares views on governance in Ondo State and the state of the nation in this interview with Oyesanmi Joseph.
What is your assessment of INEC and President Buhari on conduction of election in Nigeria as one of those that fought for democracy in Nigeria?
It is a matter of integrity. The President was denied victory a couple of times previously. He now stands in a position to oversee clean elections. A case point was the last election in Anambra and it was recorded to be free and fair. It is a victory for patriotic Nigerians who lost their lives and for those who spent time in jail. They paid the uttermost price for the progress of the nation.
Tell us how you became the Director-General of one of the largest Bola Ahmed Tinubu Support Groups in the Diaspora?
About 3 years ago, an associate of mine Chief Titus Amadi who was on vacation in Nigeria called that he has recommended my services to one Ambassador Dr. Dare Owotomobi who is the Global Chairman of Bola Ahmed Solidarity Vanguard. I was Co-Chairman of Buhari/Osinbajo Movement for Nigeria in 2015. I was also an activist during the MKO Abiola imbroglio. We fought the military junta on the annulment of June 12 elections. One of the first to visit me after my release from jail was Omoyele Sowore who was President of the Student Union Government at the University of Lagos.
You are noted for your ability to predict elections in Nigeria. Who do think will win the PDP and APC primaries?
It is a patriot’s duty to understand the mood of our country and to put a lot of indices of the needs into decision making. Nigerians are highly sophisticated people. The electorate should learn to put the needs of country first. The last time it was security of the nation and others variables. And we called the election in favour of General Buhari. This time it borders on the economy, the quality of life and subsequently security. We have lots of qualified people in the PDP. Gov. Nyesom Wike, Dr. Bukola Saraki but the edge is to Fmr. Vice President Atiku Abubakar at PDP Presidential Primaries. Fmr Vice President Atiku Abubakar will win. For the APC it is a tough call with Rotimi Amaechi, Ahmed Lawan and Prof. Yemi Osibanjo in pictures but subsequently the edge is to Bola Tinubu.
You are from Ondo State, the last time you predicted that Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu will win his rerun election. There is tight going to be election at Ondo south. Who do you think will win the PDP and APC primaries?
Hmmmm. In Ondo, Agboola will emerge for PDP and in the APC it will be a toss-up between Mato and Jimoh Ibrahim. The edge is for Jimoh Ibrahim. He is building the Fortune University at Igbotako. He is talking about the need for restoration of electricity in Ondo south that is very essential for social and economic development of the area. Elections are always tough. In Lagos it is for Gov. Jide Sanwo-Olu
What are the concerns of Nigerians in the diaspora?
Peace, security, unity, economy, education and of course the voting rights of our people in the diaspora.
