Hon. Sabur Olawale Olayiwola a two-term lawmaker representing Mushin 2 Constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly is the Chairman, Local Government Administration and Community Affairs Committee in Lagos. He speaks with ANTHONIA DURU on activities of Local government administrators in Lagos, his foray into politics and sundry issues.
How will you rate Local Government Administration in Lagos?
Lagos is the centre of excellence, I can with all boldness say they are performing excellently well. You need to go round and see the massive infrastructures like health centres they provide for the people. Since they were granted autonomy there are improvements in their performances. Our governor was in Bariga recently to commission gigantic projects built by the Local Council Development Area Administration (LCDA) there. Granting them autonomy has created healthy competition amongst them.
You just rated Local Government administrations in Lagos high. Do you think they have performed well in terms of road rehabilitation?
We look into their books and honestly they often surpass our expectation. There are road constructions everywhere in Lagos now from both the State and Local Governments. Lagosians in a couple of months should expect better road network. The weather is a bit fair now and they have embarked on fixing of roads.
Though as a lawmaker the law doesn’t mandate you to provide infrastructures for your constituents. Have you provided any infrastructure for your constituents as a legislator?
Governance is encompassing. A legislator that is worth his or her onion especially in our clime will know the importance of giving out to the people and such legislator will constantly embark on such. Legislators are expected to legislate, represent and also perform oversight functions. A good legislator outside these constitutional roles will take steps further to satisfy his or her people. I as a good representative of Mushin 2 provides water for my people, I also provide free computer training for my people and lots of them are presently benefitting from it. I reach out to the widows, the aged and the poor in my constituency. I also give them all monthly stipends.
Can you share with us your political journey?
I became a partisan politician in 1998 then I was a member of Alliance for Democracy. I was Personal Assistant to the then Commissioner of Transportation in Lagos State. Thereafter, I was redeployed to the Governor’s office and I was then the Special Assistant to Governor Bola Tinubu. I went back to my business in 2007 because I am into building development. The rest as you can see is where I am today as a two-term lawmaker.
What was your attraction to politics?
I am from a politically-inclined family. My grandfather was a councillor from 1954 to 1962 in Ijemo Abeokuta. My late father was also a notable politician in my hometown, his contemporaries were Chief Toye Coker, Chief Adio Shonekan and few others. I am in politics because I want to serve my people.
But then politicians will always say that.
There are politicians and there are politicians. I think it is important you also look at people’s antecedents. Truly there are bad politicians and we also have good politicians who passionately want to serve their people. I live within my people and I am a typical Mushin man. There is a synergy between me and my people and that is why I enjoy their support. You need to come to my house in the morning and see my people around me. I am not tired of serving them and I will continue to serve them to the best of my ability. Having them around me is not distraction to me. There is no way you will divorce people from politics because politics is about people.
How many bills have you sponsored?
We have motions and resolutions. I don’t have any bill but I have supported many bills. I have moved many motions. People can attest to my legislative prowess.
Who are your political mentors?
I was privileged to serve under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and I can say that he is a leader of leaders. He is an enigma and a man of the people. He is my godfather and I am not ashamed to say he is my godfather. He has made lots of people who today are making waves in different spheres. He is a man who sees the future and he prepares well for the future.
You have attained so much politically, how far do you see yourself going in politics?
I leave that to God.
