As Nigerian youths continue to aspire to take over from the older generation of politicians, not many youths are bold enough to take a shot at leadership positions. Prince Adewale Muftau Bello, in his early 30s has decided to take the bull by the horns. He is contesting to represent Oyun/Offa/Ifelodun Federal constituency of Kwara State on the platform of Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP). According to the aspirant, an alumnus of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, his people are yet to enjoy the dividend of democracy despite the huge constituency allowance the area has attracted from the federal coffers for many years. In this interview with DAYO EMMANUEL, Bello, who hails from Erin-Ile, Kwara State and a product of a political family, claims his aspiration is a tall order but not impossible. According to him, his chances are brighter than that of his counterpart from the ruling party. Excerpts:

When did you start politics?

Politics has always been part of me. I can say that I was born into a politically conscious family, a family where my grandfather and his brother were actively involved in the political affairs of their constituency and grassroots mobilization. I was also born by a father (Prince Abdul Rauf Adesoji Bello) who contested and won the chairmanship election of Oyun Local Government in

1993 under Social Democratic Party (SDP), before it was annulled by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. In my secondary school days in Lagos Baptist Academy Obanikoro, I was the sanitary prefect and also president of Professional Accounting Student Society (Pass Club) and later, I became the vice president of Lagos State Polytechnic Student Union Government and President of students in free enterprise (SIFE LASPOTECH). I was running the two offices at the same time.

What gave you the passion?

Nothing gives you passion more than your immediate environment, looking at what’s going on in our environment; you would see that majority of our political office holders do not represent the people. The zeal to act as an agent of change give every right thinking youth the passion to ensure that we can positively impact on our society.

Youths need to be more productive and be actively involved in the development of the nation. We are leaders of tomorrow, but our tomorrow is now. Let’s start doing it right.

In your opinion, does Kwara Sthave has good representatives at the House of Reps?

I took a tour around Oyun/Offa/Ifelodun federal constituency and I cannot see how Hon. Rafiu (Present Member House of Representatives) impacted positively in his constituency, Health care, Youth empowerment, attracting federal projects, portable drinking water are not available for the people despite the huge constituency allowance being appropriated to the constituency. We are not properly represented I must say.

What are your plans if elected? What would you do differently?

If elected, I would ensure that lots of thing is done differently. Basic needs of the people would be catered for in all areas: provision of portable drinking water, basic health care, re-orientation of youths, empowerment programmes, educational support, and I will also invest in sport. All this would change lives of every individual in the community as we would ensure that it touches every required part of the constituency.I use the word ‘we’ for it would be done collectively.

How strong is the impact of the Saraki dynasty in Kwara politics after Olusola Saraki?

Because of the respect I have for the late Olusola Saraki, who is an associate of my grandfather, Alhaji Kolawole Alli Bojuwoye Bello and Alhaji Gboyega Bojuwoye Bello and also a leader to my father, Prince Abdul Rauf Adesoji Bello during their SDP and APP days, I would only say that Dr. Bukola Saraki should thread the path of caution a because 2015 would be a major decider.

Can you give a brief of yourself?

I am Prince Adewale Muftau Bello from Erin-Ile in Kwara State, born 23rd of July 1984. A royal son, as my father is from a royal family in Kwara and my mother, from a royal family in Ikole Ekiti.

I had my primary school education in Ashake Memorial School, Surulere and secondary school at Lagos Baptist Academy Obanikoro and Higher Institution at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Lagos, where I read accounting.

In my secondary school days, I was the sanitary prefect and also PASS president and in my days in the polytechnic I was the vice president of SUG and also President of SIFE.

I believe entrepreneurs can make our nation a better place because if they can cope with hard economic policies and unfriendly business environment, they can rule the nation.

I gathered relevant experience in Banking, Construction and Aviation; I served as the Director of Media and publicity at the National Career Fair. Also a Co founder OMB, organisers of Youth Awareness on Leadership and entrepreneurship. I also had a short stint in Nollywood, acting alongside Monsuru Obadina, Rotimi Makinde, Adebayo Tijani, Femi Branch, Muyiwa Ademola, David Akinyemi Taiwo etc.

I have attended and organized lots of leadership programmes within and outside the country. I am happily married to Shakirat Hammed-Bello and we have got three kids together Halle Adebayo Bello, Hebbatullah Adeteju Bello and Hamza Adewale Bello.

How did you emerge as your party’s flag bearer?

Emerging to represent Mega Progressive Peoples Party in Oyun/Offa/Ifelodun Federal Constituency in Kwara State is a collective decision made by a party exco as I was supposed to represent the party in the contest for the House of Assembly (Odo Ogun constituency).

I accepted the decision of the party leaders and appreciate the confidence they have in me. As a youth in my early 30s, it is a tall order. But I strongly believe no dream is too tall to be achieved if we strongly believe.

What are your chances as you are not on the platform of the ruling party?

Yes. I am not on the platform of the ruling party, but my chances are so bright, in fact brighter than that of the ruling party, for they have nothing to show since my people voted them in to represent them. Also, both APC (Danladi) and PDP (Tajudeen Abioye) candidate are contesting for House of Representatives for the first time as I am also contesting for House of Representatives for the first time. My edge over them would be the grassroots support that I enjoy from my people including some party members in APC and the PDP. My youthfulness is the key to winning the election come February 14 and my message of Hope and genuine change.

What is the population of your constituency, what is the main stay of the economy,?

The estimated population of Oyun/Offa/Ifelodun Federal Constituency is 406,538 and we have over 60% of youths in the area who is registered voters.

What happens if you don’t win, what would you do differently?

Whatever the result is, I believe it is a success for me. It is a win for me. It would boost the confidence of thousands of youths in the constituency. We don’t have to be used as ballot snatchers and thugs during elections due to our youthful strength. We can make the required change that the society needs. I would continue my youth empowerment programme and Youth sensitization which are other means of impacting positively in on society and other plans would be unveiled as time goes on.