Recently, yours sincerely engaged the amiable Zonal Women Leader (Southwest) of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Mrs. Olukemi Nelson, in another incisive interview on our Facing Facts column.
The Yeye-Sewa of Lagos and the Executive Director, Operations, of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), bears her mind on salient issues which include her journey into the male dominated game of politics, the forthcoming state elections and a host of others. Enjoy excerpts from the interview:
Lagos Panorama: You are a prominent political leader in the politics of Lagos. Please give our readers insights to your in-route to politics?
Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson: (Laughs) Well, that’s a long way to Tipperary like they would say. I started politics when the administration of General Ibrahim Babamasi Babangida encouraged women to join and get involved in politics and some of my friends were already involved in politics one way or the other.
At that time, I joined the National Republican Party and I was a senatorial candidate. I contested for the Lagos West senatorial seat and I lost but I was undeterred because I believed that a politician who falls and is able to rise makes a better politician. From then on I have not looked back.
As a woman in game dominated by men, what factors explains your soaring political height?
Well, to God be the glory, it’s one; by His grace and then two, all one needs to do is to earn their trust. Once you can earn the trust in the men dominated arena; once they can trust you… Of course, there will be issues, problems here and there, but most of the time they are not insurmountable. I have enjoyed tremendous support from the men.
Lagos since 1999 has stabilized as the State of the Progressives, what do you think is the factor for this?
Leadership! Leadership!! We have enjoyed good and committed leadership in Lagos State. I am fortunate to have served in the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our National Leader, and I must say I learnt a lot from him. From the way he handle matters, the way he deals with human beings and the way he is committed to any assignment he decides to take on. And he has provided good leadership and that is why the progressives have being consistently comfortable with the politics of Lagos State.
As a woman, what is your opinion on the choice a man as the deputy governor of Lagos State for the first time since 1999?
Naturally I would want to have a woman but at times, circumstances dictate who will be where. In this circumstance the choice we had to make is not just a deputy but the character we picked as the running mate. A man of vast experience, a man that can work with the principal without rocking the boat and the two of them are within the same age bracket. We believe they can work together for the benefit of Lagos State and they are both very experienced, they have served Lagos State in different capacities. We believe they will add value to each other and also complement each other.
You are a well-grounded politician. Please tell our readers how you combine matrimony, motherhood and politics so seamlessly?
Firstly, I thank God that I have a husband that is my best friend, a man that shares my own vision. From the time we got married we agreed to support whatever that makes us happy and he has always giving me these supports. I ensure also, that my children form my kitchen cabinet. Even things they don’t understand when they were much younger I still carry them along, discuss with them and of course my husband, that has made it easy for me. Once you have your husband behind you as a woman in politics that’s almost 60 percent success for you. Few times I have had to call my children and ask them, “do you think I have succeeded as a mother?” They say yes yes. “As a politician?”, they say yes, yes. They will only judge me by your behaviour, whatever you do out there is what they would use to judge me if I have succeeded as a mother. And I thank God so far my children have not given any cause of regret in the path that I have chosen.
On a final note; what words do you have for Lagosians as we approach the State-Level elections and what words do you have for women wishing to be as politically active as you?
For me I would implore Lagosians to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates and the government of APC because we have always being progressive and for continuity of the good governance that we have today, everyone is now saying mega-city, it can’t be all of that if we have not had consistent government that believe in the same ideals. We have the blueprint since 1999 and that is what we have being following to date. So for me continuity is what that can make Lagos the Dubai that we all wish. So I will appeal to Lagosians that there are no two ways than to vote in this duo of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat in the continuity programme of Lagos State and the APC. Whatever anyone may say they are looking for freedom, I have never seen a situation where you will tell your son that came first that because you have being coming first, no I want the person that came last to come and try to the first, it can’t work, first is first and brilliance is brilliance there are no two ways to it.
And to all the women out there I implore more of them to come into politics, is not as bad as people portray it. Some say politics is dangerous but I say there is nothing dangerous about politics, if you want to be honest be honest. Those who are honest in politics are honest and those who are dishonest are dishonest. You just find a middle way and if it’s in your bid to offer service don’t look back, side, left, right just be focused and follow your passion. For me it’s very safe haven for women to be.
Wow! Thank you so much for talking to us.
Thank you for having me.
