How God answered our prayers in Buhari’s detention — Koleoso

Veteran politician and former national chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Michael Koleosho, speaks with SATURDAY TRIBUNE’s KATE ANI on his days in military detention and life experiences generally. Excerpts:

Most people from my generation only know you as a former SSG to the late Governor Lam Adesina, former commissioner under the late Chief Bola Ige and also, a prominent and influential Oyo politician, can you give us a glimpse of your background?

I was born in Saki, precisely at Kinikini quarters, Emiabata Compound, on April 30, 1938. My parents, who are now late, Pa Samson Alamu Koleosho and Madam Comfort Subulade Koleosho, were both converted Christians. We are four from my mother and I am the third child. I finished from Ajegunle Baptist Primary School in 1954. In 1955, I entered Local Authority Modern School, Saki, where I spent one year before going into teaching. I was a pupil-teacher in 1956, at Ogboro; which is now a town at Saki-East Local Government. I left teaching in December 1956 and gained admission to Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, in 1957. I was there from 1957 to 1961. In 1962, I became a teacher at Progressive Modern School, Tede, just for a term and was later recruited to teach at Baptist Boys High School, Saki, as their Mathematics teacher. I left in December 1962 when I gained admission to the School of Hygiene, Eleyele, Ibadan. I was in School of Hygiene between 1963 and 1964, When I graduated as Public Health Inspector, I was posted to the then Saki District Council as the Health Inspector. When I left the School of Hygiene in 1964, I did my diploma in Public Health, which then covered the whole of West Africa. It was called Royal Society of Health for West Africa and I was lucky to be one of the few who passed the exam, which made me to have a diploma in Public Health. I was in local government service for 10 years, from 1965 to 1975, when I voluntarily retired and went into business and politics. I was a serial businessman. I was then a factor to PZ, Leventis, John Holt and later, I became a distributor to three major brewery companies and some others too. After I left local government service, around 1978, the then Oba of Saki, Oba Abimbola Oyedokun II gave me the chieftaincy title of the Babalaje of Saki. That is to show you my level of involvement in business. But along the line, I went into serious politics.

As a successful businessman, what made you venture into politics?

I reluctantly joined politics because my people just wanted me to go into politics. I remember that the late Oba Abimbola Oyedokun had to intervene. He even called my father then that he should talk to me that he wanted me in politics and due to what the Oba said, I contested councillorship election in 1976 into the then Saki District Council. It was a thing of joy for me because I was returned unopposed. That was in 1976 and seeing what my people did for me, I was so overwhelmed and I decided to donate my three years salaries and allowances to the ward, who returned me unopposed. That money was used to build a maternity centre at that ward and up till today, that maternity centre is still functioning and has even been extended and modernised. Having seen me extend such kind gesture to the people, when it was time to hold another election in 1979, I contested election into the Oyo State House of Assembly and I won overwhelmingly. I spent just three weeks in the House before I was appointed a commissioner. So, I left the legislature and joined the executive. I was commissioner from 1979 till 1983.

But why did you leave a position you contested for that you won overwhelmingly to be a commissioner, which is not an electoral position?

Well, it wasn’t my making; it was what my people wanted. You see, from our area in Oke-Ogun, we were allotted a position for a commissioner and people thought that I would be more useful as a commissioner than as a legislator. That was why I was appointed a commissioner in the late Chief Bola Ige’s administration as governor of Oyo State. Initially, I was posted to the Ministry of Establishment and Training and was there for 11 months before I was moved to the Ministry of Works and Transport, where I was till the expiration of our tenure then. When we left government in 1983, I decided that I wouldn’t want to be in politics again but my people wouldn’t allow me. So, I was still very active in politics. I remember very well that a lot of things happened along the line. When we left in 1983, NPN came in with Chief Omololu Olunloyo as governor but just three months after he was made governor, the military struck. They took over government in the country and some of us who served then were clamped upon and sent to detention alongside Chief Bola Ige. But glory to God, some of us came out unblemished.

What was your experience like in detention, knowing that it was an injustice to you? We were thrown in Agodi prison in Ibadan alongside the late Chief Bola Ige, the late Pa Adekunle Ajasin; former Governor [Adamu] Attah of [the old] Kwara State and the late Ambrose Alli, then governor of Bendel State. I think about six governors were with us in that prison. Some of us were commissioners. We always said a prayer before going to bed and every morning. One morning, after a prayer session, I told my mates not to despair over what was happening to us; that something told me that those who put us in prison unjustly would be brought there too. As fate would have it, after we regained our freedom, there was a countercoup and [President Muhammadu] Buhari and [Tunde] Idiagbon were brought to Agodi prison.

What led to the clampdown?

Some people wrote a petition against us, those of us who held sensitive positions like finance and transport. When the army came in like that, they would want to act in an overzealous way to show that they were doing their job.

For how long were you detained?

We were interrogated separately. As soon as they finished with a suspect and concluded that he was telling the truth, they would allow him to go. So, some spent three months and others, five or six. The panel set up then asked me questions as commissioner for works and transport and when I satisfied them, they let me go. After that experience, we remained close to our leader and mentor, Chief Bola Ige. One day, he called us and said, ‘my boys, let’s siddon dey look’ and see how far they would go. Every one of us went back to our areas to lie low. We didn’t get involved in politics. But when it was time, we came back in full swing. I was nominated as the state chairman of Afenifere and it was that body that we used for our political activities. I later became the state chairman of the body, which later metamorphosed into [the Alliance for Democracy] AD. It was during my tenure that the late Alhaji Lam Adesina won election as governor. And In his wisdom, he made me the Secretary to State Government (SSG). We were together for four years. A remarkable thing was that throughout the period, Lam and I were very close. We had no misunderstanding. We ate from the same plate as much as people tried to cause disaffection between us. They couldn’t succeed; we were just so close. In 2001, as SSG, I was conferred with the national honor of the [Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic] OFR. The honour made me happy and spurred me to work harder. I think I was the only SSG in the country then that was given that award. Along the line, I was elected deputy national chairman of the AD, while Alhaji Abdulkadri was the national chairman. When crisis erupted in the party, there came two factions. We, from the Bola Ige group were the authentic AD that INEC recognised. I later became the national chairman of the party. Along the line, our own faction metamorphosed into the Action Congress (AC) and from there, we became the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

During your time as Bola Ige’s commissioner, what situation would you describe as the most unforgettable?

There was nothing we did in that government that wasn’t remarkable. With the meagre resources we had, we were able to touch lives. Our scholarship schemes then were so good that many of our children were sponsored to study overseas. Many of them are now in top positions in the country. We built many classrooms. When I was commissioner for works, I introduced the idea of tarring five kilometers of roads in each local government headquarters, Osun State inclusive. Anytime I go out there, I see some of these roads and they are still in good shape. This is something that I cherish so much.

You also had a very close friend then in the late Busari Adelakun, alias Eruobodo, can you share with us the mysterious circumstances that surrounded his death in detention?

Although he died in detention, I believe that it was his time. Those who think they can kill the flesh are not capable of killing the soul. I don’t really believe that somebody killed him. I believe that it was his time to die when he did. It will happen to every one of us when the time comes. I must give it to him; he had a lot of interest in me. Alhaji Adelakun was older than me and we met in government. At a time, I was invited for an interview for the appointment of commissioners. The interview took place at Chief Bola Ige’s house at Oke-Ado. I went to that interview alone. I drove myself to the place and parked my car by a big fruit tree a distance away from Chief Bola Ige’s house. Many people had already gathered at his house and were being called in one after the other. I stood by my car, watching, thinking that when it was my turn, they would call my name. Alhaji Adelakun and the father of our present governor, Alhaji Ganiyu Ajimobi, saw me and walked towards me. They asked what I was doing there and I told them that I also came for the interview. They asked why I distanced myself from the crowd and, I told them that when it was my turn, they would invite me in. The two of them turned away wondering to themselves: ‘This handsome young man, well dressed, is fit to be a commissioner.’ I found that they were saying this to people around before I got there, after my name was called. That was Busari Adelakun for you. He was such a person that wouldn’t hide his feelings on any issue. When we met in the cabinet - he was also appointed a commissioner – we worked as a team.

You announced, around December last year, that you had quit partisan politics, what led to that decision?

I left partisan politics because I felt the game is not being played the way it is supposed to. Although there wasn’t any crisis, when I noticed that the situation of things is not in the right direction, I felt the best thing was to step aside. I stated in a release to that effect that although I had quit partisan politics, I was available to anyone from any political party who wanted to gain from my experience. I am available and that is why you see many of them come here.

But which political party do you have sympathy for? It is alleged that you supported a former governor of the state and Labour Party governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala. You see, you call a dog a bad name just to hang it. Those who feared me or saw me as blocking their way were the ones saying all sorts of nonsense. Where did they see me campaigning for Alao-Akala? I know what I am doing. As of now, I am ‘siddon dey look.’ But that is not to say that I cannot give advice when necessary.

As an APC chieftain, you seem to be distancing yourself from Governor Abiola Ajimobi, are you in good terms with him?

How did you know that I am distancing myself from the governor?

You weren’t heard supporting him during his campaign and you were conspicuously absent during his inauguration.

People read meanings into things. They probably want to cause confusion. During the inauguration, the governor sent me an invitation card but it was the same day and time President Buhari was being sworn in. I couldn’t be in two places at the same time. I don’t know who would say that I should not be in Abuja for President Buhari’s inauguration.

Some people placed a newspaper advertorial, calling for your suspension from the party.

It was not about those people that placed that advert, but those that coerced them to do so. And as an elderly man, did you read me replying them? You don’t need to reply people who are off their senses. If people have decided to be stupid, you don’t need to join them in their stupidity. I am not their equal; we are not on the same platform, in age and experience. Those who placed that advert were misguided because they know my worth. Why would someone say that I had gone to Labour Party without taking the time to find out? What did they know about APC? I told you earlier that I was the national chairman of the AD. I collapsed AD into ACN and to APC. When people are trying to be mischievous, they would say all sorts of things and if they play that kind of dirty politics, it is because they are looking for something to eat. They don’t have any means of livelihood and have taken politics as their business. I have never taken politics as a business. The leadership of APC even phoned me not to reply them. The issue before us now is to manage what God has given us. This is not the time to open old wounds or think of what to gain. They should be serious and see how we can get our people out of the woods. If you go into town, you will know that things are happening. People are really hungry and now that God has given us this national government, the best thing is to work with other people to see that we succeed. That is what we need to be doing now.

What was life like while growing up?

I used to tell my friends and even my children that I really enjoyed my youthful days. In those days, the popular means of transportation was bicycle. There were only a few motorcycles and cars and they were meant for the privileged. When I was in modern school, I used to ride bicycle to school. Our teachers then rode bicycles to school. As a student then, I was riding bicycle to school too. That is to show you how pampered I was then. My father really loved his children. Although he didn’t have formal education, he could read and write. He made sure that all his children went to school. His friends then would make jest of him that when we become learned, we would neglect him, especially when we get married. My father would reply them that if he trained his sons and they become parents and then show their wives and children love and not to him, there is no problem so far we would not neglect our mother. My late elder brother also played a prominent role in my life. He made me comfortable. When I was at Olivet, I lacked nothing; I was pampered. I give him that credit and that is the reason I can’t forget him. I thank God for my life now because during my youthful days, I was so indulged that I didn’t even know that I could live up to this age (77). Seriously, I did a lot of dangerous things.

Like what?

I have been driving since 1954 and I was very notorious…

With women or with money?

With everything and everybody. I don’t discriminate. I don’t want to know whether you are a woman or man, I was always free with people. That is my life. Life then was so good. You trusted people so much that while drinking beer, you could leave it to go and ease yourself and nobody would put anything into your drink. You can’t do that now. Now, everything has changed. You can’t trust people now. Even somebody very close to you, you need to watch. In those days, you moved with people, ate together, played together but now, things have changed. Your generation has changed everything.

How did you meet your late wife?

God is so kind to me. In 1960, during the Independence Day celebration, my local government organised a party. One of the activities lined up for that party was to choose the most beautiful lady and the most handsome and well-dressed guy. I went to that party that night and was chosen as the most handsome and well dressed guy, while this lady, who eventually became my wife, was chosen as the most beautiful among her peers. That was how everything started. Later, we got talking and began exchanging letters. To cut the long story short, we became so close and when she left college, she was posted to my area. When I left the School of Hygiene, I was also posted to the same area. We were in the same vicinity and in 1965, we got married. It was a big ceremony. Although she has gone to rest, there is no day that I don’t remember her. Something would just cause me to remember her.

When did she die?

Almost 11 years now.

Why haven’t you remarried?

There was no need for me to remarry because my wife gave me seven good children. What would I want to remarry for?

Maybe for companionship. Your children are all out of the country and this mansion you live in seems so quiet; just you and your domestic servants as occupants?

It is not that I don’t have someone that I am in a relationship with. I have a woman that I am in a serious relationship with but I can’t remarry.

Is it because of your children, are you looking out for them when the issue of your will comes up, by the time you are gone?

Everybody knows the implication of marrying more than a wife. If you know the implication, one would always be careful. A woman would always be a woman and that is why it is wise to stick to one wife. Any reasonable man would know that even you should not have two girlfriends at the same time because you would be giving yourself a lot of problems.

You mean divided attention?

Not only that, a lot of evil things can crop up. That is why one must be very careful.

What do you miss most about your wife?

Everything. I miss her every day. If you enter her room, her bed is still there. It is just as if she is still here. Everything is still as she left it. All her clothes are still in her wardrobe. She was so close to me that she spoilt me in all ways. Up till today, I am saying this with pride, it is difficult for me to eat outside. She spoilt me so much with her cooking that I can’t even eat outside.

What of parties?

I don’t eat at parties. The best I can do at a party is to drink water.

What led to her death?

It started like a joke. I would even make jest of her that what is wrong with her. When I saw that it was getting serious, I asked her to go and meet her son in the United States, who is a medical doctor. She was there with our son in the US and was taken to hospital and was operated upon. The operation was successful but she remained at the hospital. I went to the US to see her. Our son told me that she was still unable to talk but was stable. When I got to the hospital, surprisingly, my wife opened her eyes and held my hands. My son was shocked and said ‘what?!’ Although she didn’t talk, she held my hands and I was delighted. We left the hospital and on the third day, I left for Nigeria to prepare for her arrival. When I got to Nigeria, the second day, our son called to tell me that his mother had passed away. Probably she was waiting for me to come before dying. So, I don’t see a reason to marry again. I am fully engaged 24 hours. I am okay and happy.

You still look young and handsome at 77, what is the secret?

It is because I don’t envy people. I am not jealous and I watch what I eat. But more than that, it is just the grace of God. My father died at the age of 105, while my mother died at the age of 102. But what I pray for every day is that anytime I won’t be able to do things on my own again, I pray that God should take me home to rest. I don’t want anybody to go to the extent of feeding and washing me. I want to leave anytime I’m not able to take care of myself anymore.

SOURCE: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE - http://tribuneonlineng.com/how-god-answered-our-prayers-buhari%E2%80%99s-detention-%E2%80%94koleoso