Dr. Lanre Tejuoso is a prince, medical doctor, politician and businessman. He is the ‘stubborn man’ who refused to step down for former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s daughter, Iyabo, at the April polls. In this chat with special correspondent Anthonia Soyingbe, this father of five shares how his late grandmother, Bisoye Tejuosho, ensured that he and all his 23 siblings lived in unity and his experience as a politician.
We know you to be a medical doctor, a prince from Oke-Ona and you contested in the last April polls. What is that thing we don’t know about you?
That is a wide question; I am married to Mojisola. If you don’t know, I am the first son of my father and I am into business now.
What has been happening to you since April when you contested for a senatorial seat?
As you know, there was no election in Ogun State and I am at the tribunal now; in fact, I was unable to vote. They said there was no ballot paper. I am waiting for the verdict of the tribunal.
How was it like contesting with your very close kinswoman (Iyabo Obansanjo-Bello) at the last polls?
We didn’t grow up together although we are both from Abeokuta. She is Obasanjo and I am Tejuoso. Politics doesn’t mean we are enemies, and it doesn’t make us friends. Politics doesn’t mean that we can’t have a very healthy competition, the most important thing is that we present ourselves to the electorate and the best candidate should win. We both presented ourselves, we presented our credentials and if the election were free and fair, I would have won. It is quite unfortunate that we only had a selection process in Ogun State. The whole process was manipulated. In a decent society, the electorate is given the chance to choose the candidate they want and that was our expectation but the reverse was the case.
Are you still on speaking terms with her?
Why not? Politics is not a do or die affair. When I see her, I exchange pleasantries with her, I don’t have any problem with her, but that doesn’t imply that we won’t fight out issues at the tribunal.
Will you say you lost something very big by not winning the election?
Who told you that there was an election? People were not allowed to vote on that day because of a stupid excuse. As far as I am concerned, there was no election. If there were, I would beat Iyabo hands down.
Do you still have a cordial relationship with Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, and other members of his cabinet?
As far as I am concerned, I don’t have anything against him. I don’t know if he has a cordial relationship with me. I don’t believe that politics should be practiced with bitterness and strife if truly we want to serve the masses. If I see Governor Daniel, I will respect his person and his office; I will treat him accordingly as the Governor of Ogun State as of today, whether it is legal or illegal.
We noticed that Governor Daniel was not present at your father’s 70th birthday celebration, which had in attendance many dignitaries? Was his absence a fallout of the April election?
You won’t believe that I didn’t notice his absence; we have many dignitaries at the event and the place was too full to the brim that we didn’t notice the presence or the absence of Governor Daniel. I think the event was a successful one despite the fact that he was not there. We have many important people there and as such we didn’t notice the absent of anyone.
What was your father’s reaction to the allegation brought against you by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) shortly before the April Polls last year?
My father didn’t lose sleep over that. He knows what his son is capable of doing. We were all brought up in a way that makes us ever conscious of the God factor in whatever we do. My paternal grandmother taught us that a good name is far better than silver and gold. My father knows that I can never be found dead doing that. He knew it was a political gimmick which later failed. They attempted to frustrate me so that I will bow out of the race. I have never done government job in my life, I don’t take contracts from government and my family has never taken contract from government. So, it was just a political gimmick, which failed; they wanted to do something that will not make me contest against Iyabo.
Coming from a royal background, why did you decide to go into politics?
It is just a matter of love borne out of the passion to serve my people. I have travelled to different countries in the world and I know how governments operate there, I see no reason why we can’t practice such in my country. I decided to come in to change the system. I see that the problem of Nigeria is not the country but the people at the helm of affairs. And the only thing I can do is to be part of the decision making process, I want to be the mouthpiece for my people; what the traditional rulers can do is limited, in terms of being at the helm of affairs, their powers have been curtailed.
What has been your perception about politicians in Nigeria and the way politics is played in Nigeria?
We have a bright future ahead of us at least with the way corruption is being fought; if we can do this with all sincerity, I think something good will come out of Nigeria in the nearest future.
How was it like growing up in a very large polygamous home?
It was nice, we never knew that we were not of the same mother until we were much older. Our paternal grandmother was our mother then and my father’s wives where then taking care of him, while our grandmother was taking care of us. We all grew up in unity and harmony; there was no discrimination between us.
Could you recall a time when you had a rift between one of your siblings, which can be attributed to the fact that you are not of the same mother?
My grandmother was our mother. We are 24 in number and I am the second child, so my grandmother gave birth to all of us. She was indeed a very great woman who brought us all up to love each other; she taught us the importance of unity.
You seem to be very fond of your grandmother, of what significance was the training she gave you?
She taught us that anywhere we are, we should always strive to protect our name. She taught us that there is dignity in labour and she taught us the essence of living together in unity and harmony. We owe her much respect even after her demise. She was a businesswoman, so she taught us to be truthful in carrying out our business as truth is the principal thing in whatever we are doing.
What is the greatest value she impacted in you?
She taught us to be ever mindful that we have a name to protect. That is why you can’t find anyone of us in any corrupt act. That was why my father was not bothered when I was accused; he knew that we have been taught to be ever mindful of our name. We can’t afford to do that because we all know that our grandmother worked very hard during her lifetime to protect the name.
Will you say you are successful?
Yes, by the special grace of God I am successful.
So what is your definition of success?
The ability for one to have his basic needs at the appropriate time. Success is not measured by the number of cars, houses and the amount you have in your bank account or the units of shares you have in different multinational companies; it is all about how much you are able to impact into the lives of people around you. A man who has every good thing in life and yet refuses to give food to the hungry is not successful. To me he is the poorest man on earth. Our people have misinterpreted wealth for success; there is a thick line between the two. The more you help those who are in need, the more you receive.
Can you tell us about your leadership style?
I lead by example; as a leader, you must practice what you preach, a leader should not be found wanting in all that he or she is doing. He or she is supposed to be a role model to those he is leading. There is more to leadership than instructing people to do one thing or the other; every thing borders on the leader being a perfect example of how a follower should operate if he wants to one day become a leader. I don’t give orders that I can’t carry out myself and I don’t give out what I can’t take. That is how I feel a good leader should operate.
We heard that you are a pastor
That is a rumour.
When will you become one just like your father?
It is not a thing you venture into just because you want to be, you have to be called by God. I love to be but...
But what?
I don’t think God is calling me now; maybe He will call me to work in His vineyard later.
You have been married for the past 21 years. How have you coped?
The grace of God and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit have been helping me. My wife is ever loving and she looks younger day in day out, I can’t but love her the more everyday. She has been there for me any time I need her support.
You once told your father, ‘I became a medical doctor because you are, I stopped practicing because you did. I became a business man because you are, I tried to surpass the number of children you have’ do you mean you want to take another wife?
No, why should I do that? I mean that I wanted to give birth to the same number of children that he has.
Why can’t you take another wife; at least your father is a polygamist and if you do, you are only taking after him in all things?
Marrying more than a wife is out of fashion; my father did it when that was in vogue. As for me, I can’t take another wife.
What was the major reason you left the medical profession?
I left the medical profession over 15 years ago; I am not the type that loves to sit down in the office all day long. I left the medical field because I had so many business ideas, which ordinarily, the profession won’t allow me to do, so I had to quit the medical profession.
Do you get yourself involved in any sporting activities?
Yes, I play table tennis and lawn tennis.
You are a powerful dresser, how did you come about your dress sense?
Are you sure I am a powerful dresser? I never knew I dress nice, all I have at the back of my mind whenever I want to dress is that I love to look neat every time and I dress in moderation.
Challenges and adversity, in any situation makes one tougher and stronger. Can you recall a time that you had challenges and the challenges had a huge impact on you?
When six gunmen attacked me in my hotel room before the election, which I narrowly escaped. That incident made me stronger.
How did you escape? The ‘African Insurance’ must have really helped you out?
I don’t know about any Africa Insurance, I don’t know if you rely on that for your sustenance, all I know is that God saved me through the precious blood of Jesus.
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