Mr. Gideon Adeniyi Simeon of Ijemu compound, Ife-Olukotun Yagba-East Kogi State, describes politics as a game of number and people. He stated this during interview with Nobigdeal online platform through whatsapp messenger on 20th May, 2022.
Simeon had his both Primary
and Secondary educational Background in his community Ife-Olukotun before
proceeding to Kogi State polytechnic Lokoja for his National and Higher
National Diploma.
Simeon furthermore, my passion
for reading brought the idea of coming up with my own novel, I wrote one in
2012 while about rounding up my ND program, titled "My character, My
Destiny" but was not able to publish it due to financial incapability not
until I met with His Royal Highness Alhaji Isaq Ajibola who accepted to take
the financial burden and the novel was published and launched in the year 2020.
Due to the unemployment
Mr. Simeon ventures into a Mini block production which he started with sum of N10,
000 which has grown beyond his expectation, also as Politician and as a
book writer he said.
He started his
political career while he was in tertiary institution when he participated in
student unionism and was made the student’s union president of the Association
of Yagba East (2015), Kogi Polytechnic chapter and also played active part in
the emergency of the 2016 SUG president.
He further more “My participation in active politics did not
just start today, I dabble into politics right from the era of late Hon.
Adeleye Michael the former Kogi State Commissioner for Commerce and Tourism who
was made the Chairman of AC, I developed serious interest in the man because of
the way he played his politics, he sees everyone as brother irrespective of his
or her political affiliation, he always make his interest known which is
getting dividend of democracy for his people and that is why till date none
have been able to beat his political record in our community”.
Simeon said 2020 he contested
for councillorship under the platform of PDP, which was not later conducted by Kogi
state government of Yahaya Bello.
He Said his last
contest was a response to the call of the people especially visionary youths
who realize the need to get the best representative in the council, I was so
committed to serve and deliver dividend of democracy to as many as I can with
the resources at my disposal, because the greatest lesson I learnt from my late
political tutor Michael Adeleye is, the people first.
“My current interest in
politics is to developed myself politically and encourage other youths to be
political partisan.”
“My manifesto was all
about things that will develop my ward and her residuals and I stated very
clearly on how to achieve that.”
“Lastly I realized the
need to motivate other young people to politics and put away the fear that
should have arisen if any have the zeal and all it takes to contest election at
various levels. I think this I was able to achieve as many now picked courage
to fully join active politics and I can bet it that the next council election,
youths of less than 35 years will dominate the contest across the political
parties.”
How many wards in your
community and how do how plan wining the two wards?
“We have two wards in
my community, which is Ife1 and Ife2. I planned winning the election by getting
in touch with the people since politics is all about people, and game of
number.”
What support was given
during the last contest?
Despite the
mobilization of people with zero financial support giving to anyone they troop
out in their numbers to give the needed support, that I think they demonstrated
it on the day the election was to take place mean while the election materials
was not brought. The polling units already was filled with crowd very early in
the morning of the day the election was to take place, upon receiving the news
that APC government of Yahaya Bello will not bring materials for the election
there by leading to disfranchisement of the people, the crowd felicitated with
me as we embark on a walk round the whole Ward, even many cried. So the support
I got was so overwhelming.
What support do you
have in mind for student union?
Yes Students welfares
and encouragement is part of my programs, I have in plan to be making available
a bag of rice for our students in Kogi poly, Ayingba, Ida, and Okene during
examination time to enable them prepare well, also giving of writing materials
to primary Schools. Encouraging students of secondary school by giving prize to
best performing students, and payment of Jamb for as many I can.
What your plan towards
the coming general election?
My plan towards the
next election is to further more enlighten our people to vote for right
candidates and shun money politics.
If you are call again
will you answer?
If my people make the
call again I will hearken to it. If they realize the need for me to be sent
then I will say yes.