Veteran Journalist Gives Reasons He Is Going Into Politics

Few days after front-line showbiz personality, Dayo Adeneye, D1, made known his intention of joining the political train and contesting for a seat in the Ogun State House of Assembly to represent the Ogogbolu State Constituency, many of his traducers came out with their perceived reasons the co-owner of Kennies Music is going into politics, with some insinuating that he wants to go to the House to accumulate money.

But the much liked D1 has come out to swear that he is not motivated by money but by the need to create a change and impact positively on his people. D1 who spoke extensively and passionately on his ambition, says he has all the money he needs and cannot go to the House to steal money as many are saying.

Hear him:

Anybody who knows me will testify that I made money when I was young. I was a millionaire in my 20s. I have built my houses. Kenny and I were among the first people in Nigeria to own Hummer Jeeps.

We were also among the first to own the latest models of the Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle. This is not about boasting; I have made my mark. I am not looking for money. Everybody knows my pedigree. I am a hardworking person and I have businesses in communication and hospitality.

My campaign is funded from my private savings account. I am not depending on anybody to bankroll it. I am not begging anybody for funds, though my friends and my relations are willing to help. I am funding my campaign from my pocket.

I am going into politics to serve. I have decided that, since my children are in the university, now is the time to help build my country. What future am I going to leave for my children if they have no country to come back to? So I am not going into politics for money.

Look at the rot in this country. We cannot all just sit back in our sitting rooms and continue to complain that the country is not good; the roads are bad and the power sector is not working.

Somebody has to come out and do something about these things. Now is the time to help solve the problems in my country. And this is why I am running for a seat in the Ogun State House of Assembly.

Anybody who knows my antecedents will tell you that my real interest has always been to serve this country. I came back to Nigeria at a time most people were planning to leave. I left a plum job in the United States to contribute my quota to the development of the country through the private sector.

I became a part of the change that gave birth to the African Independent Television and Raypower FM radio station. That was when nobody believed in 24-hour broadcasting in Nigeria.