Dotun is one of the children of a former governor of Ekiti State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Adeniyi Adebayo. He talks about his father’s political life with GBENGA ADENIJI
Please, give a brief profile of yourself.
I am Richard Adedotun Adebayo; one of the children of Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo. I attended Grange School, Lagos for my primary and secondary education. I later went to the United Kingdom to continue my secondary education. I earned a university degree in the UK before moving to the US for a master’s degree. After my education, I returned to Nigeria for the Law school. I am now home working.
You studied Law like your father, was he the one who influenced your career choice?
He influenced me and also encouraged me. My father is a lawyer but my mother is not. My elder sister studied Law too. Law is a discipline that I have always been familiar with. I grew up knowing Law because my father is a lawyer. Hence, I told myself that I should examine the discipline critically. That was one of the reasons I decided to study it.
How often did he visit you when you were abroad studying?
My father created time to visit me when I was studying abroad. Sometimes, he would come around while on a business trip to the US. My parents also visited me together. They used to take me to Nigeria during Christmas and vacations. There was a day my father gave me a surprise visit. He was going to England and decided to visit me. I was surprised because he did not tell me he would be visiting. I was going to the dining hall with some of my friends when he came. I was so happy to see him. That day, we went out for a dinner along with an uncle and my sister.
What memories of your childhood with him can you remember?
Dotun Adebayo
I recall that every Sunday we were always in church. This aspect has not changed. I remember that we would wake up early to prepare for church and after service, we would have breakfast. I recollect that episode quite well and of the video games we played together when I was younger. We attended events. It was a typical upbringing and we bonded very well. We went on holidays mostly to the UK and sometimes to the Europe and the US. It was a very good childhood.
How does he punish any erring child?
My parents do not use physical discipline on any one of us who offends. They use more of verbal correction. If a child sits at the dining table with my father, that child will know immediately if he or she has done anything wrong. One will immediately be looking for ways to correct his or her ways because he is a caring father that one will not want to offend.
When he became a governor, how comfortable was his family?
It was definitely a privileged and blessed life. We had security and people looking after us. It was a nice experience but not a life of luxury. I was not in Nigeria when my father became a governor but I was always at the Government House each time I came home. Besides, I was not in Nigeria throughout his time in office but I was around enough to understand the period he was in office.
Did you enjoy any special treatment from friends at the time your father was a governor?
No, there was nothing of such. My parents did not raise me to lose touch of my friends or misbehave in any way because of their status. Yes, things were different because of his job as a governor at that time. But that did not change any of us a bit. No doubt, there was protocol that ensured some strict schedules. Things did not change. Our parents treated us the same way they did before my father won an election to become a governor. Also, our friends remain our friends.
Does he guide you on your choice of friends?
That is not a problem because we always have good friends.
Did he have time to spend with his family when he was a governor?
Yes, he did. He was very busy then but that did not stop him from spending time with us whenever he was free. I like football like he does. Hence, if there was a football match in Ekiti between the government team and other team or a boxing competition which he could take his children along, he would not hesitate to include us.
How much pocket money did he give you at that time?
It was the same way he gave me pocket money when he was not a governor. I cannot remember exactly how much it was back then but it was on a monthly basis. It was a normal amount when compared to what the parents of my friends gave them at that time. At first, the money came through my house master who kept it and gave me when I needed it. The school has a policy on that and after a while, I was getting it via my bank account.
How was life in the Government House?
There was a regimented part which mandated one to adhere strictly to protocol. One cannot decide to go out without security. At a time, I felt it was frustrating especially when one had to get supervision before going anywhere. But with the benefit of hindsight, all was for one’s best interest. It was meant to keep one safe. Anyway, there was freedom for us and we never felt imprisoned.
How is life outside the Government House?
It is quieter.
What was your impression about governance when your father became a governor?
I discovered that there is always a lot of planning and decisions to make as a governor.
How did he react when he lost re-election?
At that time I was about 15 years old. I remember that I called him on the phone and he was only interested in making sure we were okay. Of course, nobody wants to lose an election but he accepted everything in good faith. I think the character of a man is best measured in how he reacts when things are not good than his reaction when things are good. My parents teach us that everything in life happens for a reason. We bounced back and returned to Lagos to continue our lives.
What kind of father is he?
He is an honourable man. I have imbibed many values from him. He taught me to be loyal, honest and
Adebayo Family
morally sound. I know that it is good to do the right thing always because I have seen him doing the right thing many times.
How is his schedule now?
He is a very busy man especially during the last general elections because he attended many meetings.
What is his favourite food?
My father likes rice and he eats pounded yam more whenever he is in Ekiti.
How does he relax?
He plays both lawn and table tennis. He also likes to be with his family members and friends. My father enjoys watching the TV too.
How close are you to him?
I think I am closer to him. I understand him more than my sisters do because I am a man. There are things that my father will do which I will understand better than my sisters.
What is his favourite drink?
He likes clean water. Occasionally, he uses a glass of champagne to celebrate an event.
Has he ever inspired your interest in politics?
Yes, he often shows willingness to guide me if I have interest in politics. I am still taking my time because I am not there yet.
Does being a child to a popular politician and having a grandfather who is a distinguished Nigerian put a burden on you?
This comes up in conversations a lot. If anything, it is an encouragement and not a burden in any way.
How have you benefitted from his name?
I feel glad whenever people speak glowingly about my father. This happens often and I am always happy. I do not go to places announcing who my father is but his name connotes integrity. However, in terms of his contacts, he can use them to help me if, for example, I am looking for a job. He can tell me to meet someone in a company but that is where it ends. No one will hire me because I got to a company through my father. He will not influence anything. I have to prove that I deserve the job through merit. His contact will get me to an interview stage but my competence must take over at that stage.
How does he like to dress?
He likes native attire and wears suits too. He also wears jean and T-shirt if he wants to be casual.
Have you ever seen your parents quarrel?
One of my friends once told me that my family is weird because we do not fight. He used the word ‘weird’ to show how strange it is. I just laughed. Honestly, I have never seen my parents quarrel.
Does he advise you on choice of partner?
The relationship that exists between my parents has shown me the kind of partner I want when the time comes. There has been no direct discussion on that. But his love for my mother has greatly influenced me on what my decision will be when I am ready for marriage. My father is primarily concerned about our happiness.
Tell us about his interest in the arts.
My father attends arts exhibitions and buys art works that he likes. My mother likes art works too.
How sociable is he?
He is very sociable. I think one has to be sociable to be able to run for a political office. He attends landmark events like when an individual is celebrating 50th or 80th birthday.
Does he have a nickname?
Yes, he has a nickname. His friends and those close to him call him ‘OTB.’ It is a shortened form of his traditional title, ‘Otunba.’
What is his view about politics in Nigeria?
My father did not go into details when we discussed about it but I know that he is interested in a better country where there will be equity for all.
What kind of music does he listen to?
My father has a collection of music cutting across diverse genres. He also has all the works of the late Fela Kuti.
Who are your father’s friends?
My father’s friends are his colleagues and members of his party, the APC. His friends also cut across diverse groups.
Would you have wished he didn’t join politics?
No. Like people say that politics is like a calling, I have seen that politics is my father’s calling. What I have known about politics comes from him. To me, what I know is a small aspect and I care so much about it. One can then imagine how much he cares about impacting on people’s lives positively. I never wished he was something else. I know he is doing what he is called to do.
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