She made headline news months back when she decided to run for Lagos governorship. She caused such a stir. Many wondered who she was and how she thought she could beat the incumbent Governor. She eventually stepped down after she made considerable consultations.
A few hours back, CityPeople got her to explain why she came out to run for Lagos governorship then and stepped down. What happened?
“Yes, I came out to run for this position with an immediate unplanned structure. I was nonetheless determined to become the Governor of Lagos State. I went to speak to many of our fathers and leaders and I heard quite a bit. Some that are very close to me pleaded that I should step down. I could feel the intense desolation, shock and hidden fancy in the faces of many of my compatriots.”
” It was a beehive of seeming unconscious retorts like “who the heck does she think she is?” “She has too much guts?” “A woman?!”, “How much billions does she have?”, “Who is her Godfather?” and so much more!
I also got calls from prominent Nigerians and personal cheerleaders who have known me for a minute say things like “We know what you are made of, why take it to APC?! Come to this party, come to that party,”. None deterred me from my goal, albeit unplanned. I was willing to remain even if I will be the only one that would vote for myself, I was going to let our leaders know that we have others that are capable if given the chance to thrive because any other way of expressing this gut feeling and knowledge was tantamount to ‘dying before you are born’.”
“I took my little savings and the small donations I got from friends and well-wishers to move as far as I could. Then the APC at the centre came up with the money “catch” for aspirants. Even though I didn’t believe that women should be given any more special treatment financially, I hurriedly, with excitement, appreciated the National Chairman of APC Abubakar Adamu, as I equally doff my hat for First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, the Minister of Women Affairs Mrs. Pauline Tallen and other women advocates and groups for considering and fighting for the women.”
“The logic that gave way eventually to my stepping down was the need to not distract the incumbent Governor, listen to my fathers, conscientiously listen to my base, the reality to meet more community leaders and understand our people more.”
“The challenge of these times and despite past missteps warrants that I and others work with the current administration to ensure that we do better for our people.
It should not matter if we belong to caucuses or not we should allow our collective developmental interest in our people prevail.”
What led to her decision to run, in the first place?
“I had muted this idea of running for the Governor of Lagos state to the former Governor of Lagos, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola, during his last year in office. I also told him of the need to train future leaders who will do right by our people. I also around the same period had a conversation with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who had said to me “Khairat what do you want from me?!!”
” So, fast forward, 10 years after, I jumped into the game because I became angry!
I was angry with the happenings in the country across the board! I bared my mind in other fora about why the killings, the abductions and the cultural decadence in our country, and the need for it to STOP. I spoke about why our president and those at the central seat of power must heed the clarion call.
” Then I thought I could reach out to my State Governor, Governor Babajide SanwoOlu to look into a program that may be able to serve as a cushion from the despair of our people and give some hope to their living conditions while caring to other state needs. I did all I could to reach him but could not, then I suddenly remembered my mission 10 years back and that fire was rekindled.”
” A good woman can make all the difference especially when we give her the chance. No one says it’s going to be easy.”
So, who is Hon Mrs Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye?
She smiles.”I am the girl next door who is not judgmental but who loves fairness. I love education, music, poetry, and can be highly self-motivated.
I can be carefree, careless, and sometimes very witty. I am that person who can be extremely kind and forgiving at the same time I can be extremely just and fair. I love the creator of the worlds and the heavens and I have great respect for leaders, elders and everyone who cares about a mutual respect.”
“I can be very fearless in dignity. My mum was asked a couple of times while growing up to check for sure that I am not a male.”
“I studied Town and Regional Planning, Geography and Regional Planning, and had the opportunity to serve in Kebbi State, Nigeria for my NYSC.
I remember crying before leaders of the state when I did not get the first price because I believed that I earned it with 5 successful projects some of which still stand till today. The leaders could not understand why I was always keen on trying to be the best.”
“Some said it might be because my name, Khairat can translate to best blessings. I was a leader right from my primary school days and became the first female Secretary General of LASUSUG (Lagos State University Student Union Government).
I helped myself to a Master’s degree in Business Administration and another master’s in Project Management in the USA. I love to build communities and can be very firm when I do so. A case in point was my recognition by the State of Georgia in 2014. I want to see a Lagos that works for all and helps pull people up leveraging the support of good people and good institutions across the globe.”
What are her political plans as we move close to the forthcoming General elections?
“I hope I can actively participate in the campaigns, helping bridge gaps and give real hope and expectations to our people for our party. I want to help our youths and see how we can bring more businesses to our state and our country. I had led groups that created structures across the country but I believe that no structure can hold if we are not sincere with our people and if we don’t work for them. I am ready to serve.”
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