Besides his medical practice, Dr. Leke Pitan, has been engaged in politics nearly all his life. And if the truth must be told, the versatile public administrator, visionary leader, astute change agent and a good manager of men has done very, very well. A two-time commissioner in Lagos State, the ex-student of Igbobi College (Lagos) studied Medicine at the University of Ibadan. Currently the Medical Director of Mayowa Hospital, he boasts of extensive experiences covering both private and public sectors. Reputed for bringing a lot of changes into the medical and educational fields during his tenure as a commissioner, the father of three who hails from Epe, Lagos shared some of his plans for the Centre of Excellence with YES INTERNATIONAL! Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, AZUH ARINZE. This was on Saturday, May 10, 2014, and at Zen Chinese Restaurant, on Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Enjoy…
What makes a good politician?
A politician who understands the reason for his being in politics, who has passion for serving the people as his primary reason, who appreciates that alleviating their suffering in whatever form is the primary goal of government and therefore his governance in any level or form must be geared towards that. Then, you are a good politician. I want a situation where the perception of people about politician or politicians can be changed towards that and we politicians have a lot to do to ensure that paradigm shift in people’s perception of us. We have a lot to do.
What is the costliest mistake that any politician can make?
It’s to cut your nose to spite your face in the sense of going there to think that you are there to make money. Once you do that, you are going to continue to see it as a business. Therefore, you continue investing and also continue looting to recover. And you will find it difficult to even step out of it. It becomes not just a catch 22, but something that never ends; it becomes a life race. To my mind, it’s a wrong way to approach politics and power management or governance.
Why does Dr. Leke Pitan want to be Lagos State governor?
I’m offering myself to the people through the party, my party (APC), because I know I have demonstrated experience or competence; I’ve also shown over and over again that one could meet their needs. My cliché goes – DLP – Dr. Leke Pitan – Delivering Lagos Promise. The promise Lagos holds to the people – those living here and those who come in temporarily and go. There’s something they are looking forward to in Lagos, which is a place that they will be able to aim for the sky socio-economically. That promise, with all that is attached to it – security, social service, economic emancipation, land of opportunities. One can help them attain their life’s purpose by delivering the Lagos promise.
What is your own definition of politics?
Just what I’ve said earlier – requesting for power from the people in order to help them attain their life’s purpose.
What got you interested in politics in the first instance?
The fact that through it, you can help the people, using their resources. The other way round is to think about using your own resources and if they are limited, you are limited to just what your resources can carry. And if the people’s resources are well managed, a lot of sufferings will be alleviated.
What is the greatest thing that politics has done for you?
It has given me the opportunity to help the needy; the largest number that I could ever dream of. Through politics, one has been able to do that. Otherwise one would have helped one there, two here. But through it, one was able to help maximize; that’s the right word, the resources of the people. Both human resources and financial resources of the people to make sure they derive the greatest benefit and more importantly, that one was able to attract even from within and outside the shores of this country more assistance for the people.
What has politics not done for you?
I have no regrets in politics that I will say oh; this is what it has not done. So far so good. One has impacted on lives, both that of even fellow politicians and people outside. So, to that extent, I have no regrets or want or even need in politics. Because I’ve come into politics with a very clear view. I don’t see it as a business. So, the issue of profit and loss does not arise; the issue of sustaining a business in it or through it has never crossed my mind. So, I cannot start talking about what politics has not done for me. No!
Which politician has inspired you the most and why?
Quite a number of them. For instance, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Nelson Mandela. They’ve inspired me. Especially Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Nelson Mandela; internationally.
Why is everybody talking about Dr. Leke Pitan? Why are you one of the major issues in Lagos politics? Could that be because the position has been zoned to Epe where you come from and also happen to be one of the strongest politicians from Epe, a Christian or it’s just your pedigree?
First of all, the grace of God has made that pedigree possible. There’s none of that my pedigree that was manufactured in the last 6 months or one year. So, the issue of religion is not there. Even without that, my pedigree will still remain my pedigree because when you talk of pedigree, you talk about one’s antecedents and records. So, it’s God I owe that to first; as well as my various acquaintances in terms of my relations, my leaders, my colleagues, those I’ve worked with, both before government and those I’ve worked with while in government and even outside of government – my governor that time, that is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and my governor presently, Mr. Fashola, who was also a colleague and my other colleagues. So, when you put all that together, they’ve all contributed. Including the civil servants that served under me.
You’ve been into politics now for decades. What would you say has sustained you?
First of all, the passion to help the needy. Two, the realization which gets strengthened each day as I go on that so much can be done if the resources are properly managed. So much. And that even in religion, one good way to do God’s will is when you govern well; when you help the needy, you provide succor to their suffering, you are serving God wonderfully. That strong belief and knowledge in me keeps me going.
Away from politics, what do you do for relaxation?
I walk and I read books.
Most people attain success in politics, but they are not able to sustain it. Where do they get it wrong?
Once they lose focus. Like I told you, if you are not well grounded in the passion to serve the people, you start doing photo tricks. You do something for a short while so that you can attain something and then when you get there, you now feel you’ve been made and now you begin to enjoy. I never see governance as a means, mode or situation for enjoyment. No. I see it purely for service and nothing but service. So, once you are absolutely focused like that; almost fixated, the issue of not being able to sustain does not arise.
If elected in 2015 as the governor of Lagos State, what is the most critical issue that you are going to focus on?
Emancipation of the poor masses in many ways; including providing free accommodation for those who cannot absolutely afford to; cheap for those of some means, low income for those of appropriate middle income. Through it, I will provide employment. Employment from the ordinary labourer to the architect and engineer. And I’m talking of massive employment. To social welfare, in terms of schools, hospitals. A lot of that too is construction. Of course, there is the training aspect, manpower and so on and so forth. You find out that when you go through that route, it has a multiplier effect. Even talking of school meal has a multiplier effect in the economy. Ordinary egg; if you say children in school must have let’s say one egg a day, poultry companies, their workers, those who will cook it and so on and so forth. Those who will provide the poultry feeds. I’m just giving you examples. You can see the multiplier effects – how much more when you talk of accommodation, construction of houses, shelter for the poor.
You’ve been a Commissioner for Health and also a Commissioner for Education in Lagos State. What would you say was your greatest achievement in those two offices?
That God helped me to be a living evidence that so much can be done for the people; that God helped me to attain that status of a living evidence. If you get me? Without looking at a book, I can go on telling you so much that we did, that at the end of it, you yourself will be convinced that it’s do-able. Even if you are going to get into that office, you already have a goal, you already know what is possible.
Let’s go a bit personal now. How much of a family man are you and can you tell us about your family?
Very much of a family man. I’m married. Happily married. My wife’s name is Mrs. Wuraola Pitan. I have three children. They are all graduates. One is a surgeon in the US. Her name is Mayowa Abiodun. She’s married now. The second one is Olufunsho Pitan and Adeyemi Pitan. One is a doctor, one is a biologist and the other is an accountant.
NB: First published May 2014