One of the leading Estate Developers in Nigeria, Engineer Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem and Mogaji of Adanla Compound, has explained why he decided to retire from active politics after more than three decades of involvement.
Engr Karheem during an interview with Goalpoachernews on Thursday, stated that the toxic nature of the political environment around him influenced his decision to redirect his energy towards business development and the re-industrialization of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general.
The CEO of Affairs Group explained that his political journey dated back to 1991/1992 when he participated in the activities of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC).
He said his decision to withdraw from active politics was not borne out of any disagreement with Governor Seyi Makinde or other political figures in Oyo State, but rather a personal decision to focus on other areas of interest.
“I joined politics in 1991/92, SDP/NRC, and I believe it is becoming more toxic now for me, so the best thing to do is to retire,” he stated.
Asked why he chose to retire at a time when political activities are gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship succession process, Mogaji Adanla said he had no personal disagreement with any of the major political figures being mentioned as potential contenders for the state’s top political office.
He maintained that he had no problem with whoever eventually emerged as governor of Oyo State, noting that his relationships cut across political divides.
According to him, Bimbo Adekanmbi is a wonderful brother to him, just as Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Oloye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke (Solution), Oriyomi Hamzat and Saheed Oladele, whom he also described as good brothers and great personalities.
The business mogul also dismissed speculations that Governor Makinde’s recent remark about taking actions people would not forget before leaving office was directed at traditional rulers, particularly the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
The clarification followed discussions on social media after Makinde, during the presentation of the 2027 budget to the Oyo State House of Assembly, said he would remain governor until May 2027, even after the 2027 elections, and could take certain actions residents would not easily forget before leaving office.
The comment generated speculations in some quarters, including suggestions that the governor might be contemplating the removal of some traditional rulers.
However, Karheem said, based on his knowledge of the governor over the years, he did not believe the remark was directed at the traditional institution.
“I have known the governor for a while now. He is still my Egbon apart from my retirement from politics. The Engr Seyi that I know cannot destroy things. His tongue is not like his heart, and I am sure he was not referring to the kings,” he said.
On insinuations that the Makinde administration had favoured his company with government projects, including road construction in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) and other parts of the state, and that the governor might revoke the contracts following his retirement from politics, Karheem said he was not threatened by such speculation.
He explained that contractors were awarded projects through competitive bidding and that his relationship with the governor did not exempt him from the process.
“Majority of those doing GRA or other projects in the state don’t get close or get to know the governor until after winning the project through careful competitive bidding process. Even me, as his person, went through the same process as others, and eventually won the contract and started the project before telling him,” Mogaji Adanla said.
“Engineer Seyi does not see a contract as compensation for a political alliance; he prefers competent hands over political affiliation,” he added.
He expressed appreciation to the Oyo State Government for its patronage, maintaining that Makinde awarded contracts based on competence rather than political affiliation.
“I thank the government for the patronage and do not feel threatened by this. What you guys do not understand is that Engr Seyi Makinde does not award contracts on the basis of political affiliation but competence,” he said.
Mogaji Adanla further clarified that his retirement from active politics had not affected his personal relationship with the governor, describing Makinde as someone who continued to remember their humble beginnings.
“As mentioned, the governor is a wonderful brother who always remembers how we started. My retirement from politics does not make us enemies. If I need him for anything tonight, I will ask him and he will grant it as usual,” he said.
He also disclosed that he was not a card-carrying member of any political party and had not been secretly or openly associated with any governorship aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections.
Engineer Karheem maintained that his decision to retire from partisan politics should not be interpreted as a breakdown of his relationship with Makinde or an endorsement of any particular political interest, reiterating his commitment to business development and the re-industrialisation of Ibadanland.
